first frame advice

[westcoastjez]

hi, i've been considering building a road bike, steel, lugged, i know very little about the technical side but my dad's done car restoration and he reacons we can manage it as a joint project. What I need to know is 1. which is the easiest columbus tubing to work with for this novice and 2. top-tube, sloping or horizontal, i just can't work it out, it work seem if the advantages of sloping are less weight and added stiffness then steel bikes should have sloping and alu horizontal yet the opposite seems to be true. I have no great preference regarding the looks, think the paint job will be far more important.

[SamHall]

Sounds like you and your dad gonna have some fun!
Fit issues like standover clearance aside, a sloping or level tt is more a matter of taste than of function, either will make a great bike. If you're planning on a lugged frame, you have more choices if you choose to go the level tt route.
There have been several "getting started" threads here in the last few months, if you haven't already checked them out, they are full of links to some great sites.
As far as the tubing, regardless of brand, the easiest to work with is the thickest- .9 at the butts at least.

[Mint Cycles]

hi, i've been considering building a road bike, steel, lugged, i know very little about the technical side but my dad's done car restoration and he reacons we can manage it as a joint project. What I need to know is 1. which is the easiest columbus tubing to work with for this novice and 2. top-tube, sloping or horizontal, i just can't work it out, it work seem if the advantages of sloping are less weight and added stiffness then steel bikes should have sloping and alu horizontal yet the opposite seems to be true. I have no great preference regarding the looks, think the paint job will be far more important.

If you are starting....come take a class from me...or call Lon at Nova Cycles. I think Cyber or Zona is the best tubeset to start with. Lugged is kind of a pain, so if you can do a fillet braze, you are in better business, plus you get to decide what angles work best for you, instead of getting into lugs which limit your options. I build in mostly compact frames, but horizontal is requested often for cross bikes and fixies. So I guess it depends on what you want. Do you have a jig? Can you manage heat on a torch? Call me or call Lon at NOVA Cycles....1-800-274-nova. Come take a class from me and I will teach you, or just send me an email and I will answer all I can. Either way...it will be "fun" GOOD LUCK! Let me know if I can help!

Mojito

www.mintcycles.com
MINT CYCLES

[westcoastjez]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot, I'm amazed the top tube question is more fashion than anything else but it seem to be. The answers on tubing most helpful. As for courses I live in the UK so.... Anyway I'm sure you're see more questions at some point, you're right this is going to be good fun.