carbomb

I do enjoy this game...

Steve Whitlatch 

RobbieTunes

Hmm. I won't count tri-bikes (Aluminum Quintana Roo, Carbon Kestrel Airfoil, Steel Hot Tubes)

Ti: I've had one Merlin and one custom John Kisch Ti frames. Both were excellent to amazing. Alas, both were too big. But I know what riding Ti is like, hundreds of miles.

Aluminum: I've had a Centurion Facet, a Cannondale ST400, SC800, R800, a Litespeed Antares, a Trek ZX, a Trek 1420, a Douglas Motive, a Marin Portofino, a Fuji Team, a KHS Flite 700, a BMC SL-01. I've even ridden cehowardGS's Klein Quantum and Raleigh R700, but at 60cm, no way to judge those. I'd say I know what riding aluminum is like.

Carbon: I've had a Cannondale Six13, a Giant MCR, two Trek Y-Foils, a Trek 2500 Composite, four Kestrel 200SCi's, a Kestrel Talon, a Kestrel RT700, a Trek OCLV 5500, a Cinelli XLR8R-2, a Merckx EMX-3. I've also had 3 Centurion Ironman Carbon models, which simply are not of the same ilk. I've ridden a few carbon bikes.

Steel: I've had dozens of steel bikes, from 1979 Centurions of Tange 1 through 80's bikes from a Tange 900 Shogun to Columbus SLX Super Corsa, and more Ironman bikes than I can count (though I think I put a tally on some thread somewhere). I've ridden 90's Paramounts, a Moser, a Lemond and a couple 853 2000's bikes. I've got a 2014 Columbus Life bike and have ridden a pair of Dave Anderson modern steel beauties (thanks, Chrome Molly and Salubrious). I'm going to get another new modern steel frame as soon as priorities support it.

Exactly put, Steel is Real, and I get the distinct impression that many manufacturers of frames are trying to generate a "steel" feel to their other-material bikes. This has often been quoted, in one way or another by frame makers in magazine articles. My carbon Cinelli rides as close to steel as any non-steel frame I've been on, and the Cannondale Six13 as close to steel as any frame I've ridden with significant amounts of aluminum involved.

My opinion, expressed here without disclaimer, is not a cult mentality, and I like Yuengling and decent coffee. I liked Kool-Aid as a kid, and I order the pitchers and cups for all my neices and nephews when they finally have children. This mentality is based on experience with titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber and really is not perpetuated because I ride steel. I have not only ridden steel, you see, and I have no need to validate any of my feelings about the steel bikes I have. I'm not rich, or even well off, but I can and would afford the bike I want if I didn't think I already had it.

I support spirited discourse, evenly distributed with equal parts respect, wit, and courtesy. I generally do not denigrate denizens of non-steel debauchery, other than to toss good-natured barbs at carbon commandos of the Road Forum ilk, mainly because I are one, at times. Plus, I'm old, and can get a pass. I freely compliment a guy on his 1986 Kestrel, because his bike is nigh 30 years on and doing quite well for a disposable, I think.

One of my best friends started on an aluminum ST400, moved to a very stiff aluminum KHS, and now rides a mid-80's Tommaso and a mid-80's Kestrel instead. In his mind, he moved up. I trust his judgement on that; he's very perceptive. The last thing I do, given my limited experience, is launch into discourse deriding other cyclists clear and prescient choice of riding materials. I doubt I've ever written more than a paragraph about how much I like steel as a material, much less a paragraph criticizing other materials.

I guess I don't agree with you. Let's keep it light, eh?

old's'cool

^^Like!

KonAaron Snake 

Cat with a sombrero rides on the back of a bicycle. [VIDEO]

RobbieTunes

Cat People.
Two words: Natassja Kinski

gugie 

There's an ignore feature?!?!?

Thanks!!!

Great pic of the racoon, btw.

mobilemail

Of course everyone knows, and it's an undisputable truth (therefore not needing valid reference) that Siamese cats are far superior to the newer crossbred versions. Owning any other is tantamount to owning vermin.

gugie 

@RobbieTunes, if you were within 100 miles of me right now, I'd be driving over with whatever adult beverage you prefer, set it on your front porch, ring the doorbell, move a respectful 5 steps back, get on my knees, and when you answered, in my best Wayne's World impersonation, chant "I am not worthy, I am not worthy, I am not worthy..."

That and I figured we could go for a ride, and that glow from you riding on your Iron Man might rub off on me...

KonAaron Snake 

This is total non-sense! In addition to having stiffer bones, a Savannah has far greater muscle to weight ratios which results in a cat that's more aerodynamic and 43% faster. Siamese cats are anachronistic, useless relic of lady and the tramp fans. Modern cats are both stronger and faster!

Wileyone 

I think it's the Brifters that has Kitty confused most Cats prefer down tube Shifters.

Siu Blue Wind

Should I move this to foo?

thinktubes 

Yeah. Nothing to see here.

cb400bill

its time to put this thread to bed.

closed.