Framebuilders - Really basic question about tubing

So, I'm very interested in building my own bike from the ground up, but I have ZERO experience in the area (tranlation: please don't give me a hard time if this seems like a stupid question!). I'm currently taking my first welding class to learn the basic skills, and I hope that within the next year I'll tackle a lugged steel road or single speed frame.
Prior to buying any materials, I'm going to plan out the whole thing. I think I should be able to figure out what tubes to use with which lugs, based on compatible diameters for each, but I'm pretty confused about the headtube measurement. I have a 1" threaded fork at home that I'd like to use in the build, but I have no idea what this translates to in headtube size.
For example, Nova's website had headtubes that are described as: 36.0 x 200, 36.0 x 600, 31.7 x 1.0 x 650, 32.5 x 1.25 x 180, etc, etc.

Can someone help me to understand what these dimensions mean?

Thanks,
Neil

36.0 x 200, 36.0 x 600 - 36 is the diameter 200/600 are the lengths these come in. These are for 1 1/8" steerers.
31.7 x 1.0 x 650, 32.5 x 1.25 x 180 - 31.7/32.5 diameters- 1.0/1.25 wall thickness- 180/650 is the length. These are for 1" steerers. You'd want a 31.7 for a lugged bike.

Awesome, thanks for the straigtforward interpretation and recommendation.

Cheers,
Neil

Basically if you call one of these outfits, either Henry James or Nova, they will set you up with what you need.

You will need some brazing skills for the lugs. Might get the Paternek video, just don't get overwhelmed, his method is kinda obsolete. Still lots of good info.

You can buy a whole tubeset package for a little over a hundred dollars complete with lugs, bottom bracket , brazeons and dropouts. buy this kit, own it fondle it, dream about it, look at it, learn about it, measure it. Plan your bike around these parts, build your bike. This will be the most informative and cheapest part of your education. Peter at ceeway cycle supply sells newbie builder kits. Trust me, most questions are just one try away from an answer. have fun!

About tubing : Frame buil with Columbus MAX or MAX OR ?
who build frame with this tubing ? USA and Europe.
thank,s.

So, I'm very interested in building my own bike from the ground up, but I have ZERO experience in the area (tranlation: please don't give me a hard time if this seems like a stupid question!). I'm currently taking my first welding class to learn the basic skills, and I hope that within the next year I'll tackle a lugged steel road or single speed frame.
Prior to buying any materials, I'm going to plan out the whole thing. I think I should be able to figure out what tubes to use with which lugs, based on compatible diameters for each, but I'm pretty confused about the headtube measurement. I have a 1" threaded fork at home that I'd like to use in the build, but I have no idea what this translates to in headtube size.
For example, Nova's website had headtubes that are described as: 36.0 x 200, 36.0 x 600, 31.7 x 1.0 x 650, 32.5 x 1.25 x 180, etc, etc.

Can someone help me to understand what these dimensions mean?

Thanks,
Neil
Is brazing covered in your class ?

You can buy a whole tubeset package for a little over a hundred dollars complete with lugs, bottom bracket , brazeons and dropouts. buy this kit, own it fondle it, dream about it, look at it, learn about it, measure it. Plan your bike around these parts, build your bike. This will be the most informative and cheapest part of your education. Peter at ceeway cycle supply sells newbie builder kits. Trust me, most questions are just one try away from an answer. have fun!

I bought a few tubesets for my first couple builds. Although I thought I had everything planned with tubing diameters and tubing thicknesses, when it came to frame number two, the downtube was nearly too short (I made it work without compromising my design). And the top tube had the butts in the wrong place for this frame.

So...after having learned the hard way, I don't agree with Kneel's comment. Before buying any tubes, do a full-sized drawing and make sure to carefully consider tube lengths and butt locations.

Something else I've been finding when buying tubes way before getting to building the frame is that "better" tubes seem to become available, making the tubes I previously purchased left as my own inventory.

About tubing : Frame buil with Columbus MAX or MAX OR ?
who build frame with this tubing ? USA and Europe.
thank,s.

Argonaut, Grandis, Zullo, Merckx, Zancanato, Hampsten and probably a few others currently.

You can buy a whole tubeset package for a little over a hundred dollars complete with lugs, bottom bracket , brazeons and dropouts. buy this kit, own it fondle it, dream about it, look at it, learn about it, measure it. Plan your bike around these parts, build your bike. This will be the most informative and cheapest part of your education. Peter at ceeway cycle supply sells newbie builder kits. Trust me, most questions are just one try away from an answer. have fun!


I bought a few tubesets for my first couple builds. Although I thought I had everything planned with tubing diameters and tubing thicknesses, when it came to frame number two, the downtube was nearly too short (I made it work without compromising my design). And the top tube had the butts in the wrong place for this frame.

So...after having learned the hard way, I don't agree with Kneel's comment. Before buying any tubes, do a full-sized drawing and make sure to carefully consider tube lengths and butt locations.

Something else I've been finding when buying tubes way before getting to building the frame is that "better" tubes seem to become available, making the tubes I previously purchased left as my own inventory.

I plan to do a bit of both...starting with a big drawing to make sure I get the lengths and angles right, and then have at it with the torch. I'm definitely interested in starting with the cheapest possible materials, since I don't want to waste money screwing up the first build on a top-end tubeset and lugs!
Thanks,
Neil

Is brazing covered in your class ?

Yep, right after we learn about the basic joint-welding techniques! The instructor knows my agenda, so I'm hoping to maximize my time on brazing skills development.

Cheers,
Neil

Sounds good, but bike brazing is not like regular brazing as when repairing cast parts etc... So the sooner you can get some practice projects the better.

Sounds good, but bike brazing is not like regular brazing as when repairing cast parts etc... So the sooner you can get some practice projects the better.

Thanks for the tip. I actually figured as much, so I've put out some feelers for busted-up lugged frames that I can deconstruct and practice on. No bites yet. I'm also going to check the local bike co-op and see what they've got in their scrap pile...maybe I'll find a bent frame with Nervex lugs or something!