Originally Posted by
mtnbke
I avoid steel bikes like the plague. Certainly there is a cult of those that love steel, and they repeat the mantra 'steel is real'. I think if you say it long enough you start to believe it....
I'm sorry, but I have to sound the "excessively rarefied atmosphere of idiosyncratic personal preference" alarm.
Most of the used tenspeeds you encounter will be steel. it builds a fine bike.
Most of them will be built not from the ultra thin reynolds, columbus, tange, vitus, etc tubing which makes for a great ride, but from thicker stuff.
If you choose sensible 27X1-1/4 or 700x28c tires, you'll probabaly never know the difference. They'll be more puncture resistant and long lasting, and may actually roll easier than ultranarrow tires if you choose a fine sidewall and thin inner tube.
Totally agree about the fatigue, except that a lot of bikes got bought in the 70s and 80s and weren't used much, so they're probabaly not fatigued. Check the rims for wear-the bike might be nearly new.
P.S. If tig welding is so deluxe, why are automated tig welding machines churning out bikes for walmart?