531 double butted cold setting limit

[sawston_vulcan]

Hi…I have my eyes on a Roberts 531 double butted frame from 1980…rear dropouts out width is 120mm

I use modern 130mm hubs with a 10s cassette.

Would having the frame cold set (10mm) by a frame builder (eg Winston Vaz) be possible? Safe for the frame? Looking at opinions on the internet is a very mixed bag?

I found the wisdom stored on Retrobike is amazing and I await to be amazed by you again.

Best

Nye

 

[Jonny69]

It’s only 5mm per side. In 531 it’ll be fine

 

[hamster]

I would be going with the frame builder’s opinion. There is an additional option, which is to braze in new wider brake and chainstay bridges.

 

[sawston_vulcan]

I would be going with the frame builder’s opinion. There is an additional option, which is to braze in new wider brake and chainstay bridges.

Would that require a respray?

 

[bikeworkshop]

I would be going with the frame builder’s opinion. There is an additional option, which is to braze in new wider brake and chainstay bridges.

The framebuilder you use will have a lot more experience than almost any individual posting online.

I've rejigged a few dozen frames, and seen hundreds that have been altered by the owner.
Carelessly done it will lead to early frame failure.
Any structural alteration will weaken the frame, you just want to keep it to the minimum.

The condition and age of the tube and the care and quality of the builder all have an effect, so take the frame along for a chat.

 

[sawston_vulcan]

The framebuilder you use will have a lot more experience than almost any individual posting online.

I've rejigged a few dozen frames, and seen hundreds that have been altered by the owner.
Carelessly done it will lead to early frame failure.
Any structural alteration will weaken the frame, you just want to keep it to the minimum.

The condition and age of the tube and the care and quality of the builder all have an effect, so take the frame along for a chat.

Good advice but is 10mm just a bit too much to cold set a frame safely?

 

[bikeworkshop]

The more you bend it, the worse it is. 10mm is more than the commonplace 126>130 or 130>135
Without examining the frame it's just a guess.
Even after examining the frame its still a guess, but with a lot more confidence.

If you don't want to risk the need for a respray, then buy something else.

Making the frame 130 is possible Nye, It just might cost more than you were hoping

 

[sawston_vulcan]

The more you bend it, the worse it is. 10mm is more than the commonplace 126>130 or 130>135
Without examining the frame it's just a guess.
Even after examining the frame its still a guess, but with a lot more confidence.

If you don't want to risk the need for a respray, then buy something else.

Making the frame 130 is possible Nye, It just might cost more than you were hoping

Having 2nd and 3rd doubts!

 

[Foreigner]

Send clear pics to Winston - he may have an opinion, looking at seat & rear stays tubing, brake bridge etc - and advise on if possible without taking it there. I was told NOT to expand my Ephgrave from 120 to 126 due to pencil thing stays for an example.

 

[sawston_vulcan]

Send clear pics to Winston - he may have an opinion, looking at seat & rear stays tubing, brake bridge etc - and advise on if possible without taking it there. I was told NOT to expand my Ephgrave from 120 to 126 due to pencil thing stays for an example.

This is the frame:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22653125...RnDAWy-QoK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

The dropouts are at 122.5mm and not 120mm…7.5mm remaining!