I Klein a go-go

I got this Klein Quantum a little while ago. It was cheap. And then I realised why. There's a frame defect (see pic below), which I must have thought didn't look too bad on Ebay, but in the cold light of day was a bit more bothersome.
Anyway, I still like the look of it, mostly because of its big, fat tubes, which might make the basis of an interesting paint job.
At present it's a sorta ice/silver/fade, which looks cleaner in the photos than it does on a cold, grey January morning. So, there are a number of options, but first, is it even worth giving a go?

There's a crease in the downtube, which could be a major problem structurally, or not really depending on your view. I'd like some opinions please. The obvious course of direction is just bin it and avoid the risk. In contrast, the crease is easily fillable, pending a respray.

If a goer, then the options running through my mind are as follows:
1: Clean and shine frameset as is and apply new wheels running gear. Rear spacing is 130mm, so a new wheelset will work. I also have a Tiagra groupset ready to go, or black Ultegra from a donor bike. Doing this, at least gives the option of test riding, before investment in new paint etc.
2: Strip down to frameset, blast clean and send off for new paint. I'm loving the paint thread in Framebuilders and would be interested in going down that route. Whether that includes the fork or not is moot.
3: Strip down to frameset, blast and prime ready for a Sharpie Pen doodle scheme.
4: Strip down to frameset, blast and try my hand at DIY fade job via rattle can.

So that's where I'm at. Thoughts anyone?

More pics here:http://s432.photobucket.com/user/Luigi1936/slideshow/I%20Klein%20a%20go-go

2 Attachments

Hmm, that's one hell of a crack. Knowing how thin these tubes are, I wouldn't feel safe on it when going downhill at 40 mph. Filling will only repair it aesthetically, not structurally. I'd say: bin it. Or put it on your wall at home.

But at least you got some nice Neutron Ultra wheels for what you paid for it...

Took me a moment to get the, slightly tortuous, pun. :)

The dent doesn't extend more than halfway around the tube, but it is creased: I'd want a professional (rather than internet) opinion and would prepare myself to be disappointed. :(

I'd ride it. Life is short

Could be even shorter as a result of riding it... ;)

It's better to die on a Klein than live on your Colnago
(nothing personal, just rephrasing a quote)

:)

LFGSS philosophy at its best haha

The downtube is mainly in tension (ie being pulled when you sit on the bike) - thats how Slingshots can replace the tube with a steel cable and not collapse. So I think that crease will be fine since it isn't under compression. I'd ride it and keep an eye on the crease, but that's just me.

I wouldn't spend more money on the frame though or cover up the defect which would stop you monitoring it.

LFGSS philosophy at its best haha

ofcourse I could have answered that Beret's quote stands for a "Klein" but not for a Trek with a paint upgrade . ;-)

I’d put some silly Chinese carbon bits on it and make it a crit weapon then ride the hell out of it until it dies. But I’ve made a lot of silly choices in bikes before

Do you think the metal near the crease can't rip due to the tension? (I'm asking, I'm not an engineer).

Slingshot has indeed a cable but not one that's half snapped...

Not an engineer here, but a steelworker. The danger is, if anything, the crease getting bigger and making the tube fold. Won't snap if it's not rusted.
It may be possible to minimise the thing with frame blocks, but it's just in the bottle bolt. Worth asking a frame builder.

Thanks for the input. I was expecting any pro framebuilder to take the sensible route and condemn it. I mean, you would, wouldn't you?
I should also have pointed out that, yes, it's a Trek-era Klein, which is why I'm considering using it as a bit of a guinea pig for customisation. According to the badge on the downtube, it was made in Klein's factory in Chehalis so I like to think it is more Klein than Trek. If it was a 'proper' Klein then I would be considering a much more sympathetic resto.
As it stands, I think I'm going to strip off the running gear, give it a spruce, refit with upgraded bits and ride it - keeping a close eye on that crease as we go.

1 Attachment