Hi,

Is this the a good place to ask for someone local who can do some work on a couple of frames I have? I hoping to get my crashed '03 LeMond untwisted, and I'd like to dimple or add some clearance on a titanium 2010 Lynskey r430 chainstay. I'm not a builder myself. I'm in San Diego.

Thanks

Have you approached Lynskey about the dimpling job? I don't know that much about Ti but thought it's a no-no to bend tubes after the frame is completed. He would know though.

Most Ti tubing used on bikes is made as aircraft hydraulic tubing, with properties optimized for that usage which involves a lot of bending. So bending Ti tubes is seldom a problem (with the right bender), but the usual ways of adding more clearance on an existing frame usually involve indenting, which will make most Ti tubing split (crack) before it takes much of a "set".

Some Ti builders however spec'ed annealed (softer/weaker) tubing for their chainstays, specifically so they can be manipulated more, for tire and/or chainring clearance. If your Lynskey has annealed chainstays then you may be able to get more clearance by indenting, but it's pretty risky.

Another way, and very safe from what I understand, you can have Ti Cycles (near Portland OR) do their "potato chip" mod where the clearance is cut out of the chainstays, and a new heavier piece of Ti is welded in place. Probably weighs an ounce or two more than the material they remove, but the result should be as strong, probably stronger than original. Not cheap at $500; probably only worth it for a high-value, rare or custom frame. Disclaimer, I used to work for Ti Cycles, 20 years ago before he did that style of retrofit, so I have no direct experience with it. No current connection with the shop or owner Dave Levy, though we chat every year or three, like at Seattle Bike Expo. I think he does amazingly good work.

Mark B in Seattle

You might try asking in your regional forum also.
https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-california/
Talked with Steve Potts at a builders swap and I know he does ti repairs. Great communication skills.
Other side of California though.
https://www.stevepottsbicycles.com/

Thanks for the input people.

I've reached out to the builders mentioned as well as Lynskey. So far, one very polite negatory response but it's still the holidays and I may end up doing Ti Cycles potato chip mod.

pic of the lemond may get you some better input on viability of the depretzel