Framebuilders - Tubing Choices for a New Build

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niknak
03-14-11, 10:34 PM
If you were about to spec out a new steel lugged frame specifically for long-distance, mixed-surface-but-nothing-gnarly, light touring, and you weighed about 150 lbs and carried at most 30 lbs of gear in two small panniers on the rear and one large handlebar bag on a small front rack, what tubing would you choose?

The "Spirit for Lugs" looks appealing with oversized main tubes at 7/4/7 and a 31.7 HT along with oval chainstays and 16mm seatstays, but I'm worried it might be too thin for rough stuff with a load.

Would you go oversized with 8/5/8 wall tubing or standard sized (1" TT) with 9/6/9 tubing? I built up a frame with the latter tubing about 5 years ago, and while it's super smooth it gets a little noodly when loaded.

The frame design will be 58cm square with a 1* sloping TT, 72* ST & HT, 5.3cm rake, 45cm CS.

Thanks for your input.

mudboy
03-15-11, 08:26 AM
If the "touring" part is going to be just every once in a while, I'd go with Columbus SL, with an SP downtube if that's an option. for a 150# rider, that should be fine.

Otherwise, look at Columbus Cromor Road OS.

My first frame was Columbus SP, second frame was Deda Zero Tre. I liked working with the Columbus tubes a lot more. It's tough stuff.

Pete
fietsbob
03-15-11, 11:15 AM
If you are carrying stuff in panniers and on top of a rear rack , much , and for longer tours
I'd forgo the butting.
and use a 9/8"OD top tube, so the frame won't flex with every pedal stroke,
when you got stuff on the back rack.

I had thought a pair of oval tubes oriented horizontal on top
and vertical on the down tube would be Ideal
as that copes with those bending forces..
Fillet braze or Tig, of course, since a manufactured oval lug dosen't exist.

niknak
03-15-11, 01:37 PM
If the "touring" part is going to be just every once in a while, I'd go with Columbus SL, with an SP downtube if that's an option. for a 150# rider, that should be fine.

Otherwise, look at Columbus Cromor Road OS.

My first frame was Columbus SP, second frame was Deda Zero Tre. I liked working with the Columbus tubes a lot more. It's tough stuff.

Pete

The frame that I'm going to replace is with Columbus SP. The SP offers a smooth ride but with extra weight on it while touring it flexes a lot. I'll check out the Cromor OS. Thanks.
mudboy
03-15-11, 02:43 PM
Oh, also, make sure you go with round chainstays and 16mm or larger seatstays. That'll help keep the rear end of the bike where it belongs.