Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Everyone's Favorite Poll Topic: Frame Material!

Edit: Argh!!! meant to put this in the LD forum. Please ignore... :D

I like Al, I've never had too much trouble with the stiff ride, but I keep a lowish tire pressure- so maybe that's why.

Why isn't Titanium on the list?
;-)

Can I vote for "geometry?" ;)

ti or steel. or both - my IF is ti with a steel fork. :)

This poll is also missing bamboo.

don't laugh. someone was riding a Calfee bamboo bike on PBP and the thing looked swanky.

This poll is also missing bamboo.

don't laugh. someone was riding a Calfee bamboo bike on PBP and the thing looked swanky.

I think that was the gent from Selle AnAtomica (http://www.selleanatomica.com/).

Here it is:
http://www.selleanatomica.com/048.JPG

http://www.mcmwin.com/images/DBC%20600%200728.JPG

http://www.mcmwin.com/images/021%2007.JPG

I've rode my carbon road bike on my centuries I've done so far. On longer rides where I would have to use panniers for self support I would use my steely.

Out of the three materials I think it's easier to find a steel frame with relaxed geometry and plenty of braze ons. Not only that, there does seem to be a longevity benefit to steel which is important when logging 10,000 miles a year.

Its all about the geometry and stated use for the bicycle. Comfort is the king, so test ride and look for something thats going to be comfortable. I elected steel because I could get the fit I wanted, that being a longish wheelbase, relaxed angles and a higher than typical handlebar position.

"Distance" is a somewhat ambiguous term when you're thinking about frame materials. The bike I'd pick for touring or covering long distances in slop would not be the same as the one I'd pick for a double in the summer or a ride involving a lot of climbs.

I want to vote for titanium.

I forgot to add Ti to the list, my bad. :(

Out of the three materials I think it's easier to find a steel frame with relaxed geometry and plenty of braze ons.


I elected steel because I could get the fit I wanted, that being a longish wheelbase, relaxed angles and a higher than typical handlebar position.

Bingo. I ride steel because I can get or make what I want. Titanium is a wonderful frame material -- maybe the best, even -- but is largely available only in "performance" guises, ie. forget about tire clearance, fender mounts, high bars, etc. Although, as I mentioned on the other "materials" thread, some of the cyclocross frames come pretty close.

Were money no object, I think a custom titanium rando frame -- with a brushed stainless steel fork to match -- might be the ultimate in comfortable, reliable randonneuring frames. I'd have to get used to the industrial look, as I am definitely one who likes lugs and paint, but beauty is as beauty does, I suppose.

Bingo. I ride steel because I can get or make what I want. Titanium is a wonderful frame material -- maybe the best, even -- but is largely available only in "performance" guises, ie. forget about tire clearance, fender mounts, high bars, etc. Although, as I mentioned on the other "materials" thread, some of the cyclocross frames come pretty close.

Were money no object, I think a custom titanium rando frame -- with a brushed stainless steel fork to match -- might be the ultimate in comfortable, reliable randonneuring frames. I'd have to get used to the industrial look, as I am definitely one who likes lugs and paint, but beauty is as beauty does, I suppose.

Like this? (painted steel fork...)

http://www.mikebeganyi.com/webimages/ifcr/if-ticr-rando.jpg

Of course I could have painted it... but I like the simple, clean, limited graphics look.

Fishing for complements again, eh? :)

Yeah, you know I like that bike. Were I to have custom made, though, it would be in the absolutely traditional mold of the French constructeur bikes, with a level top tube, lots of fork rake, cantilevers, etc.

But you know, I can make three or four steel frames to my exact specifications for the price of one titanium, and even if I screw half of 'em up I'm still ahead of the game. So there probably aren't any titanium rando bikes in my future...

Fishing for complements again, eh? :)
nah. just adding a visual cue to your description ;)



Yeah, you know I like that bike. Were I to have custom made, though, it would be in the absolutely traditional mold of the French constructeur bikes, with a level top tube, lots of fork rake, cantilevers, etc.

I debated canti's. A mech I trusted suggested the long reach. Some days I regret it. Most days I don't. Fork rake is modest, but not enough for a loaded front rack. My specs at the time were for 'zippy'. Problem with bikes is the more I ride, the more I change how I ride. :) (or the more bikes I need)

If I were to do it over I would have built a Steel Crown Jewel and a Steel Club Racer. Crown Jewel would have been Campy Record, the Club Racer would have been Campy bar ends with the TA crank and an On One Midge Bar, canti's, wider tires, and full rack mounts. Paint would have been white for the CJ with carbon fork, black for the CR with white steel fork. :)

Somedays I wish I'd done it this way... actually, most days. But then I'd probably be wishing I'd gone Ti... so many bikes - so little time.



But you know, I can make three or four steel frames to my exact specifications for the price of one titanium, and even if I screw half of 'em up I'm still ahead of the game. So there probably aren't any titanium rando bikes in my future...

Anxiously awaiting pictures, and you've inspired me as well... but it won't be this year. Probably next winter.

I debated canti's. A mech I trusted suggested the long reach. Some days I regret it. Most days I don't.
It's taken me a while to warm up to cantis. I really don't think they offer a braking power advantage over modern calipers; in fact, modern double pivot brakes give me fits, as I grew up with Super Record "speed modulators" and modern sidepulls are just too sensitive for my reflexes. Cantis are traditional and eliminate tire/fender clearance issues, but aside from that, I think the brake issue is pretty unimportant.


Fork rake is modest, but not enough for a loaded front rack. My specs at the time were for 'zippy'. Problem with bikes is the more I ride, the more I change how I ride. :) (or the more bikes I need)

Yeah. That's one of the two major reasons why I decided to start building frames: there are a zillion things I want to try and I'm not Bill Gates. So now if I want to play with a different fork rake, it's $40 and an afternoon with the torch.


If I were to do it over I would have built a Steel Crown Jewel and a Steel Club Racer. Crown Jewel would have been Campy Record, the Club Racer would have been Campy bar ends with the TA crank and an On One Midge Bar, canti's, wider tires, and full rack mounts. Paint would have been white for the CJ with carbon fork, black for the CR with white steel fork. :)

Somedays I wish I'd done it this way... actually, most days. But then I'd probably be wishing I'd gone Ti... so many bikes - so little time.

And the grass is, of course, always greener on the other side. I find that I plan my next frame before I am finished with the last one. "Next time I'm going to try..." Humans are such foolish things.


Anxiously awaiting pictures, and you've inspired me as well... but it won't be this year. Probably next winter.
I just dug out the old camera and put it on the charger. I'll try to get some snaps tomorrow. And I'd definitely do it if I was you. At the very least, it's been one hell of an education. The money I've spent so far would go a ways torward buying a custom from somebody who actually knows what he's doing, but I think if I was faced with starting from scratch today I would still do it.