Crimping chainstays on Ti frame

[water treader]

Found a 300 buck raw no-name youngtimer (1" HT) Ti frame on Ebay a while ago. Seller had like half a dozen of them, said it was from a warehouse liquidation, where they had been collecting dust for a number of years. Dunno why or how, but this bike is so nice to ride. Using it on the road and some gravel/dirt as well.

Now, with 30mm Challenge Almanzos I get only about 1-2mm clearance to the chainstays. It works, but another 5mm or so would be perfect. I have read up on things a bit, and found that "cold"-setting Ti was (usually not recommended, but when insisted upon) best done at around 200°C. I have access to a nice workshop, including oven so that wouldn't be an issue. The crimping itself is documented quite well, but not for Ti. Any advice specific to that material would be greatly appreciated. I'd rather not do this at all if the risks of damaging the frame were too high.

http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...ion-28489.html

If someone could help identify the frame, that'd be helpful too. Given the price and vintage (1" HT, dated looking weld-on seatpost binder) it's probably 3Al/2.5V Ti. Here's a pic

https://secure.flickr.com/photos/r0b5t4/13089310503/

Many thanks.

[Tristan]

No first-hand experience but these photos were on the Serotta page

http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...tml#post567341

[bencooper]

One post up from Tristan's is the device I use for indenting stays - I've happily used that on titanium.

[water treader]

Ok thanks. Interesting that there is apparently very little concern about causing hair-line cracks. The metal working forums were full of warnings about cold working Titanium.

Guess I'll have to give it a try some time.

[VertigoCycles]

Ok thanks. Interesting that there is apparently very little concern about causing hair-line cracks. The metal working forums were full of warnings about cold working Titanium.

Guess I'll have to give it a try some time.

I would be very concerned about causing hairline cracks. I assume you don't know the alloy or condition of the metal. IF it's CWSR and you don't use an optimally shaped device, then you will very likely be looking for another frame.