Bicycle thread

[mud]

Originally Posted by overlandr

Apologies if I did not make this point clear: I'm really interested in identifying the tubes not the frame

Thanks but I assume that your strategy is based on the assumption that the manufacturer is known, keeps records of frames . The manufacturer is unknown so serial number is useless AFAIK. I'm hoping there is a more direct accurate method such as markings on tubes.

How might photos discriminate between many choices (BRANDS: Reynolds, Columbus, to name a few and then many choices of their respective tube types) of tubes? Surely, they cannot

No, you were clear.
My answer is the first one.

To tell if a specific tubeset is 531, cut it apart and destructively test the tubes..... You can figure out if it is columbus by show it to an old school builder. As stated above.

The pictures were to help if it was a production frame, we could figure it out.

[overlandr]

Originally Posted by mud

No, you were clear.
My answer is the first one. To tell if a specific tubeset is 531, cut it apart and destructively test the tubes..... You can figure out if it is columbus by show it to an old school builder. As stated above.

The pictures were to help if it was a production frame, we could figure it out.

Thanks. I'm very curious how one might tell from a few photos what type of tubing is used. Are there any links to this process? Here's one.



Has anyone here actually seen bare 531DB main tubes??

[mud]

Originally Posted by overlandr

Thanks. I'm very curious how one might tell from a few photos what type of tubing is used. Are there any links to this process? Here's one.



Has anyone here actually seen bare 531DB main tubes??

OK, I can't tell if you are being a smart ass or not.....

I will clarify.

If it is a true production touring frame (cantilevers, rack mounts, loooong chainstays) from the eighties, there are not that many manufactures, they are quite distinctive. With a few (if they are the right ones) pictures you can figure out who built it by looking at the dropouts, BB, serial number, etc.

If you have a blank frame with no stickers, generic dropouts, hand stamped serial numbers, there is nothing (or very little).

And with that. I am done.

[HappyRiding]

Thanks Gwen!

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by Shoganai

First PM Rec'vd.

Thank you

.

If I had a running DS bike, I'd be PMing Shogs for the other set of bags. Looks like with minor work, they'd make great softbags for DS bikes.

Alas, the Husky doesn't look to be in running order any time soon, so whomever can use those bags should grab em

M

[overlandr]

Originally Posted by mud

OK, I can't tell if you are being a smart ass or not.....

And with that. I am done.

Negative on the yr first point but thanks for the info.

To others, reconfirm my interest is restricted to the brand and type of tubing used in the frame and nothing else. I want to keep it so destruction is not an option. I'm aware of the internal 'rifling' on Columbus SLX tubing and am hoping that there is some other perhaps similar method of determining whether I have 531 or not. To my untrained eye, it looks to be made of lower grade tubing.

[Chisenhallw]

Low 60's today? HEWW YEH, I'll take it! Time trial training starts today! Thank god I get off work at 3pm everyday.

[zouch]

Originally Posted by overlandr

To others, reconfirm my interest is restricted to the brand and type of tubing used in the frame and nothing else. I want to keep it so destruction is not an option. I'm aware of the internal 'rifling' on Columbus SLX tubing and am hoping that there is some other perhaps similar method of determining whether I have 531 or not. To my untrained eye, it looks to be made of lower grade tubing.

just curious; what about it makes it look like a "lower grade tubing", and (judging by the apparent state of disrespect it appears to be in) why does it matter so much? it's not like knowing what tubing it was made of is going to make any difference in how it performs at this point; it is what it is.

[mud]

Originally Posted by overlandr

Negative on the yr first point but thanks for the info.

To others, reconfirm my interest is restricted to the brand and type of tubing used in the frame and nothing else. I want to keep it so destruction is not an option. I'm aware of the internal 'rifling' on Columbus SLX tubing and am hoping that there is some other perhaps similar method of determining whether I have 531 or not. To my untrained eye, it looks to be made of lower grade tubing.

OK, Sorry, I get a little huffy when I think I am wasting my time....

If that is a picture of the bikes actual BB, it doesn't say a whole lot. I have seen that BB on Miyata's, Specialized's, Univega's and a couple of others. It is a pretty standard piece.

It DOES NOT mean it is a low quality frame, nor does it point to a good one either. My Miyata 1000 has that BB and it is a top notch frame, as does the Specialized Expedition, also a top notch frame. On the other side the Univega specialissima use it as well, and it is more of a standard frame, still pretty good though. None of these frames used 531.

Sorry if that is vague.

I will look at it some more and see if anything catches my eye.

[mud]

Jack Taylor also used a similar BB, they thinned (filed the edges) them out though. They used 531.

[overlandr]

Originally Posted by mud

If that is a picture of the bikes actual BB, it doesn't say a whole lot. I have seen that BB on Miyata's, Specialized's, Univega's and a couple of others. It is a pretty standard piece.

It DOES NOT mean it is a low quality frame, nor does it point to a good one either. My Miyata 1000 has that BB and it is a top notch frame, as does the Specialized Expedition, also a top notch frame. On the other side the Univega specialissima use it as well, and it is more of a standard frame, still pretty good though. None of these frames used 531.

Sorry if that is vague.

I will look at it some more and see if anything catches my eye.

Thanks for that information. I guess my comments re lower grade tubing may have been swayed by the grotty paint job, lower quality cycle components and overall condition? If I can find out whether the frame has some decent pedigree re main tubes, then perhaps I'll be more motivated to give it a decent respray/rebirth. Here are some more shots:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNj...GYt!~~60_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNj...eYl!~~60_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNj...Eq)Q~~60_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNj...EsW!~~60_3.JPG

Perhaps another option is to carefully strip the paint off and hope that the old stickers/transfers are still there? I gather the seatpost diameter would also help clarify. I have a vernier caliper somewhere.

[mud]

Originally Posted by overlandr

Thanks for that information. I guess my comments re lower grade tubing may have been swayed by the grotty paint job, lower quality cycle components and overall condition? If I can find out whether the frame has some decent pedigree re main tubes, then perhaps I'll be more motivated to give it a decent respray/rebirth. Here are some more shots:









Perhaps another option is to carefully strip the paint off and hope that the old stickers/transfers are still there? I gather the seatpost diameter would also help clarify. I have a vernier caliper somewhere.

OK, So the overall thickness of the lugs points to stamped lugs instead of cast which points to a lower quality frame. as does the style of termination from the fork leg to the dropout. Steel seatpost is another (may have been added later). The seatpost lug is also a sign, it is hollow around the clamp bolt instead of solid, this also points to a stamped lug instead of cast.

Pressed (stamped) lugs are not necessarily a sign of a "bad" frame, it is the lack of finishing that is the big pointer. The lug thickness is constant, if a frame is a quality frame the lugs would have a filed taper as the get closer to the tube. The edges would also be softer yet more sharp as well...

There are other things that are covered by the paint that would tell. The "shoreline" for one, it is the junction between the tube and the lug. If it is sharp, it is of good quality. not so sharp, lesser quality....

It is still a lugged steel frame.

Hope this helps, sorry it is not more exciting.

[Gummee!]

My new Edge 500 came in today. So far, I like the computer, but Garmin Connect is being a PITA.

Ride tonite took longer than normal 'cause there were 3 flats. None of em mine. We only went the short route. I wanted to go round the whole loop, but...

So we set out at what felt like arctic temps but were really normal for this time of year. Dressed for normal for this time of year. Soon as we got up the first hill, it got warmer. Got colder again down the hill, then REALLY warm at the top of the 2nd hill. Completely back-asswards from the way it normally goes. Reminded me of riding in Sandy Eggo with the thermocline and all.

Only 3 of us tonite. WE had fun. IDK about all the rest that are *supposed* to show.

M

[fullmonte]

Good gosh, this has turned into a turd polishing thread.

[mud]

Originally Posted by fullmonte

Good gosh, this has turned into a turd polishing thread.

Not so much....
It is a legitimate inquiry.