Originally Posted by
Standalone
I disagree. I'm fast and comfortable on my $40 Hi-Ten midrange Panasonic. Bike was spec'd at 25# in 1981. IME, a high-ten bike from a decent builder is a worthwhile buy if the price is right. I've ridden frames with nicer tubing and do agree about what a nice ride they can be, but I think there's no need to kill hi-ten so hard.
I'd tend to agree with 531phile. While you can get a serviceable frame from 1010 or 1020, it'll be heavier than a comparable chromo 5130 frame. It'll also be weaker/less stiff too, because 1020 is more malleable. Sure, there are exceptions; and a lot of chromo frames had hi-ten stays (and were fine.) But as a generalization, it works to say that a hi-ten frame means a low-end bike. In the used bike market, there's often no difference in price, so why not go with the better material?