cyclintom

Update:

I got my Basso Loto put together. I put heavy Campy Atlanta 1996 wheels on it (the first of the deep rims still with a high spoke count), I put some of the heavy cast aluminum Look Delta pedals and I put an original design heavier than necessary AL seatpost in. The component group was that which was on the C40 with one of the levers replaced with an Athena left shifter/brake on which I replaced the lever with the Daytona lever so that all the parts match.

The bike came in 3/4ths of a lb heavier than my Colnago Dream HP

After getting it put together i wanted to take it on a flat ride to make sure everything was working well. So I went out on a 50 mile ride.

One of the local main drags is so broken up that I could not ride my C40 or HP on it because they are so stiff that it would ram the saddle up into my neck. On the Basso this same stretch of road felt almost smooth. I never had to get out of the saddle as long as I avoided the worst potholes.

I could even ride in the saddle over relatively smooth RR tracks which was totally impossible with the carbon bikes.

What's more - the carbon bikes are so stiff that you have to enter turns at a relatively slow speed and coast through them because they are jumping around so much. With the Basso not only could I corner faster but I could actually pedal through the turns and accelerate out of them. I'd totally forgotten what that felt like.

I am not advertising how great Basso is but how great all of the top end SLX steel bikes are. Though I would avoid the Colnago steel bikes with the clover shaped top tubes which tend to be quite heavy and stiff as a board too.

So what I want to say is that steel has every possible advantage over carbon fiber except a weight difference. Now this weight difference could make a difference to a professional racer but is very unlikely to make any differences to Joe Average even if he's a play racer.

My brother is selling his Giant TCR-0 and it weights just a tad over 16 lbs but he couldn't keep up with me on my C40 which weighed 4 lbs more. He got a Look carbon that is a couple lbs heavier after realizing that at that low weight it doesn't make much difference. When you carry your flat repair kit in your back pocket to brag to people how light your bike is it starts becoming evident what's going on.

I'm not a racer and the high six lb difference between that Giant and my Basso hardly makes a difference to me. After the ride by neck, shoulders and back didn't hurt like they always did with CF bikes. My butt was only a third as sore.

You could right this second buy a custom built Tommaso steel bike for half the price of a production CF bike. The Tommaso is staggeringly beautiful and the paint is difficult to chip off as occurs with CF bikes.

As far as I can see the only reason to buy a CF bike is to show other people how rich you are.

obed7

I am glad you have a bike you enjoy riding. Your speculation as to the motives of other folks in what they ride is however, not very nice.

alathIN

Moderately advanced state of cycling consciousness: enjoys riding a steel bike

Fully enlightened state of cycling consciousness: same, without getting all defensive/offensive about it

Seattle Forrest

I've never understood whether steel frames attract grumpy and unhappy people, or if riding a steel bike for a few years makes people grumpy and unhappy?

Wilfred Laurier

I've never understood how some people can see a trend in a single data point.

indyfabz

****

fietsbob

There are Cheap Carbon fiber frames and forks if you Must Have One..

A Han d made custom frame builders work in steel is a thing of Beauty.

stuck in a cubicle and expressing tour unhappiness by writing this forum from your Job,
wont help you become happier ..

Getting caught not working at the job they pay you to do and getting Fired, will make you even Unhappier .

big chainring 

I am in total agreement with the OP.

Jarrett2

This is the main takeaway from his story.

jefnvk

I'm not a professional racer, and the bike I regularly ride runs in the 34# range. The last ride I did with people on CF bikes, I finished in the fastest group. So, your bike is too light, you have way too much weight savings that don't benefit you at all. It's realer if it is hi-ten steel, after all.

Or, maybe we both have bikes we like, as do others, and there really is no need for the condescending attitude on things others ride we don't like?

shelbyfv

I just skimmed the rant so I may have missed the apparel comparison. If you really want to ramp up the reverse snobbery, wear a pair of jorts, flip flops and a wife beater. Give those lycra clad racer wannabees a good dose of whup-ass on the MUP!

obed7

I do not feel like having to edit posts and issue infractions... so we are going to close this one before it gets to that point...