Ding in a frame - problem?

[Blue Hills]

Stupidly leant my pride and joy Ridgeback Expedition bike (26 inch wheels) against a concrete post (lesson learned) and it slipped - lots of scrapes on the top bar paintwork I can live with I suppose - battle scars - not a bike that needs to look pristine anyway.

But there are two dings/indentations/dimples on the top bar - one tiny, one a bit bigger. But no sign of cracking or a sharp edge I stress.

Need I be worried about any loss of structural strength? I should perhaps say that although I am of moderate (I like to think) weight, the bike is sometimes loaded up to high heaven with bulky heavy camping gear (and have just bought a near 5kg tent for winter camping) as anyone who saw me on the 2017 Dunwich Dynamo will know.

The frame is Reynolds 520.

Initial web research suggests I will be OK but seeking advice from you knowledgeable folk.

Will try to bring it along on this Sunday's London cchat ride in case any framemeisters are along and want to take a look at it.

On the smaller issue of the paintwork, I seem to remember seeing recommendations to use nail polish to prevent rust. Good idea? I know women use some formidable cosmetics at times but is it really up to bike prepping?

Thanks in anticipation/worry.

 

[minininjarob]

It will probably be ok but a picture with a ruler showing how big the issue is would help.

Lots of mountain bikers used to continue riding bikes in the 90's after denting their top tubes with the (fashionable at the time) slammed straight bars - with no issues. 520 is a pretty thick tubeset anyway.

 

[Blue Hills]

Ta for the reply - will try to take a pic though I fear it will be hard to photograph.

Am always amazed by how thin-walled many bike tubes are.

Other contributions welcomed.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Be fine I have seen plenty on frames.
Even more so if a camera won't show it.

 

[Blue Hills]

Have managed a pic.

It's the area with the two marks.

That entire area is probably about 1cm square.

Ridgeback expedition ding

• Blue Hills
• 19 Oct 2018

PS - ignore the tubing in the background with Ridgeback on it - another bike - I like Ridgebacks

 

[Drago]

That'll be fine. A bitch to repair, but fine if left. Keep an eye on it though.

 

[swee'pea99]

I rode a frame with a significantly bigger dent than that for years, no problem. And that was Reynolds 653 - positively skimpy compared to 520.

 

[screenman]

That would not worry me and dents are my trade.

 

[Drago]

I rode a frame with a significantly bigger dent than that for years, no problem. And that was Reynolds 653 - positively skimpy compared to 520.

On a completely unrelated note, what did you do in the end with that 653 frame that snapped and caused you to sever an Arm?

 

[fossyant]

It's fine. Polish it up and find a suitable sticker !

 

[Blue Hills]

On a completely unrelated note, what did you do in the end with that 653 frame that snapped and caused you to sever an Arm?

a joke I presume?

 

[Blue Hills]

I rode a frame with a significantly bigger dent than that for years, no problem. And that was Reynolds 653 - positively skimpy compared to 520.

how does 725 relate to that?

My Hewitt is 725.

 

[swee'pea99]

a joke I presume?

I believe the correct term is 'joke'.

 

[Drago]

Most assuredly a jape.

 

[cyberknight]

It's fine. Polish it up and find a suitable sticker !

my white boardman had a similar ding on the chain stay , sticker over it and its been fine for 6 years so far