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Getting steel frame back in shape
Can anyone recommend someone to get my steel frame back in shape? After three-and-a-half years of some pretty hard riding on this rigid, steel frame I've managed to bend the chain/seat stays. No structural damage. I love the way this bike rides and really, really wanna keep it rolling. Hoping I can find an expert frame builder/repairer to help sort it.
The bike's a Jones spaceframe – http://www.jonesbikes.com/framesets/
I know some of you will, say I should just get the Ti version, but that's kinda outa my price range right now.
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In all seriousness if you stumped up the cash for a Jeff Jones frame be it steel or Ti, then you should be contacting him questioning why it has gone out of shape and what he can do to help you.
There should always be some option in such cases from bespoke frame designers such as Mr. Jones. Slowpup may agree with me?
In all seriousness if you stumped up the cash for a Jeff Jones frame be it steel or Ti, then you should be contacting him questioning why it has gone out of shape and what he can do to help you.
There should always be some option in such cases from bespoke frame designers such as Mr. Jones. Slowpup may agree with me?
Hi Tim. Forget solving the problem with the Ti version. Mine has had some realigning over the years too.
Unless you have kinked the tubes, the best option is probably to just carefully re position and align the rear triangle. It seems to have been a pretty common thing on vintage steel frames built light.
If you have only got lateral misalignment, then a 2 x 4 and some string will be your best starting point. Make a triangle of string from inside the LH dropout, around the head tube or a the top bottle cage bolt hole in the underside of the down tube, and back to the inside of the RH droput. Measure between the string and the seat tube on each side to see which way the frame is tweaked, and compare the rear spacing to ideal.
Lay the frame on the lawn with the 2 x 4 inserted just so, and gently squeeze the frame in the correct direction. Keep checking the movement vs input until you get close to ideal. Lather rinse repeat....
My fork currently has 145 mm dropout spacing, which is only ever a problem if I'm taking out the front wheel.
Happy tweaking!
After your post I've emailed Jeff . . . see what he comes back with.
But it raises an interesting question. I'm not sure where his responsibility lies. I've ridden the bike over some ridiculous trails and had a few crashes – including a serious one last year where I bent the fork lowers (not to mention separating my shoulder), but the QR has been clamping that OK. Forks not shoulder;). I don't keep track, but must've done thousand of k's on it. I'd like to know what people think about this issue.
Genius! I'll give it a try. Thanks!
Wow, that's a lot of money for a Taiwanese frame! Looks pretty cool and I'd imagine they'd ride nicely?
I'd wait for a reply but if I was to try some realigning I would try to make some timber blocks to fit in between bits like then lightly clamp them in place with a Quick Grip or similar. That would reduce the load applied to the weld when tweaking.
The joys of owning weird bikes, I jave a similar priced frame with a crooked BB. Supposedly rode nicely on the internet, rides shit in real life, haha!
The Jones is worth every cent. If I couldn't fix it, I'd be buying a new one.
Try Chris Jones at http://cyclesbespoke.com/
only local steel bike manufacturer I know of.
... at Hillbrick bikes.
http://www.hillbrick.com.au/hillbrick-bicycles/c...
They seem to make and repair frames in steel, al and carbon.
Just saying this could be covered by some kind of warranty?
Good to hear the frame wasn't out of shape after all Tim.