Who here rides a new steel road bike?
11-15-14, 10:17 AM
#101
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+1. This. The operative word for a proper steel frame is "resilient". A properly designed/made steel frame might flex a bit, but to me, it doesn't lose the energy from the flex on the downward power pedal stroke - but rather, stores it and gives it back on the rebound upstroke, in essence, acting like a stiff spring. It's this factor which has always made me prefer riding steel to riding aluminum, which may have less flex, but feels deader when riding out of the seat during a hard climb.
11-15-14, 10:21 AM
#102
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Well, I don't know anyone who would claim that riding a really stiff aluminum bike feels the same as riding a high quality steel frame - they do feel different. And I've never really tried to evangelize this property of steel over aluminum. To ME, it's real. And even if it's just a placebo effect, it makes a real difference in MY riding - as I feel like I can better handle a climb on a steel bike.
11-15-14, 10:37 AM
#103
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Well, I don't know anyone who would claim that riding a really stiff aluminum bike feels the same as riding a high quality steel frame - they do feel different. And I've never really tried to evangelize this property of steel over aluminum. To ME, it's real. And even if it's just a placebo effect, it makes a real difference in MY riding - as I feel like I can better handle a climb on a steel bike.
11-15-14, 12:23 PM
#104
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I think the operative word in this discussion is "some," as in "some steel frames have that," "some alu frames show this," "some Ti frames ride like so," and "some carbon feels like such." Steel is not steel, carbon is not carbon, aluminum is not aluminum, Ti is not Ti.
It's never all, and it's never just the frame; it's construction methods, design, size, components, setup, rider style, terrain, etc. A short, light, rec rider will have a different take on flex and stifness than would a tall, heavy, aggressive rider. Selecting frame material to meet particular criteria is just part of the game.
It's never all, and it's never just the frame; it's construction methods, design, size, components, setup, rider style, terrain, etc. A short, light, rec rider will have a different take on flex and stifness than would a tall, heavy, aggressive rider. Selecting frame material to meet particular criteria is just part of the game.
01-25-15, 05:49 PM
#105
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My new Greg Lemond Washoe
Last edited by dbnm; 01-29-15 at 06:26 PM.
01-25-15, 08:51 PM
#107
Flyin' under the radar
01-25-15, 09:07 PM
#109
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+ 1 on the Washoe love! I'd love to hear about the ride, too. It definitely has some distinctive design elements.
01-25-15, 09:08 PM
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01-25-15, 09:22 PM
#112
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Sure. I've only done about 40 miles so far.
I will start to make some notes and write something up.
The bike is really very nice and people freak out when they see it.
I will start to make some notes and write something up.
The bike is really very nice and people freak out when they see it.
01-25-15, 09:45 PM
#113
Still can't climb
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nothing wrong with riding a steel bike even in this age of uber carbon bikes. variety is the spice of life.
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01-26-15, 11:16 AM
#114
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i have and have/had steel, carbon, alum, alum/carbon mix
couldnt give a damn what each is. and couldnt tell the difference if you wrapped the tubes up in foam.
favorite is steel because it has lugs and is the prettiest.
couldnt give a damn what each is. and couldnt tell the difference if you wrapped the tubes up in foam.
favorite is steel because it has lugs and is the prettiest.
01-26-15, 04:09 PM
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01-26-15, 04:28 PM
#118
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01-26-15, 04:56 PM
#120
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Rob English has been doing some steel frames with integrated carbon seatmast/seattube. 10.8 lbs. All steel version weighs in at 11.3 lbs.
Not sure of the weight on this flatbar thing, but it gives another view of the seatmast crabons, as well as the headtube panel. He has the seatmast made for him by Enve.
Last edited by LesterOfPuppets; 01-26-15 at 05:01 PM.
02-02-15, 09:35 PM
#122
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I've been cycling for a little over a year and have owned several bikes: an older 853 steel Lemond Tourmalet, a 2009 Specialized Tarmac Pro, and recently had a 2010 Jamis Supernova built up.
In my experience the steel has been the most comfortable of the 3, but it's also been the most sluggish as far as responsiveness, climbing ability, top speed, and pretty much anything related to performance other than not feeling twitchy when ridden at slow speeds.
My question: I have a 2009 Gary Fisher Presidio at home waiting to be built, but after my experience with steel and alloy/carbon bikes, is there any reason not to sell the Presidio and buy an alloy or carbon frame? Considering that this is a cross bike that I intend to run tire width between 28-34mm on, comfort shouldn't be as big an issue as it would be on a road bike.
In my experience the steel has been the most comfortable of the 3, but it's also been the most sluggish as far as responsiveness, climbing ability, top speed, and pretty much anything related to performance other than not feeling twitchy when ridden at slow speeds.
My question: I have a 2009 Gary Fisher Presidio at home waiting to be built, but after my experience with steel and alloy/carbon bikes, is there any reason not to sell the Presidio and buy an alloy or carbon frame? Considering that this is a cross bike that I intend to run tire width between 28-34mm on, comfort shouldn't be as big an issue as it would be on a road bike.
02-03-15, 06:10 AM
#123
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I've been cycling for a little over a year and have owned several bikes: an older 853 steel Lemond Tourmalet, a 2009 Specialized Tarmac Pro, and recently had a 2010 Jamis Supernova built up.
In my experience the steel has been the most comfortable of the 3, but it's also been the most sluggish as far as responsiveness, climbing ability, top speed, and pretty much anything related to performance other than not feeling twitchy when ridden at slow speeds.
My question: I have a 2009 Gary Fisher Presidio at home waiting to be built, but after my experience with steel and alloy/carbon bikes, is there any reason not to sell the Presidio and buy an alloy or carbon frame? Considering that this is a cross bike that I intend to run tire width between 28-34mm on, comfort shouldn't be as big an issue as it would be on a road bike.
In my experience the steel has been the most comfortable of the 3, but it's also been the most sluggish as far as responsiveness, climbing ability, top speed, and pretty much anything related to performance other than not feeling twitchy when ridden at slow speeds.
My question: I have a 2009 Gary Fisher Presidio at home waiting to be built, but after my experience with steel and alloy/carbon bikes, is there any reason not to sell the Presidio and buy an alloy or carbon frame? Considering that this is a cross bike that I intend to run tire width between 28-34mm on, comfort shouldn't be as big an issue as it would be on a road bike.
02-03-15, 07:09 AM
#125
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