Originally Posted by
ksisler
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Ditto Duane on all points. I am thinking that Trek was the first of the full production brands that really paid close attention to mitering on lugged frames (I remember from 1974 or so). But they did later develop investment cast lugs and fittings that accepted straight cut pipes into their sockets.
Yes, there have been several that I can name that probably attempted to remove the variability of tight miters from the equation. My guess is that was what was behind the Raleigh 753 bikes that had internally sleeved lugs. I never liked those bikes, although I have a deep fondness for 753 tubed bikes. Trek did something similar. I cut apart a Bianchi I was given with a broken top tube and it was appalling how wonky the miters were. It's all about the flow of units!
As I read my earlier post, I wasn't disagreeing with Eric, just that as a newbie and someone who doesn't use a jig, I find tight miters to be critical to a successful outcome. I'm sure the experienced builders can pretty much do whatever with whatever they are given and it'll be fine so for them tight miters maybe aren't as critical.