Steel bikes in TDF
 

OK, so I quit riding in the late 80's but then started again last year, only to discover that all my bikes and gear are "vintage". In my hiatus, I was pretty fervent about watching the TDF, but I obviously did not pay attention to bike evolution, that is until the road bikes started not to look like road bikes. So my question is this: When was the last time that steel framed bikes were predominant in the TDF? I was thinking that Pantani used one in the late 90's but Google says that is wrong. I do know that Indurain rode steel, though.

Geez, I'm out of touch. Anyone wear wool jerseys anymore? Besides me, that is.

-Gary

Wool jerseys are still cool.

...Vintage steel bikes are still cool too, but it seems they aren't as fast, or cool in the eyes of major marketers.

Indurain won the last Tour to be won on steel in, I believe, 1993. There were other steel-frame bikes in the Tour that year. I would say that by '95, the percentages had swung in favor of aluminum, but that's just a guess. Of course by that point, the humans in the Tour weren't made of the same stuff as before either.

I may be wrong on this, but I thought most of the Tour bikes used to be hand built frames with paint and graphics to suit the sponsors. That is how we got the 7-Eleven Huffys. Kind of like NASCAR is now. Now, there are so many bike companies involved and the bikes have advanced so far, they ride production bikes to show off the latest wares. There used to be a much bigger gap between what they raced and what we could buy at the bike shop. Now anyone with the money can walk into the LBS and order the same bike that is in the Tour.

I'm interested as well, when was the last time any steel bike was in, not won or even predominated, the tour.

There's a very nice story about Dede Barry winning the Montreal World Cup in 2002 on a custom steel Mariposa. She thought she may be the last woman to win on steel.

http://www.bikespecialties.com/site/peloton2.html

Tell me you couldn't win a race with lugwork like this!

http://www.bikespecialties.com/site/peloton4.html

I'm not sure if people know mariposa that well that aren't from canada, i could be wrong, but they're built in toronto i believe?

anyways they have phenomenal work on their bikes.

http://bisforbicycle.blogspot.com/20...continued.html

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rAFzFw96Kc...ycle%2B029.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ERxywogDj9...0/D1M_2906.jpg

His lugwork is pretty beautiful, and his custom racks are something you have to see!!

http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/images/...sa_Seatlug.jpg

http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/images/...rightside2.jpg

http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/images/...1sideshot1.jpg

more mariposa

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_11xUO9mK...ycle%2B015.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt4FiSkgqJ...ycle%2B018.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ERxywogDj9...0/D1M_1338.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DzAWQZ2anO...0/MVC00032.jpg

a few more pics

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__Jv9tTY6GM...2BMariposa.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__Jv9tTY6GM...Bheadbadge.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__Jv9tTY6GM...Bgenerator.JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__Jv9tTY6GM...osa%2BRack.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__Jv9tTY6GM...sa%2Bcrank.JPG


by the way, didn't mean to hijack the thread, just wanted to show the fellow forum ppl some pictures, i never hear about people talking about mariposa's on here, so just trying to spread some awareness ;)

Keep it under wraps eh! Don't need them to get even more expensive ;)

On the shot of the bottom bracket, is that some sort of pump bracket on the front of the chainstay bridge? And what's that widget for on the seat tube? Very nice work on those bikes.

haha, they're already expensive enough....

Not the Tour, but Spring Classics: Team CSC, led by Andrea Tafi, rode the last of the steel Cervélo bicycles in the 2003 Paris-Roubaix. They were the only team to ride steel IIRC. Tafi rode in the front of the race until puncturing with 25k to go and ultimately finished 5th.

The Cervélo SuperProdigy was made from Columbus Thermacrom tubing with an ovalized top tube and an oversized downtube that was ovalized on each end. The SuperProdigy also had a Columbus "Muscle" carbon fiber fork.

Tafi 2003 Paris-Roubaix:
http://gallery.me.com/rockyshores/10...oubaix/web.jpg

My son's Cervélo SuperProdigy in 51cm:
http://gallery.me.com/rockyshores/10...G_6594/web.jpg

I really wonder what would happen if they made steel mandatory in the Tour.

Steel cervelo's? Amd I thought I'd seen everything. Cool bikes.

If I hit the lottery I'm gonna sponsor a team that rides all steel :)

You can buy steel bikes under the UCI weight limit already:

http://www.rodcycle.com/outlawspecs.html

I'd guess if you put a steel fork on it it would comply.

Then you're aware they're no longer building, right?

That outlaw guy is not even trying, only those brakes are truly weight weenie. Just shows how far we've xome and how stupid the uci is. Now on to the sub 5 kg steel bike!

Steel has been making a comeback for quite some time now. I don't think we will see them in the big tours any time soon but it is harder to find a new aluminium bike than it is too find a new steel bike.

IMO, vintage steel bikes don't have to win chit, they are still the coolest looking and riding bikes out there!! ;)

Alas, not this is not true amongst the wannabe elite (I must be cool (and fast) because I look it). I've been sneered at riding my 83 Colnago (Saranni red) with Campy 50th gruppo - "why don't you get a real bike, old man"

-G

Holy...I just crapped my pants. Quick search online yields nothing for sale.

I must have it. I must.

just send it over to my old bikes retirement home.

Is it really necassary to insult CF or guys in kits because you like something else? Does that make you feel bigger?

I think I'd insult someone who talked to me like that. It's not like he's spreading his scorn around to all modern roadies or something. He didn't even mention CF or guys in kits, you did.

I say that to the folks riding carbon and Aluminum whilst I rip by them on my steel Bianchi + SRAM Rival setup. I also run tubulars too and that makes me more hardcore I think. I'd like to see steel but I guess there is more profit in carbon.