On 1/4/2011 10:39 AM, Stronglight49@aol.com wrote:
> Jim Merz wrote: "Tubing stickers are just branding, pure and simple...."
>
> I agree, one should trust a builder's choices. But, this got me
> thinking...
>
> Personally, I feel no need to advertise any tube makers wares on my bikes,
> nor do I feel a need to even subtly proclaim to the cognoscenti just how
> much
> money I may have spent on a newly purchased older steel bike or frameset.
>
> However... if a frame tube is ever damaged and in need of replacement,
> is it truly an easy matter for a frame builder approaching such a repair
> to
> determine a correct (or most suitable) replacement tube? I would think
> that
> especially with the increasingly diverse tubing types available these days,
> it may be a useful aid for future repairs to clearly identify the original
> tubing
> type used on a bike.
>
If you cut a tube out you'll have a pretty good idea of the hardness ie quality level. Measuring a tube (gauges, lenght of the butts) isn't rocketscience either.
Should be dufficient to find a good match, and more reliable than judging by a tubing sticker (which are often 'wrongly' applied)
-- mvg
Marten (deda CS, 525 SS, 725 ST, 853 TT & DT, Columbus HT, Truetemper
steerer, 531 forkblades, decal anyone? - Gerritsen
Kiel Windeweer
Netherlands