Let's talk lugs

[Fishbike]

What types of lugs do you like? Simple? Ornate? Newvex? Something from Sachs? What would you choose for your next custom lugged frame? What photos do you have to share?

[bargainguy]

If I had the money, I'd go ornate. Either of these from NAHBS today would be just fine.

Don

[Earl Gray]

What types of lugs do you like? ...

Serrota Lugs in Carbon Fiber is my preference.
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ5cK1yYxRMD7esasQg48u5dsTT8ejDO VPYQ5tOndaYQthV8wQoSOHfKaMOow

[prometheus20]

Waterford has a great selection. The Newvex lugs are gorgeous and my favorite.

[gomango]

Any lug Chris Kvale puts on a frame.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6936641815_c43140b2e0_o.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6858947889_360bdf47cc_o.jpg

[Mtmooradian]

Tdf....

[93legendti]

CSi TdF lugs and the slant 6 lugs Dave Kirk used on my Kirk JKS

[Doug Fattic]

My personal preference is ornate lugs. I bought a Hetchins in 1969 that had fairly simple lugs (with straight stays and it was certainly not a Magnum Opus) and the inspiration was born. As a matter of fact one of the reasons I became a framebuilder was so I could design my own fancy lugged frames. When I was finishing my apprenticeship in England, Jack Briggs was kind enough to give me a bunch of old blank lugs he still had in stock. Here are some pictures of some cut out lugs (from that same supply) my students Amanda and Richard did lately in my framebuilding classes. I'm delighted I can pass along the skills of creating designs in lugs I've learned over the years. In both of these cases, they did the design work although I was able to provide tips on how to make improvements. It can be very challenging to get the proportions and balance right with a similar design on each of the 3 lugs because they all have different available space.

I also like simple lugs with some modest variation. In the old days I commonly used a plain Cinelli lug with the owners initial cut out in the down tube lug. Here are pictures of a frame I made for my daughter last year. It has just a simple insert heart shape design but – and what is extremely important to me – is to have the lugs filed thinly and shaped just so. It has to have very even lug thickness throughout without any rounding at the lug edges. I spend a lot of time in my framebuilding classes explaining and demonstrating how to file lugs. I'm not one of those that think it is just all about how it rides.

I'm having a company make blank lugs again. It is also possible to do a bilaminate construction but blanks are simpler to do.

[soulspinner]

Doug, thats just beautiful. She must be pleased. Thank you for sharing. :beer:

[Bruce K]

Here are a couple of shots (bare and finished) from Kelly's web site of the head tube lugs he made for my Bedford road bike.

BK

[AgilisMerlin]

Kelly lugs exceptional

[MattTuck]

I'd go simple. But lugs aren't really my style.

The ornate ones, to my eye, are a bit out there. I think it is a thin line between ostentatious and a nice flourish... I think the way they are painted has a big impact on how they look.

[phcollard]

I don't really like lugs that are too detailed... busy... complicated.

I love the Richie-Issimo lugs. To me they are the perfect lugs, having something special without being overdone.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2503/5714111047_ce087929c4_z.jpg

[Uncle Jam's Army]

I lean toward the simple, straightforward design. Really like the Llewellyn Cadenzia lugset.

[timto]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6801852872_a040d68b39.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6947961977_bb85a66a83.jpg

More here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28879558@N04/6801851862/in/set-72157629499390397

bishop and Winter are also doing some amazing work with lugs.

[avalonracing]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6801852872_a040d68b39.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6947961977_bb85a66a83.jpg

More here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28879558@N04/6801851862/in/set-72157629499390397

bishop and Winter are also doing some amazing work with lugs.

Now those might be the prettiest I've ever seen. They look sleek, fast and "modern". Who is making this lovely bike? I can't tell from your link.

[EricEstlund]

That is one of Mark Dinucci's bikes (his booth is behind mine, as is the Vendetta booth).

In my own work I like lugs to be clean with a specific focal detail (generally a pointy point).

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5013/5465663895_59f0c2fdfc.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6924746863_edfe225a6b.jpg

Both of those are here, come check em out if you are in Sacramento.

[Rueda Tropical]

Balanced, fluid lines that seem to be in forward motion. Not ornate or busy -just beautiful... Weigle has really lifted it from craft to art with his lug work.
http://ruedatropical.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/jpw.jpg

[Uncle Jam's Army]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6801852872_a040d68b39.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6947961977_bb85a66a83.jpg

More here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28879558@N04/6801851862/in/set-72157629499390397

bishop and Winter are also doing some amazing work with lugs.

Wow! That is incredibly nice.

[avalonracing]

In my own work I like lugs to be clean with a specific focal detail (generally a pointy point).

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5013/5465663895_59f0c2fdfc.jpg


Pointy points are good!

[slowgoing]

Minimalist Silva lugs that Dave used on my Kirk. Pics by Dave, of course. I love how the cable guides fit along the contour of the lug. This Dave guy is quite a craftsman.