Hello Guys,

In todays modern bike tubing selection, what would be a good equivalent to Reynolds 531? I need to buy a headtube and a steertube. It's for a frame repair.

True Temper Verus, Nova cycles Cromo are equivalent to 531

Any of the not heat treated 4130 tubes would closely match 531's nature. But any steel would be compatible (out side of the joining issues with stainless steel). I would stay away from the very high strength steels (hardened or heat treated) in a head tube given the need to ream and face it after brazing.

Do us a fovor and take some photos of the repair process then post them. I'd like to know the details of your methods. Is the bike lugged or Tiged? Andy.

1972 Carlton Professional Reynolds 531 DB thru out. It took a front end hit. I have sourced a DT in 531, So all I need is a regular HT,and steer tube. I can't seem to find Cinelli long point head tube lugs anywhere (73Deg. and 60Deg). I may have to try and reuse them or get replacements that look close and get the file out.

are they the sandcast Cinelli lugs, or pressed? You should be able to reuse them without issue if you are willing to put the work into it.

I take it from this that you know that the original HT was likely not 531. I had a 1975 Carlton built Raleigh and I found out they used plain HTs when mine cracked.

wow, 3 tubes and no more.

Bicycle Classics sells NOS Reynolds 531 tubing. Not sure if you can just order individual tubes, but it can't hurt to ask.

Otherwise, Strawberry Cyclesport sells individual Reynolds 525, 635, etc. tubes.

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. I did find a Reynolds 531DB Downtube, I'm ordering the headtube and steer tube this week. I'll take before, after repair , and after paint pictures. Stay tuned.

Would be great if you could have someone take pix while you are in progress with the torch... we see way too few pix of the builder in action!!!

I took this one with a timer a while back: