MikeM21

I may need to replace my commuting rig before too long and am thinking my Merlin would fit the bill if it had rack mounts.

I asked Merlin and they say they aren't doing any frame modifications.

Are there any recommendations for a metal shop that can add titanium rack mounts to my frame? Or is this a crazy idea.

TIA

Mike

Atlas Shrugged

Do you have eyelets at the dropout? If yes, just get a seat collar rack mount adapter like this one from Salsa. (https://www.redbike.ca/product/salsa...r-374211-1.htm).

I have used a similar adapter for years and works great.

bulgie 

Ti Cycles near Portland OR still does frame repairs/mods. Dave Levy there is a genius-wizard with Ti. Not cheap though.
If interested, you can have him increase the clearance between the chainstays to fit fatter tires too. He's got a clever way to do that.

Disclosure: I used to work there, ~25 years ago. No connection currently, haven't spoken to him in years. No feud or anything, it's just that I'm in Seattle and I don't go to Portland much.

Here's how I did the eyelets on the Ti MTB I made for my wife, back when I worked there. It later got converted to a grocery-getter with a stout Cr-Mo cargo rack. No qualms about the eyelets strength, they're 6/4 alloy, welded to 6/4 alloy dropouts using 6/4 welding rod. With proper prep and good penetration of course... You could hang the whole bike (and rider) off this eyelet and shake it around, not coming off! Stronger than the integral eyelets on steel dropouts, I am sure.


Mark B

MikeM21

Nope, no eyelets.

MikeM21

That's exactly what I need! Hoping to find someone on the East Coast though.

dsaul

Bilenky in Philly does all manner of modifications to frames, including Ti frames.

MikeM21

Thanks. Merlin recommended them as well. I think a drive to Philly is in my future.

himespau 

Post pictures when you've got it done.

unterhausen

You can do that, but I think contacting them some other way first is probably better. My understanding is they are backed up.