Aluminum frames dangerous?

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08-09-07 | 01:24 PM

#26

amnomad

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 394

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From: St. Louis

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbossman

The flip side of a stiff aluminum frame is the ride quality.

I had a early 90's all aluminum Trek 1500. It was a fantastic riding bike, up to about 30 miles or so. Past that, it got very uncomfortable to ride. I couldn't imagine spending the day on it.

Newer aluminum frames ride significantly better - partly because the construction/geometry has evolved and has been refined, and partly because of the use of CF stays and forks.

I'll not ride a "vintage" all aluminum bike again, if I have a choice about it.

I have a 1990 C-dale ST600 touring bike with a 3.0 frame and a steel fork and find it quite comfortable to spend a day on. I don't know if it's the steel fork, long touring geometry, cushy terry liberator, but as a whole its a comfortable bike and I would recommend it. In fact I haven't ridden it for awhile so I'm out into the 100 degree day!

08-09-07 | 02:33 PM

#27

fbagatelleblack

Senior Gumby

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 151

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick burns

Originally Posted by Hexenmeister:

"And frankly, the thought of my top tube suddenly cracking in half scares me a lot more than having a crank break."

Either situation would likely have unpleasant results.

I snapped a crankarm in a pack sprint once (%&*@# Gipeme POS!!!). It weren't any fun...

- FBB

08-10-07 | 04:57 AM

#28

clipped

and riding...just riding

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 170

Likes: 0

From: Belleville, Illinois

Just picked up my first aluminum framed bike after having and ridden lots of steel. Couldn't resist the price on the late 80's Trek 1000 and curiosity just got the best of me. Being of Clydesdale weight it was the robust build and steel fork that put me over the edge. Nice bike for my commute which is only 10-20 miles round trip with crisp handling but not super light compared to decent steel. I've warmed up to it after a week and enjoy the ride, but a good butted steel frame has a quality that I prefer even on a tough climb where the aluminum just feels kind of dead in comparison.

08-10-07 | 05:11 AM

#29

Eyeseeu

Vintage Punk, w/ Damage

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 309

Likes: 0

From: Front Royal, Virginia

Bikes: Giant OCR Limited, Planet-X Carbon TT, 70's Paris Sport

I used to ride an Aluminum Marin Argenta. It was a nice ride for an average day, but I do all Ultra events. My first 24 hour race on it was a nightmare. After the first 150 miles, the road buzz made my arms almost numb up to my elbows. By 200 miles I could barely feel my hands on the bars, it just felt like they were asleep. I finally called it quits at 280 miles because it was so bad. I soon switched to a CF framed Giant and a CF Planet X TT, and have never had that feeling again.

I am sure with a better Aluminum bike it wouldn't have been as bad, but the Marin was low/mid range and not my favorite ride. I definitely don't want my mileage to be limited by my bike, that is what my excess weight and lack of talent are for...

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08-10-07 | 05:58 AM

#30

Road Fan

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 17,196

Likes: 761

From: Ann Arbor, MI

Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hexenmeister

I understand that steel is not everlasting either. I guess it's a matter of perception. When I think of steel, I think things like skyscrapers and tanks. When I think of aluminum it's soda cans and Reynolds wrap.

Steel objects that are protected from corrosion (i.e. painted or otherwise coated) and never overbent can last a LOOOONNNG time. Flexing suitably within the elastic region has essentially no effect on useful life.

Road Fan

08-10-07 | 06:02 AM

#31

Road Fan

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 17,196

Likes: 761

From: Ann Arbor, MI

Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbossman

If you take a look at modern Cannondales (wife just bought a Road Warrior 800), a lot of the comfort is due to wavy seatstays, just like many high-end steel frames, such as Serotta.

Road Fan

08-10-07 | 07:21 AM

#32

Sizzle-Chest

The Brutally Handsome

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 508

Likes: 4

From: Siberia

i rode an old (1993) aluminum trek everyday for three years and never had problems despite having a broken derailer hanger, being hit by a car and riding it fixed