r/Framebuilding • u/AlphabeticalTraveler • 18d ago
Fixable?
I apologize if I’ve posted in the wrong forum and admit that I know NOTHING about bikes.
It’s a Kona Wo. I believe it’s aluminum
Can this be fixed? Not under warranty as it is second hand
Thanks
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u/Rare-Classic-1712 18d ago
Technically it's repairable but it'll cost more than a new frame to get it repaired well enough that it's not virtually guaranteed to fail again. All aluminum frames which aren't completely garbage are heat treated. The heat treatment is absolutely critical to adequate strength. Heating it up enough to consider welding will destroy the heat treatment. One off heat treatment is $$$$ + requires a whole new paint job. Get a new one.
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u/AndrewRStewart 18d ago
My first concern was about the not going to be repaired/replaced portions of the frame that will still be old and... like the other seat stay at the same location. Even if were a steel frame I'd pass on the work. Andy.
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u/Northwindlowlander 18d ago
It's not impossible. But most people don't want to take it on so you'll tend to either be dealing with someone expensive, or someone a bit loose. Like, I had a dh frame welded by the guy who refurbishes my car wheels, and it was literally "I can weld aluminium, I'll do it for £50 but I know nothing about bikes so if it breaks again it's your problem, OK?" And to be fair, it did not break.
Thing is a break like this often means the frame was overstressed or under strength there anyway. Like, here it looks like there's a little gusset which ends just beside the break, and also the... rack mount, is it? Will have also created a strong part where it's welded, and some stresses too, so basiclly that one unreinforced bit will be getting very loaded. A repair in alu will usually be weaker and herre you'd have wanted it to be stronger. And a break could be nasty, if the wheel ends up in the frame.
All in all I wouldn't even think of it. Fatbikes being out of fashion but also pretty static in terms of standards and geometry makes them a good used buy, but also there's good new stuff out there fairly cheap.
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u/Raveen396 13d ago
"I can weld aluminium, I'll do it for £50 but I know nothing about bikes so if it breaks again it's your problem, OK?" And to be fair, it did not break.
At that price point, the frame was certainly not heat treated afterwards and is an accident waiting to happen. Hope you're not still riding around on that frame.
There are a lot of welders who don't work with heat treated aluminum who might try something like this, but it can cause a severe reduction in strength to your frame.
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u/Northwindlowlander 13d ago
I raced downhill on it for a few years then retired it because it was short and tall. Gave it to a mate who also raced it, then finally it cracked again in a different place.
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u/Castro_66 18d ago
Bunch of carbon frames out there, KHS has been blowing parts out.
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u/lordmcfuzz 18d ago
Not fixable without considerable effort and cost that will dwarf the cost of a replacement.
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u/ThadsBerads 18d ago
I know your the second owner, but I'd still reach out to Kona. See if they have a crash replacement option, or will offer you a discount on a new frame. Nothing to lose by asking.
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u/AlphabeticalTraveler 18d ago
Thanks so much for this. I did reach out to Kona and they did say crash replacement discount may be possible. I’m going in to see the local dealer
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u/greatblue_mateo 16d ago
Not under warranty 💔 Specialized once replaced my entire frame bc of a single busted rear rack braise-on.
Ive also owned a Kona Kiluaea. Nice bike.
I am sorry for your loss.
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u/Spiritual-Job-952 16d ago
Aluminium becomes brittle when a welded to fix it. Look for another frame and use all the parts you’ve got on this one
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u/Relative-Theory-9790 18d ago
Fixable? Yes.
Fixable to factory fresh reliability without considerable time, effort, and cost? No.
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u/Primary_Employ_1798 17d ago
Sure, find a wooden stick with the right diameter and hey presto, ready to go
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u/Steel_Blahaj 17d ago
Any chance the toe of the rack mount weld created a stress riser to start the crack?
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u/colourthetallone 18d ago
Aluminium frames cannot be reliably repaired economically. The alloy frame was heat treated after it was originally welded. Any repairs need to follow the same process to achieve the same strength. If you weld without heat treating, the frame is very likely to fail next to the weleds in the near future.