scuzzo

here is mine i think i posted it before.. but since its going in for surgery, crack on the downtube i thought i would post it again.. man if this thing has to be put down like a lame horse im going to cry!!

SSRI

so sorry to see that happen, it will be hard to find a replacement.

scuzzo

well, all is not lost, but im kinda trying an alternate route before dumping huge coin on the repair,, I decided to see if we had any qualified Ti welders in HSV that knew all about the material and had a skill set to do the work.. my first idea was to contact the welding supply company that specialized in Ti rods and stuff,, and they reffered me to a fellow who taught as an welding instructor in college and was also doing contract work for Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA.. and i talked with him a good long time on the phone.. learning all about how you need to Purge the frame (back shiled with Argon?) inorder to remove oxygen from the weld area.. and how color is a prime indicator of the weld joint.. and how you need to keep it at a certain temp but not under or over that temp.. and he just seemed like a smart, decent guy who was well qualified to do the job,, as qualified as litespeed? i guess not.. but i did not get a good vibe with the litespeed conversation through email... it was just PAY US THIS MUCH and WAIT! down tube ECTOMY! we will see if things just dont go well with this repair... i will go with litespeed, but its well worth the 40 buck lotto ticket mho.. and i get my bike back in days vs months.. either way. the bike will be back on the road.... in for a penny in for a pound on this bike... its too good to just make a lamp.,

jonelliotelliot

cat0020

Working with titanium is difficult, especially when your have 6/4 titanium when it is brittle and really thinly shaped tubes on the Vortex.
Depending on your weight and riding, 6/4 ti Vortex may not be the right frame for you if normal riding stress is that great that caused the downtube to crack.
Move to a ti frame with 3/2.5 round shape tube, maybe slightly more weight on the frame, but sure likely to last longer.

carlos danger

my lynskeys.
before and after disguising them. they liked it.

Brotisimo

Abe_Froman

SSRI

i think that is a 1x setup, the big ring looks to be machined into a chainring protector

carlos danger

if you look closely you will there is no big ring on any of my bikes!
the big rings are stylish chainguards. because i ground the teeth off. I lost 3 pair of pants to outer rings. cant have that again..

carlos danger

heheh i would have liked to keep them silvery and shiny. but since i commute on them i have to dumb them down so they dont get stolen. easy as that.

Abe_Froman

Lol, that is definitely, umm, interesting

carlos danger

and functional

Patriot1

armybikerider

OUCH! What are the details behind that crack? What year frame? How many miles? Crashed or damaged other than by riding??

bikejrff

I recently downsized by three carbon road bikes. I've become spoiled riding titanium.

Brotisimo

I think you'll be very happy with it. As with any bike you don't ride before buying, just make sure you get your fit right.

Patriot1

scuzzo

i think i get ITs your bike and you can do what ever you wish with it... but why would you camo such a nice ride with ugly paint and weird shifters, no tape... when you could just carry a ulock or something... dont get me wrong they are nice bikes, but to hobble them with such strange components kinda detracts from the whole experience i would think.. thats just mho..

armybikerider

This is my 2009 Lynskey R330. Still love it after 52,300 miles!

SSRI

Nicely done!
is the saddle original or re-upholstered?
or its it just a leather saddle cover?

Patriot1

armybikerider

It's a Flite from like 1983 that I've recovered 4 times.

SSRI

NIce!
Staple or Glue?

armybikerider

Thanks!

It was all done with glue.