Disc tabs needed, titanium frame

[elong8]

Hello all! Please forgive me if this topic has been visited, I was not able to find anything specific in regards to a builder.

I have a 96 Litespeed and I'd really like to have disc brake tabs welded to the rear. The fork is not a problem of course. I'm wondering:

A) who/where I should start (I'm in Dallas)

B) is it a bad idea?

I really love the frame and think the disc brake addition would make it even more of a "forever" bike. I've heard some things about welding titanium that make me a bit nervous, but would do it if the builder/welder was good at it.

Thanks in advance!!

[wallymann]

welding a disc mount on is not a significant problem.

however, you will have a problem with rear-end spacing -- most rear disc hubs require at least 135mm. being a mid 90s frame with 130mm, you're out of luck unless you have the rear-triangle re-built with wider spacing.

but for the sake of discussion, lets say you get a disc hub with 130mm spacing. then you may have disc clearance problems with the stays -- on a frame never intended to have discs, a 140mm rotor might fit in there. maybe.

edit: i assumed you had a litespeed roadbike...if you have a litespeed MTB, getting a disc mount added will be no problem. a-la:

i'd suggest finding someone with a little more skill wielding a TIG welder, but you get the idea.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3938722739_b581c8d30e.jpg

Hello all! Please forgive me if this topic has been visited, I was not able to find anything specific in regards to a builder.

I have a 96 Litespeed and I'd really like to have disc brake tabs welded to the rear. The fork is not a problem of course. I'm wondering:

A) who/where I should start (I'm in Dallas)

B) is it a bad idea?

I really love the frame and think the disc brake addition would make it even more of a "forever" bike. I've heard some things about welding titanium that make me a bit nervous, but would do it if the builder/welder was good at it.

Thanks in advance!!

[NHAero]

Niall Gengler welded one onto my Litespeed Unicoi. He's in western MA.

http://www.pioneerframeworks.com/nfgcycles.com/Home.html

[pcxmbfj]

Had it done on a '95 Litespeed Obed.
Took several years finding someone with the ti experience but finally Jim Kish moved to the east coast.
Saved the frame from wallhanging.

[David Tollefson]

Not sure where you're located, but TiCycles Fabrication (in Portland, OR) can do this mod (and the rear triangle re-spacing) with no issues.

[elong8]

Thanks guys. It is a mountain bike- the Ocoee. I'll check out your suggestions.

[adampaiva]

i would just contact your closest custom builder that does ti?

http://www.sailabikes.com/about.php

http://www.aussiecycleworks.com/contact

[Mikej]

You would have better luck buying a new / used frame. I would bet its a 4-600$ job these days.

[JAGI410]

The bike has already survived 20 years with rim brakes, and I'm assuming no one has died on it. Why can't a rim brake bike be a "forever" bike?

On topic: Bilenky

[elong8]

The bike has already survived 20 years with rim brakes, and I'm assuming no one has died on it. Why can't a rim brake bike be a "forever" bike?



On topic: Bilenky


Good point. I dunno- I'd just like it better with disc. I suppose I could just buy some really nice new V brakes. It looks to be roughly $400.

[uber]

I wonder if a frame is built differently if the intention is to use disc brakes? I can't imagine anyone more qualified for this than Tom Kellogg or Kent Eriksen.

[wallymann]

I wonder if a frame is built differently if the intention is to use disc brakes?

generally, for retrofits when the brake is located on the seat-stay, some sort of cross-brace is added.

if located on the chain-stay, i've never seen any supplemental bracing added -- apparently chainstays are beefy enough as-is.

https://galluscycles.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/img_1234.jpg?w=640