Originally Posted by
cudak888
As much as I hate to admit it (snobbery alert!), if I close my eyes on a full Tange 2 machine or a full 531C machine, there is little difference. Granted, most Tange 2 frames have that sterile Japanese feel to the frame, and most 531C frames don't - but I'd put that down to build and geometry before I would blame it on the tubing.
-Kurt
i'd agree with everything kurt said. since tange 2 tubing is slightly thicker than tange 1, it was usually used for bikes designed for heavier loads, such as touring bikes. that's why you won't find any really aggressive geometry bikes using tange 2. my shogun 2000 touring bike has tange 2 seamless tubing, and it is only slightly heavier than my raleigh comp GS... and that might even be due to heavier components. i never compared the weight of the bare frames.
i also have a trek 560 with trutemper RC1 DB chromoly frame, and it feels just as lively and snappy as the raleigh comp GS... and it weighs exactly the same. but it may have nothing to do with the tubing itself but with the frame construction, lugs, etc... the trek has investment cast lugs while the raleigh has traditional hand-cut lugs.