r/Framebuilding Jul 21 '22

getting cheap materials - eg Tubes for the first frame - low cost suppliers in Europe needed

21 Upvotes

oing a bike frame build, having a really hard time sourcing Tubing in Europe, anybody know where to go for getting cheap materials - eg Tubes for the first frame

I love to see bikeframe suppliers in Europe - eg. France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Czech, Poland Ukrain, Bulgaria, Hungary and so on. I need to have some low price suppliers for all things tubing

especially the Main-Frame tube - but also the

  • Lugs and other things
  • Shells

Look forward to hear from you Perhaps we can work on a supplier-listduring the christmas-holiday we try to add a little list... - a compilation of suppliers in Europe.

Europe: . some findings...
Reset-Racing: reset-racing.de or allmost everything - especially tubing
custom-Acacemy: https://www.custom-academy.de/ - allmost everything - especially tubing
UBI - https://www.bikeschool.com/ sells Kaisei tubing and some lugs
Jan Heine's "Compass" -- https://www.compasscycle.com/Framebuilding.html -- sells a couple of fork crowns and fork blades
ciclicorsa: https://ciclicorsa.com/ - allmost everything: E-Mail: [info@ciclicorsa.com](mailto:info@ciclicorsa.com)
Ceeway: Framebuilding Bicycles. Tubing, Parts, and Tools - allmost everything
Bike Europe https://www.bike-eu.com - many parts
Tennant-Metall: https://www.tennant-metall.de/de/gueten/25crmo4-4130 - tubing
Kellys bicycles, gear and accessories | Kellys https://www.kellysbike.com
The biggest Slovak bicycle producer offering wide range of mountain, road, trekking, cross, women and junior bicycles.
FESTKA https://festka.com tube.jpg. Festka bicycles are small technological miracles carefully packaged in unique ...
Corratec Home | Corratec https://www.corratec.com : Shadow Edge Tube 2.0 - worldwide most stable and safest corratec E-Bike frame...
Antidote – CUSTOM HANDCRAFTED BIKES - Antidote https://antidotebikes.com Antidote is a small boutique company based in the south of Poland. ... fiber pieces in them, creating state of art, high performance mountainbike frames.
BIKE TECHNOLOGY - Zumbi Cycles https://zumbicycles.com - tubing etc. from Poland : Mail: [shop@zumbicycles.com](mailto:shop@zumbicycles.com)
RychtarskiBicycleWorkshop: Kajac Custom Rychtarski - Bicycle Workshop @RychtarskiBicycleWorkshop https://www.facebook.com/RychtarskiBicycleWorkshop/ Mail; [info@rychtarski.com](mailto:info@rychtarski.com)
SingleBe Ing. Tomáš Kutin E-Mail: [info@singlebe.co](mailto:info@singlebe.co)

see also: some interesting lists:
https://theframebuilders.com/list/
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...g?format=1000w

plz correct me if i am wrong and if i have added some incorrect information: ,,, - i can do (add) the corrections here. Thanks for the help!
📷
see the non European:
ACTOFIVE https://www.actofive.com Frames: core of the bicycle industry - HuangWei Al Alloy Welding - founded in February 1992
Prof. Bicycle Frame, Fork: Prof. Bicycle Frame, Fork, Parts and Wheelchair Products Manufacturer. Bikeframe Welding. OEM Welding. ISO 9001.
Wicks Aircraft https://www.wicksaircraft.com/ 4130 tubing
Aircraft Spruce https://www.aircraftspruce.com/ 4130 tubing

i love to see a global list - that also contains the supplier - of the ones that contains all the one especially those in the easter european countries too..
many many thanks..

update: here i found a map - that might be helpful

https://utahrandonneur.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/s_l1600_f180ed7a2bbddbf16464e6c081bc55b5b4e80a06.jpg

note: https://utahrandonneur.wordpress.com/2022/02/28/map-of-italian-cycling-brands/

The map was created by Andrea Bonfanti from Italy. He a noted De Rosa historian who also wrote the book on De Rosa bicycle history. I have both the map and book, he does an amazing job of research and is very knowledgeable and approachable.


r/Framebuilding 12h ago

Handmade track dropouts.

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243 Upvotes

Replaced the skyward-facing dropouts with new ones. The base is ст3пс steel, the overlays are stainless steel. Everything was brazed with 40% silver.


r/Framebuilding 1d ago

Metric tubing sizes for EC34 headset?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I'm trying to build a cargo bike and I have trouble finding the correct size tubing to fit the EC34 headset.

From what I understand the inner diameter should be 33.9mm to press fit the headset cup snuggly. Which makes the 1.5" x 0.083" tubing ideal for this purpose as the ID is 33.88mm

The issue I have is that I can't source imperial sizes here in Europe without shipping it from UK. I'm able to find 38x2mm steel tubing which has ID of 34mm. That seems like it'd loose but when I measure the diameter of the headset, it's around 34.1mm. So it seems like it would be a press fit.

Does anyone have experience with it?


r/Framebuilding 3d ago

I'm trying to make a trek 970 22.5' 1995 to practice with BikeCAD. How'd I do?

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11 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding 4d ago

Where can I find the geometry of a 90s rock hopper?

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15 Upvotes

I wanna practice using BikeCAD by making a rockhopper. Where can I find retro MTB geometries?


r/Framebuilding 5d ago

My first disc brake conversion

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172 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding 4d ago

I just made and wanted to promote r/handmade_bicycles for people who use and want to post about the type of bicycles that are built here

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0 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding 5d ago

Is there a point in buying HiTen steel for my first frame or fork?

2 Upvotes

I'm practicing welding, and I'd really like to build my own frame. The thing is I'm a student so I don't have too much money. I'd really like to practice building a bike frame and I feel like HiTen steel could be a good way to practice, considering the thick walls. I just don't know where to get HiTen and what grade to get? This brand seems to be the only brand I've found that mentions the grade, 1020 HiTen steel. What are the biggest tradeoffs between HiTen and CrMo besides the weight? Is it really easier to weld than CrMo?


r/Framebuilding 5d ago

Is this steel frame still ok to ride with this damage? What could I do about it?

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0 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding 6d ago

Question about distributors for a school program.

9 Upvotes

I have started a program at my boarding school building/altering frames and teaching bike maintenance. I have tried submitting the form to apply for an account with QBP, and have not heard anything back. Is it possible to become a part of the distributor network as a school? It would obviously be a game changer in terms of what I can offer.


r/Framebuilding 6d ago

Custom steel frame bikes in China

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4 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding 7d ago

Brazin' handmade - Scottish framebuilding show

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29 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding 11d ago

Modifying an old frame for a UDH

2 Upvotes

I'm trying to get an idea of the feasiblily of modifying a 135 single speed steel frame to fit a UDH for a 142mm rear hub. I know I can cold set the frame for the width, but to get a UDH on the rear is what I have no idea about. Is this possible? Will the rotor line up? I can TIG weld. I would ideally like a solution that lets me hotswap back to a SS plate too. Are there any examples you guys could share?

The context is I want a unique urban-fun-bike to ride to work on. I kind of already built one as a proof of concept and have been using it all summer over my more conventional commuter. I enjoy being able to have some fun on the way home. I want to build something that I like more stylistically. I have my heart set on older steel GTs modified to my spec. Specifically I've been trying to find a peace9r multi. But there's a good chance I'll find the single speed version before I find the multi. Hence my question above.

Features I'm looking for:

- Steel frame. With a relatively steel HTA, short wheel base, short front center. Optional: more BB drop than was customary for the aforementioned bike geo.

- Fits 2.5-2.8 width tires. Let's just say my rear wheel crashes into a lot of curbs and rocks a lot due to ... skill issues (usually mistimed hops). 26 acceptable, but larger is better. Not really any options here it seems. Steel became a boutique only thing before larger wheels caught on 😭

- seat tube wide enough for a 27.2 dropper


r/Framebuilding 11d ago

8man9n Lillskog touring minivelo

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24 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding 11d ago

Is this dent on my seat stay fixable or safe to ride?

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1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I noticed this dent on the seat stay of my bike (Colossi Low Pro). I circled it in the photo.

I noticed this dent on the seat stay of my bike (circled in the photo). I’m wondering if this is something that can be repaired, or if the frame is basically done for.

The weird thing is, I have no idea how it happened. I’ve never been in a crash or accident, and I don’t remember the bike taking any kind of hard impact. I only noticed the dent recently.

Can this dent still be fixed? Is my bike still safe to ride like this, or should I stop riding it.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thankyou


r/Framebuilding 12d ago

Advice on steel suppliers for shipping to Africa

6 Upvotes

I want to buy and ship a steel kit to ship to South Africa to build a bike there. Does anybody have advice on good supplier I can use? This is for a steel gravel bike XL frame. I am not looking for performance, but something that will survive Africa.


r/Framebuilding 13d ago

Just admiring

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36 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding 13d ago

Tange Ultimate heat treatment vs brazing/welding?

3 Upvotes

Has anybody tried to braze or weld addons onto Tange prestige ultimate ultrastrong tubes? These are supposedly heat treated? Or are they air hardening like some reynolds?

I plan to modify a 26“ mtb into a mullet cargo bike (20“ front tire).
I have two frames with very mangled paint that i could use as the base. both are my size:
- mid 90ies stevens 862 with Tange prestige Ultimate ultrastrong. Sloped frame, oversized tube, externally splined down tube. Weight 2.1kg
- early 90ies Wilier with regular sized columbus thron, straight top tube. Weight 1,9kg

I feel the heavier sloped frame is stronger and would be better suited to a cargo bike. At the same time theoretically the thron is not heat treated, thick enough for brazing and careful welding. But the Tange ultimate should be heat treated which means i could destroy the treat treatment? I feel it is not that thin though especially at the head tube where i will insert and weld a turned tube extension and at the down tube where i want to add bracing for that extension.

Any frame builders with experience brazing or welding these steels? What would you recommend?


r/Framebuilding 15d ago

Inside the Mind of Vetra Bikes

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16 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding 15d ago

I have pipes and a donor bike for headset and stuff, i have a mig welder, what's next?

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6 Upvotes

Im planning to finally build my first bike, wondering what more is needed before im ready


r/Framebuilding 16d ago

Long Shen Flat Mount LV02A / LV002A

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6 Upvotes

Does anyone have a photo of this disc mount installed? Is the intent for the taller side to go towards the front with the open side facing inward towards the wheel? On my frame, the chain stay would intersect about half the width of the mount.


r/Framebuilding 17d ago

Titanium concerns

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17 Upvotes

I got this frame today, but at home i found some concerning spots on the welds.

So most of the frame is covered in either paint or adhesive film, but at one spot its coming of so i found this dark line on/ next to the welds.

The frame is a eddy merckx titane made in Belgium and the tubes are litespeeds.

Good thin: the seller is willing to take it back in the next seven days so please help me!

Don`t mind the broken cable guide and the bad paint condition since i will blast it anyway.


r/Framebuilding 18d ago

Slowly but surely getting this frame built

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21 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding 19d ago

Trek Multi Track from the 90s steel frame

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11 Upvotes

I recently stripped the paint off of my new to me bicycle. I did a replacement on the brakes. I got V brakes now, but I wanna get rid of the old brake support. If I remove this would it structurally compromise the frame. I mostly want to remove it just for looks. pls let me know your opinion!


r/Framebuilding 18d ago

Can someone help me on how to make my frame look better other than buying a new frame ofc

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0 Upvotes