Re: [CR] French trials, frames don't last?

(Example: Books:Ron Kitching)

From: <NortonMarg@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 17:42:21 EDT
Subject: Re: [CR] French trials, frames don't last?
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 7/1/02 12:38:41 PM Pacific Daylight Time, chuckschmidt@earthlink.net writes:

<< Not designed to last > more than two or three events.

The more things change the more they stay the same. Some frames currently used in the big tours by the pros are only designed to last one stage. >>

Gee, a couple of months ago, I made a remark about how "better" frames lasted longer, and many people responded with the idea that "frames don't go soft, that's a fallacy". It's ok for a frame not to last too long if it was made by a French "constructeur" and the tubing is ultra light? Among the ones under discussion that don't last, are they breaking because of tig welds? Or going soft? I'm no expert on the modern tig stuff, but I'm still thinking that with the older technology it's a function of tubing gauge and whether or not it's been overheated. And how big the dents in the chainstays are. Supposedly Eddy had at least one of his hour record bikes that was so light, it only lasted for the attempt. Truth, or urban legend? I repeat my experience with an alignment table that correlates with my riding experience. A frame with minimal yield strength on the table, has soft joints and doesn't feel as stiff or as lively as a frame with a lot of yield strength on the table.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA