We are a West Midlands tubing specialist that provides services to alter tubes. Standard sections won’t always work for every given project. It is here where you’ll need to acquire bespoke ones with bends, curves, and unique ends. We can handle various needs, and even offer tube drilling to provide accurate holes. As a result, we are able to supply products with the right features for our clients.

Options for bike frames

Selecting what material you want your bike frame to be comprised of is one of the main decisions when buying one. Manufacturers have made use of many different materials over the years. Originally, it was steel that was the dominant choice. These days, carbon fibre and aluminium are more popular. Steel and titanium still feature prominently though.

Every material has its advantages and disadvantages. This includes everything from performance characteristics to longevity, budget, and weight. What we want to do is go over the details surrounding titanium frames. We regularly deal with titanium tube, so we know all about adapting it to suit various needs.

It used to be the case that there weren’t many titanium tube sets available. They were not specifically for bikes either. This gave the frames a reputation for being overly-flexible. Thankfully, it is far less of an issue now. We have more choice when it comes to bike-specific tubing. Not to mention, features like wider bottom bracket standards and tapered steerers mean manufacturers can design frames to be as stiff as necessary. Overall, the bikes can offer great ride quality.

The luxurious option

Titanium is frequently referred to as the luxurious option. This is partly because of the cost and ride quality. Not to mention, these are often spoken about as “bikes for life”. The metal is highly resistant to repeat strains and stresses. So, the frames can last much longer than steel ones.

Like steel and aluminium, titanium has alloys. Thus, there are individual options that frame builders can use. The AL3 2.5V alloy (grade 9) is the most common for bike frames. 6AL 4V (grade 5) tubing is noticeably stronger, despite being trickier to work with. Due to this, it is often only for high-performance frames and individual areas where stiffness is essential. Examples include the bottom bracket sleeve and head tube. Talk to us if you require tube drilling services.

Another fact about titanium alloys is that they have extreme resistance to fatigue. As such, they are able to flex without failing. That makes them a great choice.

A metal less dense than steel

Titanium has a unique advantage when it comes to bike frames. It is not as dense, especially if you compare to steel. A tube has half the weight of steel tubing that possesses the same tensile strength. So, it allows frame sets to be lighter whilst using thicker-wall tubes.

Corrosion and finishing

Also, titanium does not corrode. As such, chips and scratches aren’t a problem. The raw finish looks excellent, but you can still paint a frame if you want to.

Just remember that titanium is far more difficult to work with than steel. You need to be careful with details like control over the welding and cleanliness. Purging oxygen is especially vital.

Use our services if you need tube drilling and more

At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, we can use our services to great effect. For example, if you need tubing with holes, we save you hassle and time by offering clean, precise holes. Because we use specialist drilling gear, you will always receive an expert cut.

So, if there is anything we can help you with in regards to tube drilling or other alterations, please don’t hesitate to call us. We can handle all kinds of bespoke projects.