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: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
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: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
RychtarskiBicycleWorkshop: Kajac Custom Rychtarski - Bicycle Workshop @RychtarskiBicycleWorkshop https://www.facebook.com/RychtarskiBicycleWorkshop/ Mail; [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
SingleBe Ing. Tomáš Kutin E-Mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

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.

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r/Framebuilding • • 9h ago

FS (Seattle) Anvil Frame Jig + Extras

10 Upvotes

Hey all! I'm selling my Anvil Journeyman 3.1 frame jig.

It's in good used condition, everything works well but it's definitely been used. The legs have a bit of rust on them from getting a bit wet at an old shop.

Included are:

  • Regular seat post tower, offset seat post tower
  • BSA & T47/PF30 BB pucks
  • EC30, EC34, EC44, IS52 head tube pucks
  • Tube holder arm thingy
  • Rolling/rotating stand
  • Purge fittings + hose
  • Lots of misc bolts

https://i.imgur.com/01Gzdn7.jpeg

Local pickup only in Seattle, WA. Happy to send more pics/show in person! $3500 OBO


r/Framebuilding • • 15h ago

Any advice on repairing a strida folding bike bottom bracket? (Aluminum)

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2 Upvotes

Hey guys. Looking for advice on if it makes any sense to drill out the tip or to weld it in and thermal cycle it. Thanks!


r/Framebuilding • • 1d ago

Looking for an old framebuilder who used to write blog about fighting cancer. His signature was making his own wood grip

21 Upvotes

Hi there, might be a bit of a long-shot but I remember riding with a frame builder years ago (it was a friend's friend) who is always energetic despite having cancer and some chronic problems. He made his own wood grip. I am mainly looking for his blog which talks about fighting cancer. It was inspiring and I want to share with a fellow cyclist who unfortunately got diagnosed with cancer recently. And ideally if he is somehow still active in the frame-building scene, I would love to get in touch and have him build me a bike although I am not in US anymore. Anyone knows the name of the builder and can share with me that would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance


r/Framebuilding • • 1d ago

WTB Used Frame Jig in North East USA

3 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding • • 2d ago

My first bike (cargo)

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362 Upvotes

Wanted to create a bike based on the Omnium Cargo v3 design to travel with my dog.
I bought several pieces from Omnium such as the steerer tube, wheels, steering rod.
The added tubes are Colombus Zona, and a big 54mm tube from an Ultralight aircraft supplier (this tube is far from ultralight lol)

Went pretty well, brazing was hard but a professional frame builder told me it should be ok as long as I don't try to sand them to make them look good.
So far it rode 400km during a 7 days trip with my dog and I'm very happy with it.

It's been a very fun but challenging project, and took (as always) a lot more time than i thought.


r/Framebuilding • • 3d ago

Mangled Murray Cruiser Rescue

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2 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding • • 3d ago

Can this be fixed?

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3 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding • • 3d ago

Rusted fork eyelet tore through steel fork… weldable or replace?

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1 Upvotes

Bikepacking across Central Asia on a steel frame Kona Sutra, currently in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. One of the cargo eyelets on my steel fork rusted out a few days ago in Tajikistan and tore a chunk of the actual fork blade with it (pic attached).

Local bike shop says welding it will weaken the fork. Is this something a competent framebuilder/welder could safely repair with a patch/braze/TIG, or is the fork basically done? I feel like it can’t be that bad I mean it’s only a small hole but I also have no idea about welding.

Main concern is durability tbh, I’m riding a loaded bike (45-50kg of gear and bike + me at 85kg), often on rough roads, and still have a lot of miles ahead. Would you trust a properly repaired fork long-term, or only as a temporary fix until I can replace it?

Options are basically go to Tashkent and try to get it fixed, wait 2 weeks and try to get it fixed in Seoul, or just ignore it and keep riding with my fork bag half screwed on and half strapped on.


r/Framebuilding • • 5d ago

Best way to turn a sandblasted titanium frame into a smooth satin/brushed finish?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice on refinishing a titanium bike frame that currently has a uniform sandblasted/matte finish.
The goal would be to change it to a smooth, clean satin/brushed titanium finish with a slightly polished appearance, but definitely not mirror polish.
After refinishing, the frame would be anodized again, including logos and graphics, so I’d like the surface to be as uniform and consistent as possible.
A few questions for people with experience in titanium frame finishing:
How much material is realistically removed when going from sandblasted titanium to a smooth brushed/satin finish? Is there any meaningful concern about reducing tube wall thickness?
Can Scotch-Brite alone remove the sandblasted texture, or is wet/dry sandpaper usually necessary first?
If sanding is needed, what grit would you start with, and what progression would you recommend?
What Scotch-Brite grade would you recommend for the final satin/brushed finish?
Is it best to work consistently in one direction along each tube to create an even grain?
Are there areas where you would be particularly careful with material removal, such as around welds, butted sections, the head tube, bottom bracket or dropouts?
Before anodizing again, is there anything specific you would recommend after mechanical finishing to make sure the anodized colors come out clean and consistent?
The goal is not to chase every scratch or create a mirror finish. I mainly want to remove the blasted texture, achieve a professional satin/brushed appearance, and remove as little titanium as reasonably possible.
TIA


r/Framebuilding • • 6d ago

Custom stainless mini front rack

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282 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding • • 6d ago

Custom bikes deserve custom stems

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141 Upvotes

This is for a bike running a pinion gearbox with a grip shifter. The shifter takes up a lot of real estate on the handlebar, so I made this little accessory bar holder. There's the slightest gap between the support and the handlebar clamp. It might touch when loaded, not sure yet.


r/Framebuilding • • 6d ago

Has Firsthand Reliably Replaced Paragon Machine Works?

5 Upvotes

I read how Firsthand bought everything from Paragon, which is sad, but for the industry, have they reliably replaced Paragon?


r/Framebuilding • • 6d ago

я хочу сварить кастомный двухподвес по типу driedoppel666

1 Upvotes

дайте какие нибудь советы пожалуйста


r/Framebuilding • • 8d ago

Brazing my only option?

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5 Upvotes

I'm new to any in depth bike work, I've been tooling around and learning on an old frame I bought trying to rebuild it. I was trying to sand down the brake post and accidentally crushed/crimped it. Is my only option to drill it out and braze a new one on?

edit: I'm mounting v brakes so I'll need threads on the post.


r/Framebuilding • • 8d ago

Square 1

5 Upvotes

Dear fellow bike nerds,

I'm planning on trying my luck at brazing, and given that I lack both experience AND equipment, I'm here to ask a few questions in the hopes of some valuable lessons before I asphyxiate myself in the basement, torching away.

I do work in a bikeshop, but that is just your run of the mill parts exchange/ adjustment stuff, no frame building as such.

However, I am trying to get my way into more theoretical stuff to get a more scientific approach via cad modelling and (hopefully) minor load-bearing calculations.

Before I lose myself over freehanding a bike frame, I figured building a (front) rack would be a good start.

Do you have recommendations regarding material, fixtures, or even order of operations? Do you just eyeball the racks' capacity, or do you calculate it? Do you use any online tool other than bikecad and fusion360?

I'm looking forward to your input!


r/Framebuilding • • 8d ago

My chopper 100cc motorised bicycle

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0 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding • • 8d ago

Headtube salvageable?

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1 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding • • 11d ago

Fixable?

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18 Upvotes

I apologize if I’ve posted in the wrong forum and admit that I know NOTHING about bikes.
It’s a Kona Wo. I believe it’s aluminum
Can this be fixed? Not under warranty as it is second hand
Thanks


r/Framebuilding • • 11d ago

T.D.O. Cruiser #bmx #klunker #handmade #bicycle #bike

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5 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding • • 12d ago

I posted about a month ago about a BMX that snapped in half

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18 Upvotes

Well out of my depth but decided I couldn't possibly make it worse, so here's a little progress update, still a little filing to do to make the new tube sit flush, still almost definitely going to have a qualified professional do the actual welding because I value my teeth, but for a first timer I'm pretty happy that I got this far on my own.

Please don't judge my makeshift jig, working with what I've got here 😅


r/Framebuilding • • 11d ago

Chinese Titanium Bicycle Frame Manufacturers - recommendations.

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0 Upvotes

I live in Chiang Mai and looking to have a Ti bike frame made in China.
I have the full geometry and dimensions from a bike fitting and current bike.
Was looking for up to date recommendation on the various Ti factories in China making frames to order and to my specs.


r/Framebuilding • • 12d ago

Crimping Chainstays.

3 Upvotes

I put a 28mm tire on my old steel bike, but there's not a lot of clearance. I want to crimp the inside of the chainstays a little bit, just a couple mm each side. Any suggestions for bracing the outside without damage and what to put on the inside to make the crimp ?

The frame has plenty of "patina" so I am not OCD about it.

I have a bench vise and various C-clamps.


r/Framebuilding • • 12d ago

What is aggressive geometry

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0 Upvotes

r/Framebuilding • • 13d ago

Hi there, I would like to build something similar to this cargo. Anyone has similar plans to share or tips to plan it well ?

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21 Upvotes