Re: [CR] French trials, frames don't last?

(Example: Racing:Wayne Stetina)

Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2002 14:57:11 -0700
From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR] French trials, frames don't last?
References: <6f.29cbd1ec.2a5226bd@aol.com>


Stevan Thomas wrote:
>
> Gee, a couple of months ago, I made a remark about how "better" frames lasted
> longer, and many people responded with the idea that "frames don't go soft,
> that's a fallacy". It's ok for a frame not to last too long if it was made by
> a French "constructeur" and the tubing is ultra light? Among the ones under
> discussion that don't last, are they breaking because of tig welds? (cut)

I'm talking about Pros racing on tig'd aluminum frames and the welds don't crack the tubing does. Pretty well documented in racing circles nowadays.
> (cut) Supposedly Eddy
> had at least one of his hour record bikes that was so light, it only lasted
> for the attempt. Truth, or urban legend?

Urban myth.
> I repeat my experience with an alignment table that correlates with my riding
> experience. A frame with minimal yield strength on the table, has soft joints
> and doesn't feel as stiff or as lively as a frame with a lot of yield
> strength on the table.

Never heard of a "soft" brazed joint on a steel bike... maybe an incompetently brazed joint, but never a soft one.

Chuck Schmidt
SoPas, SoCal