Front Mech - Braze On or Band On ? & XACD Ti Frames ?

Gav2000

I'm looking at a titanium frame from XACD in China. I can put a bike together and make it run smoothly but I'm not sure on a few items such as which is better; a braze on front gear mechanism or a band on? Gain anyone explain which might be better?

My uncertainty about a braze on would be whether the bracket would have enough adjustment to cover a 48T/50T and/or 53T chainring. My uncertainty about a band on is whether the tube can be damaged by overtightening. Which would be better?

Also, I can get a brushed Ti frame, carbon forks and carbon seat post from XACD for about £550 including delivery and VAT/taxes. This seems good to me, does anyone have any experience of XACD frames?

Regards,

Gavin.

maddog 2

band on

unless you absolutely know what rings you want.

you won't damage the frame unless you're a utter gorilla with the spanners.

cougie

Yeah - I'd deffo go with the band on with the Ti frame. More adjustment and I cant see how you could damage the Ti tubing.

Scrumple

Do they have a price list anywhere? The website seems devoid of cost!

Monty Dog

Prices are is $US so depends exchange rates and spec. A basic frame is about $450, add about $150 for currency transfer and shipping and then you need to factor in another 25% for Vat and duty

Burghley

Hi

There are lots of very satisfied XACD customers on the Forum, myself included.

My first XACD purchase included carbon forks and seat post. Whilst the Ti frame was brilliant (and still is) I was less impressed with the carbon components. The finish was not up to retail standards in my opinion at the time.

More importantly, both components failed after about three years - which is quite scary, especially after unknowingly riding a cracked fork for thirty miles!

My advice - get the Ti frame (without the front mech. boss) but avoid the carbon stuff.

Rgds

Pete

ronthechef

http://ronniethescot.blogspot.com/2007/ ... -bike.html

I'm still happy with mine, thinking of getting a hardtail MTB next year

satanas

If the braze-on is in the wrong place - or you decide to fit significantly different sized chainrings later - this could be a Major Problem. I have a frame with a braze-on that was positioned for a Dura-Ace Ex front mech, which unfortunately has a smaller distance between the mounting bolt and the bottom of the outer cage plate than those which have followed. The result is that it is impossible for me to now fit something else as the back of the cage hits the chainstay. I have a spare DAEX, but back in 1982 there were *no* narrow chains, so switching to a more modern drive train is a hassle; shifting is pretty grim with a 9 speed chain. Yes, I could get the braze-on removed or shifted, but the frame is from a small builder who has now retired and replacement stickers needed after the respray are not obtainable; I would like to keep them intact.

Sometimes braze-ons can flex excessively too, or the mech can slip - ask me how I know these things. :evil:

IIRC, Tom Ritchey has steadfastly refused to ever make a frame with a braze-on.

Okay, if you are getting a frame with weirdly shaped "tubing," or a very unusual seat angle, etc, a braze-on may be mandatory. Otherwise it's best avoided IME.

Gav2000

Scrumple wrote:

Do they have a price list anywhere? The website seems devoid of cost!

I had to email them about prices, the response was quite quick and in summary was;

Frame - $455
Brushed finish - $50 extra
Shipping - $165
Bank charges - $40

The carbon items were;

Forks - $115
Seat post - $50

I am tempted but would actually want to replicate the geometry of my current Claud Butler Vicenza as I'm very comfortable on that at the moment so I'm struggling to justify the upgrade.

Gavin.