Attempted robbery, ruined seatstays?

Dear All,

Sadly someone tried to steal my Carlton whilst locked up in town (Kryptonite Evo mini), they just yanked at it until they bent the seatstays.

Tubes are 531C

I'm in Notts (i'm contacting Mercian in Derby), but wondered if anyone could recommend whether this is fixable (or will require new tubes).

Pretty gutted, as it's my favorite bike.

Photos:

what an utter fucking thieving tossbag !

i'm sure you don't need reminding that those seatstays are tootally fooked, lugs and everything looks completely broken and bent.

Rip

Did your lock not pass through your wheel also? Was that damaged also?

Real shame. Probably some pisshead who saw a gap between the lock and the frame, and thought he'd have a go.

cost about £75 for a new stay

Replacement 531 frame = £50

Aye, but it's a 531c (and the c makes all the difference) 1980's Carlton track frame. So a replacement would be >£300.

The wheels (campag omega V, sob) were also twisted up but not beyond re-trueing.

I think i'll see what Mercian say, it needs new paint too.

Bastards indeed.

What utter fuck shits.

Aye, but it's a 531c (and the c makes all the difference) 1980's Carlton track frame. So a replacement would be >£300.

The wheels (campag omega V, sob) were also twisted up but not beyond re-trueing.

I think i'll see what Mercian say, it needs new paint too.

Bastards indeed.

didn't know it was a track frame. worth repairing. Get a quote form Argos too? Might as well get a new coat of paint and see if you can get a deal for about £150 all in? Vaz in London is cheaper if you are coming this way some time.

I'll email him some photos, might be able to get a good deal. Can take it over to Mercian for a quote if needs be too.

Better days:

or do it yourself with silver brazing. Entirely possible for less than £100

I like the way you had it set up, real casual.

Its totally teh sex when a single drop lever is used too. Looks well classic.

You did get this well cheap didnt you? If you like the bike why not fix it, youll only have to spend it on something else you may not like as much.

Look around for other frame builders though (list on ceeway website) Mercian, Argos & Bob Jackson have become so well known and absorbed by the hipster crowd. Waiting lists & jacked up prices.

Plenty of smaller framebuilders still out there who would probably be cheaper and could do with the trade.

Lee Cooper (who now makes the 14 Bike Co stuff) quoted me £40ish to replace a top tube & headtube lug. Seemed like a well-complex job to me.

Bet he charges a fortune now that he has so much work from 14bike co.

Fuckers! Good luck with getting it repaired!

Yes, love having a single drop lever.. I like being on the drops whenever i'm going for it (ie. when I need the brake).

I'll have a word with some of the local framebuilders (or LBS with contacts). Mercian have a good reputation, but it's expensive.

If anyone has recommendations in midlands area i'd be interested to hear.

And yes, the bike I got for very little, so I owe it to my good luck to spend something getting her back up and running.

Did this happen at night? Some right shit heads in the city center when the sun goes down

Toby, Mercian are building me a frame at the moment - i will be going there again later this week maybe if you want to come along?

Aye, night time lock-up.

When are you heading over to Mercian? I'm in work all week sadly. Will try and nip over one weekend.

tobyprice, really sorry to hear about this. your Carlton's one of the classic forum bikes for me.

I reckon Dave Yates might be worth asking about a repair. He's a nice gent, and not too far away in Lincs, near a place called Coningsby.

damage is worth repairing for such a nice steed, list of framebuilders > http://www.ceeway.com/custom_uk_bicycle_framebuilders.htm

Edison's in Clowne will do the repair for much less than Mercian, and as he was a Raleigh Special Products division builder might even have built that bike in the first place.

Edison's in Clowne will do the repair for much less than Mercian, and as he was a Raleigh Special Products division builder might even have built that bike in the first place.

Wow, thanks for that recommendation, gave them a call. I'm sending over some photos.

tobyprice, really sorry to hear about this. your Carlton's one of the classic forum bikes for me.

I reckon Dave Yates might be worth asking about a repair. He's a nice gent, and not too far away in Lincs, near a place called Coningsby.

Thanks Skully, I'd love to get it back in action. I'm waiting on a Dave Yates quote too.

damage is worth repairing for such a nice steed, list of framebuilders > http://www.ceeway.com/custom_uk_bicycle_framebuilders.htm

Good list, I've got options, which is great.

So, I've had a quote back. £200 to replace the seat stays and bridge and respray (and decals).

Does this seem like a good deal? Not sure how much i'd be paying for a new Carlton track frame (or equivalent).

£200 gets you: New metal + welding/brazing + paint + decals. Seems sensible to me. I would imagine that other quotes will get you within 10% of that number.

A new Bob Jackson or Mercian will be twice that.

Plus, you do like the frame yes?

it's my favorite bike

OK then.

So, I've had a quote back. £200 to replace the seat stays and bridge and respray (and decals).

Does this seem like a good deal? Not sure how much i'd be paying for a new Carlton track frame (or equivalent).

Where's this quote from? I'm also in the market for some repairs/respray soon.

For the record can I also express admiration for the Carlton. Supercool bike.