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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

862.0. "U.K. ATB info sought" by MARVIN::MACHIN () Mon Sep 12 1988 16:39

    I'm looking for info on ATBs in the U.K. 
    
    I'm after an inexpensive ATB with indexed shift. So far, the cheapest
    I've seen is a Saracen -- but every Saracen racing/touring bike
    I've seen has been less than decent. So I'd like to ask if anyone
    knows of the Saracen range of ATBs, or of any other relatively cheap
    ATB that might fit the bill.
    
    Ta,
    
    Richard.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
862.1GANSU::CAPTURERod MacFadyen, in FerneyTue Sep 13 1988 15:4911
862.2ANybody think indexing's NOT worth it?MARVIN::MACHINTue Sep 13 1988 16:3113
    Well, I went into Berkshire Cycles (I've bought 3 bikes from them,
    all great/great service etc), and tried out a Saracen. I thought
    it was very good -- and I was surprised, since I've seen a few Saracen
    racing bikes and the bits and pieces weren't good. In fact I tried
    one at 290, and another at 390 to see what the difference was. (The
    more expensive one had more expensive wheels, chainset and block).
    
    But I'm not as aware of the do's and donts in ATB bikes as I am
    in tourers/racers (for example, the golden rule about welded/brazed
    lugging on tourers is broken by even the more expensive ATBs). 
                     
    
    Richard.
862.3Wouldn't say no to one, tho'GANSU::CAPTURERod MacFadyen, in FerneyWed Sep 14 1988 12:1213
862.4brazing/weldingMARVIN::MACHINWed Sep 14 1988 15:359
    Frames withour lugs (i.e. tubes are butted directly onto one another)
    need welding together. The high temperature produced in welding weakens
    the steel. Lugged frames (i.e. tubes slide into joints) are brazed,
    which uses muck lower temperatures and so doesn't have adverse effects
    on the structure of the metal. 
    
    At least, that used to be conventional wisdom.
    
    Richard.
862.5when is a lug not a lug?SUSHI::KMACDONALDloose chips sink mipsWed Sep 14 1988 15:4617
>    Frames withour lugs (i.e. tubes are butted directly onto one another)
>    need welding together. The high temperature produced in welding weakens

not quite - various custom builders (English WITCOMBs for example) made 
occasional lugless frames that were brazed together. The mitering of the
tubes has to be VERY precise in order for this to work, but when it does,
it's really beautiful. Looks a bit odd, but produces a very strong, very light
frame.

typically the really cheap department store bikes were welded, using very heavy 
"sewer pipe" tubing so that the welding wouldn't weaken it to the point of
failure. Toward the beginning of the "bike craze" (early 70's) the wisdom
on the streets was "buy a lugged frame" so some cheapos came out with a
welded frame and plastic "lugs" that had no purpose, other than to sucker
the consumer. Urp.

                                  ken
862.6As long as it doesn't collapse beneath you...MARVIN::MACHINWed Sep 14 1988 16:034
    So why are ATB frames so often welded? 'Cos they're thick? To avoid
    weight?
    
    Richard.
862.7There's welding and weldingRDGENG::VAL_KKassessinoff, now you know a foreign languageThu Sep 15 1988 10:278
    I have seen it written down in several publications that some makers
    like Peugeot, employ a modern computer-controlled welding machine
    which ensure only enough heat to effect a weld, and the resulting
    joint is claimed to be at least as strong as the braised lugged
    one, but much lighter. Makes sense to me; I believe it.
    
    Val.