Fuji Valite Quad Butted Steel tubing
12-11-14, 12:35 PM
#76
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The one thing that I never understood was why it was Magny and not Mangy, given the manganese content. I know that I'm always tempted to type Mangy and I've even seen it transposed that way in print. Consequently, I'm wondering is it another one of those Japanese to English translation errors that used to be so prevalent?
12-11-14, 01:24 PM
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Is it odd that I could spend an afternoon reading about the history of Japanese bikes, and more specifically, the history of various Japanese tubing?
Stuff is fascinating.
Stuff is fascinating.
12-11-14, 06:07 PM
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According to Old Roads some years ago it was chrome vanadium and seamless, and Todd Downs of Bicycling Maintenance and Repair said it was nothing but high carbon steel. However later it was discovered that Ishiwata made the tubeset from their EXO-V marketed tubeset which was manganese-moly and seamed, and EXO-V was the Ishiwata house brand for Valite. And the controversy I'm sure will continue, but whatever it is it's plenty stiff.
12-11-14, 06:10 PM
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There is no better, just different and personal opinion, which is what I mentioned in my first post on all of this. There are custom builders who swear by Tange Infinity even though years ago they got a bad rap because it was low costing and thus how could it be any good mentality which was the similar mentality the cycling industry had about Suntour due to them being the lowest costing component group, now people know better!
12-11-14, 06:21 PM
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I guess the quad butting could result in a stiffer tubeset as it might place more steel farther down the tube, away from the lugs, but as some have mentioned, it could mean a slight weight penalty. I did remember looking over brand new Fujis in my LBS back in the 80's and finding them not specially light in weight. I thought they weigh similar to bikes made with Columbus Tretubi tubsets. I was more impressed with the Fuji's flawless build quality and finish back then, and considered the whole quad butted thing more of a marketing gimmick. JMOs
Frankly, I can see quad butting more appropriate with track frames where ultimate stiffness comes into play.
Chombi
Frankly, I can see quad butting more appropriate with track frames where ultimate stiffness comes into play.
Chombi
10-29-18, 11:30 AM
#81
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Old ass thread I know
but FYI the 85 Club Fuji catalog puts it at 23 pounds.
