Chinese Titanium Frames...

[Tijoe]

     I have about 2500 miles on my custom Waltly 29er frame.   On my most recent adventure, I noticed that a crack has developed in one of the top rear triangle tube where it is welded to the seat post tube.   I just wrote Sumi at Waltly, and asked what to do about this. 

[ktryoji]

Wow that looks quite dangerous! I'm curious to see what will happen.

[Tijoe]

Wow that looks quite dangerous! I'm curious to see what will happen.

I don't think it is dangerous leading to a catastrophic failure.  It appears to be a stress crack right at the edge of the weld in the heat effected zone of the seat post tube.   These types of cracks next to a weld are often due to improper purging of the area during welding where oxygen reacts with the metal causing it to become brittle.  Sometimes this type of crack can be due to too much hydrogen in the area as well.

[eeney]

If you are up for posting some photos of this build, I'd be grateful. I'm considering Waltly for a gravel build and I'm currently looking at one of their standard frames. Not sure if it's the same one you have.

Sorry, hadn't seen this post Photos

[avocadobike]

My Waltly going 3 years strong, I’ve used it for road & Gravel, no dramas….. I’ll be ordering a second in a week or two

[tripleDot]

My 3 Waltly titanium bikes...

Nov 2018 - custom geo Gravel Bike
 setup              - flatbar, single speed (was setup as 1x11 & 2x11 before)
 mileage          - 14,000km (approx)
 notable rides - Audax 200km, 300km & 400km
 rides on          - 70% paved roads, 30% gravel roads

July 2020 - custom geo MTB
 setup              - full-rigid 29er, 1x11
 mileage          - 7,500km (approx)
 notable rides - 300+km overnight bikepacking
 rides on          - 70% trails & gravel, 30% paved roads

Aug 2022 - custom geo Gravel Bike
 setup              - flatbar, 2x11 touring bike
 mileage          - 3,000km (approx)
 notable rides - Audax 300km & 600km
 rides on          - 90% paved roads, 10% gravel roads

All 3 are currently in service and still in very good condition.


* Dates are when bikes are built not when frame were received.

[mirphak]

Nice builds !

[nicklej]

I'm going to buy a titanium from from titanproduct. They've been responsive and helpful with the alterations to a frame I'd like. I'm waiting to hear back on final details but I'll make a post in the future when I have ordered it and then ongoing after receiving it and building it up.

And then an update if i ever remember, likley not if the frame is going strong but definitely if it cracks!