Is steel worth it?
08-22-07, 10:32 AM
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Is steel worth it?
Hey guys, your probably tired of seein threads like this but what the heck.
I've been wantin to buy my first road bike forever it seems and hopefully I'll get to next week.
I had pretty much narrowed it down to a new Reno. But then a sweet lookin used 06 Sarthe caught my eye. I could probably get the Sarthe a couple hundred cheaper. Would it be worth it?
Seems like many here love steel, and the Sarthe seems like a cool bike, it may even be lighter than the Reno!
Any thoughts?
TIA!
I've been wantin to buy my first road bike forever it seems and hopefully I'll get to next week.
I had pretty much narrowed it down to a new Reno. But then a sweet lookin used 06 Sarthe caught my eye. I could probably get the Sarthe a couple hundred cheaper. Would it be worth it?
Seems like many here love steel, and the Sarthe seems like a cool bike, it may even be lighter than the Reno!
Any thoughts?
TIA!
08-22-07, 10:37 AM
#2
....gets the cheese
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I own an '05 Reno and like it a lot, but if the Sarthe is in good shape, I'd jump on it. Is it all Ultegra?
08-22-07, 01:42 PM
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08-22-07, 04:41 PM
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mmm...custom...
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Agreed. Steel does have a bunch of nice qualities that are a bit more inherent to it than other frame materials. It's a bit more forgiving and doesn't smack you around as much as something like aluminium does. Carbon's great but needs lots of attention because when it breaks (rarely as it is a good material and people have gotten quite good at making stuff with it) it just shatters in to lots of pieces. Steel can be repaired fairly easily and it's got a nice classic look to it. (unless you go with a Pergoretti frame which IMO have some of the most gorgeous paint jobs on it them)
Stepping off the soap box now. Ride both frames and see if the steel is a nicer ride for you. if so...steel is probably worth it...
Stepping off the soap box now. Ride both frames and see if the steel is a nicer ride for you. if so...steel is probably worth it...
08-22-07, 05:12 PM
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I have always and still do ride steel. But, I am tired of scratched paint and touchups. If I can afford it and get another bike, it will probably be bare Titanium.
08-22-07, 05:15 PM
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The Sarthe owns the Reno.
Think of it this way: a run-of-the mill aluminum frame with Tiagra/105 vs. a classy True Temper OX Platinum frame with 105/Ultegra, a higher tension wheelset and a couple hundred in your pocket.
This is a no-brainer!!!!
Think of it this way: a run-of-the mill aluminum frame with Tiagra/105 vs. a classy True Temper OX Platinum frame with 105/Ultegra, a higher tension wheelset and a couple hundred in your pocket.
This is a no-brainer!!!!
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08-22-07, 07:08 PM
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Get the steel and fuggedaboudit! You won't regret it.
I guarantee it. If you don't like it, come back here and punch me in the mouth.
I guarantee it. If you don't like it, come back here and punch me in the mouth.
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08-22-07, 08:10 PM
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steel trumps carbon
to get good comfortable carbon you have to pay a lot.
cheap carbon > nothing.
to get good comfortable carbon you have to pay a lot.
cheap carbon > nothing.
08-22-07, 09:31 PM
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I ride steel and love the way it feels and handles. When I have ridden aluminum it was rough and had too much road noise.
The Specialized rep at my LBS told me not too long ago, "Once a steel, always a steel." At least in his experience, he found that people who had ridden steel for a while were not happy with anything else. Don't know how true that is or not ...
The Specialized rep at my LBS told me not too long ago, "Once a steel, always a steel." At least in his experience, he found that people who had ridden steel for a while were not happy with anything else. Don't know how true that is or not ...
08-22-07, 09:33 PM
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I would get the Sarthe. Sort of regret not buying one in 05 with Campagnolo Veloce on it. Steel has a nicer ride than the other materials IMO. But like the others have said Fit trumps all else.
08-22-07, 09:47 PM
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Not all steel rides the same. Case in point, My bianchi Columbus tsx tubed Reparto Corse frame rides pretty good but is harsher than my Miyata Professional frame, you could not talk me out of either. Ride before you buy.
08-22-07, 11:18 PM
#16
No Talent Assclown
werd. My Columbus EL frame feels better than any of my aluminum bikes, but not as nice as my Columbus SLX Ciocc.
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Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
08-23-07, 03:04 AM
#17
RIDE REAL!! RIDE STEEL!!
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Just bought my fourth bike. THE 3rd STEEL!!!! and loving each of them the odd duck out is a schwinn varsity (walmart blue light special!!) i have in texas so i dont have to spend a month off the bike when i am on leave from hawaii
1987 Mongoose ATB (Deore / Sakae Chainrings) $100
1991 Bianchi Alfana (105) $120
2005 Surly Cross Check (Ultegra) $$$$
2007 Schwinn Varsity (Wal mart special)
1987 Mongoose ATB (Deore / Sakae Chainrings) $100
1991 Bianchi Alfana (105) $120
2005 Surly Cross Check (Ultegra) $$$$
2007 Schwinn Varsity (Wal mart special)
Last edited by javier-930; 08-23-07 at 03:39 AM.
08-23-07, 03:23 AM
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i have no experience with carbon so my opinion is not worth beans....however i currently have a steel and aluminum road bike and each rides differently. my aluminum frame (trek) feel like it accelerates faster and climbs better (aluminum is more stiff then steel right?!) however on the flats and descents, my steel bike (lemond) feels more stable and definitely more forgiving on bumpy surfaces...i think when it boils down to it though, i prefer a steel frame. but yeah, what they said ^^^^^^test ride it. my roomate has a sarth btw and its pretty sweet.
08-23-07, 04:19 AM
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agree. I am looking @ Seven cycles,Serotta, or IF on Ti frames now.
My preference would be with a Waterford but they do not make a Ti frame though they do stainless steel .
You can get a Waterford with a stainless steel rear tr-angle and true temper front W/carbon fork
08-23-07, 04:22 AM
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I ride steel and love the way it feels and handles. When I have ridden aluminum it was rough and had too much road noise.
The Specialized rep at my LBS told me not too long ago, "Once a steel, always a steel." At least in his experience, he found that people who had ridden steel for a while were not happy with anything else. Don't know how true that is or not ...
The Specialized rep at my LBS told me not too long ago, "Once a steel, always a steel." At least in his experience, he found that people who had ridden steel for a while were not happy with anything else. Don't know how true that is or not ...
I have had aluminum steel, carbon, sold the alum cannondale frame bought a Trek 5.9 frame , sold that and got another steel frame Serotta CDA.
08-23-07, 04:53 AM
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are there lugged Ti frames?
08-23-07, 08:49 AM
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I ride steel and love the way it feels and handles. When I have ridden aluminum it was rough and had too much road noise.
The Specialized rep at my LBS told me not too long ago, "Once a steel, always a steel." At least in his experience, he found that people who had ridden steel for a while were not happy with anything else. Don't know how true that is or not ...
The Specialized rep at my LBS told me not too long ago, "Once a steel, always a steel." At least in his experience, he found that people who had ridden steel for a while were not happy with anything else. Don't know how true that is or not ...
08-23-07, 08:56 AM
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No, Ti has to be welded, but there are Ti lugged, carbon tubed bikes built by IF and Davidson that are pretty great. It would be the way I would go if I ever got a carbon bike because the tubes can be replaced if there is damage as opposed to a monocoque frame.