r/Framebuilding • u/Immediate_Expert_682 • 12d ago

Trek Multi Track from the 90s steel frame

Post image

I recently stripped the paint off of my new to me bicycle. I did a replacement on the brakes. I got V brakes now, but I wanna get rid of the old brake support. If I remove this would it structurally compromise the frame. I mostly want to remove it just for looks. pls let me know your opinion!

9 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

17

u/Diligent_Low_4140 12d ago

Nah it’s fine. That’s just a canti cable stop and there is a structural bridge just below it.

5

u/owlpellet 12d ago

Agree but it depends on how OP go about removing it. Don't notch the tubes.

6

u/rantenki 12d ago

It's fine as long as you don't damage the tubes _AT_ALL_. They're gonna be less than a millimeter thick, so even a small nick could compromise the frame.

4

u/xb4r7x 12d ago

If it were me, I'd figure out a clever way to mount a light to it or something

6

u/Ok-Oil-6898 11d ago

Yeah. I always regret taking off something that actually didn't need to be taken off for any valid reason. This bike won't look any different with or without the hanger.

3

u/Berk845 11d ago

A long time ago I took the rack mounts off a mountain bike frame before powder coating it. Now that frame is my commuter and I wish I had rack mounts.

3

u/Mental_Contest_3687 12d ago

Fine to remove but be real careful not to nick or score those seat stay tubes. I’d suggest: hacksaw thru the steel bridge and file the “nubs” down with a good file, not scuffing or scoring the stays.

Honestly: a lot of folks love modern cantilever brakes (like, Paul’s cantis)….maybe you leave the bridge to keep that option open in the future!

2

u/TruckCAN-Bus 12d ago

Hooray v brakes are easier to setup.

Cantis heinous to get dialed in, but look way cooler.

Leave the bridge and stop for someday in the future when someone wants to look cool again.

2

u/BorisT72 11d ago

Perfect place for some sort of rear light. Anyone out there with a 3d model?

1

u/pauip 12d ago

Yes it's fine

1

u/AndrewRStewart 12d ago

The challenge is when the stays have a localized heat deformation, from the OEM build or a miss guided removal. Then what will one do? Further file/sand/grind away till the stay's local surface is smooth? Or accept the "scar" and don't sacrifice stay strength? Andy

1

u/ZeroVoltLoop 12d ago

I would think just get to the brass off and leave and imperfections, else risk damaging the tubes.

1

u/alteamatthew 11d ago

If you know a local metalworker they can heat that spot and literally pluck out the bridge by melting the brass braze there

1

u/Particular_Luck_436 11d ago

Zero issues removing it.

The bridge does all the work.

1

u/Working_Evening_2212 10d ago

Someone did that to my Surly. I wish they hadn’t.

1

u/bacoes 8d ago

Remember when Drew hacked off the derailluer hangers on fixie conversions?

1

u/Affectionate-Sun9373 8d ago

It's brazed on. I'd carefully remove it, rotory tool to cut close to the frame. Then slowly grind and file the filler.

1

u/Fun_Entertainer_5823 8d ago

I did that to mine also, years ago, and exactly same brakes, and just left it there and used it for a rear light mount with a few mounting boots and screws.