Mountain Biking - Talk some sense into me...

I just built up an '03 Explosif frame. Haven't even taken it on a real ride (road doesn't count) yet because the trails are not ready.

Now that I've got the new bike built and ready to go, Kona releases the Kula Primo. It's a frame only deal - not being sold as a full bike. The Kula is scandium, which rides just as smooth as my current steel frame, 2lbs lighter, and will never corrode.

The geometry of the 2 frames are exactly the same. Nothing to worry about as far as fit issues or not liking the feel.

After Ebaying my current frame, the difference will be about $250. What do you think? $250 for a 2lb difference in weight, and a frame that'll never rust. The feel of steel and the weight of aluminum.

Oh yeah, the paint scheme on the Kula is pretty cool as well...

Hmmmmmmm....

Get the new one. What is $250 when it comes to your cycling needs:D

Seriously, I would get the new Scandium frame. Not only is it a sweet frame but not many other riders will have one.

:beer:

If you care for the steel frame it will outlast the scandium one by far. Scandium still has its roots in aluminum and aluminum fatigues over time rendering it useless. Steel is real.

-Ryan

2 pounds? Buy it dood!

What are you waiting for. Do it!

I'm siding with DBD so far :D :D



Originally posted by BikerRyan
Scandium still has its roots in aluminum and aluminum fatigues over time rendering it useless. Steel is real.

-Ryan


Russia discovered a major source of scandium in the Ukraine and started the original investigations of scandium-aluminum alloys in the early 1970's. What soon became apparent to the Russian Scientists was that when very small amounts of scandium were combined with some aluminum alloys, major changes took place. The results were alloys in which there were great increases in tensile strength and enhanced superplastic performance. This meant far greater fatigue resistance and pressure containment capability. These discoveries rapidly resulted in the use of these new, stronger, lightweight alloys in the MIG fighters and Russian missiles. With the fall of the Iron Curtain and the release of countries such as Ukraine from Communist control this unique element was made available to the world.

That said, I agree. Steel is real, and I love how it rides. I don't mind a little maintence with some nail polish to cover paint chips, but it would be nice to never have to worry about it.

And come on....2lbs! Without having to worry about busting a weak frame. Not saying steel is weak, but to get this weight with aluminum, the tubes would be paper thin.

Why not keep your frame and turn it into a SS?

L8R

Well, I'm doing it :D

Thanks for the encouragement, guys :)

I've always wanted to do a SS, but right now I would need the money from my current frame to afford the new one. I've already found one flaw in the plan to swap frames that'll cost me extra...a new front der. The clamp on my current derailer is much too small for the scandium frame. Oh well...won't be too much money.

I just hope the head tube isn't going to be much bigger. I've already cut my fork, so my steer tube may be too small for the new frame. I should make some calls and figure that out before I do anything...if it comes down to buying a new fork I'm going to scrap the idea :crash:

Originally posted by BikerRyan
If you care for the steel frame it will outlast the scandium one by far. Scandium still has its roots in aluminum and aluminum fatigues over time rendering it useless. Steel is real.

-Ryan

keep the steel as started as far as i know scandium rides like aluminum. I race a 4lb steel frame but have a 2.8lb M4 as a backup and only as a back up.
what the steel gives up in weight it makes up for in ride.

how about the seat post?
clamp?
BB lenght?

Hi guys.

Here is the deal. Lightweight aluminum tubes (thin) will fail... the same way a lightweight steel tube will fail (at the same time). Alluminum doesnt fail just like that (otherwise Audi wouldnt use it in cars and car frames do get far more stress than bikes) Also motorcycles have alloy frames....i havent seen one snap... If you huck a bike then it will snap....an xc frame soon ...a hardnut frame later.....but alluminum doesnt fail like that.... all alloys fail if ultralight....even titatium tubes are prone to cracks and snaps (SevenCycles state that some Ti tubesets are only for light use)

As for the bike....scandium is veeeery nice...the problem is that it has a smaller guarantee that alluminum because companies put extremely thin walled tubes that fail far faster than normal alluminum frames. ScottUSA for example gives 5yrs for Allu and 2yrs for Scandium....the same i think goes with RockyMountain (Team Vertex Sc).

Here it is :beer: I'm already planning "sick days".

Wow! Very nice ride! I'd love a Scandium bike, alas no cash.

Side story - a woman in the local riding club has an 02 RM Vertex TeamSC, very sweet. At last Wednesdays XC race I tried my best to keep up with her, alas I finished about a minute back. Perhaps if I had a Scandium team bike I could have hung! ;)

Wow those are some very american colours :)...

congrats on the bike :)

I do not want to slam your purchase but I am puzzled. The 03 Explosif frame is True Temper OX Platinum. Inherently and properly bult it is by far the strongest tubeset available for a frame. Most OX Platinum MTB frames I have seen come in a a scant 4 to 4.2 lbs. Now if what I understand you as saying about the Kona is true then you purchased a 2lb. MTB frame. That my friend is a scary thought.

Thanks guys :) I put 15 miles on it yesterday and am in love :D

Hunter...my math was a bit flawed. Or rather I overestimated the weight of the Explosif and underestimated the weight of the Kula.

The Kula is about 2.6lbs. The Explosif was about 4.3. Only the top and down tubes of the Explosif were OX platinum. The rest is 4130.

In any case, I love the Kula. It rides more like Ti than steel. There is a 5 year warranty backing it up...hopefully I won't need it.

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Wow those are some very american colours :)...

Whys it always gotta be about color with you

[/badmoviecliche]

Originally posted by DiL
Whys it always gotta be about color with you

[/badmoviecliche]

Hahaha...:D

*drool*
Schnell, I lifted, er picked one up, ok I held it?
Ok now that my honesty is questioned, I raised a frame in my hand at a shop the week before last.

Man Is that a light frame!!

again... *drool*