531 double butted cold setting limit

[klunkrider]

Fwiw, I’d say you made the right decision.

10mm or even 7.5mm would likely cause a noticeable bend at the bridge on that frame. On an mtb frame with bent stays it’d probably be fine/much less noticeable.

I also wouldn’t have recommended removing the bridge in order to cold set as that would just shift the movement up to the top of the seatstays which would mean they didn’t have to bend but the fastback style seat cluster isn’t something you want to be messing with. Also the chrome would be a bit of an obstacle.

 

[sawston_vulcan]

Fwiw, I’d say you made the right decision.

10mm or even 7.5mm would likely cause a noticeable bend at the bridge on that frame. On an mtb frame with bent stays it’d probably be fine/much less noticeable.

I also wouldn’t have recommended removing the bridge in order to cold set as that would just shift the movement up to the top of the seatstays which would mean they didn’t have to bend but the fastback style seat cluster isn’t something you want to be messing with. Also the chrome would be a bit of an obstacle.

Thank you!

 

[CTK]

I reckon a 126mm wheel would go in. For TT could you run a 7 speed set up?

 

[sawston_vulcan]

I reckon a 126mm wheel would go in. For TT could you run a 7 speed set up?

I could but all my kit is 10 speed!

 

[bikeworkshop]

I have long fancied a Roberts and this my size at a price I can afford ...I was hoping it would be a frame with a 126mm gap not 122.5mm gap.

I assume I would be ok with a 126mm gap?

I would suggest if you run 130, find a 130 frame.
Do it right.

As @paton and @klunkrider say, any bend introduces stress and fatigue, and where you've got a fixed point, like the bridges, the tube at this point will be weaker than the rest of the tube, which wasn't built with strength to spare, because its a lightweight quality piece.

(although cheap frames bend easy)

You could bent it yourself and ride it a certain amount and it is never a problem, but you've increased the risk of failure - it's not a yes or no.

Get a pro to do it and it's a better job, but it's still increased the risk of failure.

Of course there's a risk of failure in a perfectly good frame, depending on age, corrosion, stress risers left in manufacture and imperfections in the brazing and so on.
Generality that's quite predictable though.

If you only use it gentle rides, if you weigh 75kg not 100, if your roads are smooth, if you do 100km/ year not 5000, the risk is less.

 

[bikeworkshop]

BTW you can respace a 130 hg hub to 126
I'd suggest you do this rather than bend a nice frame

 

[sawston_vulcan]

BTW you can respace a 130 hg hub to 126

I am 68kg!

How? Is it difficult?

 

[sawston_vulcan]

I have used 130mm wheels in a 126mm frame before without a problem....but never in a 120/122.5mm frame.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I wouldn't cold set that frame, it's lovely as is imo.

You might want to consider the hydrogen embrittlement caused by the chrome plating. It might have been through a de-embrittlement process, it never completely cures it. If a frame is going to fail it will usually be in the plated area. Right where it will be stressed by cold setting.

Your choice of course.

 

[sawston_vulcan]

I wouldn't cold set that frame, it's lovely as is imo.

You might want to consider the hydrogen embrittlement caused by the chrome plating. It might have been through a de-embrittlement process, it never completely cures it. If a frame is going to fail it will usually be in the plated area.

Your choice of course.

It is my choice...my choice is to pass!