Yep. If I mash my Ritchey -it goes back to Tom for a fix if possible.
The frame replacement value is around 850$ US, so I will attempt a fix.

Lots of good information here. Also a lugged frame is a little heavier than a welded frame. If you are not going for a super light bike I would not consider this a big deal.

For a classic look and a frame than can take a little more abuse I would go with lugs. In fact If I were buying a custom bike I would want something fancy about the lugs.

Interesting. How'd he do it? Just cut at the welds and reweld? I was alway under the impression that it wasn't doable.

Ibis Ti\CF 1988. The lug to headtube was Tig welded?
This guy has started his company up again. Wow.
Best of all worlds in one frame. http://www.firstflightbikes.com/ibis.htm

I've sent 2 pms, maybe we will get an answer! :)

The whole "can't replace tubes on a tigged frame" thing is a myth.

I like lugs, but all my bikes are tigged.

Fillet Brazed Kills All...

I wasn't there when he did it but my understanding is that he simply cut the old stays off, ground alittle and welded the new stays on. He reused my Paul trackends but they were brazed on so that was easy. Seriously, after the repaint, I could not tell that such drastic surgery had occurred.....very cool.

As far as the larger discussion, I think lugs are nice and a fine way to build a bike. In fact, I harbored a tig prejudice for years, but, when I decided to get a custom frame made, I found that the money I saved with tig (over lugs) allowed me to pay for a much better grade of tubing (TT Ox Platinum over TT Verus). Also, with a tig'd frame, one has greater choices in tube diameter and shape .... simply put, lugs are not available for all tubing options and custom lugs are really expensive. Now I only have Tig's frames.

Jim

Jeff...

Are you referring to me? If so, I've received no PM's.

Jim

No, I pm'd Thylacine and Dave Moulton (who likely will not respond :rolleyes: ). Framebuilders.

Interesting indeed.

Anyhow, I have nothing against TIG, I have one myself. If I ever get my Mike Flanigan, that will be TIG for sure. I like it for the same reasons as you: you can spend money on lugs and brazing or tubing.

A lugged bike is not necessarily heavier. Our brazer up here at Serotta weighed all of the lugs and tubes of a Csi (our lugged steel - available in any shape or size) against all of the tubes of the Colorado III (our Tig welded steel frame). The Csi was marginally lighter. Lugs themselves are very light, and the tubing is drawn differently for the two models.

Tubes are replaceable in either method of joining. Lugs do look nice. Built by a good builder, strength will not be an issue. David Kirk builds some beautiful fillet brazed frames.
http://www.kirkframeworks.com/index.htm

It's possible with all types of steel and titanium frames, regardless of construction. The debate is how good will the frame be subjected to multiple heat cycles.

If the ability to replace a tube is a priority, then you should probably consider silver brazed lugged construction. However, unless you were a bizarre combination of psycho mountainbiker and contender for the 'Worlds most un-coordinated man', why bother?

On the other hand, if you're worried about dentability, just go for thicker walled tubes.

[QUOTE=Thylacine] However, unless you were a bizarre combination of psycho mountainbiker and contender for the 'Worlds most un-coordinated man', why bother?
[QUOTE]
Hey, I resemble that remark!..and I don't ditch THAT often. ;)

Lugged frames do look nice, but for a new frame I'd go for brazed or TIG.

good point. NICE brazing !!

huh?

I believe they mean fillet brazed or tig.

Yeah, fillet brazing is what I was talking about. If I was going for a new look, I'd definitely go with fillet.

I stand corrected,David kirk's work is great!
This is the Fillet-brazed bb on the 1952 claud butler frame---this is first rate work.There is other ways to add to the look of a frame besids lugs---take a look at the seat stay finals on the CB---sam