Steel or stainless?

[norfox]

Can you use steel lugs with stainless steel tubes. If not I have lugs that run standard round tubes and I want the lightest tubes with good durability that are available. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Scooper]

You can use steel lugs with stainless steel tubes, but why would you want to? Stainless steel lugs are available from many sources, aren't priced much higher than steel, and are available for oversized tubes (stainless tubes are typically a little oversized to maintain frame stiffness with the thinner wall thickness).

If you want light non-stainless tubes, Reynolds 853, True Temper S3, or Columbus Life/Spirit would all be good choices.

[norfox]

I purchased some old lugs from a guy that owned a bike shop in Holland. He was selling off all the stuff he had collected over the years. Very cool and unique, which is exactly the reason I am building my own frame. thanks for the info.