Touring - Steel alloys on tourer???

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hiracer
09-30-05, 02:42 PM
If I was to go about building my dream touring bike, should I worry that the frame is "only" 4130" steel, instead of a better flavor of Reynolds steel? Specifically, I'm looking at Surly Long Haul. I can afford a Rivendall, but can't justify it given the geometry and price of the Surly. Lugs don't matter to me. Steel alloy, I'm thinking, doesn't really matter either (within reason) because weight of a few ounces is immaterial, and really all the newer steel alloys are about saving weight. For touring, old cromoly 4130 and a few extra ounces should suffice fine.

Comments?

Revtor
09-30-05, 05:57 PM
You got it. unless you're gram counting the extra pair of socks you bring on tour, dont sweat an extra half pound or so. You legs will be used to it by the second day anyway.

save your $$ for a few indulgence nights while out on tour.
have fun

~S
SteelCommuter
09-30-05, 08:23 PM
If I was to go about building my dream touring bike, should I worry that the frame is "only" 4130" steel, instead of a better flavor of Reynolds steel? Specifically, I'm looking at Surly Long Haul. I can afford a Rivendall, but can't justify it given the geometry and price of the Surly. Lugs don't matter to me. Steel alloy, I'm thinking, doesn't really matter either (within reason) because weight of a few ounces is immaterial, and really all the newer steel alloys are about saving weight. For touring, old cromoly 4130 and a few extra ounces should suffice fine.

Comments?

I haven't noticed a huge difference between my steel bikes of varying alloys. The lighter weight alloys generally are not used for loaded touring applications, anyway. I have an Atlantis, but I bet the LHT would be pretty much the same.

If you don't care about lugs, and weight isn't a huge concern, but you do have some money and want a dream touring bike, why not consider a custom steel tourer by a reputable framebuilder? You could even get custom racks, custom braze-ons for lighting, etc. If everything is integrated in the design for you, it could save headaches later on. Just a thought.