titanium frame repair/recommedations?

[Raciere]

hello,

I am fairly new to cycling, and am looking to build a
cyclocross with versatile components (ie, a triple + a
11/32T cassette). i have been considering a new bianchi
axis, however a recent gift has changed things.

i was recently *given* a poccianti titanium italian frame,
hand made in some small shop in florence. it it beautiful,
however it needs some work. both the top tube and the down
tube have significant impact dents... such that they may
need cutting out & replacing. also, 1 of the chain stays is
bent. must of been in a car crash, not sure of the history.
everything else on the frame looks solid... all of the
welds, joints, etc....

I am not at all familiar with this brand of frame, with
titanium frame repair, nor do I have any idea what repair
costs may be, or if this is even a good frame to build a
cyclocross bike ... totally blind here. so a few questions:

= how expensive is ti frame repair?

= to build a cyclocross, what good quality but affordable
= components
would you recommend with this frame (wanting a triple + a
11/32T cassette?)... I've been looking at the campy
centaur, but I don't think I can do a 11/32T cassette...
what else is possible?

= and has ANYONE ever heard of a "sesto fiorentino
= poccianti"
titanium frame?

oh, lastly... if I go for it and build this bike, who sells
(online) the best priced new and used component groups?

clearly I am a novice, and I will be grateful for any
recommends or input.

+s

[Leo Lichtman]

"raciere" wrote: .(clip) both the top tube and the down tube
have significant impact dents... such that they may need
cutting out & replacing
(clip)^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Welding titanium is very critical. It
must be done with shielding gas (TIG welded) and the
inside of the frame must be purged with the shielding
gas to remove the air. I would not trust this to
anyone not familiar with titanium welding AND bicycle
frames. I suggest you post to
Sci.engr.joining.welding, where you are most likely to
reach people who know. If you can elicit a response
from Ernie Leimkuhler you will be well off.

[Mark Hickey]

sky@untamed.be (raciere) wrote:

>i was recently *given* a poccianti titanium italian frame,
>hand made in some small shop in florence. it it beautiful,
>however it needs some work. both the top tube and the down
>tube have significant impact dents... such that they may
>need cutting out & replacing. also, 1 of the chain stays is
>bent. must of been in a car crash, not sure of the history.
>everything else on the frame looks solid... all of the
>welds, joints, etc....

With three tubes bent like that it's almost certain to cost
more than an equivalent new frame (unless it's a VERY
expensive ti frame - I'm not familiar with Poccianti).

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.habcycles.com (http://www.habcycles.com/) Home of
the $695 ti frame