Reynolds Tubing
TI-Raleigh & TI-Reynolds… both names linked by the ‘TI’ of Tube Investments. The SBDU built with Reynolds tubing and they also worked with Reynolds to develop the legendary Reynolds 753. As a consequence, just about every post you will read on this site will include some reference or fact about Reynolds Tubing.
History and Documentation
Here are a few blog posts about Reynolds tubing. The first is information about Reynolds 531 Double Butted tubing at the time when the SBDU was created. The second is all about the introduction of Reynolds 753.
Reynolds 531 1974 – 1975…
I’ve wanted to write this post for a while, and I’ve tried to start and structure it a few times, but it has been difficult getting to grips with the scale of the subject. There was often either too much conflicting information or sometimes a complete lack of information about Reynolds tubes. Hopefully I’ve got a good grasp now, although it has still taken longer than expected to get all of this out of my head and crammed into a short, informative and hopefully coherent blog post.
Reynolds 753 1975 Introduction…
This is the post I’ve been most looking forward to writing and also fearing with equal measure… Reynolds 753 was a tube set that took the bicycle world by storm. It had unrivalled strength while being ultra light and thin for a steel tube. It is probably the most mis-understood tube set and the one that has the most stories connected to it.
Reynolds Tubing Wall Thickness Tube Gauge and Seat Pin Size
This post isn’t necessarily about the SBDU, but I thought I’d write it as I get asked regularly to confirm seat pin sizes, or to try and decipher what an SBDU frame might be made from based on the seat pin and tube size. After collecting several SB frames over the years, I’ve seen lots of different seat pin sizes used in Reynolds frames. I have seat pins ranging from 26.6 to 27.4 – and 753 frames with 4 different size pins. That demonstrates just how varied their tube gauges were. So here is a little post that lists some of the most common seat pin sizes and the associated Reynolds tube gauge (wall thickness).
SBDU Use of Reynolds Tubing
I clearly write a lot about Reynolds tubing, it’s and unavoidable topic when writing about the SBDU. But sometimes I write more generally and cover topics about how the SBDU used this tubing in the frames that they built.
The Mysterious Carlton Capella Lugged Early SBDU Imperial Reynolds 753 Frames
In the beginning there was Metric Reynolds 753 tubing, and then later in 1982, a new Imperial Reynolds 753 tube was introduced. The new tube, called 753R, had different diameters, different gauges and was slightly heavier than the original Metric tube. And that’s how it was always known… Metric 753 before 1982 and Imperial 753 available after 1982. That seems quite straightforward doesn’t it?
The SBDU and their use of Reynolds 753 Reynolds 753R and Reynolds 753T
There has always been lots said on the subject of Reynolds 753, and that doesn’t surprise me. This tubing had such an impact on the sport of cycling; the frames and their riders were breaking records before anyone even knew 753 existed! 753 frames are still sought after 40+ years following their introduction. You can’t go a day without the subject of 753 cropping up on the internet and the online debates and discussions mean that there are always stories and different opinions. But are these stories real and are the opinions accurate? What is truth and what is myth? What are these stories? Have I done enough research and accumulated enough data to either prove or debunk them?
SBDU Ilkeston Metric Reynolds 753 Seat Pin Size – The Truth
There are many stories about the SBDU and even more about Reynolds 753 tubing. Most of these stories travel the internet, changing and evolving each time they are told. Something as simple as which seat pin size should fit a 753 frame is one of those stories. It causes the most confusion and creates some of the longest discussions whenever it is raised. Everyone seems to have an opinion about what is right; few ever seem to agree. My latest addition, SB3800, means that I may now have a couple of frames that could finally settle the seat pin debate.
There is so much more available within the pages and posts of my blog. If you can’t find what you are looking for or just need a bit more information or help then just get in touch. My email address is neil@ti-raleigh.com or contact me here.
