Cracked ti
12-22-16, 04:52 PM
#27
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Ti is notoriously difficult to weld. That's why all the failures are at the welds. Aluminum is more difficult to weld than steel is Ti is much more difficult to weld than Al. Ti is very sensitive to contamination and you need a very well purged environment. For critical applications, they have weld chambers to ensure than the entire part is in an oxygen-free environment.
Which is why I would want to verify with a small custom builder what their TIG/shielding gas setup and prep/cleaning regimen is before buying a frame from them.
12-22-16, 06:06 PM
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Had a Lemond Victorie that was a warranty replacement for a Klein (whose seat post integrated collar cracked). I paid Trek $800
Paint was flaking off inside a year. Trek warrantied and re-painted. That paint was flaking off inside a year and they declined a warranty.
I subsequently had it repainted locally and rode for maybe 2 years, then a 1/2" long vertical crack developed on the downtube, just above the shifter cable stop. Because I had repainted the frame Trek declined a warranty.
Needless to say I will never buy a Trek.
Paint was flaking off inside a year. Trek warrantied and re-painted. That paint was flaking off inside a year and they declined a warranty.
I subsequently had it repainted locally and rode for maybe 2 years, then a 1/2" long vertical crack developed on the downtube, just above the shifter cable stop. Because I had repainted the frame Trek declined a warranty.
Needless to say I will never buy a Trek.
