Originally Posted by
ottoMesh
the guy in my lbs says that columbus SL tubing, especially from the 80s is far far superior to anything being used today, including Reynolds 631. What he knows, I dont know. but he seems to know what hes saying. I tend to want to believe this, cause an 80s pinarello is what i ride
I would totally believe this. I grew up around people who worked in steel mills, and would often hear tales of how steel is suffering from poor workmanship and cost cutting just like everything else. One of the things I remember hearing specifically is that Japanese steel (mind you, this is building-grade steel) is so cheap that all the American contractors are using it in skyscrapers, but when they use/cut it it practically falls apart compared to American steel.
The only Japanese steel that matters is Hatori Hanzo.