Messages

1

General Discussion / hill climbs on the trans-am

« on: December 19, 2005, 05:12:00 pm »

thanks for the responses...

russelseaton - i've done the transam already, from west to east back in '99.. so i know i can do the hills.  i was thinking about doing some more serious climbing this yr, maybe even the mt washington race.  basically my question was somewhat nostalgic... looking to gather info on past climbs out of curiosity.  i know nothing on the transam rivals a climb like mt washington.  but some of those hills were pretty tough nonetheless. again though, thanks for chiming in.  

i can't believe no one has this info though?  what are road bikers if not statistic loving geeks?
 

2

General Discussion / hill climbs on the trans-am

« on: December 08, 2005, 02:54:40 pm »

does anyone have any specific info on the hills/mts that you climb on the trans-am route?  i'm looking for length and grades specifically, and would prefer west to east info since that what i rode.

thanks
-mcslain

3

General Discussion / Steel versus Ti

« on: December 19, 2005, 05:33:05 pm »

you wrote "The myth is than anybody with a torch can repair a steel frame."  i never singled you out as a proponent of this idea though, i just commented on the fact that this idea had been brought up.  its really not a big deal though, daveb.  

regardless... to answer your questions.

>how did "Cooter" do at welding thin wall Cr-Mo

beats the heck out of me.  i'm a rider not a frame builder or even a gearhead.

>how well did he maintain your frame's alignment

well enough that i could ride it w/o any noticeable alignment issues.  

>The bike got you through but I'd be very surprised if it was a good repair

exactly, the bike got me through.  that was the point of my story.  as for whether it was a good repair... it was a garage that looked like it was right off the dukes of hazard set.  of course it wasn't a "good repair."  it was good enough to get me home though, which was kinda important after having put in 4K miles already.  when i got home, specialized replaced the frame for me.  

>BTW, any well-equipped welding shop can also properly weld Ti

yes... but i didn't have Ti, and i wasnt at a well equiped welding shop.

hope this clears up any confusion or hard feelings caused by my remarkably simple story.
-mark

4

General Discussion / Steel versus Ti

« on: December 08, 2005, 03:02:40 pm »

I rode a steel frame S-works from west to east on the trans-am route back in 99.  My frame broke in the middle of Kentucky... but the local garage's mechanic, Cooter I believe his name was, simply welded it back together for me and away I went.  Try doing that with Ti. I bring this up just cause someone said earlier this kinda thing was a myth.  It's really not.  All that said though, I ride a Ti MtBike and love it.  Basically you could go either way and be fine, I'd probably lean towards Ti though if your wallet is big enough...