jonny4947

What is the general concensus on aluminum? A guy I know has the old scandium lightning but wants close to what he paid for it. Its 2 lbs lighter than the columbus version, but not steel. Has anyone ridden both? Any input appreciated.

Leukybear 

Scandium is an aluminium alloy and essentially aluminum.
All alloys aside, steel is going to be the more comfortable and forgiving ride out of the duo.

I've ridden a Columbus spirit tubed bike and the tube set is designed for a stiffer more solid feeling ride than traditional steel tubing all the while still maintaining steel's shock absorbency.
I can't speak for scandium however due to its uncommonness but it's 0.1-0.5% alloy w/ aluminium.

jonny4947

Yeah, I've heard mixed things about Scandium. I'm sure the spirit is smoother, but the extra 2lbs of weight savings would be nice.

TejanoTrackie 

The Wabi Scandium Lightning has the ride of a moderately stiff steel frame. This is due to the use of smaller diameter tubing, paticularly on the downtube, and more roadlike geometry than your typical aluminum track bike.

europa

Why? How much do you weigh? How much extra stuff gets added to the package over and above the weight of the bare bike? There comes a time when weight is just a number and the 2lb category is well inside that. A lean midget sprinting on the velodrome is one thing, a fat old git dragging a pannier full of kit to work is another (hell, I keel over sideways when I pick up my pannier of a morning and I'm damned sure I don't notice it on the bike).

Not picking on your comment, just trying to put it in context. I'll pick on you in another thread

bowzette

Like TT I also have a Scandium Lightning and like it a lot. In the last three months I've done three centuries on it. I also have a custom steel road frame and a Ti frame. I find the Scandium just as comfortable as the steel and Ti. My Wabi is the mini bike with 650c wheels and super short wheel base and chainstays. This bike should be too stiff and uncomfortable for long rides-it isn't for me. Whether it's worth the seller's price I don't know. But I wouldn't sell mine for less than what I paid for it. Can't buy them anymore. I would have to buy the SE in the 49cm frame or the Classic in the 42 (650 wheel) frame.

bbeasley

I've got the Wabi Lightning RE and it's one fast, comfortable ride. My previous geared bike was Aluminum, the Wabi feels just as responsive and way more comfortable.

Batavus

I ride the Scandium Wabi and while it isn't the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden it's comfortable enough and the geometry is spot on for longer road riding. I used to ride a true track geo'd frame and that was twitchy as hell, but also a lot stiffer (and heavier)