Originally Posted by
3speed
would any random farmer with a stick welder theoretically be able to repair your broken frame?
No, welding is a talent, skill, and even an art form and though you might be fortunate to find someone that could make the repair, most farmers/welders are not accustomed to working with such thin gauge cro moly steel and it would be very easy to do irreparable damage. Tig welding aluminum is an entirely different animal and good luck finding someone with the resources and talent that could weld titanium. I personally never get that lucky but then again, we've all heard the stories that some poor farmer in the middle of Malaysia was able to get a cyclist back on the road. That being said, I once was touring with a friend when his chain stay/bottom bracket cracked on his Bike Friday and fortunately we were near a large metropolitan area and were able to get it repaired, though it was one ugly weld. Ha