[kannas]

Ok heres the deal, I found a great deal on a Ti frame and fork, made in Russia of PT7M Titanium. Did a quick search, via google and found some charts and such, no usefull infomation.

Is this a gamble or may it be advised to stay clear away? I'd be willing to give it a ride, but would be rather dissapointed in a loose frame, a waste of time and money.

I have not seen this particular Ti alloy used before.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Steve-O]

Interesting...

Most Ti used in bike production is 3-2.5 or 6-4. This refers to the alloy...

3-2.5
3% Aluminum
2.5% Vanadium

6-4
6% Aluminum
4% Vanadium

PT7M
1.8-2.5% Aluminum
2.0-3.0% Vanadium

I would be more concerned about the welding of the tubes. Usually this is where the problems occur. The presences of oxygen during welding can cause the tubing to become brittle. Look for discoloration around the welds for contamination. If you see it then stay away... Example below...

<img src=https://www.batch.org/images/frames/juk/preview/juk_bb.jpg>

 

[Spiderman]

My understanding is that the discoloration is okay, that is the metal reacting to the heat. "Blueing" is what you see in most of the picture above. That poses little structural problems, occurs anytime you weld ti/steel/al and is usually polished off by the manufacturer. If you see the blueing, its more that the manufacturer was lazy, not necessarily stupid.

When oxygen gets into the frame, it causes a very distinct matte grey color in the weld, that is a bad sign and things become brittle....just clarifying what Steve-O said. Hope that helps.

 

[lostrancosrd]

go for it

i think you should take the gamble if its not too expensive. i bought one of the tst ti frames on double discount from pricepoint a couple of years ago and i have been really happy with it. i weigh 185 (200# when i started riding it) use it as my rain bike and i haven't had any problems with it. i am sure it flexes more than a litespeed or some other top end frames with better geometries and/or better engineered tube sets, but many of those high end frames are welded by the same guys at tst! when i took it by our highest end LBS the store owner looked at it an commented on how nice the welds looked.

 

[Steve-O]

Color = Bad

My understanding is that the discoloration is okay, that is the metal reacting to the heat. "Blueing" is what you see in most of the picture above. That poses little structural problems, occurs anytime you weld ti/steel/al and is usually polished off by the manufacturer. If you see the blueing, its more that the manufacturer was lazy, not necessarily stupid.

When oxygen gets into the frame, it causes a very distinct matte grey color in the weld, that is a bad sign and things become brittle....just clarifying what Steve-O said. Hope that helps.

Here's some good info on the topic...

http://www.rti-intl.com/tag/weld.htm

 

[Nessism]

Another happy TST owner here

i think you should take the gamble if its not too expensive. i bought one of the tst ti frames on double discount from pricepoint a couple of years ago and i have been really happy with it.

I bought a TST built left over Mongoose frame last year and like it a lot. It compairs very nicely with a Litespeed Tuscany that I also used to own.

Regarding the Russian Ti frame, I would pass. Why bother taking a chance when you can find a US built TST frame for less than $700?

Just my opinion.

Ed

 

[Steve-O]

Esp. since TST

Has gone to direct ordering right off their site....

http://www.titaniumsports.com/

Steve-O (Would love to get one of these frames as a rain bike)

 

[kannas]

some more images

thanks stevo-o,

I have looked over the frame via images. I personally think they look decent, post polishing shows bright clean looking welds.

Price a good amount less than TST! A real close out frame! Still thinking...

 

[lostrancosrd]

what diffs do you notice vs. your tuscany?

I bought a TST built left over Mongoose frame last year and like it a lot. It compairs very nicely with a Litespeed Tuscany that I also used to own.

Regarding the Russian Ti frame, I would pass. Why bother taking a chance when you can find a US built TST frame for less than $700?

Just my opinion.

Ed

i am interested especially in how much more bb flex, etc you experience with the tst frame. i have never ridden the litespeeds, but have always assumed that they would feel obviously better/stiffer. i got the tst frame for about $400 and have always assumed i would someday upgrade it to a better ti frame or a cross frame (i wish tst made cross frames), but i have to admit i have been really happy with how this thing has performed. i will definitely need to ride it next to a litespeed someday and see if i can feel the diff.

 

[dougsasha]

Ti

I've had Merlin,Merckx, Habanero, TST frames spread out over 8 years.Merlin best looking but most flexy. Merckx good looking but they managed engineer out the smooth ride. Habanero was the worst looking but the best ride. TST had the best combo between clean welds and ride.

 

[Steve-O]

Fwiw....

i am interested especially in how much more bb flex, etc you experience with the tst frame. i have never ridden the litespeeds, but have always assumed that they would feel obviously better/stiffer. i got the tst frame for about $400 and have always assumed i would someday upgrade it to a better ti frame or a cross frame (i wish tst made cross frames), but i have to admit i have been really happy with how this thing has performed. i will definitely need to ride it next to a litespeed someday and see if i can feel the diff.

FWIW... I've owned a Litespeed in the past and currently have a <a href=http://www.gurubikes.com>Guru Veloci'ti</a>. One of my buddies has a TST bike and I can honestly say that the welds and finish look just as good. If I had to nitpick the TST I'd choose an 1-1/8" head tube for stiffness (I'm a bigger guy) but can't really find much else to complain about with these frames (especially for the $$$).

 

[NYCfixie]

So, where can I get one?

Since 3 of my 4 grandparents are russian I think I need one...

Where can I get a Russian Ti frame for real cheap?

thanks stevo-o,

I have looked over the frame via images. I personally think they look decent, post polishing shows bright clean looking welds.

Price a good amount less than TST! A real close out frame! Still thinking...

 

[lyleseven]

Russian Ti frame

Russia has more Titanium than any other country. Its all about the tubes and welds. If it is a butted frame i would be hesitant unless the price was drop dead cheap. The ride quality is more related to that than just titanium.