The Steel Repair Myth

[Cheesewheel]

Reading this guys article made me rethink automatically opting for steel bike frames for touring.

http://www.downtheroad.org/Equipment/Bi ... r_Myth.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RonK]

The lugged and silver-brazed frames of yesteryear could have been repaired with fairly basic equipment and skills if a braze weld failed.

But if a tube failed, silver brazing could not be relied on to effect a repair.

And for modern frames with butted and tig welded tubes, such basic techniques will not effect a repair either.

So yes, it is a myth which is promoted and perpetuated by steel aficionados.

[Wingnut]

I agree it's less common to see frames fail these days, unless you're on a K-Mart special...but if I was in the middle of nowhere with a frame that needed welding I'd rather be on a steel frame than some other materials...

[ColinOldnCranky]

The lugged and silver-brazed frames of yesteryear could have been repaired with fairly basic equipment and skills if a braze weld failed.

But if a tube failed, silver brazing could not be relied on to effect a repair.

And for modern frames with butted and tig welded tubes, such basic techniques will not effect a repair either.

So yes, it is a myth which is promoted and perpetuated by steel aficionados.

And even k-mart specials have opted for butt-welding over lugged.

I don't know if there were ever any lugged bikes of quality in the old days but I suppose if there were any then they would be a compelling option for touring in those 3rd/4th world places.

[il padrone]

I don't know if there were ever any lugged bikes of quality in the old days but I suppose if there were any then they would be a compelling option for touring in those 3rd/4th world places.

I still ride two of them, and one is 32 years old still going strong, the other has a frame that is 64 years old. Of course I don't try any double table-tops or nose-wheelies on them..... they're road bikes after all.