Originally Posted by
bikenh
Well, my decision was easy to make when the guy at the bike shop reminded of one true problem with steel. It rusts. I'm riding in anything and everything, salt/sand, snow, sleet, freezing rain. Anything from short 10 mile hops to 200+ mile one day rides. I know what the underside of my current Cannondale looks like and when he added steel rusting into the equation...it made my decision very simple. I know I don't have the money for Ti or carbon fiber.
I apologize for confusing your now-made decision but a properly internally protected steel frame can last for decades even under the conditions you describe.
Frame Saver or Amsoil HPMP are spray-on rust inhibitor treated waxes dissolved in a volatile carrier. You strip the frame and spray a good amount into each frame tube and stay and the fork blades. Roll it around to distribute the liquid, let it dry over night and repeat at least once more. If you are at all careful about touching up exterior paint nicks, the frame should then be an heirloom.
I treated an '83 Trek 400 Cr-Mo frame with Frame Saver when I bought it used and rode it for 10 years as my rain/snow/beater bike. That frame was still as solid as new when I gave it to my son-in-law last summer to convert to a fixie. My grandchildren will probably inherit it.
As an aside, aluminum is not completely corrosion proof and can be damaged by salt exposure too. The only really corrosion-
proof metal frames are titanium.