Tubing sizes for cross frame

[suhacycles]

Good morning to all,

I am in the process of designing my first lugged cross frame and was wondering about tubing sizes. I was planning on using normal oversize tubes (9/6/9, 28.6 + 31.7 tubes) in either a traditional or compact geometry but was wondering if it would be better to do double oversize (8/5/8, 31.7 + 35 tubes) given the off road stress involved. At 145 lbs I'm wondering if double oversize will be too stiff (never ridden before) but the added strength would be a plus, especially if I want to use a 1 1/8" fork which is more popular nowadays anyway. Any thoughts? Any comments on compact versus traditional TT?

Thanks,
Hansen

(BTW, for some reason I couldn't post in the framebuilder's section...?)

[e-RICHIE]

you don't want/need a compact geometry for 'cross and you certainly
don't need "double oversize" tubing for it, regardless of your weight and
size. and ps, 9/6/9 guages in OS diameters will make a kinda sorta heavy
frame. do you really wanna go that route? and pps going the other way
and opting for a 1 1/8" steerer on the "double oversize" menu choice would
yield a tank atmo.

i'll move this thread.

Good morning to all,

I am in the process of designing my first lugged cross frame and was wondering about tubing sizes. I was planning on using normal oversize tubes (9/6/9, 28.6 + 31.7 tubes) in either a traditional or compact geometry but was wondering if it would be better to do double oversize (8/5/8, 31.7 + 35 tubes) given the off road stress involved. At 145 lbs I'm wondering if double oversize will be too stiff (never ridden before) but the added strength would be a plus, especially if I want to use a 1 1/8" fork which is more popular nowadays anyway. Any thoughts? Any comments on compact versus traditional TT?

Thanks,
Hansen

(BTW, for some reason I couldn't post in the framebuilder's section...?)

[mjbabcock]

Is this really a question for the Framebuilder forum? Seems that it's been covered with Bikelist or Patarek (sp?).

[bellman]

Is this really a question for the Framebuilder forum? Seems that it's been covered with Bikelist or Patarek (sp?).

"The VSalon Framebuilder Forum A place to chat about building bicycle frames and related topics."
Plucked from seven inches up.........on my screen anyway

[suhacycles]

Yeah, I know this question has probably been covered somewhere else but there are way too many salons/forums/blogs to keep up with! Besides, isn't this where the cool framebuilders hang out?

I know some think that 9/6/9 tubes in oversize may feel kinda heavy but would most agree that 9/6/9 4130 is more dent resistant and crash-worthy than say, 8/5/8 Zona or Verus HT? Besides, how much weight would I actually save with 8/5/8 top & down tubes versus 9/6/9 anyway (assuming the ST would be 8/6 either way)?

-Hansen

[e-RICHIE]

Yeah, I know this question has probably been covered somewhere else but there are way too many salons/forums/blogs to keep up with! Besides, isn't this where the cool framebuilders hang out?

I know some think that 9/6/9 tubes in oversize may feel kinda heavy but would most agree that 9/6/9 4130 is more dent resistant and crash-worthy than say, 8/5/8 Zona or Verus HT? Besides, how much weight would I actually save with 8/5/8 top & down tubes versus 9/6/9 anyway (assuming the ST would be 8/6 either way)?

-Hansen

why are you even worried about this?
in all my years of doing cross and supplying frames, only a single
frame was ruined, and it as a result of putting the front wheel in
a ditch and buckling the down tube. it's wrong to think of 'cross
as the destroyer of frames simply because it's held off pavement.
the only thing i ever see with regularity is busted der hangers atmo.

[suhacycles]

why are you even worried about this?
in all my years of doing cross and supplying frames, only a single
frame was ruined, and it as a result of putting the front wheel in
a ditch and buckling the down tube. it's wrong to think of ''cross
as the destroyer of frames simply because it's held off pavement.
the only thing i ever see with regularity is busted der hangers atmo.

Well, I guess that's what I needed to hear...

Actually, I wasn't really thinking that the sport would destroy my frame, more like my inexperience would! Back when I first got into MTB, I tore up my old Kona frame quite a bit trying to clear logs/obstacles all the time... not that I would do that in my first cross race...

Thanks,
Hansen