WTB: 66 or 68cm Quickbeam frame set

[Birdman]

Hey bunch,

Long shot here, but I’m looking for a 66 (preferred) or 68cm Quickbeam frame set. I just discovered a crack in my BB shell and I’m devastated.

Isaac in Portland OR

[Julian Westerhout]

Isaac, 

That is indeed a major bummer.  If you do not find another you might call Riv and see if the BB shells are available and send it off to a frame builder  (a fair number of them in Portland) and have it fixed. Although not a cheap repair it will almost certainly be less than a replacement QB. 

Just a thought.... 

Julian Westerhout

Bloomington, Il 

[Birdman]

Thanks, Julian. I hadn’t thought to see if Riv has an extra BB shell. I’ll look into that!
Isaac

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

Sorry for your loss, but it's a goner, I've got two 68s in the same state. The fork is a great start on a replacement if you're feeling crafty. Did it crack front to back? Would love to see some grisly pictures.
-Kai

[Joe Bernard]

A Panasonic defect? I'm surprised to hear that so many of the big QBs have cracked.

[Abcyclehank]

Birdman,

There is a Riv lister contemplating selling a rare 66cm QB. He feels his is to small and checked with me about my 68cm. I sidetracked him with the possibility of my 64cm Bombadil once I get my Gus!
Makes me nervous 😬 about my 68cm Quickbeam. Probably my least replaceable bike likely reducing the likelihood I will set mine free. Amazingly dialed in.
Good luck.

Sincerely,
Ryan Hankinson
West Michigan

[Birdman]

I’m no expert, but the experts that have seen the break said it was likely a combination of poor mitering of the seat tube and lots of mashing on a single speed by a big guy on a tall frame. For whatever reasons, it’s a relatively common failure point in the Quickbeams. I’ll post photos in a bit.

[Birdman]

Thanks, Ryan. Hopefully the lister will see the post, but feel free to put them in touch! Also, please put me on the waitlist for the Bomba if you decide to let it go and that deal falls through!
Brd

[Jonathan D.]

I know you loved that bike.  I hope another 68 turns up soon.  

[Rob Kristoff]

Hi Kai,
I'm confused why a cracked bb shell on a qb would be a goner? Did they go away from lugs in models I havent seen? Seems like a pretty simple lugged fix if one could get a replacement bb lug.

The qb is a decent quality frame isnt it? Seems worth the investment. (unless OP can find replacement frame for le$$)

Just curious.
Rob
Danvers, MA

[Birdman]

I'm curious too, Kai.

Grisly pictures as requested...

Isaac

[James Valiensi]

HI,

I’ve built frames and replaced tubes. Replacement of the BB shell is not trivial. I’m not sure it can be done with replacing the down-tube, seat tube and chain stays too.

If that was mine, I’d try brazing the cack or TIG welding it first. I’ve seen this approach last years. 

It would be labor to replace the BB than to build a new frame.

Best regards,

On Apr 13, 2020, at 1:57 PM, Birdman <ien...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm curious too, Kai.

Grisly pictures as requested...

Isaac

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On Monday, April 13, 2020 at 7:20:57 AM UTC-7, Rob Kristoff wrote:

Hi Kai,
I'm confused why a cracked bb shell on a qb would be a goner? Did they go away from lugs in models I havent seen? Seems like a pretty simple lugged fix if one could get a replacement bb lug.

The qb is a decent quality frame isnt it? Seems worth the investment. (unless OP can find replacement frame for le$$)

Just curious.
Rob
Danvers, MA

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[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

At least it didn't rust away on a hook, on to Valhalla!
-Kai

On Monday, April 13, 2020 at 4:57:42 PM UTC-4, Birdman wrote:
> I'm curious too, Kai.
> Grisly pictures as requested...
> Isaac
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[James Valiensi]

The photos of the green bike frame indicate poorly made brazed joints. The brazing filler did not full penetrate the bottom bracket shell.

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[Joe Bernard]

I remember in a Reader a story about a QB frame that had some kinda bulge in the seattube (and a furious buyer to show for it). I guess Panasonic wasn't a fabulous source for Riv...

[J L]

All of these failures are unfortunate.

There is something about the QB though. Anyone have a 54 hanging around that needs a home? BB intact please! :)

I keep trying to build up a single speed with 650bx48 road tires and similar sized tiny knobs. It keeps getting pushed to the back of the build list though.

It still wouldn't be a Quickbeam, though.

Jason
SF,CA

[Rob Kristoff]

James, is it because in this case the tubes under the lugs are damaged? So you'd have to replace them?

I'd always heard from Riv etc how repairable lugged steel is, but just realized how that always assumes the lug itself hasn't broken.

Best, Rob

[Birdman]

Update: Will found a replacement BB shell and Quickbeam decals at Riv HQ and they're on their way. I'm in touch with a frame builder friend in town, who may take on the project. I don't have any details on the work involved, but like James has said above, it does sound like a big job. I hope he'll take it on. I think the QB is worth it, especially since a 66cm is so hard to come by, as long as the cost doesn't go beyond the cost of a replacement frame set. I'll update the post as I learn more.

In the meantime, James, I'm also curious to know more.

Isaac

[Birdman]

And here's a look inside. I bet you can guess where the crack runs:

[Jonathan D.]

David Feldman did a repair for me before and a great job. He is in Vancouver and was the Rivelo mechanic as well.

[Birdman]

Thanks, Jonathan. David was helpful. He says the job is over his head, but put me in touch with another local shop. They quoted $800-1000 in labor, plus paint stripping and paint! Yikes...

I'm bringing the frame to my frame builder friend on Friday for him to take a look. To James' point above, this is clearly a big job!

Isaac

[Joe Bernard]

Gotta say, I don't see the point. Those are cool frames, but spending as much or more than the original frame cost is a little nuts to me. It's new frame time!

[Kurt Manley]

Bantam in Portland would be a good person to check with if he's not on your list already. I've seen him fix Rivs before. Aherne is also very good and has done a downtube replacement for me at a reasonable cost but it was a frame he built. Not sure if he does major repairs on frames he didn't build (this is semi common).

[Julian Westerhout]

Bantam's website indicates that he does repairs, and lists BB shell replacements as $400+    http://www.bantambicycles.com/repairs-and-retrofits

Definitely worth a call. 

Julian Westerhout

Bloomington, IL 

[Birdman]

Thanks Kurt and Julian, I’m meeting with Bob on Friday.
Best,
Isaac

[Curtis McKenzie]

Hello Birdman,

Please tell Bob hello from #16.  

Curtis

El Cajon, CA

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[S]

Bantam seems a good choice, but in Portland, I can also highly recommend Dave at Ti Cycles for repairs.

[S]

I agree, although I can understand why someone might have a sentimental attachment to a frame. In any case, I am curious about exactly how much the repair will cost.

[christian poppell]

I would agree that the cost of repairs is high if the frame in question was a stock, in production frame. The Quickbeam however is a fairly rare bird and I would argue that it has no contemporary in the current market, especially in this larger size (66-68 cm). I bet the cost of the repair would be less than a new custom frame built around the same Quickbeam specs. In the end, the custom option might not have the same ride quality of the Quickbeam you are trying to replace. This is possible with the repair as well but there are far fewer variables. 

With regards to brazing quality on these frames, I own a 64cm orange and I can see gaps where the brazing material does not fill the lug to the shoreline. This is visible on the head tube downtube joint (downtube socket), and the bottom bracket (seat tube socket). Both areas are about 1cm in width at the shoreline. The DT/HT joint appears to have more filler closer to the shoreline than the one at the BB. FWIW

Christian

Berkeley, CA

[S]

You can buy a new Mark Nobilette built Quickbeam frame, in any original size, from Riv for $3,000. Same frame, same ride, much better workmanship.

If the repair and paint cost, say, $1,200 or less, then I might do it, but above that price I think OP might want to consider putting the money toward a down payment on a new frame, especially as the brazing quality on the original Quickbeams seems poor in general.

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

Fascinating! Didn't know this could happen at any price. Gives me something nice to dream, just can't justify it myself, but if I had the means, dreams would come true.
Quickdreams!!
-Kai

[Birdman]

Thanks for the good points and resources above.

The 66cm Quickbeam is a rare bird indeed. This particular one has been well cared for and seems to have relatively few miles, considering it's age. Like many here, I have several Rivs and other bicycles; the Quickbeam is my favorite ride. On top of that, after many years of reading the Reader and drooling over the website, the Quickbeam (an orange 64), bought new in 2010, was my first Rivendell, so there is a great deal of sentimental value involved. If I can get the BB shell replaced with fresh paint and new QB decals for around $1000 total, I may go for it. There isn't anything on the market today that can replace it and my Bantam custom (someday) will not be a SS.

I'm thinking pink, like Mark's custom...

Isaac

[S]

Yes, it's a good deal. I emailed with Will at Riv about it and he wrote back that as long as they can find the blueprints, Mark Nobilette can build most any past frame in a standard size for that price. In the case of the Quickbeam, they can no longer use the Quickbeam name for legal reasons, but otherwise, it's the same bike.

[S]

For $1,000, that makes sense.

[Deacon Patrick]

Och! Isaac, my heart goes out to you. I found a new way to (attempt) to go tubeless with my Hunqapillar: my drive-side chain stay broke in a way neither Grant nor Mark N.  has ever seen before (figures: I get that a lot.). I still need to clear the parts from the frame and clean it so they can see what may have happened, but with fixing and paint et al, it is pricy. So, you are not alone in your simultanious woe that the frame broke and delight that it was well loved and steel so broke in a way that loved you too. Grin.

With abandon,

Patrick

On Sunday, April 12, 2020 at 12:15:03 PM UTC-6, Birdman wrote:

Hey bunch,

Long shot here, but I’m looking for a 66 (preferred) or 68cm Quickbeam frame set. I just discovered a crack in my BB shell and I’m devastated.

Isaac in Portland OR

[Reid Echols]

This thread, which initially had me considering selling my 64 Quickbeam (to Isaac, in fact!) has now pretty much convinced me to keep it! It’s a real blast in its current guise and in my more limited-range riding these days.

Beam on,

Reid in Austin

[Birdman]

Beam on, Reid!

I just got back from Bob of Bantam Cycles. (Full disclosure: he's a friend.) He can replace the BB shell, but it would be laborious and for a non-friend, the $800-1000 labor estimate from Ti Cycles is in the ballpark. He'd cut me a deal, but here's the rub: this frame is brazed with bronze, not silver, so heating the lug to a temperature where the BB shell could be pulled will almost certainly weaken the connecting tubes. As a big and tall rider, I'm not interested in doing anything that will compromise frame strength. Instead, I'll be putting $ down on a custom Bantam.

In the meantime, if anyone has a 66cm Quickbeam they'd be willing to part with, let me know, but I'm also recognizing that it may just be time to say goodbye...

Thanks y'all,

Isaac in Portland OR

[Julian Westerhout]

Too bad -- well, perhaps the old QB can live on as a stool base, etc.     :( 

Julian Westerhout

Bloomington, IL 

[Birdman]

The Quickbeam gets a second life! 

Dave Levy at Ti Cycles has a way to get the BB shell off that won't overheat the tubes. He said he basically saws the shell into five separate pieces and then removes each piece from the connecting tube. He says it isn't a fun job, but it's effective. He's also going to go over the entire frame after it's stripped to check for any other needs and do a frame alignment. Black Magic Paint will add wet paint and fresh QB decals. 

It'll be a pretty penny and a three month wait, but the QB is my favorite of the many bikes I've ever owned, so it's worth it to me. I have plenty of time to think about paint colors and suggestions are welcome.

Isaac in Portland OR

[Julian Westerhout]

Isaac, 

That's great news!   Glad a solution has been found. 

Julian Westerhout

Bloomington, IL