56cm XACD Titanium Commuting Hack - Cracked / Welded / Cracked / Welded - Ongoing project...

David Baillie (on behalf of Vernon Barker) has got back to me today and the frame is now repaired and ready to returned. I have also asked them to remove the pump peg on the TT and smooth a broken peg on the ST. And also fit my external headset.

Here is the detailed bill:
Repair BB crack £70.00
Remove peg and smooth broken peg £40.00
Fit headset £10.00
Check alignment FOC – alignment is within acceptable tolerance, we would recommend leaving spacing at 130mm and add spacers to non-drive side of rear wheel for a stronger wheel with less dish.
Postage £20.00

Total £140.00

Not too bad altogether, I'll post photos of the results when the frame comes back.

The frame is back!

Here is a picture of the weld which has now been fixed. Not pretty but looks sturdy.

I will be building the bike this weekend since I now have all the parts.

Expect updates on Monday!

Looking forward to it @Vince

I took an hour to clean the frame properly and I am happy with the result.
I might polish it to a mirror shine in the future but that's good enough for now.
I got Vernon Barker to remove a snapped peg on the seat tube - not sure what is was for since it was facing the rear wheel.
VB also removed the top tube frame fit pump peg as I have no need for it.
They did a great job from what I can see, we will see if it stands the test of weight / power / time.

And here are close up of the repaired weld :

And finally, on the scale (not that it will be a light build). 1.7kg with the headset cups fitted.

Initial mock set up done.

I am still waiting for chainring and chainguard in 130bcd for the SRAM Red Black chainset. Then I can fit a chain...

It doesn't look too bad at the moment but still need finishing parts like an in-line Thomson Elite seatpost and clamp. Maybe another saddle.

needs little risers! why no hydro brake?

I have a spare all black riser cockpit so I will see how I get on with these swept back bars first.

This is my first disc brake set up so I didn't want to go all out on an hydraulic brake. I'll see how I get on with this cheap set up first before shelling out on a 203mm disc + hope setup...

Great prommuter vince! Keep it up!

Cheers @HoKe, at least it's not going to go straight to anti...

Jesus a 203mm disc in town, you'll be over the bars, I'd stick to 160mm. I don't know why you'd bother with such a nasty brakeset though when you can get cheap hydros that work so much better for not much more money

So close....

Come on @TM, it's not that bad, is it??

I am only missing:
130BCD chainring and chainguard
Pedals and straps
Chain

They all have been ordered and should be with me by Friday.

I am also looking for a Rolls Ti as I think it will finish the build nicely.

Cheers

@Vince

Brakeset doesn't look bad, expecially for 20 quid. looks like a tidy bike!

Where did the wheels come from, and how much?

I think a modern Flite or an SLR and a nicer seatpost and it would look great. Running swept back bars, would you not prefer a layback rather than inline Thomson?

Definitely go with a hydraulic brake on this. There is absolutely zero fuss initially if you don't trim the hose as they come pre-bled.

Trimming the hose is a simple job - possible to do it without having to bleed the brakes if you are careful too.

Something like a Shimano Deore M615 or SLX are both cheap and very good brakes.

For reference I went from TRP Spyre + compressionless housing to a Shimano SLX hyrdaulic. The difference with modulation is night and day, power is similar.

@n3il The front brake seems to work ok, it's hard to complain for £20 including postage since the kit included front & rear brakes + mounts / fitting kit / cables / pads / levers.

The wheelset is a 50mm UD carbon 'wide' (23mm) rims - Novatec hubs, rear 120mm track, front 100mm disc. It came to £250 (I have to pay £25 extra for front disc hub) + £50 of import taxes so £300 in total.

Here is a link to them on eBay

Cheers.

I need to see how I get on with the geometry first before 'investing' in a nice seatpost.

I usually ride a 56cm with 90mm stem and I fitted a 120mm stem to compensate the sweeping of the bars.

I finished up the bike this weekend, although I still haven't received my 45T chainring and chainguard.

I used the 53t SRAM Red chainring with single ring bolts and placed it on the inside to check the chainline.

It works well and it is a great ride (although the GI is too high).

Here are some pictures:

Definitely go with a hydraulic brake on this. There is absolutely zero fuss initially if you don't trim the hose as they come pre-bled.

So much this, especially with the dual piston and the auto adjusting pads.

Don't forget to really bed in the brake, it won't be powerful the first time you tried it (unless pads is organic which wear in quicker).

Difference is also nigh and day when using HY/RD.

The Ti Hack is getting there.

New parts fitted since the last update:

• 45T chainring and chainguard
  
• 4T titanium seatclamp
  
• ISM Typhoon saddle
  
• HoldFast pedal straps
  
  

It rides really nicely, 45x17 gearing is good for the city.

Next step is a new riser cockpit.

chainguard on 30mm crabon wheeled titanium bike.. the saddle you get a pass because a mans privates are private matters but. a chainguard?! loss of graphics on the crank would be an improvement too!

excuse my harshness in my posts vince, it is all meant well with a tongue in cheek read difficultly on the interwebz.

I like he cranks, I detest the saddle. C'est mauvais.

But it got the trademark @TM angle!