Is it possible to rebuild a a steel bike frame (to make it lighter) by welding aluminum tubes The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are In Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)Bottom bracket for framebuildingMIG Welds vs Brazing for simple bike hacksWhat are the advantages of a custom frame for a touring bike?How to repaint a Carbon bike frame?3D printing frames?Lugged carbon frame repairCan I fit a modern internally geared hub on an old bike ?Crankset fitting issuesFeasibility of bike frame design by a laypersonHow to evaluate different alloy types used for bicycle frames?

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Is it possible to rebuild a a steel bike frame (to make it lighter) by welding aluminum tubes



The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are In
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)Bottom bracket for framebuildingMIG Welds vs Brazing for simple bike hacksWhat are the advantages of a custom frame for a touring bike?How to repaint a Carbon bike frame?3D printing frames?Lugged carbon frame repairCan I fit a modern internally geared hub on an old bike ?Crankset fitting issuesFeasibility of bike frame design by a laypersonHow to evaluate different alloy types used for bicycle frames?










4















I have an old (80's I guess) road bike, it is heavy, I'd like to make lighter. is it posible to cut and replace the tubes on the frame by welding aluminum ones? enter image description here










share|improve this question









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Victor Mendoza is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • 1





    In theory one might get an Al tube one size larger than the steel tubes, so that they "telescope", then glue them together. You'd want a larger size Al tube anyway, to be as strong as the steel.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 6 at 23:36






  • 3





    Note that, up until the 80s, pretty much all bike frames were built using "lugs" to join the tubing. "Lugs" were/are metal bits (either bronze or steel) formed to make up the joints. Then steel (and, later, aluminum) tubing was slid into the sleeves on the lugs and soldered or brazed. But this practice fell by the wayside when several companies discovered practical ways to (rapidly) weld hardened steel tubing without destroying the "temper" of the steel, and also figured out how to apply this technique to aluminum. As this was much cheaper, the old lugged frames became obsolete.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 4:06






  • 2





    (Continuing) You MIGHT be able to still find frame lugs for sale on the interweb. But it's cheaper to just buy a new aluminum-framed bike.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 4:07







  • 1





    Have you also considered doing this with springs?...

    – leftaroundabout
    Apr 7 at 10:14












  • @leftaroundabout - That would be heavier than the original bike.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 12:45















4















I have an old (80's I guess) road bike, it is heavy, I'd like to make lighter. is it posible to cut and replace the tubes on the frame by welding aluminum ones? enter image description here










share|improve this question









New contributor




Victor Mendoza is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 1





    In theory one might get an Al tube one size larger than the steel tubes, so that they "telescope", then glue them together. You'd want a larger size Al tube anyway, to be as strong as the steel.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 6 at 23:36






  • 3





    Note that, up until the 80s, pretty much all bike frames were built using "lugs" to join the tubing. "Lugs" were/are metal bits (either bronze or steel) formed to make up the joints. Then steel (and, later, aluminum) tubing was slid into the sleeves on the lugs and soldered or brazed. But this practice fell by the wayside when several companies discovered practical ways to (rapidly) weld hardened steel tubing without destroying the "temper" of the steel, and also figured out how to apply this technique to aluminum. As this was much cheaper, the old lugged frames became obsolete.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 4:06






  • 2





    (Continuing) You MIGHT be able to still find frame lugs for sale on the interweb. But it's cheaper to just buy a new aluminum-framed bike.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 4:07







  • 1





    Have you also considered doing this with springs?...

    – leftaroundabout
    Apr 7 at 10:14












  • @leftaroundabout - That would be heavier than the original bike.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 12:45













4












4








4








I have an old (80's I guess) road bike, it is heavy, I'd like to make lighter. is it posible to cut and replace the tubes on the frame by welding aluminum ones? enter image description here










share|improve this question









New contributor




Victor Mendoza is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I have an old (80's I guess) road bike, it is heavy, I'd like to make lighter. is it posible to cut and replace the tubes on the frame by welding aluminum ones? enter image description here







framebuilding






share|improve this question









New contributor




Victor Mendoza is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Victor Mendoza is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Apr 8 at 15:15









RoboKaren

23.7k860135




23.7k860135






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asked Apr 6 at 22:31









Victor MendozaVictor Mendoza

242




242




New contributor




Victor Mendoza is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Victor Mendoza is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Victor Mendoza is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







  • 1





    In theory one might get an Al tube one size larger than the steel tubes, so that they "telescope", then glue them together. You'd want a larger size Al tube anyway, to be as strong as the steel.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 6 at 23:36






  • 3





    Note that, up until the 80s, pretty much all bike frames were built using "lugs" to join the tubing. "Lugs" were/are metal bits (either bronze or steel) formed to make up the joints. Then steel (and, later, aluminum) tubing was slid into the sleeves on the lugs and soldered or brazed. But this practice fell by the wayside when several companies discovered practical ways to (rapidly) weld hardened steel tubing without destroying the "temper" of the steel, and also figured out how to apply this technique to aluminum. As this was much cheaper, the old lugged frames became obsolete.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 4:06






  • 2





    (Continuing) You MIGHT be able to still find frame lugs for sale on the interweb. But it's cheaper to just buy a new aluminum-framed bike.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 4:07







  • 1





    Have you also considered doing this with springs?...

    – leftaroundabout
    Apr 7 at 10:14












  • @leftaroundabout - That would be heavier than the original bike.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 12:45












  • 1





    In theory one might get an Al tube one size larger than the steel tubes, so that they "telescope", then glue them together. You'd want a larger size Al tube anyway, to be as strong as the steel.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 6 at 23:36






  • 3





    Note that, up until the 80s, pretty much all bike frames were built using "lugs" to join the tubing. "Lugs" were/are metal bits (either bronze or steel) formed to make up the joints. Then steel (and, later, aluminum) tubing was slid into the sleeves on the lugs and soldered or brazed. But this practice fell by the wayside when several companies discovered practical ways to (rapidly) weld hardened steel tubing without destroying the "temper" of the steel, and also figured out how to apply this technique to aluminum. As this was much cheaper, the old lugged frames became obsolete.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 4:06






  • 2





    (Continuing) You MIGHT be able to still find frame lugs for sale on the interweb. But it's cheaper to just buy a new aluminum-framed bike.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 4:07







  • 1





    Have you also considered doing this with springs?...

    – leftaroundabout
    Apr 7 at 10:14












  • @leftaroundabout - That would be heavier than the original bike.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 7 at 12:45







1




1





In theory one might get an Al tube one size larger than the steel tubes, so that they "telescope", then glue them together. You'd want a larger size Al tube anyway, to be as strong as the steel.

– Daniel R Hicks
Apr 6 at 23:36





In theory one might get an Al tube one size larger than the steel tubes, so that they "telescope", then glue them together. You'd want a larger size Al tube anyway, to be as strong as the steel.

– Daniel R Hicks
Apr 6 at 23:36




3




3





Note that, up until the 80s, pretty much all bike frames were built using "lugs" to join the tubing. "Lugs" were/are metal bits (either bronze or steel) formed to make up the joints. Then steel (and, later, aluminum) tubing was slid into the sleeves on the lugs and soldered or brazed. But this practice fell by the wayside when several companies discovered practical ways to (rapidly) weld hardened steel tubing without destroying the "temper" of the steel, and also figured out how to apply this technique to aluminum. As this was much cheaper, the old lugged frames became obsolete.

– Daniel R Hicks
Apr 7 at 4:06





Note that, up until the 80s, pretty much all bike frames were built using "lugs" to join the tubing. "Lugs" were/are metal bits (either bronze or steel) formed to make up the joints. Then steel (and, later, aluminum) tubing was slid into the sleeves on the lugs and soldered or brazed. But this practice fell by the wayside when several companies discovered practical ways to (rapidly) weld hardened steel tubing without destroying the "temper" of the steel, and also figured out how to apply this technique to aluminum. As this was much cheaper, the old lugged frames became obsolete.

– Daniel R Hicks
Apr 7 at 4:06




2




2





(Continuing) You MIGHT be able to still find frame lugs for sale on the interweb. But it's cheaper to just buy a new aluminum-framed bike.

– Daniel R Hicks
Apr 7 at 4:07






(Continuing) You MIGHT be able to still find frame lugs for sale on the interweb. But it's cheaper to just buy a new aluminum-framed bike.

– Daniel R Hicks
Apr 7 at 4:07





1




1





Have you also considered doing this with springs?...

– leftaroundabout
Apr 7 at 10:14






Have you also considered doing this with springs?...

– leftaroundabout
Apr 7 at 10:14














@leftaroundabout - That would be heavier than the original bike.

– Daniel R Hicks
Apr 7 at 12:45





@leftaroundabout - That would be heavier than the original bike.

– Daniel R Hicks
Apr 7 at 12:45










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















12














I would not. Instead I'd strongly recommend you look at buying the bike you want rather than chopping up a working vintage bike. At best you'll come out with something worse than a replacement aluminium road bike, and perhaps slightly better or worse than the bike with which you started.



A used 2000's bike would be a far better bike than some chopped-up monster, and then you have N+1.



Steel and aluminium are dissimilar metals and welding is not possible. You'd be looking at brazing them. If you expected to weld them, then perhaps this is beyond your welding skill level.



If you are paying someone commercially to do the welding, then they will braze or silver solder the work. Check for what their workmanship guarantee is as well.



You will have to paint the whole frame properly afterwards too, the steel parts need protection.






share|improve this answer























  • It is technically possible to weld dissimilar metals, including steel+aluminum, but this combination will promote galvanic corrosion in the aluminum near the transition. Welding aluminum is not easy, and I have to imagine that welding dissimilar metals is even harder.

    – Adam Rice
    Apr 7 at 14:03











  • @AdamRice sure its possible, with a bimetal insert/stud but its complex and risky. It is beyond the skill of a home welder with a buzzer box and a stick - you'd need AC TIG welder and the skill to use it, and the gear to avoid embrittling (sp?) the aluminium. IE, pro-welding shop time. Which is expensive, much more so than buying a second bike.

    – Criggie
    Apr 7 at 19:41






  • 1





    I think we are vehemently agreeing.

    – Adam Rice
    Apr 7 at 22:25






  • 2





    @Criggie "An ignoble spirit embrittles the largest man"?

    – David Richerby
    Apr 8 at 15:19


















9














There is a lot more to a bike frame than just weight. If there is one thing early aluminum frames taught us is that straight gauge aluminum rides harsh! Modern aluminum frames typically employ hydroforming to tailor the compliance and ride characteristics of the frame. This is why modern aluminum bikes ride a lot better than 90’s aluminum frames which were often too stiff. You will likely be stuck with overly stiff straight gauge tubes and a harsh ride if you are able to get it to work.



Even if you successfully execute this frame chop up (Criggie’s answer overviews some of the issues - although I assume you would need to bond the tubes), I suspect the Frankenstein frame would have much worse handling as it will be difficult to keep the frame the geometry in check. In all likelihood I suspect some frame dimension will be altered and handling will suffer as a result.



If the only reason you are doing this is to save weight, there are a lot of better options, including selling and buying a used aluminum bike.



If you want to do it to see if it can be done, then giddy up! Getting a bond between aluminum and steel will likely be your hardest task.






share|improve this answer






























    2














    I think your question is basically, "Is it possible to build a frame out of different parts?". The answer is yes, because frames exist in the market, and most of them are built of different parts, so it's definitely possible to build them.



    On the other hand, a bike frame being something that can get you killed if it suddenly fails, I most definitely would not build (and ride) my own unless I were an expert in bike frame construction. If you had to ask this question you are probably not such an expert. So I'd advise you just buy the bike you need instead.



    Unless you're just going to hang the bike on the wall as a decoration, of course. If that's the case, do what you wish with the frame.






    share|improve this answer























    • I have never heard about frame made by mixing steel and aluminum, and a large part of the question is, is this particular combination feasible.

      – ojs
      Apr 7 at 12:10











    Your Answer








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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    12














    I would not. Instead I'd strongly recommend you look at buying the bike you want rather than chopping up a working vintage bike. At best you'll come out with something worse than a replacement aluminium road bike, and perhaps slightly better or worse than the bike with which you started.



    A used 2000's bike would be a far better bike than some chopped-up monster, and then you have N+1.



    Steel and aluminium are dissimilar metals and welding is not possible. You'd be looking at brazing them. If you expected to weld them, then perhaps this is beyond your welding skill level.



    If you are paying someone commercially to do the welding, then they will braze or silver solder the work. Check for what their workmanship guarantee is as well.



    You will have to paint the whole frame properly afterwards too, the steel parts need protection.






    share|improve this answer























    • It is technically possible to weld dissimilar metals, including steel+aluminum, but this combination will promote galvanic corrosion in the aluminum near the transition. Welding aluminum is not easy, and I have to imagine that welding dissimilar metals is even harder.

      – Adam Rice
      Apr 7 at 14:03











    • @AdamRice sure its possible, with a bimetal insert/stud but its complex and risky. It is beyond the skill of a home welder with a buzzer box and a stick - you'd need AC TIG welder and the skill to use it, and the gear to avoid embrittling (sp?) the aluminium. IE, pro-welding shop time. Which is expensive, much more so than buying a second bike.

      – Criggie
      Apr 7 at 19:41






    • 1





      I think we are vehemently agreeing.

      – Adam Rice
      Apr 7 at 22:25






    • 2





      @Criggie "An ignoble spirit embrittles the largest man"?

      – David Richerby
      Apr 8 at 15:19















    12














    I would not. Instead I'd strongly recommend you look at buying the bike you want rather than chopping up a working vintage bike. At best you'll come out with something worse than a replacement aluminium road bike, and perhaps slightly better or worse than the bike with which you started.



    A used 2000's bike would be a far better bike than some chopped-up monster, and then you have N+1.



    Steel and aluminium are dissimilar metals and welding is not possible. You'd be looking at brazing them. If you expected to weld them, then perhaps this is beyond your welding skill level.



    If you are paying someone commercially to do the welding, then they will braze or silver solder the work. Check for what their workmanship guarantee is as well.



    You will have to paint the whole frame properly afterwards too, the steel parts need protection.






    share|improve this answer























    • It is technically possible to weld dissimilar metals, including steel+aluminum, but this combination will promote galvanic corrosion in the aluminum near the transition. Welding aluminum is not easy, and I have to imagine that welding dissimilar metals is even harder.

      – Adam Rice
      Apr 7 at 14:03











    • @AdamRice sure its possible, with a bimetal insert/stud but its complex and risky. It is beyond the skill of a home welder with a buzzer box and a stick - you'd need AC TIG welder and the skill to use it, and the gear to avoid embrittling (sp?) the aluminium. IE, pro-welding shop time. Which is expensive, much more so than buying a second bike.

      – Criggie
      Apr 7 at 19:41






    • 1





      I think we are vehemently agreeing.

      – Adam Rice
      Apr 7 at 22:25






    • 2





      @Criggie "An ignoble spirit embrittles the largest man"?

      – David Richerby
      Apr 8 at 15:19













    12












    12








    12







    I would not. Instead I'd strongly recommend you look at buying the bike you want rather than chopping up a working vintage bike. At best you'll come out with something worse than a replacement aluminium road bike, and perhaps slightly better or worse than the bike with which you started.



    A used 2000's bike would be a far better bike than some chopped-up monster, and then you have N+1.



    Steel and aluminium are dissimilar metals and welding is not possible. You'd be looking at brazing them. If you expected to weld them, then perhaps this is beyond your welding skill level.



    If you are paying someone commercially to do the welding, then they will braze or silver solder the work. Check for what their workmanship guarantee is as well.



    You will have to paint the whole frame properly afterwards too, the steel parts need protection.






    share|improve this answer













    I would not. Instead I'd strongly recommend you look at buying the bike you want rather than chopping up a working vintage bike. At best you'll come out with something worse than a replacement aluminium road bike, and perhaps slightly better or worse than the bike with which you started.



    A used 2000's bike would be a far better bike than some chopped-up monster, and then you have N+1.



    Steel and aluminium are dissimilar metals and welding is not possible. You'd be looking at brazing them. If you expected to weld them, then perhaps this is beyond your welding skill level.



    If you are paying someone commercially to do the welding, then they will braze or silver solder the work. Check for what their workmanship guarantee is as well.



    You will have to paint the whole frame properly afterwards too, the steel parts need protection.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Apr 6 at 23:25









    CriggieCriggie

    45.3k576155




    45.3k576155












    • It is technically possible to weld dissimilar metals, including steel+aluminum, but this combination will promote galvanic corrosion in the aluminum near the transition. Welding aluminum is not easy, and I have to imagine that welding dissimilar metals is even harder.

      – Adam Rice
      Apr 7 at 14:03











    • @AdamRice sure its possible, with a bimetal insert/stud but its complex and risky. It is beyond the skill of a home welder with a buzzer box and a stick - you'd need AC TIG welder and the skill to use it, and the gear to avoid embrittling (sp?) the aluminium. IE, pro-welding shop time. Which is expensive, much more so than buying a second bike.

      – Criggie
      Apr 7 at 19:41






    • 1





      I think we are vehemently agreeing.

      – Adam Rice
      Apr 7 at 22:25






    • 2





      @Criggie "An ignoble spirit embrittles the largest man"?

      – David Richerby
      Apr 8 at 15:19

















    • It is technically possible to weld dissimilar metals, including steel+aluminum, but this combination will promote galvanic corrosion in the aluminum near the transition. Welding aluminum is not easy, and I have to imagine that welding dissimilar metals is even harder.

      – Adam Rice
      Apr 7 at 14:03











    • @AdamRice sure its possible, with a bimetal insert/stud but its complex and risky. It is beyond the skill of a home welder with a buzzer box and a stick - you'd need AC TIG welder and the skill to use it, and the gear to avoid embrittling (sp?) the aluminium. IE, pro-welding shop time. Which is expensive, much more so than buying a second bike.

      – Criggie
      Apr 7 at 19:41






    • 1





      I think we are vehemently agreeing.

      – Adam Rice
      Apr 7 at 22:25






    • 2





      @Criggie "An ignoble spirit embrittles the largest man"?

      – David Richerby
      Apr 8 at 15:19
















    It is technically possible to weld dissimilar metals, including steel+aluminum, but this combination will promote galvanic corrosion in the aluminum near the transition. Welding aluminum is not easy, and I have to imagine that welding dissimilar metals is even harder.

    – Adam Rice
    Apr 7 at 14:03





    It is technically possible to weld dissimilar metals, including steel+aluminum, but this combination will promote galvanic corrosion in the aluminum near the transition. Welding aluminum is not easy, and I have to imagine that welding dissimilar metals is even harder.

    – Adam Rice
    Apr 7 at 14:03













    @AdamRice sure its possible, with a bimetal insert/stud but its complex and risky. It is beyond the skill of a home welder with a buzzer box and a stick - you'd need AC TIG welder and the skill to use it, and the gear to avoid embrittling (sp?) the aluminium. IE, pro-welding shop time. Which is expensive, much more so than buying a second bike.

    – Criggie
    Apr 7 at 19:41





    @AdamRice sure its possible, with a bimetal insert/stud but its complex and risky. It is beyond the skill of a home welder with a buzzer box and a stick - you'd need AC TIG welder and the skill to use it, and the gear to avoid embrittling (sp?) the aluminium. IE, pro-welding shop time. Which is expensive, much more so than buying a second bike.

    – Criggie
    Apr 7 at 19:41




    1




    1





    I think we are vehemently agreeing.

    – Adam Rice
    Apr 7 at 22:25





    I think we are vehemently agreeing.

    – Adam Rice
    Apr 7 at 22:25




    2




    2





    @Criggie "An ignoble spirit embrittles the largest man"?

    – David Richerby
    Apr 8 at 15:19





    @Criggie "An ignoble spirit embrittles the largest man"?

    – David Richerby
    Apr 8 at 15:19











    9














    There is a lot more to a bike frame than just weight. If there is one thing early aluminum frames taught us is that straight gauge aluminum rides harsh! Modern aluminum frames typically employ hydroforming to tailor the compliance and ride characteristics of the frame. This is why modern aluminum bikes ride a lot better than 90’s aluminum frames which were often too stiff. You will likely be stuck with overly stiff straight gauge tubes and a harsh ride if you are able to get it to work.



    Even if you successfully execute this frame chop up (Criggie’s answer overviews some of the issues - although I assume you would need to bond the tubes), I suspect the Frankenstein frame would have much worse handling as it will be difficult to keep the frame the geometry in check. In all likelihood I suspect some frame dimension will be altered and handling will suffer as a result.



    If the only reason you are doing this is to save weight, there are a lot of better options, including selling and buying a used aluminum bike.



    If you want to do it to see if it can be done, then giddy up! Getting a bond between aluminum and steel will likely be your hardest task.






    share|improve this answer



























      9














      There is a lot more to a bike frame than just weight. If there is one thing early aluminum frames taught us is that straight gauge aluminum rides harsh! Modern aluminum frames typically employ hydroforming to tailor the compliance and ride characteristics of the frame. This is why modern aluminum bikes ride a lot better than 90’s aluminum frames which were often too stiff. You will likely be stuck with overly stiff straight gauge tubes and a harsh ride if you are able to get it to work.



      Even if you successfully execute this frame chop up (Criggie’s answer overviews some of the issues - although I assume you would need to bond the tubes), I suspect the Frankenstein frame would have much worse handling as it will be difficult to keep the frame the geometry in check. In all likelihood I suspect some frame dimension will be altered and handling will suffer as a result.



      If the only reason you are doing this is to save weight, there are a lot of better options, including selling and buying a used aluminum bike.



      If you want to do it to see if it can be done, then giddy up! Getting a bond between aluminum and steel will likely be your hardest task.






      share|improve this answer

























        9












        9








        9







        There is a lot more to a bike frame than just weight. If there is one thing early aluminum frames taught us is that straight gauge aluminum rides harsh! Modern aluminum frames typically employ hydroforming to tailor the compliance and ride characteristics of the frame. This is why modern aluminum bikes ride a lot better than 90’s aluminum frames which were often too stiff. You will likely be stuck with overly stiff straight gauge tubes and a harsh ride if you are able to get it to work.



        Even if you successfully execute this frame chop up (Criggie’s answer overviews some of the issues - although I assume you would need to bond the tubes), I suspect the Frankenstein frame would have much worse handling as it will be difficult to keep the frame the geometry in check. In all likelihood I suspect some frame dimension will be altered and handling will suffer as a result.



        If the only reason you are doing this is to save weight, there are a lot of better options, including selling and buying a used aluminum bike.



        If you want to do it to see if it can be done, then giddy up! Getting a bond between aluminum and steel will likely be your hardest task.






        share|improve this answer













        There is a lot more to a bike frame than just weight. If there is one thing early aluminum frames taught us is that straight gauge aluminum rides harsh! Modern aluminum frames typically employ hydroforming to tailor the compliance and ride characteristics of the frame. This is why modern aluminum bikes ride a lot better than 90’s aluminum frames which were often too stiff. You will likely be stuck with overly stiff straight gauge tubes and a harsh ride if you are able to get it to work.



        Even if you successfully execute this frame chop up (Criggie’s answer overviews some of the issues - although I assume you would need to bond the tubes), I suspect the Frankenstein frame would have much worse handling as it will be difficult to keep the frame the geometry in check. In all likelihood I suspect some frame dimension will be altered and handling will suffer as a result.



        If the only reason you are doing this is to save weight, there are a lot of better options, including selling and buying a used aluminum bike.



        If you want to do it to see if it can be done, then giddy up! Getting a bond between aluminum and steel will likely be your hardest task.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Apr 7 at 4:14









        Rider_XRider_X

        25.1k14595




        25.1k14595





















            2














            I think your question is basically, "Is it possible to build a frame out of different parts?". The answer is yes, because frames exist in the market, and most of them are built of different parts, so it's definitely possible to build them.



            On the other hand, a bike frame being something that can get you killed if it suddenly fails, I most definitely would not build (and ride) my own unless I were an expert in bike frame construction. If you had to ask this question you are probably not such an expert. So I'd advise you just buy the bike you need instead.



            Unless you're just going to hang the bike on the wall as a decoration, of course. If that's the case, do what you wish with the frame.






            share|improve this answer























            • I have never heard about frame made by mixing steel and aluminum, and a large part of the question is, is this particular combination feasible.

              – ojs
              Apr 7 at 12:10















            2














            I think your question is basically, "Is it possible to build a frame out of different parts?". The answer is yes, because frames exist in the market, and most of them are built of different parts, so it's definitely possible to build them.



            On the other hand, a bike frame being something that can get you killed if it suddenly fails, I most definitely would not build (and ride) my own unless I were an expert in bike frame construction. If you had to ask this question you are probably not such an expert. So I'd advise you just buy the bike you need instead.



            Unless you're just going to hang the bike on the wall as a decoration, of course. If that's the case, do what you wish with the frame.






            share|improve this answer























            • I have never heard about frame made by mixing steel and aluminum, and a large part of the question is, is this particular combination feasible.

              – ojs
              Apr 7 at 12:10













            2












            2








            2







            I think your question is basically, "Is it possible to build a frame out of different parts?". The answer is yes, because frames exist in the market, and most of them are built of different parts, so it's definitely possible to build them.



            On the other hand, a bike frame being something that can get you killed if it suddenly fails, I most definitely would not build (and ride) my own unless I were an expert in bike frame construction. If you had to ask this question you are probably not such an expert. So I'd advise you just buy the bike you need instead.



            Unless you're just going to hang the bike on the wall as a decoration, of course. If that's the case, do what you wish with the frame.






            share|improve this answer













            I think your question is basically, "Is it possible to build a frame out of different parts?". The answer is yes, because frames exist in the market, and most of them are built of different parts, so it's definitely possible to build them.



            On the other hand, a bike frame being something that can get you killed if it suddenly fails, I most definitely would not build (and ride) my own unless I were an expert in bike frame construction. If you had to ask this question you are probably not such an expert. So I'd advise you just buy the bike you need instead.



            Unless you're just going to hang the bike on the wall as a decoration, of course. If that's the case, do what you wish with the frame.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Apr 7 at 10:21









            ablabl

            2714




            2714












            • I have never heard about frame made by mixing steel and aluminum, and a large part of the question is, is this particular combination feasible.

              – ojs
              Apr 7 at 12:10

















            • I have never heard about frame made by mixing steel and aluminum, and a large part of the question is, is this particular combination feasible.

              – ojs
              Apr 7 at 12:10
















            I have never heard about frame made by mixing steel and aluminum, and a large part of the question is, is this particular combination feasible.

            – ojs
            Apr 7 at 12:10





            I have never heard about frame made by mixing steel and aluminum, and a large part of the question is, is this particular combination feasible.

            – ojs
            Apr 7 at 12:10










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            Victor Mendoza is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












            Victor Mendoza is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.











            Victor Mendoza is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.














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