Frame repairs in the Kitchener area of On Canada?

01-16-2007, 10:01 PM

Hi there.

I absolutely love the ride my ancient Miele Uno gives me. With the
cyclo-cross tyres and the mtb clipless pedals it is a great go almost
any where bicycle.

The Selle Italia XO Genuine Gel Saddle I recently put on it felt very
comfortable on the few rides I have gone on thus far.

The frame of this cycle was designed for 27 inches wheels. As such it
has great clearance for the 30mm wide knobby cyclo-cross tyres and
fenders.

However what is not so great is the side pull brakes. I know that
changing the brake pads to Kool Stop salmon should improve the braking
a fair bit.

I can easily put cantilever brakes on the front of the bicycle by
changing out the fork for one with cantilever bosses. That isn't a
problem since a) I have a source for a decent chro-moly fork and b) I
can do the switch over myself. Therefore that is a go.

The rear is a different matter. As I said I love the ride this bicycle
delivers and it is an absolute perfect fit for me. Some questions
regarding getting cantilever bosses brazed to the rear seat stays.

1) Is there a shop in the Kitchener area of Ontario Canada that can do
that? I have heard of one but can not recall the name and could not
find it when I searched.

2) Is this usually a very expensive job? The frame is cro-moly steel. I
am not worried about the damage to the paint as I am getting the frame
re-painted.

3) If this is done by a competent frame builder or frame repair person
will it weaken the stays any?

4) Would having cantilever brakes on the front and a quality side pull
on the rear be a viable as in safe option? I realize the rear brake
will not have optimum stopping power of a cantilever in mud or snow due
to grit and snow buildup respectively.

Please do not reply telling me to buy a cyclo-cross or touring frame or
bike as I simply do not have the funds to do that and I do love this
old bicycle that feels like an extension of me when I ride it.

Thanks from Peter

01-17-2007, 04:59 AM

On 16 Jan 2007 23:01:33 -0800, "Sir Ridesalot"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Hi there.
>
>I absolutely love the ride my ancient Miele Uno gives me. With the
>cyclo-cross tyres and the mtb clipless pedals it is a great go almost
>any where bicycle.
>
>The Selle Italia XO Genuine Gel Saddle I recently put on it felt very
>comfortable on the few rides I have gone on thus far.
>
>The frame of this cycle was designed for 27 inches wheels. As such it
>has great clearance for the 30mm wide knobby cyclo-cross tyres and
>fenders.
>
>However what is not so great is the side pull brakes. I know that
>changing the brake pads to Kool Stop salmon should improve the braking
>a fair bit.
>
>I can easily put cantilever brakes on the front of the bicycle by
>changing out the fork for one with cantilever bosses. That isn't a
>problem since a) I have a source for a decent chro-moly fork and b) I
>can do the switch over myself. Therefore that is a go.
>
>The rear is a different matter. As I said I love the ride this bicycle
>delivers and it is an absolute perfect fit for me. Some questions
>regarding getting cantilever bosses brazed to the rear seat stays.
>
>1) Is there a shop in the Kitchener area of Ontario Canada that can do
>that? I have heard of one but can not recall the name and could not
>find it when I searched.
>
>2) Is this usually a very expensive job? The frame is cro-moly steel. I
>am not worried about the damage to the paint as I am getting the frame
>re-painted.
>
>3) If this is done by a competent frame builder or frame repair person
>will it weaken the stays any?
>
>4) Would having cantilever brakes on the front and a quality side pull
>on the rear be a viable as in safe option? I realize the rear brake
>will not have optimum stopping power of a cantilever in mud or snow due
>to grit and snow buildup respectively.
>
>Please do not reply telling me to buy a cyclo-cross or touring frame or
>bike as I simply do not have the funds to do that and I do love this
>old bicycle that feels like an extension of me when I ride it.
>
>Thanks from Peter

This is easy with a $20 propane torch, some flux and silver or brazing
rod, and a piece of scrap steel.

You need the kind of torch that has a vortex generator in the mixing
tube, and the scrap should be at least 1/8" thick, and long enough
that you can drill a pair of holes the correct distance apart such
that you can bolt the mounts to the scrap, and fix them in the correct
position on the stays.

Clamp one, braze the other; then braze the first. If using silver,
you may have to fit the parts a bit better with small files.

You'll loose about 3 inches of the paint around the joint, it you are
not ham-handed about it.

01-17-2007, 08:17 AM

"Sir Ridesalot" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1169017293.734518.41910@l53g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Hi there.
>
> I absolutely love the ride my ancient Miele Uno gives me. With the
> cyclo-cross tyres and the mtb clipless pedals it is a great go almost
> any where bicycle.
>
> The Selle Italia XO Genuine Gel Saddle I recently put on it felt very
> comfortable on the few rides I have gone on thus far.
>
> The frame of this cycle was designed for 27 inches wheels. As such it
> has great clearance for the 30mm wide knobby cyclo-cross tyres and
> fenders.
>
> However what is not so great is the side pull brakes. I know that
> changing the brake pads to Kool Stop salmon should improve the braking
> a fair bit.
>
> I can easily put cantilever brakes on the front of the bicycle by
> changing out the fork for one with cantilever bosses. That isn't a
> problem since a) I have a source for a decent chro-moly fork and b) I
> can do the switch over myself. Therefore that is a go.
>
> The rear is a different matter. As I said I love the ride this bicycle
> delivers and it is an absolute perfect fit for me. Some questions
> regarding getting cantilever bosses brazed to the rear seat stays.
>
> 1) Is there a shop in the Kitchener area of Ontario Canada that can do
> that? I have heard of one but can not recall the name and could not
> find it when I searched.
>
> 2) Is this usually a very expensive job? The frame is cro-moly steel. I
> am not worried about the damage to the paint as I am getting the frame
> re-painted.
>
> 3) If this is done by a competent frame builder or frame repair person
> will it weaken the stays any?
>
> 4) Would having cantilever brakes on the front and a quality side pull
> on the rear be a viable as in safe option? I realize the rear brake
> will not have optimum stopping power of a cantilever in mud or snow due
> to grit and snow buildup respectively.
>
> Please do not reply telling me to buy a cyclo-cross or touring frame or
> bike as I simply do not have the funds to do that and I do love this
> old bicycle that feels like an extension of me when I ride it.
>
> Thanks from Peter

I have a great suggestion- if you do not want to trust anyone with the
stability of the frame after a hack fiddles around haha
Disc brake on the rear. Costs $70. Mud and snow build up is not a problem
ergo no rim contact. No more worrys. Better than medication.

Ciau

01-17-2007, 10:17 AM

Sir Ridesalot wrote:
> Hi there.
>
> I absolutely love the ride my ancient Miele Uno gives me. With the
> cyclo-cross tyres and the mtb clipless pedals it is a great go almost
> any where bicycle.
>
> The Selle Italia XO Genuine Gel Saddle I recently put on it felt very
> comfortable on the few rides I have gone on thus far.
>
> The frame of this cycle was designed for 27 inches wheels. As such it
> has great clearance for the 30mm wide knobby cyclo-cross tyres and
> fenders.
>
> However what is not so great is the side pull brakes. I know that
> changing the brake pads to Kool Stop salmon should improve the braking
> a fair bit.

No reason to put canti bosses in the rear when it's the front brake
that does most of the work. I'd replace the rear brake with a super
long reach dual pivot brake from Tektro, or if you can't afford such an
investment, a vintage centerpull brake such as a Weinmann, Mafac, or
Dia-compe can be quite effective in the rear--and often sourced for
free.

My personal choice would be to get a new set of Tektro R556 for around
$50 and skip the new fork altogether. Make sure they're the correct
reach. They do 55-73mm AFAIK, and should clear most mud and debris just
fine.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I just did an order with aebike a few weeks ago. Super service, very
fast shipping. Recommended.

01-17-2007, 10:42 AM

"landotter" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1169061429.945847.186360@a75g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
>
> Sir Ridesalot wrote:
>> Hi there.
>>
>> I absolutely love the ride my ancient Miele Uno gives me. With the
>> cyclo-cross tyres and the mtb clipless pedals it is a great go almost
>> any where bicycle.
>>
>> The Selle Italia XO Genuine Gel Saddle I recently put on it felt very
>> comfortable on the few rides I have gone on thus far.
>>
>> The frame of this cycle was designed for 27 inches wheels. As such it
>> has great clearance for the 30mm wide knobby cyclo-cross tyres and
>> fenders.
>>
>> However what is not so great is the side pull brakes. I know that
>> changing the brake pads to Kool Stop salmon should improve the braking
>> a fair bit.
>
> No reason to put canti bosses in the rear when it's the front brake
> that does most of the work. I'd replace the rear brake with a super
> long reach dual pivot brake from Tektro, or if you can't afford such an
> investment, a vintage centerpull brake such as a Weinmann, Mafac, or
> Dia-compe can be quite effective in the rear--and often sourced for
> free.
>
> My personal choice would be to get a new set of Tektro R556 for around
> $50 and skip the new fork altogether. Make sure they're the correct
> reach. They do 55-73mm AFAIK, and should clear most mud and debris just
> fine.
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> I just did an order with aebike a few weeks ago. Super service, very
> fast shipping. Recommended.

It says that it is currently unavailable. The bigger reach does not
preclude it from interference with and grinding from grit, mud, snow at the
rim.
IMHO

SN

01-17-2007, 11:53 AM

nash wrote:
> "landotter" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message

> > [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> >
> > I just did an order with aebike a few weeks ago. Super service, very
> > fast shipping. Recommended.
>
> It says that it is currently unavailable. The bigger reach does not
> preclude it from interference with and grinding from grit, mud, snow at the
> rim.
> IMHO
>
> SN

With that sort of reach you're talking clearances that are pretty
similar to what you get with cyclocross bike frames. Clearance becomes
a non-issue. The only thing that might be a negative is the braking
strength of such a brake compared to a canti.

01-17-2007, 04:27 PM

Sir Ridesalot wrote:
> Hi there.
>

> >
> 1) Is there a shop in the Kitchener area of Ontario Canada that can do
> that? I have heard of one but can not recall the name and could not
> find it when I searched.
>

I know of 2 builders in the area:

True North cycles is a custom builder. I don't know if they do small
jobs like yours. Good reputation, but I have never had work done there.

Jody Lee makes Jester hand-built bikes. He is located in Welland, a
bit further away. I had him do some S&S couplings on frames for me. He
will do small jobs for a reasonable price. I was very satisfied with
his work.

There may be others I don't know of. Few repair shops (LBS) work on
frames.

Blake