UNivega Boralite b4c

[Woz]

It is a lot of frame to put in the food blender in one go.

 

[Ch3fski]

Re:

It's boron carbide, the stuff they use to armour Apache helicopters and Tanks.

Seriously strong stuff, third hardest compound on Earth after Boron nitride and diamond.

They only made a limited number as the compound was so strong it started to break the lathes and milling machines...

So yeah...

 

[Ch3fski]

Re:

I want one.

They ride beautifully, strength of Ti with none of the flex.

I know some people like the Ti feel, but it's not for me.

But I do like the strength it has.

 

[Pete83]

Re:

I'd never heard of frames being made out of Boralite so I thought I'd google for more info and I came across this:

Perhaps they're not so strong after all.

Source & Story: http://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro-cl ... ost4185805

 

[Woz]

I saw that thread too. Perhaps this stuff is strong to the point of being too brittle?

In fairness, the Univega "for sale" as a gusset on the downtube.

 

[Ch3fski]

Re:

That's a Boralyn, different compound.

Still an advanced metal matrix, but no where near as strong.

 

[The History Man]

Re: Re:

That's a Boralyn, different compound.

Still an advanced metal matrix, but no where near as strong.

Vera's Sister?

 

[Ch3fski]

Re:

Exactly! Vera's less strong, slightly uglier sister

 

[Pete83]

Haha. Fair enough then. That Univega does look cool though.

 

[Ch3fski]

Re:

In all fairness, there were a couple of frames that snapped, it was something to do with poor dispersion of the the B4C compound in the melt when forming the frame tubes, but yeah... good stuff!