bigfudge

I've just had a new custom steel frame delivered, and find there is a rattle – perhaps from stray material from the brazing – in the top tube, and also in one of the fork legs. The Top tube rattle is quite pronounced, and I'm worried it's going to be noticeable when riding... Is this normal, or should I be asking for it to be sorted out?

Many thanks!

Canaboo

There must be some sort of vent hole where you can stick a syringe in and inject a bit of epoxy to trap the fragment that is rattling. I would have thought that top tube would open into the head tube and you could just shake out that piece at least.

unterhausen

if it's flux, it will go away. If the bike is TIG welded, it probably will not go away and there may not be vent holes. I suppose it's possible that a ball of filler is in there on a brazed bike, and that is going to be a permanent fixture. If steel, a good coating of framesaver would probably capture whatever it is

bigfudge

That's interesting. It's lugged/brazed. There's actually no vent holes in the top tube (sealed up) which is a shame because I too had thought of epoxy as a means of trapping it.

I did request a vent be left open in one fork blade (for wiring) and managed to get a ball of flux (white powdery lump) out of there. I don't think it sounds like a ball of metal in the top tube - I think it would be louder if it were. How long do you think it's worth waiting to see if it is flux and goes away spontaneously?

B

unterhausen

so there was no vent hole inside the head tube? That's a little strange.

Given your experience with the fork, I probably would just ride it.