[CR]Was: GIOS Stainless Now: Metax

(Example: Framebuilders:Chris Pauley)

Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 10:11:39 -0400
From: "Jamie Swan" <jswan@optonline.net>
In-reply-to: <003c01c44f09$cc4b3f80$9af9998d@t1s9z1>
To: Steven Willis <smwillis@verizon.net>, Norris Lockley <Norris.Lockley@btopenworld.com>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Was: GIOS Stainless Now: Metax

on 6/10/04 12:41 PM, Steven Willis at smwillis@verizon.net wrote:
> Well that puts me out.
> Steven Willis
> 1778 East Second Street
> Scotch Plains NJ 07076
> 908-322-9022
> http://www.thebikestand.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Norris Lockley" <Norris.Lockley@btopenworld.com>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 8:28 AM
> Subject: [CR]GIOS Stainless steelframe...
>
>
> Well "contraflecture" who won the auction for the GIOS S/S frame might just
> have something a little different soon between his thighs.
> As Steve Willis pointed out Columbus did produce a tubing, not too long
> ago.. not actually stainless steel.. not actually a CRO-Mo.. but quite a
> witshes' brew in fact.
> The 1995 edition of Columbus' catalogue lists a series of tubing called
> "METAX", made from "Nicromox Steel" Are you with me so far? The frame decal
> went on to say that Metax is "corrosion proof Eco Concept" which of course
> explains it all clearly.
> Reading the technical specification for the tubing it is an austenitic /
> ferritic alloy with added alloying ingredients such as manganese, molybdenum
> and... nitrogen, the nitrogen acting as a"stabilising influence on the
> austenitic part of the mix.. In a handbook I have on working Columbus'
> tubes, the framebuilder is warned about the danger of any carbon, zinc or
> copper contamination in the welding process ie get you torch's flame set up
> spot on. TIG is a possibility.
> The advice recommends that the frame be painted after completion bt states
> that the tubes can be left bare.. so long as they are professionally
> polished, assuming that the construction has been "parfait" perfect.
>
> Now I know why I never built many METAX frames.. and why not many other
> builders put the series in their repertoire.
>
> Norris Lockley, Settle, UK
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> _______________________________________________

While we are on the topic of Metax. Have you guys seen this heroic full stainless bike by Dave Bohm? I like the applied name plates, but I worry about so much brazing in the non butted area of the down tube...

http://www.bohemianbicycles.com/photo_gallery18.htm

Jamie Swan - Northport, New York