Does anyone know where to get some lightweight steel tube? I am wanting to build some electric cargo bikes. I think 4130 might be too expensive unless someone knows where to get it at a reasonable price.
Perhaps some kind of medium tensile steel like would be more economical?
I thought I might contact Reiker Cycles in Timaru who make the postie bikes and ask them where they get their steel, but they have shut down.
As there is a motor, the weight isn't quite as critical as a normal bicycle, so it won't matter if slightly heavier tubing has to be used.
bill1451,
Jun 9, 6:48pm
steel and tube chch, maybe try some of the exhaust repair places, see where they source theirs from.Just curious what is the cost effectiveness of building them as opposed to importing them, mind you there are imports and then there are imports, guess its all about quality.
poppy62,
Jun 9, 6:57pm
Stainless,gives you great strength and allows you to go thinner wall for comparative strength.
intrade,
Jun 9, 7:09pm
steel and tube but be awear There is a chance that you will be charged 3 times more than anyone else unless you find out what trade prices are and then you have the power to negotiate a better price. I am with capricorn and every member must give the best same price to a capricorn member . It mostly works With a few who i have to dob in to capricorn to either be removed from capricorn or they put on don't give intrade bad prices or capricorn will come after you on their notes. This practice is worse than the zombivirus. I do not know if it is mostly when they hear a non kiwi accent = hand rubb lets shaft him or if they just have extremm dum-f. ks working there. This is for every last business and it's not new this prcatice.
toyboy3,
Jun 9, 7:14pm
Get some old bicycles and cut the tubing from them, I guess you need short lengths
tygertung,
Jun 9, 8:55pm
I mean it would be handy to get some frames made up in Taiwan, but I looked into it and it isn't as easy as just ringing up some factory and saying I want 10 frame please. You sort of need to go over and do a little quality control and that sort of thing.
I'm not going to build the frames from scratch, just get some nice strong old steel mountain bike frames and modify them.
With regard to stainless, it is usually not as strong as regular steel, unless you go for some exotic grade which doesn't have a great deal of corrosion resistance. 316 for example is pretty soft. Probably martensitic would be stronger.
whats your problem? so unhelpful and to call them dum-f. ks? Dude chill out not everyone is out to get you steel and tube are good plus they do cash sale off cuts for cheap
johnny262,
Jun 10, 6:01am
H S White & Son, bicycle accessory wholesaler. They do steel tube up to 38mm OD, there's a list of their retailers on their website
bill-robinson,
Jun 10, 10:32pm
4130, you know it is the right thing.
tygertung,
Jun 11, 1:36am
You are certainly right, but it seems to be cripplingly expensive for some reason. Do you know of an economical source?
bill-robinson,
Jun 11, 4:55am
no. ask your local supplier for a bulk discount.
wellabolla,
Jun 11, 8:29pm
4130 or chromoly is about $100ft Walk thickness as you know ranges from .053 upwards (I think) It has a tensile strength of 670mpa (again if i remember right) Now. there is a motorsport product . all sizes and ins a medium tensile (350mpa) it has a 2.5mm wall. It's lighter and stronger than mild steel. Vulcan steel and fletcher do it for about $140 5m Hope that helps
martin11,
Jun 11, 9:25pm
Try here if you know the sizes you require its not all that expensive ,.
Yes, I can weld 6061, but the problem is the heat treating after welding.
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