Why steel?
#126
Steel80's
^ This is huge, and should be more widely known. Sure, it's lawyer CYA verbiage, but I NEVER see this spelled out in manufacture's glossy catalogs, or the glowing reviews in magazines. Even the manual of my (steel) Breezer points out it's intended for on-road use only, etc.
#127
GATC
For 'ride quality' there's probably some combination of wheels and tires and stems to overwhelm differences among any frame materials.
For a travel bike yeah I would want to know if the OP sees S&S couplers or other folding tech as useful or not.
For a travel bike yeah I would want to know if the OP sees S&S couplers or other folding tech as useful or not.
#128
GATC
My wife's aluminum cannondale's manual states that in addition to keeping the wheels on the pavement at all time the bike should not be used on a rack/carrier that the frame hangs from, only one that the tires stand on.
#130
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Steel will trigger a light - sometimes, maybe? Will the others?
#131
~>~
#132
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#134
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#135
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Some will surely say this is hogwash, but it's as if its response to the road is harmonious, where the response of CF and AL is dissonant. Even if that's all "in my head," that's as it should be. I would not be happy if that harmoniousness was merely a fact observed by scientists, which I was unable to appreciate.
#136
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To repeat myself, I believe "ride" and "feel" are dependent on many factors, frame material being one of the least important factors. The majority of a bike's "compliance feel" or "comfort" comes from the tires. Steel frames can be ridiculously stiff and harsh. Aluminum frames can be ridiculously whippy and "smooth". All frame materials can result in a "balanced" feeling frame. Handling traits are almost entirely a result of geometry. Frame weight matters little within certain bounds. Etc.
For these reasons, to me resilience, toughness, assembly/maintenance difficulty and aesthetics are far bigger considerations when picking a frame material.
For these reasons, to me resilience, toughness, assembly/maintenance difficulty and aesthetics are far bigger considerations when picking a frame material.
#137
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When I lived in CA, I couldn't even get a motorcycle to trigger a lot of lights. Thankfully there is a law in place that allows one to run them after a few cycles! I imagine the same is true for bikes, I always did, anyway. In Idaho, my bike triggers lights far more often than I would expect, and the funny thing is I am actually allowed to treat red lights as stops sings here.
#138
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The only reason I would disagree, is even between my custom steel and an R230, I could tell a difference on the same wheels (Fulcrum Racing 3's) and tires (Hutchinson Fusion 3 tubeless). Both bikes had the same build, and I could feel a difference between the two.
#140
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Well, you win. I ordered the Kona Hon Key Tonk. (I wonder if that made it through)
It should take two weeks to arrive. I was able to get the 2016 model in the green that I wanted. I think that I have most of the parts that I need. I know that I need a seat post though. Any suggestions on materials or specific ones?
Groupset will be Campy Veloce. Wheels will be Campy Khamsins. Ritchey WCS for the handlebars unless I decide to go with silver ones instead.
Ok..sugestions on the groupset and handlebars---silver or black?
It should take two weeks to arrive. I was able to get the 2016 model in the green that I wanted. I think that I have most of the parts that I need. I know that I need a seat post though. Any suggestions on materials or specific ones?
Groupset will be Campy Veloce. Wheels will be Campy Khamsins. Ritchey WCS for the handlebars unless I decide to go with silver ones instead.
Ok..sugestions on the groupset and handlebars---silver or black?
#141
GATC
#143
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Why do I ride steel? Because I'm cheap, I ride a 1978 531 frame that was given to me. If a newer frame was actually better (in that I'd ride faster with it) then I'd buy one. Face it, how fast a rider goes has nothing to do with frame construction.
#144
on your lawn
Because this-
"Crom is strong! If I die, I have to go before him, and he will ask me, 'What is the riddle of steel?' If I don't know it, he will cast me out of Valhalla and laugh at me." ~Conan the Barbarian
"Crom is strong! If I die, I have to go before him, and he will ask me, 'What is the riddle of steel?' If I don't know it, he will cast me out of Valhalla and laugh at me." ~Conan the Barbarian
#146
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Because 45 years later you still have this, good as new!
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
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You can get Athena at a very good price right now which is a step up. I'd go black. As for handlebars, my personal preference is Deda, but there are many other good manufacturers out there. Black for them as well.
#148
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because i always wanted a steel bike. and once i got a rockymountain mountain bike.. i knew that all those platitudes about steel being real and zinggy and all that stuff was well... the truth. there is a quality to a nice steel ride that ALum cannot give.. or carbon... or TI.. dont know why... but it is there.
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While I'm sure steel has a nice ride, certain carbon seatposts can do wonders for impact damping. I'd look in that direction before abandoning the weight advantages of a carbon or aluminum frame.
Last edited by alexdi; 07-25-16 at 08:36 AM.
#150
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Yeah, I went this route awhile ago too. A couple of hundred dollars later both the seat post and bike are being sold. Still didn't equal the ride quality of steel. For me, that is.