3alarmer 

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...I threads like this.

tcarl

While the basic discussion is about weight, I'll throw in a few other things. I have a number of steel frames, aluminum and one each Ti and carbon fiber. The quality between them varies. What I notice is: each material has it's own characteristics; the high-end frames in some way or another definitely feel better - you can tell they're high quality, but the medium quality frames/bikes are quite good for most riding; frame geometry is as, or maybe even more important, than frame material in terms of how the bike handles, rides and feels.

elessar007

The answer to the question posed by the OP is not actually going to be all that helpful overall. Factors like frame design and construction have an impact on quality of ride that can't be discerned by simply weighing the bike. I have frames made of high end steel, aluminum as we'll as one made of titanium and each bike is different. Even within the same frame material there will be differences because of the design, tube diameter and wall thickness, just to name a few factors. But generally speaking, carbon is light, stiff and expensive. Aluminum is light and stiff but more affordable, but can sometimes feel harsh. Steel frames usually feel less jarring than Al or carbon fiber but tend to be heavier. With steel, you can go light but then so does your wallet. Titanium is expensive but lighterror in weight than steel. It also has a very compliant feel due to the metal's natural dampening qualities.
But again, frame material alone is just one part of the picture In figuring out the overall ride quality of a specific bike.

MichaelW

All metals used in bikes have a similar range strength/weight ratio. Premium versions have higher strength.
Metals vary in density so the same frame in steel would weigh 1/2 as much in Titanium and 1/3 as much in Al.
The optimum volume of material needed to make a bike frame varies. You need greater volume of Ti and a lot more Al, so the weights are not as different as density numbers suggest.
Extra volume is needed to create wide diameter stiffer tubing,thicker walls to prevent beercan collapse.

In addition, factory bikes are made for worst-case rider: big and strong and over-built for lighter riders. Custom builders can reduce materials to give just enough strength.

spdracr39

Except Titanium is not Steel it's Titanium.

elessar007

I think what he was saying is that Ti rides like the ultimate version of a steel bike. All the good things about steel without the weight of steel or worry of rust destroying your ride. Unfortunately, you have to pay significantly more.

Duo

Your right, and I stand corrected. Ti gets lumped in with steel so often, but of course it really is the next step up from Cromoly. One of my old touring bikes has Reynolds 531 steel, and a joy it is. Got this bike for a song, kind of a child hood dream to have such a bicycle, as the Reynolds 531 was top of the line years ago.

HillRider

The only reason Ti gets lumped in with steel is that they both have a "infinite" fatigue life if the frame is designed properly and not badly abused. Otherwise they are very different materials with quite different properties.

RandomTroll

I bought a cheap Al (Alú brand) frame 17 years ago and still have it. I've ridden about 80K miles on it, much of that on unpaved mountain roads. It has a couple of dents that I only noticed when I was looking at something else - don't know how they got there. I broke a braze on my last steel frame (the seat tube into the bottom bracket); the handlebar stem of a Schwinn Typhoon 45 years ago (I was going down the road, holding the handlebars up in the air, wondering what the %&*# had happened; I've forgotten the injuries but not the surprise.)

As to weight: I'm 20 pounds over; the bike's frame weighing 4 instead of 2 doesn't mean much.

migrantwing

My Alu bike is 1kg lighter than my friends top brand Carbon frame. His bike was more expensive, too.

Unless you're riding 100+ every day and tackling Mortirolo, a 1-2kg weight discrepancy isn't going to make much difference. Lose that 1-2kg from your body, instead.

Beach Comber

The frame is, what, about 1/2 to 1/3 the total weight of a modern bike? I wonder how many people spend extra $$ just to get into a CF frame, then load up on low or mid-range components/wheels/saddle to stay within budget and end up with an overall heavier bike.

SJX426 

Bike weight, as metric for bike quality, worked in the 70's but not today. Now it is hard to describe what a better bike is. The variables are significantly greater and disburse the contribution, consider the discussions of frame weight contributors in the discussions above. We haven't started discussion of components!

Even on a "heavy" bike, like a Raleigh Mixte form the mid 70's, can be improved in ride satisfaction (weight and braking) by simply replacing the steel Rigida rims with AL equivalents (27"). Not to mention tire weight as a result of selection for a specific purpose (commuting vs. racing).

And in the end, like many have suggested, losing several pounds of body weight will provide benefits not only when you ride, but in nearly every other aspect of your life. Find the bike that you enjoy riding and fits well. Weight will not matter that much when you find it.

Texboy

I found this video.