helent

I'm toying with the idea of a new bike for 600 mi ride, but am fairly new at navigating the new bikes that are out there. I'm currently riding a '89 Schwinn Voyageur, chromoly frame and it has suited me well thus far. Are these newer, lighter, faster, glitzy bikes worth the bang for the buck? What are the benefits; what are the drawbacks? I, admittedly, feel like my bike is a tank compared to these bikes I see zipping around San Francisco....What are your thoughts?

(Sorry for reposting this similar question for those of you on the Touring discussion board.)

Thanks in advance! Happy riding!!
H

Stax

https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?do=process

hi. if you do a search of thread titles for the phrase "frame material" you will find more information than you want to know. welcome.

helent

Great! Thanks for the info. Will do.

Thanks so much.
H

aikigreg

titanium and CF are the softest rides out there.

dekindy

I rode a 1989 Schwinn Paramount with Columbus steel tubing prior to getting my new ride. I chose a Serotta Fierte Steel, with carbon fork. It ultimately came down to I just seemed to like the feel better. Carbon seems to soak up the road chatter better, but the steel absorbed the really rough spots better.

I probably like steel better because that is what I am used to. Could I pass a blindfold test? Who knows. But there are so many variables. When I compared bikes I cannot remember if the wheels were consistent. Even tire pressure makes a big difference in the ride. I have replaced my original Shimano WH-R550's that came on the Fierte with Dave Thomas Speed Dream wheels. They are the standard AR-20's, Velocity Aerohead rims with O.C. rear, round spokes 20/28, and White Industries hubs. I can now ride over road chatter that I used to avoid with the old wheels and not even notice it.

Having said that, I am tired of scratched and chip paint. Although I admire painted bicycles, see LandShark.com's picture gallery if you want to see some works of art. I plan to get a Serotta Fierte titanium with standard polished finish or if I can afford it a custom Serotta or Roark, not sure if I would get polished or matte finish. But it will be bare so that all I have to do is get the Pledge furniture polish or steel wool to correct frame blemishes. I am confident that the ride would be acceptable since I am primarily looking for all day comfort.

The best advice is just to ride bikes and try to compare them with the same wheels and tire pressure. Otherwise, imho you are comparing the whole bike instead of the frame material. If I would have ridden a carbon bike with the wheels that I have now and compared it to the Fierte steel with Shimano WH-R550's, I would be riding a Giant OCR Composite carbon frame.

JanMM

If you like your bike, why not consider fixing it up, improving it, etc.?