welding a frame, does it last?

[chrisx]

The rear drop out broke off about an inch in front of the derailleur hanger.
choices
a. have it welded back on
b. get a new frame
c. buy a back pack

edit:  It's an older steel frame. 96 MTN TEK, Extrem.  ( before epic.)  I like being able to park it any where with a cheap cable lock.  dings take a long time to rust, must be good metal.  I parked at a trail head in Olympic National Park for 4 days last week.  No one tried to take that ugly old bike.
maybe it's the fit, no knee pain no hand pain.
   will welding last for a year or two   

[protoceratops]

Ummmmm...

WELD aluminium...

BRAZE steel...

SEND CF to Calfee for repairs...

definitely get a backpack either way.

[Maelgwn]

Depends on how much the frame is worth.

If is aluminium just chuck it, if its steel then you could get it fixed but you would be best taking it to a frame builder.

Warranty?

[Bikeabout]

I broke the rack mount off a steel frame a few years ago. Lifetime warranty, and Rocky Mountain was kind enough to replace the frame even though I may have "abused" it by touring the heck out of it.

Replacement frame had a similar just-sorta-a-nut welded to the seat stay. So I took it to the local metal fabrication folks and they welded/brazed (I dunno) a thicker web of material around the edge of the nut -- which is pretty much the same procedure I'd have asked for if I'd have just repaired the old frame. I spray painted the bare area to protect it. Hasn't failed me in the subsequent 5 years, but then, I've managed to lighten up my kit since then, too. And to not ride that bike as much as before.

But my bet -- obviously -- is that knowledgeable metal folks would make it as tough or tougher than it was before.

Good luck.

--Greg