Is this frame damaged?

Just got a frame and noticed a small bump on the underside of the downtube very close to the headtube. I've read that this could indicate that the frame was involved in a head on collision. You can actually see the bump in this pic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnelst/8447775977/in/set-72157632698336430) and the way the light hits the frame in this one (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnelst/8448862206/in/set-72157632698336430). Anyone have any idea?

Cheers,

steven

Looks fucked.

Shit
Woods
Bears

Canal street?

not great, can you get a refund?

Looks worse than fucked as that indicates a major frontal impact. Here is some advice which you might take or not.

1. Get money back from seller without screaming at him/her and telling them they are a complete shyster for selling a bike they should know is toast!!
   
2. Ask them if they want to have bike/frame returned?
   
3. If they do not want the frame returned consider taking it to a reliable frame builder and getting a replacement tube (one of the benefits of steel). It will not be cheap and you will also have to get frame resprayed/powdercoated.
   
4. Advertise your free frame here and when you sell it make a donation to forum. This might be the most important part!!
   
   

3 and 4 are OK if the cost of repair and painting will generate a surplus. If not, crush the frame and bin it or put it in a skip with a note describing why it is there.

Good luck. Do not sue me as I am not giving you this advice in any professional capacity!!!!!!

Looks worse than fucked as that indicates a major frontal impact. Here is some advice which you might take or not.

1. Get money back from seller without screaming at him/her and telling them they are a complete shyster for selling a bike they should know is toast!!
   
2. Ask them if they want to have bike/frame returned?
   
3. If they do not want the frame returned consider taking it to a reliable frame builder and getting a replacement tube (one of the benefits of steel). It will not be cheap and you will also have to get frame resprayed/powdercoated.
   
4. Advertise your free frame here and when you sell it make a donation to forum. This might be the most important part!!
   
   

3 and 4 are OK if the cost of repair and painting will generate a surplus. If not, crush the frame and bin it or put it in a skip with a note describing why it is there.

Good luck. Do not sue me as I am not giving you this advice in any professional capacity!!!!!!

http://www.lfgss.com/thread101354.html
your problem will be.. that simplexNL told in the thread about the knob/bump..and people already said it doesnt look good... and you are showing his picture album as evidence..i heavilly doubt you didn't notice it before buying

on the other hand he said it should be no problem.. best thing i guess you could do is to find an experienced steel mechanic (or someone with good rep on the forum) and ask if it will be dangerous..because steel can handle quite some drama.. if he/she says its risky, you could consider asking for refund..

as a tip, there are some framebuilders in current projects that might be able to replace the tube for a slight cheaper price than a normal shop..

thanks for your advice. to be honest he did mention a small knob in the thread but i couldnt really see from the pics how bad it was. when i got the frame i noticed it is quite a considerable bump and on closer inspection of the pics (which admittedly i should have done before purchasing the thing!) you can see a fair bit of damage (the second pic i linked where the light hits the frame). after a bit of research and expert opinion (including my LBS) i think it is safe to assume this frame has experienced major frontal impact and is "worse than fucked".
partly my fault for not being as careful as i should have but i feel the seller has kinda overlooked the damage a wee bit and has advertised a damaged from for sale without mentioning the extent of the damage. waiting to hear back from him so dont wanna paint him in a bad light as he might help me out here...

Firstly you shouldn't trust all the advice you get from the Internet, but I'm still riding a frame that I got four years ago with similar damage.

(I'm suggesting tha my advice is the bit you shouldn't trust, not others)

whilst it was advertised as having a bump the seller did say: "The frame is absolutely straight and has no damage at all" in the OP so I think its fair to at least ask for a refund

Part of the problem is that the head tube angle may now be incorrect.

Firstly you shouldn't trust all the advice you get from the Internet, but I'm still riding a frame that I got four years ago with similar damage.

(I'm suggesting tha my advice is the bit you shouldn't trust, not others)

Quite right, Sir.
Steel is a very forgiving and flexible material.
Just because a frame's been subject to forces beyond its plastic limit and deformed, doesn't mean it's dangerous; no holes, no cracks, no problem.

However, it is of no value, aesthetically and geometrically. I'd be after me cash back.

Thanks for all your comments and advice. In talks about a refund....

...tho looking unlikely.

I had something very similar on my last frame. I hit the back bumper of a car that was taking off at a light and braked suddenly. Very gently - driver didnt notice and i dont think i even took my feet off the pedals (Nerwig tubing is pretty delicate, apparently). Anyway, twas enough to do similar damage to what you have there on your frame. I only noticed about 2 weeks later when i realised i had a toeverlap that I never had before.
There was a complementary bend in the top tube as well, but you wouldnt notice unless you went looking for it. I scratched the pain off the bubble to make sure there was no fissure, and used it no problems for about another 9 months, daily. It did slowly develop into a crack though, so I retired it before it killed me in the face.

If you're looking to use the frame under normal conditions (ie light road use) and it steers OK, then consider it a 'cosmetic problem' as it will have shortened the wheelbase by a few mm. If you'e after making a mint bike, or doing it up to make a mint, its a no-hoper. The cost to repair it will signficantly outweigh its resale value. sorry!