Identifying rear triangle material

santahul

Hey guys I'm building a budget commuter/tourer/expedition bike and I'm looking for an old 501/531 mountain bike frame to base it on. Is there any way to make sure bits like the rear triangle are also made from the Reynolds good stuff? I'm sure I read somewhere about particular Reynolds sticker that confirms this but is there any other way to make sure it's not hi-tensile?

Here's an example:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200636406171
Is there any giveaway there that you can see?

Regards, Steve

nicklouse

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Britis ... allery.htm

might help.

or ask on retro bike.

supersonic

I have to ask, compared to what other stuff? 501 and 531 is basic cromoly. 501 was mainly the front 3 tubes, and was seamed.

santahul

nicklouse: thanks

supersonic: compared to the cheaper, heavier and weaker hi-tensile steel.

P.S. 531 is certainly not cromo :P

cooldad

501 is cro mo
531 is manganese molybdenum. Sounds like a foot disease.

supersonic

Hi tensile is the same density and modulus as all other steel alloys, but is usually weaker of course. Is very hard to tell what is in rear triangles, gauges and so on. Plain gauge cromoly or mnmo can still be pretty heavy.

I think weighing the whole frame is a starter to give an idea.