Framebuilders - looking for source for 4130 flat-oval tubing

hi guys --

can anyone tell me whether such a thing exists at flat-oval 4130 tubing (that tubing shape's also known as "rectangular-oval" or "floval")? i know it exists in alum, because bmx company se racing has been using it for decades in their "pk ripper" frames.

i've done a lot of looking for that same stuff in chrome moly, but have come up empty so far.

any ideas?

thanks!

I heard about one company that uses that material in their bikes and makes it in house from round 4130 tubing. I thought it might be possible just to run it through a rolling mill. I want to make a mill, but it's not high on my projects list yet. They are pretty cheap to make if you have access to a lathe.

I heard about one company that uses that material in their bikes and makes it in house from round 4130 tubing. I thought it might be possible just to run it through a rolling mill. I want to make a mill, but it's not high on my projects list yet. They are pretty cheap to make if you have access to a lathe.


Right now in BMX Mutiny is useing a similar style tubeing on a new frame they have out. Goto BMX Online Forums and look in the news area. Their is a few pics of the frame. See if thats the tubeing you are after. Or PM me and I'll hunt down the post ofr you.

I think Trek bmx bikes used them on the TR series in the late '90s. They may have made it themselves. I don't know for sure. I think tubing manufacturers will make it for you if your order is big enough.

Tom Porter describes a way to ovalize 4130 tubing from round stock on the WISIL site. http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisil/porter/porterplans2.htm and http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisil/porter/framebuild2005.htm