Framebuilders - Do I need reinforcements for h20 bosses?

Hi, I was going to purchase a bag of 20 h20 bosses so I can practice brazing them on a Huffy and then add them to a Miyata and Trek I have. I was just wondering if the reinforcements are necessary or not? I might get a few for the trek because I like how they look, but the Miyata is just going to be a beater cross bike and will kind of just be my second practice bike because I don't care that much about how it looks.
I was also wondering if I could just cut my own reinforcements out of sheet metal?
I wanted to add canti bosses, but after researching it seems like that might be something to be left for the pros or further down the road..
Thanks,
Scott

Need? No. Also, they aren't a retrofit item, unless you're installing new bosses as well.

I had a bike start showing a crack around a non reinforced h20 boss. I think it was caused by laying the bike down in the car and getting a side load from the cage. The builder added a reinforcement and it's lasted for many years. Because of that instance I have used reinforcements on all the h20 bosses I've done. I like the way they look too. As far as the canti bosses go, why not try them on the cross bike if you don't think you will use it on the road in traffic? Go for it and use the bike in conditions where a failure will be embarassing but not fatal.

Need? No. Also, they aren't a retrofit item, unless you're installing new bosses as well.

They won't be retrofit. I want to add bosses to a couple bikes that don't have them before I repaint.

I had a bike start showing a crack around a non reinforced h20 boss. I think it was caused by laying the bike down in the car and getting a side load from the cage. The builder added a reinforcement and it's lasted for many years. Because of that instance I have used reinforcements on all the h20 bosses I've done. I like the way they look too. As far as the canti bosses go, why not try them on the cross bike if you don't think you will use it on the road in traffic? Go for it and use the bike in conditions where a failure will be embarassing but not fatal.

Thanks! I'll just go with the reinforcements for both bikes to reduce the risk of cracking. I don't want to risk failure of cantilevers even if I won't be around traffic in case they get caught in my wheel and lock it up... That's how I broke my collar bone last time :(

Anyone know if I can just cut my own reinforcements? I have some steel sheet metal laying around and I figured I could just dremel it.

U can buy them, probably will be cheaper.

you should be able to make your own. I wouldn't use zinc plated steel though, and there is very little sheet metal that is bare.

You really don't need reinforcements. They look nice but not at all necessary.

Anyone know if I can just cut my own reinforcements? I have some steel sheet metal laying around and I figured I could just dremel it.

Can you? Sure.


U can buy them, probably will be cheaper.

This. You can get a whole bikesworth for a buck. What's your time worth?

Any time you spend working with metal is time well spent. Yeah, reinforcements are cheap and making something that small might be a real pain but why not try? If you are unsuccessful, you will have new knowledge. If you are successful you will have new knowledge and one reinforcement.