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I've a frame to sell which has a small but not structural dent on the underside of the downtube near the BB (flat tube profile). It's only a two year old frame (annoyingly) and is otherwise in VGC. I know the dent will put off a of people and won't be neglecting to mention it on any advert. What I'm struggling with is getting an idea of what sort of hit to expect.
The frame is also invisiframed and the film around the dent is scuffed. To me full invisiframe is a selling point but I think it is making the dent look worse than it is (there is scratch in the film which looks like a crack but it is just dirt in the film). Would having a small area cut back bug you as a buyer?
Until I impulse bought a new frame I was intending to fit a tube protector and forget about it (which would hide the mark completely). Guess what I'm asking is best approach for the sale to be as clear as possible but still maximise sale price.
not a small dent ! I'm an instant 'no' on that.
Wouldn't put me off buying because I'd be excited about buying a heavily discounted frame with a fairly large dent. Sorry nixie.
Fair enough, no need to be sorry I'm expecting to loose money on it (vs an undented example). I called it small as it's smaller than the nail on my little finger and deforms only the flat plane not the radius to either side, it is also shallow. The pic is zoomed in.
Maybe the quality of pic being pretty good makes it look worse than the reality.
Another photo showing it in context would definitely be useful then
Another pic from further away will put it in perspective 🙂
Along with your transparency, I'd replace that entire piece of invisi. They (used to) do single pieces
Is it a really skinny tube then, or something about the photo? it looks like 1/3rd way across.
I'd remove this piece of the invisiframe for your sale photos because that little split in the film with the dirt under does look very crackesque.
I'd remove that piece of frame protection for photo's/sale and just be honest about it. FWIW I'd have no problem buying a frame like that. My last bike picked up a similar ding in the first month or so of ownership and was still fine 5+ years later.
Now removed. I don't think the paint finish helps on the frame. It's raw with a clear coat, seems to show the rough finish of the metal a fair bit.
In context
Looks much better with the invisiframe removed.
That's kind of what it's designed for.
It's always best with dents to put something to scale the damage with as it's pretty difficult to judge it without.
That dent wouldn't put me off at all. It'd just show me you were being honest pointing it out.
Assume the 2 transverse lines that look like cracks are just the ends of the remaining bits of invisiframe? I'd probably peel those bits off too as the lines don't help to show the actual condition of the frame.
Selling on ebay? Id just use the last photo and mention a small ding in the listing. I cant see that affecting the sale value too much. The close ups are far more scary.
I asked a similar question on here a few years ago. Was told by the masses it was scrap/lethal/etc
Decided to list on eBay with plenty of description and photos to show the dent at its worst.
The frame went for more than I expected.
'Tis just a flesh wound! 🙂
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Assume the 2 transverse lines that look like cracks are just the ends of the remaining bits of invisiframe?
They are yes. I think I have some spare film so will look to recover this part.
Selling on ebay?
As soon as a cheap list day comes up yes.
The frame went for more than I expected.
Fingers crossed. Its not actually had much usage and I have a brand new shock to go with it so can but hope.
First photo makes it look terrible, second lot of photos make it look like nothing to worry about at all 😀
I sold my Jeffsy a couple of years ago with a dent on the downtube similar to that for more than I wanted for it (to be fair this was the height of pandemic second hand prices) but the guy seemed to know his stuff and was totally fine with it, since a dent in that place doesn't affect anything as long as it's not big.
Really can’t see a ding that small affecting sale price much to be fair !!
The crack that isn't a crack looks like the beginnings of filiform corrosion 🙁
It looks like a scratch in the lacquer up close.
It looks like a scratch in the lacquer up close.
I had a clearcoat frame with very similar marks to that.
It'd been attacked by the pedal pins of another bike.
Looked like a crack until i lightly sanded the clearcoat off.