Ti Frame repair

[Avispa]

Hi all:

I have a friend that has an old Merckx Ti frame that has developed a micro crack in the middle of the seat tube, towards the rear of the frame.

Can any of you recommend a frame builder willing to repair the frame where it has broken? Obviously, needs to be one that works with Ti.

Thanks!

..A..

[Kontact]

That was built by Litespeed when the Lynskey's owned it - I'd give Lynskey a call.

Of course, if he is the original owner, contact Merckx for warranty.

[DfCas]

Replacing a seat tube is the worst case scenario, so it may not be cost effective.

[Peter P.]

Try Dave Levy at Ti Cycles (http://ticycles.com/TCF/services-framerepair.html) .

Head over to the VeloNews Forum (http://forums.competitor.com/forum/1) and either shout out for 79pmooney/Ben or send him a PM regarding Ti Cycles, through the forum. Ben is a very active member of the forum and has had at least one titanium frame and stem made by Ti Cycles and he can't say enough good things about them. I'm sure Ben will give you his two cents.

[old_fat_and_slow]

any competent Ti builder should be able to fix it for you. Whether it's cost effective, ... that'a a whole nuther ball o' wax.

Good luck.

You might want to give Bill Holland a shout down near San Diego. Very competetent Ti builder, but don't know if he would be interested in doing the job.

Surely, Lynskey will fix it.

[93legendti]

I think Kelly Bedford is doing ti repairs

[Dekonick]

I think Kelly Bedford is doing ti repairs

Yup - :beer:

[CPP]

I had a repair done by Bilenky Cycles. They did a great job and the cost was very reasonable.
www.bilenky.com

[Birddog]

http://cdn.nexternal.com/truevine/images/60251lg.jpg

[DfCas]

Litespeed once told me they would replace any tube on a bike except a seat tube, due to the number of welds/connections.

Please let us know what happens.

[AgilisMerlin]

my merlin will go back to litespeed, if that day ever arrives.

good luck.

straight to the source

snipped:

I thought I was addressing the statements, questions and concerns that you and several other people asked.

If your Litespeed has an issue that could fall under warranty, I cannot give you a specific answer about how the situation would be remedied because each situation is different. A broken dropout is usually easy to repair. A broken downtube at the headtube junction may not be able to be repaired, so in that case replacing it with another frame is a possible option. If your frame ever has an issue, you can email me personally.

As I stated several times before, the company plans to continue manufacturing in Tennessee as a course of business. There are no plans to discontinue manufacturing Litespeed in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.

i don't think that the answer you are getting from me is any different than any other bicycle manufacturer about a hypothetical warranty situation.
___________________________
Mac McEneaney
Director of Sales, North America
Litespeed / QR
mac@americanbicyclegroup.com

[mnoble485]

My Lemond Ti developed a crack at the water bottle boss. I took it to a company that makes Ti wheelchairs for the local wheelchair rugby team. They did a great job 5 years ago and it is still solid.

Mike

Mike

[zap]

If it's a Litespeed built frame...........not worth it.

Only a matter of time before another weld zone cracks.

I donated my old, cracked Litespeed Ti frame to a buddy who makes cane's.

[Kontact]

If it's a Litespeed built frame...........not worth it.

Only a matter of time before another weld zone cracks.

I donated my old, cracked Litespeed Ti frame to a buddy who makes cane's.
:rolleyes:

Oh yeah, they're all gonna break.

[Chuck Hammer]

You may want to try Harry Havnoonian - Media, PA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fx3Ul_h090

good luck

[Pete Serotta]

At Spectrum Cycles in Pa. They are top tier also

[jpw]

Replacing a seat tube is the worst case scenario, so it may not be cost effective.

Too true.

Forget about a repair - get a new one under the lifetime warranty.

[jr59]

At Spectrum Cycles in Pa. They are top tier also


+1

And a SUPER nice guy as well!

[Kontact]

At Spectrum Cycles in Pa. They are top tier also
Spectrum does no in house Ti work. I imagine they will either send it to Seven, their current welders, or just refer you to them.

[Ahneida Ride]

I think Kelly Bedford is doing ti repairs

Yes ... he is doing some ..... but his plate is rather full right now ..

you could give him a call.... Cost effective ? I dunno

Also try Steve Potts.

Do you need a repaint ? re-polish ?
That can cost more frns then the repair?

The guy who does the Tig for Kelly's Ti is one of the best out there.
Some of you know who he is.

[Ahneida Ride]

Actually Kelly just repaired a small crack on a Tig Mountain bike.

It came out perfect. It's doable.

The bike was brushed polish, so it was cost effective....
easy to rebrush damaged area.

[uno-speedo]

Steve Potts is the man.