Maintenance

Rust is the biggest threat to the longevity of any steel frame, especially mountain bike frames which often come into contact with puddles, mud, rocks…and the ground.

All BTR Fabrications frames are powder coated to give the external surfaces the best lasting protection. However, areas of the frame which are subjected to high wear (cable rub, heel rub, chain slap, etc) should be given further protection using suitable frame protection materials; ‘heli-tape’, clear vinyl, frame protection patches, etc. BTR Fabrications recommend Invisiframe. You should protect any necessary areas of the frame as soon as possible; preferably when the frame is new.

If the powder coating becomes damaged, we recommend cleaning and drying the damaged area thoroughly, then applying clear (or a colour of your choice!) nail varnish to seal the frame again. Alternatively, you could apply marine grease or a corrosion inhibitor to the damaged area instead. However this is a more temporary solution, since the corrosion inhibitor/grease can be rubbed or washed off. This should be done as soon as possible after the damage is sustained, so that rust doesn’t get a chance to start in the affected area.

BTR also strongly recommend applying marine (waterproof) grease to any areas or edges of exposed metal; around fasteners, at the rear axle, end faces of the BB shell and head tube, around the seat post, etc. Do not use carbon fibre assembly paste (‘carbongrip’, etc) unless you are assembling something made from carbon fibre.

Of course, don’t get any lubricant of any kind on your brakes!

BTR frames have a dip treatment which limits the ingress of rust internally, and are also sprayed internally and on all exposed steel with a corrosion inhibitor. However, they still need regular maintenance to ensure they are properly protected. The following table shows guideline intervals for checking for the ingress of water into the frame:

If there are signs of moisture in the frame, we recommend the following action:

1. Drain any excess water, and spray a water dispersant (eg. WD40 or GT85) into the affected area. This step can be performed on its own, but only as a temporary measure because water dispersants generally contain solvent which leaves the surface of the steel at risk.
2. After draining excess water and applying water dispersant, as above, leave the frame to dry fully. Then apply one of the following recommended products to protect the inside of the frame. Always apply the treatment as far inside any tubes and breather holes as possible. Rotate the frame to spread the protectant around the internal surfaces.

Protectants marked with an asterisk (*) will need an extended spray tube in order to fully penetrate and protect inside frame tubes. If you cannot source any of these products, please contact us to discuss other options.

These torque values apply to fasteners common to many BTR frames.

These torque values are specified by BTR Fabrications for use on our frames. Failure to adhere to these values may result in damage to your frame, or your bike being unsafe to ride. If component manufacturer’s torque specifications disagree with these, please contact us for assistance before tightening the fastener in question.

These torque values apply to Pinner frames from 2017 onward. For older Pinner torque specifications, please contact us.

These torque values are specified by BTR Fabrications for use on the 2017 onwards Pinner frame. Failure to adhere to these values may result in damage to your frame, or your bike being unsafe to ride.