UKC

At 30 mph in traffic. Arse. Titanium by Van Nicolas if you must know.

Not only do I need to strip the bike down I have to pay shipping to the fecking Netherlands.

In reply to Removed User:

Ohhh I had a mate cracked a Van Nicolas Ti frame....little hole near the BB.

E

In reply to Removed User:

Uff. How old's the frame, and where did it crack?- it's a bit rich having to pay to send it back.

In reply to wbo:

4 years old, cracked on the weld between the headtube and downtube. Luckily it held together, if I'd have gone down it wouldn't have been pretty.

In reply to Removed User:

Could you get it welded locally by a coded welder and have that sanctioned by the manufacturer?

In reply to muppetfilter:
I thought Ti was unmendable? Think I'd rather take a fresh frame...

In reply to Removed User:
How do they weld the frames in the first place? All that has to be done is the crack ground out then filled. A good weld wont compromise the frame in any way and to replace it seems like throwing away a whole wheel because of a puncture?
These guys will be able to point you at a fabricator that can help,
http://www.advancedtitaniummetals.com/products.htm
or
http://www.carrswelding.co.uk/cycling.html

In reply to Removed User:

But who would pay for such welding - Van Nicolas - they have their own welders? You - 4 years is not long for these things and while I am aware of what lifetime guarantee means you'll struggle to get anyone claimingthat 4 years is a normal lifespan for a ti frame.

No ramp jumping or other errant behaviour?

In reply to wbo:

Nah, hit a slightly sunken manhole cover not particularly hard at it just went.

Van Nicolas require the frame back for inspection so I don't imagine there is much to be gained by arranging a UK welder given they will be able to make good in their own factory.

In reply to Removed User:

I feel for you, hope they don't give you any bother I've read a few threads on the cycling sites where they've messed people around a bit on cracked frames.

Keeping my fingers crossed it's all sorted smoothly for you.

Cheers

Toby

In reply to Toby_W:

Cheers, fingers crossed, but this looks pretty cut and dryed. We have an CT scanner at work so I'm going to take a X-ray of the weld site as further evidence...

In reply to Removed User:

Normally so long as you're the original owner most companies are pretty good just a bit of bummer to be without a bike for a bit. Here's hoping they just give you something newer and shinier

Cheers

Toby

In reply to Removed User: Aaah bummer. Hope you get it sorted. So these Van Nicholas guys... do they have an issue with frame reliability or are these freak events? I am thinking of going titanium way, only because I want a frame-for-a-long-time bike. 4 years is not a long time!

In reply to Toby_W:

It's an excuse to drag the old 1970's steel framed Woodrup tourer out of the garage. It's still going strong!

In reply to Bloodfire:

All frames of all materials crack and fail. I have seen two or three carbon frames develop cracks (specialized) that were swopped with no fuss in no time at all. I have seen one ti frame crack along with three 531 steel frames all on the seat tubes going into the BB.

Oddly never seen an Al frame crack (fingers crossed I have two).

Choose a good company that backs it's stuff and just hope you're not very un-lucky.

I wouldn't let a few cracked frames put me off any one material.

Cheers

Toby

In reply to Removed User:

Have you considered doing that Italian old school race/sportive:

http://en.eroica.it/

You have a suitable bike after all? You'd just need some classic clothing to look the part.

Cheers

Toby

In reply to Removed User:

A friend of mine had an Enigma Ti frame crack. They had a look at it and decided that that wasn't good and lent him a top spec bike while they fixed it.

In reply to Toby_W:




My alu Kona mtb frame cracked around the little bit of tubing which the seat clamp goes around. The frame is too small for me, so I was always sitting towards the back of the saddle with it as far back as it'd go.

I still have the bit which came off, keep meaning to contact these people to have it repaired, it's got a lively Kona ride, so if they can make it strong enough to not break again I'd be quite happy.

They can repair titanium too.

http://www.vernonbarkercycles.co.uk/

In reply to Removed User:

Another vote for Vernon Barker.

Have a look at Baldwin bikes for ti bikes. Made in Yorkshire and built to your own spec,

In reply to Timmd:

You reminded me my friends MTb also too small broke in the way you describe. Hope it wasn't a very loved bike

Toby

In reply to Toby_W:

The bike was passed down to me and I lovingly restored it you cheeky get, I am but a spring chicken...

In reply to Removed User:

Oh I'm still riding a '98 Zaskar which is alu and still going. It just seems that titanium manufacturers always bang on about the 'timelessness' of titanium and its non-corrosive nature... all great if the frame isn't going to die on you. I guess it's more imperative that the manufacturer is either great in the first place, or seriously backs up their frame.