S-Bend Steel Down Tube: Good Idea Or No?

[Kiwi19]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at getting a steel 29er frame built and was going to request an S-Bend type curve at the headtube end of the down tube for fork clearance but I have been told that it will create a weak point. I know the new Niner Sir 9 has a bend there but I guess they have a specially butted down tube? I would be using a plain gauge cro-mo down tube. So am I just asking for trouble?

[GrayJay]

Consult with your framebuilder and trust their advice if you are trusting them to build your frame. Why cheap out for plain-gauge tubing on a custom built bike? Plain gauge that is thick enough to be bent and welded on the ends will be unnecessarily heavy for the middle. Pre-bent down tubes are available from Nova;
NOVA CRMO 38mm DOWNTUBE FOR MTB/29er WITH BEND :: 38.1mm DOWN TUBES :: ROUND TUBES :: MAIN TUBES :: TUBES STEEL :: Nova Cycles Supply Inc.

[Kiwi19]

Thanks for the advice and the link GrayJay.

[fanzy4]

The one used by Niner (or very similar) are also available direct from Reynolds...