Steel is real
06-28-20, 04:24 PM
#1
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Steel is real
I have been using a Schwinn Tempo from the 80s for work ,is converted to fixed gear so only the frame and bottom bracket are original, today i started to hear a noise , like a cracking noise , only at certain moments like pushing hard and such...check this out, no big crashes on this frame.
It cracked on one of the lugs, its supposed to be Columbus SL. ..too many watts?
It cracked on one of the lugs, its supposed to be Columbus SL. ..too many watts?
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06-28-20, 04:35 PM
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06-28-20, 04:37 PM
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So only 30+ years out of it?
BB shell and lugs not Columbo so..
Maybe not destined to live forever as a fixed gear.
Yep, probably too many watts, for this one.
BB shell and lugs not Columbo so..
Maybe not destined to live forever as a fixed gear.
Yep, probably too many watts, for this one.
06-28-20, 04:42 PM
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Most of them still going strong.
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06-28-20, 04:50 PM
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An early/mid '70s super course would make a fine fixed gear. Straight gauge 531 frame and hi-ten forks/stays makes for a stiff frame (yet comfy given the long wheelbase), and the rear dropouts are already 120mm. And with all the schmutz (components) taken off, I bet it'd come down to around 22 pounds fully built. Still, not exactly lightweight
You'll likely have to take it into a frame builder to get it straightened as well. But I think they ride real nicely, and it'd be worth a try if you see one in your area that looks to be in alright condition. Definitely inspect the lugs for gaps.
Last edited by Piff; 06-28-20 at 04:54 PM.
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06-28-20, 04:55 PM
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06-28-20, 04:56 PM
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The Tempo heart broke when you converted it to fixie. This is the evidence of its broken heart. Just kidding. Good thing it didn't completely break off and cause injury to you.
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06-28-20, 05:03 PM
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Took out my 1960 Paramount the other day. It was real ... fun.
I spread the frame to get a 6-speed cluster in there. I need gears to go fast and climb hills on my 60-year old steel road bike.
I spread the frame to get a 6-speed cluster in there. I need gears to go fast and climb hills on my 60-year old steel road bike.
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06-28-20, 05:05 PM
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Wow , I have never seen a bottom bracket shell crack like that. I am glad you are ok, sometimes frame failure leads to injury.
06-28-20, 05:05 PM
#12
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06-28-20, 05:07 PM
#13
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Your guads are simply too big
06-28-20, 05:11 PM
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06-28-20, 05:20 PM
#15
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Thanks, now that I think about it, there were a few moments were total failure would of been nasty, I was spinning downhill and I kept hearing the cracking getting louder and louder, scary.
06-28-20, 07:13 PM
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Steel is real breakable.
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06-28-20, 08:20 PM
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06-28-20, 08:38 PM
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06-28-20, 08:54 PM
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Sad 
But yeah, it sets you up for a New Bike Day.
I'm trying to figure out what caused that weird pea-sized void in the BB shell casting, above the big crack line. I've seen broken bottom brackets before, but I've never seen THAT.
If you're tall, I have an '87 Tempo frame the will be on the chopping block soon. First photo in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ger-frame.html
But yeah, it sets you up for a New Bike Day. I'm trying to figure out what caused that weird pea-sized void in the BB shell casting, above the big crack line. I've seen broken bottom brackets before, but I've never seen THAT.
If you're tall, I have an '87 Tempo frame the will be on the chopping block soon. First photo in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ger-frame.html
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 06-28-20 at 08:58 PM.
06-28-20, 09:03 PM
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Last edited by BFisher; 06-28-20 at 10:20 PM.
06-28-20, 09:08 PM
#21
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Dy
Yeah, clearly another case of too much spinach.
Still, as you say, 30 years ain't bad.
Looks to me like they cheaped out on the BB, which is where the failure occurred. It's a little odd to see such a cheap looking BB shell on a Columbus bike, but then it was always pretty common for many bike companies to save a few pennies where they thought no one would notice. When I was wrenching I used to judge bike companies at least a little based on how many cheap components and parts they would sneak in.
Still, as you say, 30 years ain't bad.
Looks to me like they cheaped out on the BB, which is where the failure occurred. It's a little odd to see such a cheap looking BB shell on a Columbus bike, but then it was always pretty common for many bike companies to save a few pennies where they thought no one would notice. When I was wrenching I used to judge bike companies at least a little based on how many cheap components and parts they would sneak in.
Last edited by Salamandrine; 06-28-20 at 09:13 PM.
06-29-20, 03:05 AM
#22
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Sad But yeah, it sets you up for a New Bike Day.
I'm trying to figure out what caused that weird pea-sized void in the BB shell casting, above the big crack line. I've seen broken bottom brackets before, but I've never seen THAT.
If you're tall, I have an '87 Tempo frame the will be on the chopping block soon. First photo in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ger-frame.html
But yeah, it sets you up for a New Bike Day.I'm trying to figure out what caused that weird pea-sized void in the BB shell casting, above the big crack line. I've seen broken bottom brackets before, but I've never seen THAT.
If you're tall, I have an '87 Tempo frame the will be on the chopping block soon. First photo in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ger-frame.html
06-29-20, 09:16 AM
#23
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All this stuff is just on loan, anyway.
It’ll end up in the paper-thin layer of the Earth’s crust that will be remnants of man.
It’ll end up in the paper-thin layer of the Earth’s crust that will be remnants of man.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 06-29-20 at 09:19 AM.
06-29-20, 12:23 PM
#24
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As for the "void" area, I suspect that's probably a paint defect.
If you're tall, I have an '87 Tempo frame the will be on the chopping block soon. First photo in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ger-frame.html
06-29-20, 12:52 PM
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Fatigue failure, plain and simple. Likely a combination of the BB shell design and excessive heat during application. Excessive heat lowers the endurance limit, while the design causes stress risers. This combination can end up in a region where typical forces will eventually cause fatigue failures.