How do you tell the difference between Reynolds 853 and 653?

[legrandefromage]

I'm just very happy to have found such a decent frame in my size.

853/ 653 - who cares.

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re:

I have a cunning plan split the difference and call it 753................................................



D'oh :facepalm: :facepalm:

 

[legrandefromage]

Gotta get the stripped threads chainset off yet. Then theres the BB...

 

[David B]

Does anyone know if Butler frame numbers from the Brigg works relate to age? The 653 CB Pro was (IIRC) 1995-1997, 853 (I think) 1997-8. If any original bits are present, pretty sure that the 853 was always Shimano RX100 kit and the 653 Campag Avanti. Not a reliable indicator by any means though. As a final thought, there might be the seatpost diameter - 853 27mm and 653 27.2mm maybe??

David

 

[legrandefromage]

Post is 27mm

 

[David B]

I think that LGF was trying to ascertain what his frame is made out of, rather than the weight difference..?

I was trying to give him a practical solution of how to do that, obviously the only true way to tell is to cut all the frame tubes in half and with a digital vernier measure the tube thicknesses :facepalm:

Cut tubes you say....?

Cutting tubes will actually be a dead giveaway; I remember one of the builders at the old Sirius factory in Dudley telling me that post-assembly, 853 will easily blunt most hacksaw blades thanks to the air-hardening properties!

27mm sounds suspiciously like an 853 by the way - I had a heck of a job trying to find a decent 27mm post in black for my RSP 853 road frame.

David

 

[Skynet]

853 Kona Hots are 27.0mm, but google says some 653's used that size too. Was a pain finding a decent quality silver post for it. If you're OK with modern and black then Thompsons come that size but their layback is pretty ugly. I needed an inline so ended up buying a Tune.

 

[legrandefromage]

853 Kona Hots are 27.0mm, but google says some 653's used that size too. Was a pain finding a decent quality silver post for it. If you're OK with modern and black then Thompsons come that size but their layback is pretty ugly. I needed an inline so ended up buying a Tune.

I've noticed 27mm posts are a bit scarce

 

[+paul]

Re:

What's the difference in the tube wall thickness? You could use non distructive testing such as ultrasound to determine the tube wall thickness without causing any damage. I am not sure how accurate the equipment is and whether there is enough difference to distinguish confidently. Might be worth looking into?