Alu frame chain stays not parallel - beyond redemption?

I've got an '08 langster (don't shoot me, I get it) that's had a bloody tough life. I've changed most of the parts. (Shim R500 front, Aeroage rear, Easton bars, Tektro track pedals, minging multicolour tires, ultegra brakes)

I have a big problem with chain slip and the rear axle in general. I tried fitting new bolts, that didn't work. I've now bit the bullet and fitted MKS chain tugs (very few tugs fit the ridiculously designed lugster rear triangle due to dropout width). It's really made it clear that the non-driveside chain stay is not square with the driveside stay (it angles in towards the axle slightly, a few degrees).

It's even mullered one of those ball crushingly expensive MKS tugs due to the uneven pressure on the bolt. There's also a lot of flex back there, but that might be standard on this frame, I'm not sure.

I've not had a BIG crash on the bike but I have come off fairly heavily a couple of times and it has had a tough life. I'm in the process of saving for something very different to replace it but don't have the dosh yet.

Is the frame spent or is this not even an issue? I've yet to ride it on the tugs so don't know if this will solve the slip issue or at least help reduce it. (NB - freewheel and chains have been changed multiple times over the bikes life.)

I can post pics if that would help but it's quite hard to see. I guess the secondary question is for suggestions on a short term replacement frame whilst I save for my big summer build.

I'd say the only way to find out is to ride it. If it's knackered, a replacement frame isn't a lot of money; cheaper than getting it repaired, at least.

Well that's a disgusting term to use.

I'd say the only way to find out is to ride it. If it's knackered, a replacement frame isn't a lot of money; cheaper than getting it repaired, at least.

Thanks, you're right, I've edited the post to remove it.

I guess so, I don't want to pay for repairs to it. It's been a fun bike despite its reputation but we are now entering the law of diminishing returns on what i'm spending to keep it on the road. I guess i just wondered if that wonky dropouts / stays thing meant it was actually dangerous /that the structure of it was weak.

Yeah, bending aluminium tends to work-harden it so it's more likely to break. It's certainly going to be weaker than it was, but it's gonna be hard to tell whether it's going to break during use. Bending it back would be a bad idea since it would only make it weaker.

If it's bent in by just a few degrees, does it make that much of a difference anyway? Is the tyre rubbing on the brake/frame?

Also I'd check it really carefully for cracks, especially if it seems flexible.

I've got an '08 langster (don't shoot me, I get it)...

We don't get it...

We don't get it...

Lol, I'm living with the consequences of a bad decision 4 years ago. In fact, that applies to a lot of stuff one f which is owning one of this forums most despised bikes. Hey ho.

Cheers lae, i took it out for a spin this arvo and miraculously the chain is now staying taught, and nothing seems to have moved. Took it over some cobbles too to give it a good chance. Appreciate your advice.

Sounds like you need to tighten the track nuts more. I don't get why the wheel would slip just because the trackends aren't 'square'. If it's tight enough, it won't move.

Yeah it's a weird one, as I keep the nuts seriously tight all the time (wow). The nuts seem to be gripping the tugs much better than they were gripping the steel (i think steel anyway) plates on the alu dropouts so maybe it's just wear and tear on the ends. Will find out tomorrow morning on the commute I guess. If you see someone kicking a langster with a dropped chain by the craters by sainsburys on Essex road it will be me, sadly, again.

If that doesn't work, you can try using knurled washers up against the frame/tugs. They do make a difference. You can use them on both sides of the dropout too.

Cheers guys. The tugs have held and the chain is still tight despite the width of the langster track ends being wider than the tugs, which is probably going to end in tears at some point. Good tip on the washers.