Shimano 600 5/6 Speed Gear Shift Levers - ISSUES!!

[Mr Weirdo]

As a bicycle mechanic in 2011, all the old stuff got sent to me, then customers would only ask for me which irked some of the cytech guys

Still got sacked though, hilarious reasons

Please do tell?

 

[Jesper]

@Mr Weirdo I thought that 653 (mixed grade tubeset) was less durable than a 531Pro set. I assume it would depend on other factors determining your selection (condition, size, parts).

 

[pigman]

@Mr Weirdo I thought that 653 (mixed grade tubeset) was less durable than a 531Pro set. I assume it would depend on other factors determining your selection (condition, size, parts).

Not necessarily disputing what you say, but I was brought up being told 531SL and it's successor 531 Pro weren't suitable for a heavier rider as it was quite fragile.

 

[bikeworkshop]

i think one of the biggest factors in durability of quality steel is how well the flux was cleaned off after brazing - many nice old frames fail from internal rust around the bb and bridge.
A heavier rider on a tubeset that's too light will find the bike feels too flexy - it's unlikely to break.

 

[hamster]

653 is the same gauge as 753, but an inferior material (different heat treatment). Tony Oliver's view in his book is that it's a bit on the light side and marginal. So that comes to a question of suitability: probably it will be fine in a small frame, but in a very large one it may be too flexy.

I love my Dawes Edge 653 MTB, but that has oversize tubes anyway, so is a different kettle of fish.

 

[Mr Weirdo]

@Mr Weirdo I thought that 653 (mixed grade tubeset) was less durable than a 531Pro set. I assume it would depend on other factors determining your selection (condition, size, parts).

I have taken my information from this forum and articles on the internet. I have read that 653 is 531C main frame and the stays are 753 and the forks are 531. But I then read a post that stated that the main frame is 531 PRO. I understood that 653 was a replacement for 531 PRO?

 

[hamster]

653 is not 531C at all, although it is the same alloy - it does use 753 stays.

753 is the same alloy as 531 but has a heat treatment (hence the need for silver brazing and the need for builder's licences, otherwise it reverts to 531).
653 uses 753-dimensioned tubes (thinner wall than 531C) but with a lesser treatment. Tony Oliver quotes 653's UTS as 935N/mm2, compared to 753 at 1313N/mm2 and 531 at 802N/mm2. As he was a university material scientist I assume he had access to the data or tested it himself.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1079768-trying-understand-reynolds-653-a.html

 

[Mr Weirdo]

Thank you for putting me right.

I have a CSE grade 1 in Craft, Design & Technology

 

[hamster]

Thank you for putting me right.

I have a CSE grade 1 in Craft, Design & Technology

Honestly Reynolds were very very cagey about 653, there is almost nothing written down - and even less on the internet. My info is from a niche book published in 1990 which is hard to find these days!
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/...up=on&sortby=17&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp0-_-title1

 

[Jesper]

Not necessarily disputing what you say, but I was brought up being told 531SL and it's successor 531 Pro weren't suitable for a heavier rider as it was quite fragile.

I am only 140 lbs, so I hope I am safe on my 531SL frame since I am the second owner.