Classic & Vintage - Hi-Ten v. High Tensile?

I just sold a Raleigh Super Record from the 70s to a fella, and noticed when I rode it over to him that it was actually pretty light. (It had a chrome rear wheel and an alloy front). The tubing was labeled "High Tensile." But what was really interesting to me was that even though it's a 22" frame, it was still significantly lighter than a 21" Miyata w/ a Hi-Ten frame that I'm also selling. Are these not made of the same kind of tubing? The tubing on the Raleigh was also kind of skinny for "plumber's pipe," I thought. So what gives? Are there in fact different grades of High tensile tubing?

Thanks.

Are there in fact different grades of High tensile tubing?

There are different sizes of tubing. Some of the Schwinns with high tensile frames are butted construction. I'd bet other manufacturers did so too.

well hi-tensile is the type of steel I guess. The butting and diameter of the tubing will determine its weight. High quality steels such as those used in high-end tubesets can have thinner walled tubing to achieve the same strength and are therefore lighter.

But I guess given that "hi-tensile" isn't a term which is governed or owned, that there are a great many compositions of the stuff, and tubing thicknesses as well.

- Joel

I really doubt that there is a big difference in the weight of the frames themselves. Maybe a pound or so. I have weighed a few old frames, and the difference between gas pipe and more highly regarded frames is less than what you think. I just weighed a late 70's murray road frame at 6#4oz. A late 80's Schwinn Traveler 4130 weighs in at about 5#. But probably a close to 8# difference in the complete bikes as they came originally equipped. I just turned a 32# Schwinn Sprint to a 25# bike by replacing seat and post, handle bars and stem, and wheelset.

Okay, thanks for the thoughts. I was thinking much the same things, just looking for confirmation.

BTW, both frames have similar components: steel bars, old Suntour derailers, alloy cranks, rear steel wheel. It wasn't just the weight itself, either--the Raleigh frame just felt more balanced; and actually, it seemed a bit lighter than some of the older chromo bikes with alloy wheels I've handled.

Okay, thanks for the thoughts. I was thinking much the same things, just looking for confirmation.

BTW, both frames have similar components: steel bars, old Suntour derailers, alloy cranks, rear steel wheel. It wasn't just the weight itself, either--the Raleigh frame just felt more balanced; and actually, it seemed a bit lighter than some of the older chromo bikes with alloy wheels I've handled.

I had a raleigh ---super gran prix? I think it was? Well, it was a hi - ten bike, however, after owning quite a few better ones since then, I can tell you that the raleigh really wasn't that much heavier. Moral of the story, if you're going to go with hi ten, find a raliegh.