[email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo) wrote:
...> we must see different USA made framesets.
> Specialized and Cannondale are two that come to mind that always need to be prepped.
The only bare frames I've dealt with from either of these mfgrs are the handful of frame-only or
replacement C'dales I have had in my own stable. That's not many, like five altogether. But they've
all worked fine without finish machining.
> AND any Taiwan made frameset of any level-they just don't do prepping.
Maybe we mean different things by "prepping". I refer to facing and reaming HT, ST, and BB shell,
chasing BB threads, and aligning rear DOs. If an ordinary HS, post, and BB install in a frame
without undue difficulty or noticeable resistance when rotated by hand, and the wheels go in
straight with no monkey business, then I don't know why any of this must be done. As a machinist, I
refrain from further material removal once a workpiece meets spec.
Occasionally I run across a fussy seat post bore, but most often this has to do with the binder and
slot rather than the bore itself. If it was bending that closed the opening, I'll bend it back open
rather than ream.
> Pretty untrue also-I think that perhaps your experience with bare frames(like we get, only
> framesets, no complete bikes in boxes) is limited.
You are correct. As a bike wrench I was never one of the "old hands" who did the piecemeal builds.
My experience with factory frame prep or lack of it stems directly with new complete bikes, and from
my own framesets.
> I have seen good, bad or no prepping on framesets from every country that makes them. The best is
> Torelli/Mondonico.
I never paid much attention to those frames, since I'm out of their weight class, but their
reputation in the business is enviable. Their relationship with my LBS is so close and frequent that
I had assumed they were an Italo-American company.
> The worse I have seen is probably Cannondale. But they vary.
I guess so-- since my experience has been that they require no further attention.
> And I will say again, any 'Pro' shop worth it's salt will prep framesets, even on complete bikes.
> It saves money in the long run...
I'll have to take your word for it. The 4 different shops I worked for only did finish machining on
known problem frames. And, of course, on bare European frames, which looked to me like they fit the
former category.
Chalo Colina lube and tighten thoroughly, align-bore only as necessary