Originally Posted by
Bonzo Banana
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If so it makes steel more competitive again with aluminium because the pricing of high carbon steel is still very competitive and below that of aluminium it seems for budget bikes so allows some small improvements elsewhere in a bicycle, drivetrain etc. It would also explain why many low cost Chinese bicycle manufacturers are pushing high carbon steel as something better.
SS like Reynolds 953, for example, is said to be competitive with titanium not alloy -- i.e., something exotic and providing unique, distinguishing and more desirable riding characteristics and not alloy which despite it's challenges to work with, better suits mass manufacturing techniques (e.g., hydroformed 6061) and accordingly, comparatively inexpensive, which is interpreted to mean...cheap (e.g., not custom) but nevertheless, providing great value for the dollar.