Meaning of "Reynolds 531 frame tubing"?

nimchimpsky82

Hi all

I've spotted a bike with a decal that says "Reynolds 531 tubing". I'm wondering whether this means that the whole frame is a proper 531, or only part(s) of it. The reason I'm asking is that I read the following somewhere:

A full 531 frame says "butted tubes, forks and stays", a full main frame says "butted main tubes and stays" and some say "butted main tubes" or "butted main tube" which means that either only the main triangle or perhaps a single tube is 531, respectively.

Since the phrase "Reynolds 531 tubing" isn't included here I'm slightly confused as to whether it would be worth getting this.

Many thanks for your help

skyd0g

...or potentially none of it is 531.

...you can buy 531 stickers. It has been known for some less than honest sellers to obtain an old bike/frame & put a sticker on it, so that it sells at a higher price.

If you post the make/model of the bike, some people here may be able to shed some more light on it. If it is a genuine 531 bike, it's likely to be fairly old. It could possibly still be worth picking-up for the right price, if it is genuine though.

Pross

Unlikely anyone would fake a 531 though surely as the tubing was only really upper entry level stuff even 20 years back. Haven't heard that about frame, forks etc. before - my current bike is Reynolds 653 and the decals sound pretty much the same as you describe on this bike. Would make decent winter hack or leisure bike if it is genuine 531.

ride_whenever

wikipedia is good

it's just bog standard stuff, i wouldn't get too worked up over it. Just make sure it's double butted.

nimchimpsky82

Thanks guys.

skyd0g wrote:

...or potentially none of it is 531.

If you post the make/model of the bike, some people here may be able to shed some more light on it. If it is a genuine 531 bike, it's likely to be fairly old. It could possibly still be worth picking-up for the right price, if it is genuine though.

This is the bike in question (a slightly dodgy fixie conversion it seems to me, but that can be sorted out if it's worth it):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350276838312&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

One of the photos shows the (rather blurry) 531 decal.

I've found this Reynolds info elsewhere on the web:

http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/reynolds/toptubes/toptubes%206.pdf

which would seem to suggest only Reynolds ST, TT and DT.

I really like the large frame size (am just over 6'6") so if this is decent I may put in a bid. I intend to use it as a winter runabout, and as something to sweat on in the turbo

Thanks again for any advice!

ride_whenever

that's far too nice to make into a winter runabout.

bice

ride_whenever wrote:

that's far too nice to make into a winter runabout.

No it isn't

skyd0g

Seeing the bike, it will be 531 tubing (not sure how much, but probably most of it). It is a nice bike, but an old one and alot of the original components are missing (front and rear deraillieurs, downtube shifters, original handlebars etc.) so it will need a fair bit spending on it to bring it up to spec.

However, this is the modern equivalent http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/21925/Dawes_Super_Galaxy_Bike_2009 which has the higher spec 853 tubing.

...so, bearing in mind it's age and what you would have to spend on it, it could be worth a punt. Good Luck.

alfablue

As a Dawes Super Galaxy it will be made with a full 531ST tubeset (ST for "Special Touring"), this was similar to the 531c (c for competition) tubeset which was used for road racing bikes in those days (and which I have on my 1997 Dawes Audax), only the rear stays and downtube were beefier on the ST tubeset.

IMHO it should be sound (if there's no significant rust, and I think these frames can last a long time), good quality, not light by today's standards, should ride nicely. The frame looks very big, but I guess you have thought about sizing.

nimchimpsky82

Thanks guys, all very helpful info! Will let you know how I get on (and may be back with more questions soon )

Pross

What have they done to that poor bike and how the hell do they stop with those break levers? :shock: Please buy it if only to rescue it and turn it back into a real bike instead od some very bad fashion statement!

bice

I would say around £100 is fine. I use a Ciocc with Columbus Aelle steel as a winter run-around, which I suspect is a bit finer and lighter. My ladies mixte frame Claude Butler is 531, and not especially light, but then I reckon only the fatter tubes are 531. It's a cool frame though.

ballspondroad

They have one just like this at my LBS, 531 throughout according to the decals, but without the Frankenstein amendments, for £100.

bice

bice wrote:

I would say around £100 is fine. I use a Ciocc with Columbus Aelle steel as a winter run-around, which I suspect is a bit finer and lighter. My ladies mixte frame Claude Butler is 531, and not especially light, but then I reckon only the fatter tubes are 531. It's a cool frame though.

Sorry, forgot the key point that the Ciocc was £150, but that was frame, mechs and BB only

Sirius631

By the style of the decals, this frame is from before 531ST was crated as a specific tube set for touring bikes. The frame would have been at the top of Dawes' range of full-on, handbuilt in Britain, touring bikes. These days, the Ultra Galaxy is Reynolds 953, has hydraulic brakes, and is built in the far east.

mmacavity

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sashae/2072364171/sizes/o/

http://www.reynoldstechnology.biz/compproperties.html