Joining forces

A good weld makes a good bike

‘When it comes to welding, Moots uses a double pass system, which means before any weld wire is delivered to the weld area a “root pass” or “fusion pass” is made to bond the two pieces together,’ says brand spokesperson Jon Cariveau.

‘Once the fusion pass is completed at each joint across the entire frame, we go back over with a 6/4 titanium weld wire,’ he explains. ‘This takes more time but makes for a stronger bond and a smoother, more consistent aesthetic.

‘A good weld starts with what we refer to as “the things you don’t see” in the final product. That includes the precise mitres under the weld, with zero gaps between the joints being welded. By being so precise in our mitres we eliminate the need for “filler” weld.

‘Also crucial to a good weld is cleanliness. If even one single greasy fingerprint is present on the weld surface, oil will interact with the process and introduce oxygen, causing the weld to become brittle. So if a titanium frame does ever crack, it’s more than likely caused by a contaminated weld.’