Originally Posted by
Koyote
Ah, yes, the semi-mythical stories about people getting local welders in Timbuktu to repair their steel-framed touring bikes as they heroically pedal around the world. Right. Tell you what: you go get a quote on having a top tube replaced (so, old tube removed, new tube welded or brazed in, including the cost of the tube itself), and don't forget the new paint job. I'll bet it comes to more than the cost of my friend's cf top tube repair, which was under $300.
On my megameter ride, I had a steel (solid bars) bike rack that broke. I got it welded up in a small shop half way between Pistoia, and the Abetone pass. The weld lasted maybe 100 km, and broke again just before I got to the end of the ride. But it was good enough to get me home.
In an emergency, one could likely get a steel bike welded. It would depend on where it is, and whether it is welded with MIG, TIG, or Stick. It might get a person back on the road, but would functionally destroy the bike for long term use.
Originally Posted by
rekmeyata
I think it is correct. This is the reason that people who tour on bicycle chose steel because it's the only material that even a person with a simple welder can repair, be it anywhere in the world, you won't see that happening with any other frame material, especially CF or TI. Even in the US you still have to send the CF somewhere for the repair, whereas a local person could fix a steel bike.
Thin steel is a different beast than welding thick steel. Ir could be difficult to get a functional weld with crude equipment.
As far as a broken carbon fiber bike. I'd probably find the nearest auto shop and buy a roll of fiberglass and some epoxy. It might not look pretty, but depending on what broke, it could probably get the bike back on the road.
If one can't find fiberglass and epoxy, then one likely isn't finding someone that can TIG weld or is very good with brazing.