'Sledding the Badger': Hinault Altec Road

That said, if somehow @boredom could be an absolute hero and manage to get a similar picture of the HT DT joint on his frame before this potentially gets posted off on Tuesday, that would settle it once and for all...

Hope this works out ok in the end, cool frame.

Thanks pal. My inner pessimist is looking more and more likely to be right though, despite my best efforts...

Ok guys,
I rode it this morning and there is definitely something wrong on this frame, I don't know if it took a shock during the storage process (in a garage with all my friend's stuff, very messy garage with a car). But to me the frame is clearly dead, I focused on it when I rode it and my front foot is way to much close to the front wheel especially when I take a tight turn. This obviously not normal. I will see to my friend if he had further information but to me is dead.
I'm also pretty sure that if I put the fork on another bike, the frame will be slopping a little bit too.
Very sorry for the emotional upside down, it was a beautiful bike but not anymore.
I could propose to you to offer you the frame and the fork (reducing my price only to the weels and the other stuffs), but to me is useless (and maybe for you too).
So of course, I could refund you the total amount.
More in PM ;)

Cheers,
Bevin.

:(

I'll wait for your PM :(

Life gives and takes :[

Oh man, I feel for you

What I can't get my head round is the relatively large clearance on the DT if crashed. Would expect rizla. I am not sure the overlap would be any different if slacker either. Quandary. @Boredom close up could be descisve imo.

Few days away I'm afraid, my knee is quite fucked atm. I will get a few up asap though

I focused on it when I rode it and my front foot is way to much close to the front wheel especially when I take a tight turn. This obviously not normal

Is that the only thing?

I agree with everyone else that the photos make it look like it's been crashed head on, but you should be able to ascertain that from looking and taking it to a bike shop for their opinion.

But a road bike having toe overlap is perfectly normal. It tends to be more common in smaller frames and it can obviously be designed out. But I don't think you can use it as an indicator of damage.

If I've misunderstood and there's something else, fair enough. I'd still take it to a shop to be checked out.

Hey,
I'm ok to say that having toe overlap could be normal (especially on a small frame...) but to me, with the clue of the weird angle of tubes it's enough to say it's not part of the design.
I didn't feel anything else, just generally felt uncomfortable and not very safe in this position.
[Maybe make a totally twisted bike with a 650 front wheel ! ;)]

I think @citizenshane is right. The accumulation of the odd geometry, the suspicious dent and the toe overlap just means riding this frame would feel unsafe.

That's not to say a horrible crash would be inevitable, but there's certainly the possibility, and that's enough to make it not worth it in my eyes. Plus, even if it was absolutely fine for as long as I had it, I would always know there was something untoward, and that would always leave a bit of a sour taste.

It pains me to say it, but as Bevin doesn't feel comfortable riding it, then he's not comfortable selling it to someone else to ride, and I respect that.

Some google fu shows Jambon's Hinault on Pedal Room. (Assuming now @boredom's)

Difficult to say for sure but tubeset def looks tailored to headtube...

http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/bernard-hinault-4312

Oh, well this is just confuses matters even more! If only that photo were a little lower...

I genuinely think I'll never be able to look at a headtube joint and not wish to to be bent now! :)

Unless both pranged of course... :o)

Yeah could be! Nobody knows! Although I'm sure @boredom doesn't want us opening that can of worms :)

Is this an obvious question: what's the significance of the SLED sticker?

haha endless story (maybe talk with the owner of this one)...
But at least it's a good experience, when we plan to have a new bike STILL look at the entire geometry. It's like the nose in the middle of the face (from the French expression "le nez au milieu de la figure"), it's obvious but we can still pass by.

Cute rodent by the way... so sad...

"what's the significance of the SLED sticker?" I also would like to know.

it's French.

"si, elle est dingue"

Smooth looks every day.

Slow loris eats dinner

"Smooth looks every day" + The Rodent. It's so lovely :)