Cycling Equipment · Public discussion

Cracked Brake Bridge

Jay Beattie · 2005-09-01T21:19:54+00:00

After all these years of cold-setting frames, I think I actually cracked the brake bridge on a 1980 SP frame -- or else it cracked spontaneously. In any event, this is a classic bridge with a tang, and the crack goes around about 60-70% of the circumference of the bridge tube as it enters the tang on both sides (although not the same part of the circumference on each side). My questions are: (1) is it possible that there is sufficient brass between the end of the tube and the stay (the area under the tang), that the visible cracks are inconsequential or not that dire? (2) has anyone had a brake bride break, and what was the result. I would braze this up myself, but I do not want to go to the adult ed metal class or buy map gas and pay for a paint job. I have rebrazed this frame in other places twice before and figure I will junk it when it breaks a third time. I was just wondering how much life I could get out of it and whether a bridge failure would be catestrophic.-- Jay Beattie.

Started by Jay Beattie · 1 September 2005 · Last activity 3 September 2005 · 7 posts · 623 views

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Original section: Cycling Equipment
Published: 1 September 2005
Last activity: 3 September 2005
Original author: Jay Beattie
Posts: 7
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 623
Views / 30 days: 0

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Original post
Jay Beattie
Archived post

1 September 2005, 21:19 UTC #1

After all these years of cold-setting frames, I think I actually
cracked the brake bridge on a 1980 SP frame -- or else it cracked
spontaneously.
In any event, this is a classic bridge with a tang, and the crack
goes around about 60-70% of the circumference of the bridge tube
as it enters the tang on both sides (although not the same part
of the circumference on each side).
My questions are: (1) is it possible that there is sufficient
brass between the end of the tube and the stay (the area under
the tang), that the visible cracks are inconsequential or not
that dire? (2) has anyone had a brake bride break, and what was
the result.
I would braze this up myself, but I do not want to go to the
adult ed metal class or buy map gas and pay for a paint job. I
have rebrazed this frame in other places twice before and figure
I will junk it when it breaks a third time. I was just wondering
how much life I could get out of it and whether a bridge failure
would be catestrophic.-- Jay Beattie.

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Mike Jacoubowsky
Archived post

1 September 2005, 23:16 UTC #2

Quoted message said:
In any event, this is a classic bridge with a tang, and the crack
goes around about 60-70% of the circumference of the bridge tube
as it enters the tang on both sides (although not the same part
of the circumference on each side).
Jay: Yes, sounds like you cracked it. It doesn't take chainstay spreading to
accomplish this though; my Bob Jackson did it all on its own. The rear brake
made a terrible racket until I figured out what was going on, which
fortunately was before it totally broke loose (which could be a real
disaster, as it tries to wedge itself between frame & wheel).
Pretty simple thing for a frame guy to repair, and you might be able to do a
spot paint and not have it look terrible.
--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
"Jay Beattie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
After all these years of cold-setting frames, I think I actually
cracked the brake bridge on a 1980 SP frame -- or else it cracked
spontaneously.
In any event, this is a classic bridge with a tang, and the crack
goes around about 60-70% of the circumference of the bridge tube
as it enters the tang on both sides (although not the same part
of the circumference on each side).
My questions are: (1) is it possible that there is sufficient
brass between the end of the tube and the stay (the area under
the tang), that the visible cracks are inconsequential or not
that dire? (2) has anyone had a brake bride break, and what was
the result.
I would braze this up myself, but I do not want to go to the
adult ed metal class or buy map gas and pay for a paint job. I
have rebrazed this frame in other places twice before and figure
I will junk it when it breaks a third time. I was just wondering
how much life I could get out of it and whether a bridge failure
would be catestrophic.-- Jay Beattie.

Report
philcycles
Archived post

2 September 2005, 00:43 UTC #3

Mike Jacoubowsky said:
disaster, as it tries to wedge itself between frame & wheel).
Pretty simple thing for a frame guy to repair, and you might be able to do a
spot paint and not have it look terrible.
--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
This isn't a tough one and bu putting wet rags above and below the
bridge you can get by with a minimal spot repaint. This isn't uncommon
on a real SP frame.
Phil Brown

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Mike Jacoubowsky
Archived post

2 September 2005, 04:40 UTC #4

Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Pretty simple thing for a frame guy to repair, and you might be able to
do a
spot paint and not have it look terrible.
--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
This isn't a tough one and bu putting wet rags above and below the
bridge you can get by with a minimal spot repaint. This isn't uncommon
on a real SP frame.
Phil Brown
Ah, the memories... a small MAPP-gas torch, a rod of sifbronze, some wet
rags and a frame in need of a little help... been there, done that quite a
few times back-in-the-day.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

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RonSonic
Archived post

2 September 2005, 12:47 UTC #5

On Thu, 1 Sep 2005 14:19:54 -0700, "Jay Beattie" <[email hidden]>
Quoted message said:
After all these years of cold-setting frames, I think I actually
cracked the brake bridge on a 1980 SP frame -- or else it cracked
spontaneously.
Where is Blair to claim vindication?
Ron

Report
Jay Beattie
Archived post

2 September 2005, 22:45 UTC #6

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Pretty simple thing for a frame guy to repair, and you might

be able to
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
do a
spot paint and not have it look terrible.
--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
This isn't a tough one and bu putting wet rags above and

below the
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
bridge you can get by with a minimal spot repaint. This isn't

uncommon
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
on a real SP frame.
Phil Brown
Ah, the memories... a small MAPP-gas torch, a rod of sifbronze,

some wet
Quoted message said:
rags and a frame in need of a little help... been there, done

that quite a
Quoted message said:
few times back-in-the-day.
This frame had a new powder coat from the last time I rebrazed it
(at the head tube/top tube -- for the second time). God is
telling me that it is time for a new frame. At least that is
what I will tell my wife -- who will probably tell me to live
with one less bike. -- Jay Beattie.

Report
Qui si parla Campagnolo
Archived post

3 September 2005, 13:41 UTC #7

Jay Beattie said:
After all these years of cold-setting frames, I think I actually
cracked the brake bridge on a 1980 SP frame -- or else it cracked
spontaneously.
In any event, this is a classic bridge with a tang, and the crack
goes around about 60-70% of the circumference of the bridge tube
as it enters the tang on both sides (although not the same part
of the circumference on each side).
My questions are: (1) is it possible that there is sufficient
brass between the end of the tube and the stay (the area under
the tang), that the visible cracks are inconsequential or not
that dire? (2) has anyone had a brake bride break, and what was
the result.
The result is when ya put the rear brake on, the brake and bridge
breaks loose, goes forward, jamming your wheel...
Quoted message said:

I would braze this up myself, but I do not want to go to the
adult ed metal class or buy map gas and pay for a paint job. I
have rebrazed this frame in other places twice before and figure
I will junk it when it breaks a third time. I was just wondering
how much life I could get out of it and whether a bridge failure
would be catestrophic.-- Jay Beattie.

Report

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