About 20 years ago I purchased Richard Talbot's book entitled "Designing and Building Your Own Frameset". I read it through several times, ordered a Reynolds 531 tubeset and a set of lugs and all the fittings. I bought a box of practice lugs (rejects) from Henry James, obtained some 4130 tubing, bought a torch and some very cool goggles, and went to work. I measured and cut the tubes, bought a bunch of files and carefully mitered them. I could see myself riding my own handmade bike to the envy of all my cycling friends.
I bought a book on using the torch, read it, then fired up the torch and went to work on the practice lugs and tubes. Piece of cake, I thought. Much to my horror, I just fried the lugs. Melted them. The tubes sagged. I sent away for more practice lugs, then promptly fried them, too. In the end, I just didn't have the heart to cook the Reynolds tubes, so I just put everything back in the boxes, and they have stayed on the shelf for 2 decades. I sold the torch. I just got way too ahead of myself.
I am a teacher with 35 years of experience, but I had just ignored what I have always known...sometimes what we all need is a good teacher...someone who can show us the way.
Well, I have found a teacher, and my stalled project has a new life. I'll report the details in a later post. Maybe one day, I'll be riding that bike, my name on the down tube.
Pat Moffat Tempe Arizona USA much wiser, humbled
----- Original Message ----- From: Todd Grantham<mailto:wtgrantham@comcast.net> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org<mailto:classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 9:11 AM Subject: [CR] Geometry
I have 2 separate questions but am submitting them together
1. What is meant by the term "relaxed geometry" used in many manufacturers descriptions. I'm sure it refers to angles and maybe wheelbase, but can you tell me what range is considered "relaxed" and what is considered "unrelaxed".
2. A few weeks back one of our list member sent pics of a bike he built and brazed while attending class in Oregon. I would like to learn lugged frame construction and build one for myself someday, but probably can't leave my life for 2 weeks to go there and learn. What would be the best way for me to proceed?
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