What's the big deal with lugged forks?
02-24-09, 10:15 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
What's the big deal with lugged forks?
Everyone seems to go ape**** over them, but I think they're ugly as hell. Are they stronger than unicrown? Last longer? More/less flexy?
Just curious.
For that matter, are lugged frames stronger, or different somehow?
Just curious.
For that matter, are lugged frames stronger, or different somehow?
02-24-09, 10:21 PM
#2
cab horn
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Lugged frames can be repaired. Break a tube in half? No problem, just replace it. Assuming steel of course.
02-24-09, 10:28 PM
#3
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I see. Thanks for the info. Is that why people like the forks, too, or is it just aesthetics?
02-24-09, 11:00 PM
#8
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Fair enough. I wouldn't be foolish enough to debate aesthetics. It just seemed like lugged forks are seen as an upgrade from a unicrown almost universally and I wondered if I was missing something. For me, the unicrown just goes with the whole sleek, stripped down, fixed gear motif.
02-25-09, 12:12 AM
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people think they are pretty
The number of lugged bikes that have ever had a tube replaced instead of the whole frame over the history of cycling is a probably a shockingly small number, probably equal to the number of nice road frames that have been "drewed".
02-25-09, 01:28 AM
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I never applied the thought that a tube could be replaced. I have access to a pile of frames that are about to get a second look.
I always considered aesthetics. I like the way they look over unicrown. I would ride unicrown if I had one that I didn't think was ugly.
I always considered aesthetics. I like the way they look over unicrown. I would ride unicrown if I had one that I didn't think was ugly.
02-25-09, 08:21 AM
#13
car dodger
nice lugs hide bad welds.
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1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
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"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
02-25-09, 08:46 AM
#15
Full Member
I've also seen some nice unicrown forks, like the pantographed chrome forks on my '84 Ciocc. But when I save up enough to buy a new steel-framed bike, it's going to have lugs, including a lugged fork. If I'm lucky, it will be a Waterford!
02-25-09, 08:50 AM
#16
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Lugged frames aren't welded, thats what the lugs are for.
Sloping crown forks are closer to lugged in design and execution than they are to unicrown.
Sloping crown forks are closer to lugged in design and execution than they are to unicrown.
02-25-09, 09:08 AM
#17
car dodger
not welded per se, I was just posting a nice compact soundbite response. Lugs do hide solder qualities and type, but nice ones look better than exposed aluminum welds imo.
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1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
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1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
02-25-09, 09:13 AM
#18
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02-25-09, 10:12 AM
#19
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Soldered, like copper water pipes, not welded, like aluminum (and some steel) frames.
Its the look of years gone by, the look of elegance.
Its the look of years gone by, the look of elegance.
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You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
Last edited by ilikebikes; 02-25-09 at 10:17 AM.
02-25-09, 11:32 AM
#21
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Heres something for you guys to look at and appreciate 
https://www.bikelugs.com/gallery/
Ellis
https://www.bikelugs.com/gallery/inde...ntGalleryID=66
https://www.bikelugs.com/gallery/
Ellis https://www.bikelugs.com/gallery/inde...ntGalleryID=66
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You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
02-25-09, 11:41 AM
#22
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Craftmanship is key.
Only complete fork failure I've had was a lugged fork. Double fork tube failure below the crown. Benotto.
Only complete fork failure I've had was a lugged fork. Double fork tube failure below the crown. Benotto.
02-25-09, 12:48 PM
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big vegan you have no idea what you are talking about.
How many bike owners really take the time tohave a tube replaced and the bike repainted when they can, in many cases, replace the frame for about the same price?
Sure, there are people who do it, but it's a pretty small number.
02-25-09, 01:03 PM
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I'm having the downtube on my '87 Fuso replaced.
Bilenky Cycle Works is doing it for me. They have this bike on their front page:
Looks built to carry a keg of beer.
It's not worth it to replace a tube on a cheap bike but I could meet several riders on a Saturday ride that have repaired steel bikes. I was surprised but it makes sense for a nice frame.
Bilenky Cycle Works is doing it for me. They have this bike on their front page:
Looks built to carry a keg of beer.
It's not worth it to replace a tube on a cheap bike but I could meet several riders on a Saturday ride that have repaired steel bikes. I was surprised but it makes sense for a nice frame.