Mountain Biking - welding titanium

I have a Seven ti frame (mtb) to which I'd like to add disc brakes.

Can anyone tell me i) what my options are?

And ii) does anyone know where on the West coast (Vancouver, BC or Seattle WA) I can get disc tabs welded onto my ti frame?

Thanks

I wouldnt advise welding (for expenses, trouble of it all, and potential of welding flaw) get a frame adapter.

If I were you I would call Seven Cycles (617) 923-7774 and ask them if they could weld them on for you. They have all the proper equipment to ensure that your frame would remain true (heat of welding could warp the frame). They would also inspect the rest of your frame at the same time.

If it's too expensive, consider just getting a front disc. It's the mor eimportant brake anyways.

I wouldnt advise welding (for expenses, trouble of it all, and potential of welding flaw) get a frame adapter.

Is that advice from experience?

Welding ti is very hard. This is a major reason for Ti's price.

Speaking as a TIG welder, I think that any reputable Ti bicycle builder could do this in a heartbeat. I'm not sure about builders in the BC/Seattle area, but I know that Jeff Jones in Medford Oregon or Jim Kish in California could probably do it no problem. Asking seven would be my first choice though. (warranty etc.)
Welding Ti is difficult, but learning to TIG weld properly in the first place is much harder.
IMO, adding a frame adapter to a Seven would be like putting lipstick on a pig...

Wouldn't it be more like putting Pig **** on a beauty queen?

As other have said, ask Seven first. Shop around to other ti builders as well. Don't just have some local welder without any ti experience touch the thing. Might cost you some downtime, but it's nice tohave it cleanly done. Be sure to have them alter the hose guides. And lop off the v-brake mounts. V-brake mounts on disc equipped frames just always look fugly. Just my opinion though.

Wouldn't it be more like putting Pig **** on a beauty queen?

:D Yes. My example was backwards but you know what I meant....

I work with Ti all day long (castings, but same idea). Welding Ti is not as hard as welding aluminum even, but Ti has to be welded in an inert atmosphere. Not even really that big of a deal, but again its just knowing whats going to be required and being familiar with the type of welding.

As far as heat treat and all of that goes, I dont know. It depends on the alloy of the Ti.

In short, if you really want to do it, talk it over with the maker first, and find out as much as you can. Then hopefully you have a good assortment of welders to hunt through and find someone thats familiar with welding Ti.

Ask Seven for advice and have them refer you to a welder in your area.
Most companies don't like to work on another brand of bike.

Close to you.

http://www.dekerf.com/aboutus.asp

http://www.ticycles.com/

Good luck with that! You should also ask seven if your frame can take a disc brake. I know that some frames that weren't designed for rear discs don't take well to the stress put on the chain stays of a disc brake.

Is that advice from experience?

More or less, yes, my brother has done welding work (with steel titanium is harder and more expensive to weld) before and i know thats weld can be flawed, and especially expand the metal weakening the area around the weld. Vs. a bolt on adapter.

I wouldnt advise welding (for expenses, trouble of it all, and potential of welding flaw) get a frame adapter.

If you want to weld Ti you would need to find a pipefitter welding pro in your area, they usually charge $200/hour which includes liability. Keep in mind that the finish on the metal will be shot for quite a distance from the welds due to the heat.

If you want to weld Ti you would need to find a pipefitter welding pro in your area, they usually charge $200/hour which includes liability. Keep in mind that the finish on the metal will be shot for quite a distance from the welds due to the heat.

Point proved? Even if the welder is willing and able (has experience) with welding Ti, it will cost 100+, vs. $30 adapter + the finish will be damaged.

Point proved? Even if the welder is willing and able (has experience) with welding Ti, it will cost 100+, vs. $30 adapter + the finish will be damaged.

Bingo. Welding Ti is no big deal. I actually prefer to weld it over low grade steel. An atmosphere bag is also no big deal. All the screwing around to avoid a $30 adapter is a little silly, though.

Thanks for the tips and advice. I really appreciate it.

I might look into the adapter. I agree that it won't look right, but I'm mostly concerned about getting my bike some better brakes AND getting out on the trails.

Cheers!

Good luck with that! You should also ask seven if your frame can take a disc brake. I know that some frames that weren't designed for rear discs don't take well to the stress put on the chain stays of a disc brake.

Good point.


If you want to weld Ti you would need to find a pipefitter welding pro in your area, they usually charge $200/hour which includes liability. Keep in mind that the finish on the metal will be shot for quite a distance from the welds due to the heat.

Ti frames are media blasted after welding. I know that Moots frames are bare Ti with nothing more than lemon Pledge sprayed on them. The finish should be able to be matched. IMO I wouldn't take a Seven frame anywhere but a reputable Ti bicycle frame builder.


Bingo. Welding Ti is no big deal. I actually prefer to weld it over low grade steel. An atmosphere bag is also no big deal. All the screwing around to avoid a $30 adapter is a little silly, though.

atmosphere bag, shielding gas, back purging, these would all be accounted for by any knowledgeable Ti bicycle frame builder. Seems to me like putting a $30 adapter on a Seven would be screwing around. Personally, I feel that most Mt bikes that were designed with V-brakes aren't the best bikes for conditions where you really need disc brakes.

any knowledgeable Ti bicycle frame builder

Thats far and few between in 90% of areas, i know it certainly is in mine, we have bicycle frame builders (about 50-100 miles away), and we have machine shop welders that might be able to weld Ti, but certainly not a combination of both.

well, he doesnt say which vancouver he is in, but im gonna assume BC. Thats a pretty good sized city. I would assume he could find someone that knows how to weld Ti with plenty of experience, and very well might be able to find a Ti frame builder too. Just gonna require some searching.

Again, the first thing is to talk to the original builder. Let them know what your after and see what they have to say.