Cracked Titanium
02-21-26 | 04:56 AM
#26
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 135
Likes: 84
From: far western MD
Bikes: 1979 Motobecane le Champion 1973 le champion. 2000 specialized s works cx used as road bike
I was never tempted to buy anything from Bikes Direct but this really sealed the deal.
What amazing is that "Larry"" expects you to ride that thing and when it breaks , after you get out of the hospital, let him know and we'll go from there.
If they just said "that's it, we're done" that would be bad enough, this is worse
What amazing is that "Larry"" expects you to ride that thing and when it breaks , after you get out of the hospital, let him know and we'll go from there.
If they just said "that's it, we're done" that would be bad enough, this is worse
Last edited by 3Roch; 02-21-26 at 05:25 AM.
02-21-26 | 06:19 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 770
Likes: 412
From: Eastern PA
Bikes: Trek 4900, Cannondale Cx-4, Falcon San Remo, Peugeot PX-10LE
To properly season a proper carbon steel wok you heat it enough to change the color of it so you are changing the molecular structure to make it more non-stick. People think it is oil no it is actually waiting till the wok turns colors which is great for cooking but bad for a weld. The oil polymerization is a part of it but "seasoning a wok" is actually more metallurgy and was really fun to do but sadly did accidentally burn the wood handle a tiny bit but hasn't effected the wok.
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“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the former."
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“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the former."
― Albert Einstein
02-24-26 | 11:47 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 1,904
Not the best work I've seen. The discoloration is normal. I had a titanium exhaust system made for my Yamaha R1. Each section had the same discoloration at the weld joint, though the welds on that exhaust were far better than those on the OP's bike. The maker asked if I wanted to leave the "oil slick" effect from the welds, or have everything media-blasted. He claimed it made little difference as the exhaust heat would discolor the tubes anyway (he was right). But that work on the OP's frame looks like something an office worker attempted when the welders were out of town. I wouldn't accept that repair.
03-09-26 | 08:10 AM
#29
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
Upon further inspection, there's a dent on my headtube now. I'm besides myself at this moment. It's located at the top where you insert the headset cup. It's kind of ovalized in the front and there's an etching/scratch in front of it. See closeup picture. Would a welder of clamped something here? The shipping box is in good condition so I'm ruling out any damage in shipping. I did email bikes direct on this and waiting for a reply.
03-09-26 | 08:58 AM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,339
Likes: 5,453
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
I would suggest measuring the roundness, or lack of, and thus have a number to refer to. I see ovalized head tubes every so often and I assumed they happen when the frame is dropped and the HT hits first. Andy.
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AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
03-16-26 | 03:43 PM
#31
Steel is real
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 2,560
From: Not far from Paris
Bikes: 93GiantTourer,92MeridaAlbon,96Scapin,98KonaKilaueua,93Peugeot Prestige,05CasatiClipper,98Jamis Dragon,95Tange Prestige(to be built),98VettaTeam,95Coppi,93Grandis,Daccordi x3(in build),98Piton(in build),99Trek SLR2300
I would personally ask for a refund if the frame is under warranty. Whoever did this so called repair should be forbidden to touch a welding torch let alone repair bike frames.
