I'm getting into Road biking and need advice on material of the frame.
01-15-15, 08:33 AM
#26
Galveston County Texas
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1. Frame material doesn't matter much, a decent designer can make a comfortable bike out of steel, aluminium, carbon ... Even wood.
2. Weight differences matter more to some people than others. You could radically reduce the weight difference between your 80s steel bike and a modern carbon version by equipping it with a carbon fork. There's a lot of weight in the steel fork crown.
3. No, weight doesn't really help with the wind, and yes, it principally impacts when going uphill.
4. Carbon isn't fragile.
5. Frame material is immaterial as far as maintenance is concerned. What really needs maintaining are brakes (including cables) for safety, and the drivetrain, for both efficiency and longevity. Keeping that cleanish and lubricated takes very little time.
6. If the only reason you're thinking of changing is because some of the components are worn out, why not just replace the components? New chainset, rear block, chain and cabling wouldn't cost much, and you could keeep your downtube friction shifters, if you like them. Wheels (I'm guessing they'll be 27" rather than 700c) are also readily obtainable.
7. For the record, I have three steel bikes (one with a carbon fork) and one of carbon fibre. They're all great bikes. Ride what you enjoy and don't worry what it's made of.
2. Weight differences matter more to some people than others. You could radically reduce the weight difference between your 80s steel bike and a modern carbon version by equipping it with a carbon fork. There's a lot of weight in the steel fork crown.
3. No, weight doesn't really help with the wind, and yes, it principally impacts when going uphill.
4. Carbon isn't fragile.
5. Frame material is immaterial as far as maintenance is concerned. What really needs maintaining are brakes (including cables) for safety, and the drivetrain, for both efficiency and longevity. Keeping that cleanish and lubricated takes very little time.
6. If the only reason you're thinking of changing is because some of the components are worn out, why not just replace the components? New chainset, rear block, chain and cabling wouldn't cost much, and you could keeep your downtube friction shifters, if you like them. Wheels (I'm guessing they'll be 27" rather than 700c) are also readily obtainable.
7. For the record, I have three steel bikes (one with a carbon fork) and one of carbon fibre. They're all great bikes. Ride what you enjoy and don't worry what it's made of.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
01-15-15, 12:40 PM
#27
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Scaramoosh,
i think you're confusing indexed shifting with electronic shifting (which is also indexed). With indexed shifting, the lever movement is still mechanically coupled to the derailleur, it just has distinct clicks for each gear. And downtube shifters, if that's what you want on a replacement bike, are still available. Those can be switched between friction and indexed modes.
64cm frames or their equivalent size with a sloping top tube are still available. That's what I ride and BTW, I'm only 6' tall (with really long legs). There aren't as many of them, and you're unlikely to find one in most shops. Did you bother to check out the Mercian link I provided back in Post #2 ? They do custom steel frames for a very reasonable price. You might also check Thorn for steel bikes in the UK.
T h o r n C y c l e s L t d.
and I'll reiterate my suggestion to ask about fixing up your existing bike over in Classic & Vintage.
i think you're confusing indexed shifting with electronic shifting (which is also indexed). With indexed shifting, the lever movement is still mechanically coupled to the derailleur, it just has distinct clicks for each gear. And downtube shifters, if that's what you want on a replacement bike, are still available. Those can be switched between friction and indexed modes.
64cm frames or their equivalent size with a sloping top tube are still available. That's what I ride and BTW, I'm only 6' tall (with really long legs). There aren't as many of them, and you're unlikely to find one in most shops. Did you bother to check out the Mercian link I provided back in Post #2 ? They do custom steel frames for a very reasonable price. You might also check Thorn for steel bikes in the UK.
T h o r n C y c l e s L t d.
and I'll reiterate my suggestion to ask about fixing up your existing bike over in Classic & Vintage.
Last edited by Dfrost; 01-15-15 at 12:43 PM.
01-15-15, 01:13 PM
#28
afraid of whales
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I like steel, I'm riding a '78 A-D Inter-10 frame with updated Tiagra and Askium stuff. Full 531 DB throughout, updated with some braze-ons. I road it ~2kmiles from July last year and I'm going for 5kmiles this year. When I can find a Ti or CF frame that supports 32mm tires with relaxed geometry that doesn't cost more than $1000 I'll buy it. Until then, I'm worrying about my miles and not what I'm riding. I have $400 in this bike....
Last edited by Mr IGH; 01-15-15 at 01:24 PM.
01-15-15, 10:29 PM
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I give it a 2/10. The concept has been done before a million times, and the air of bemused confusion in the original post just didn't do it for me. Check out this post for some tips to make your trolling bith more effective and more enjoyable to the reader. https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...mperature.html
01-16-15, 01:29 PM
#31
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I give it a 2/10. The concept has been done before a million times, and the air of bemused confusion in the original post just didn't do it for me. Check out this post for some tips to make your trolling bith more effective and more enjoyable to the reader. https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...mperature.html
01-16-15, 02:14 PM
#33
Senior Member
Google Hilary Stone. He deals in some awesome vintage steel bikes, parts, and frames. And he's over in your neck of the woods.
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