Framebuilders - Help in building road bike.

Hi,
I'm a long time cyclist that wants to build his first bike for fun.

I'd like to do a steel frame with lugs, as I only have a mig welder. I've checked out the web sites to buy the materials, but wow, the selections are endless and confusing as hell!!

Could someone recommend a specific tube set and lugs to buy for a road/touring bike (58 cm) frame? Decent quality would be nice.

Much appreiciated,
Rich

Nova always has the best package deals.http://www.cycle-frames.com/bicycle-frame-tubing/RESERVED/ The oversized Deda set will make a nice bike- although, if you have no brazing/metalwork experience, your first frame should be out of something thicker like 9/6/9 tubing.

I'll second the Nova packages. Deda or Nova cro-mo are just fine for your first build. I would suggest going with long-point lugs, as they are easier to clamp. I would also suggest seeing if there is a local framebuilder who would be willing to help you should you get "stuck".

Hi,
I'm a long time cyclist that wants to build his first bike for fun.

I'd like to do a steel frame with lugs, as I only have a mig welder. I've checked out the web sites to buy the materials, but wow, the selections are endless and confusing as hell!!

Could someone recommend a specific tube set and lugs to buy for a road/touring bike (58 cm) frame? Decent quality would be nice.

Much appreiciated,
Rich


Lugged steel construction is brazed together. Mig welding is not going to work with lugs.

Thanks Live Wire and Mudboy. The Columbus Classic SL Road Tubeset looks perfect. I have metalwork experience (more welding, but some brazing), so I'll give it a try.

The Deda Com looks good too!

As you build, take lots of pictures and post them to show your progress in your first build. The best of luck to you.

will do!

I was going to start a new thread, but since I'm here....I ordered the DEDA COM 12.5 OS Road TS w/BB and lugs. Opened the box, and it looks great! I'm getting excited to start.

It didn't come with dropouts, or the short piece for the rear brake to attach to, chain stays (or whatever you call the small parts to hold the cables for the front and rear derailleurers), or the front fork. Does Nova carry all this, and if so, specifically, which parts should I order that will be compatible with this frame set?

I was thinking of Shimano 105 or Ultegra gearing, if that helps as far as the dropouts.

Thanks again!

Yeah, you'll probably need fork parts and braze-ons. Off the top of my head:

Fork crown
Fork blades
Steerer tube
front dropouts (I suggest the socketed ones)
rear dropouts (ditto)
Split cable stops - 2 for top tube, 1 for chainstay
Downtube shifter bosses or 2 more split stops
Water bottle bosses (4, probably)
Rear brake bridge and reinforcements
Rear chainstay bridge and reinforcements
Front derailleur braze on (if desired)
Under-bb cable guide

I don't think I missed anything, but someone will correct me if I did.

You will also need (at minimum, in addition to torch, hand tools, etc.):
* Brazing material. I just built my first frame (took it for the first ride an hour ago after finishing the component swap late last night) and used primarily 1/16" 56% safety silver, about 4 ounces total. I also bought some 45% safety silver by mistake, which I used to braze my seat lug and seat cluster. The slightly higher flow temp made it easier to do multi-step brazing that occurs in this area. However, the 56% flows better. I want to try brass with my next frame.
* Brown paste flux or whatever is appropriate for your brazing material.
* Several good files...you can never have too many.
* Emery cloth. I like the stuff that comes on a roll, 150 grit is a useful grit.
* A small wire and a small brass brush
* a 4' straightedge is really useful to have, as is a good smaller steel ruler and a set of calipers
* A Dremel tool with 1/2" sandpaper drums is really useful to have

Good luck and have fun. You can also download the old Paterek frame manual here (http://www.timpaterek.com/tpmanual_pdf.htm).