vinfix

After a small group ride with some experienced riders, I was a little tongue-tied when one of them (with a BD Immortal something) asked about the advantages of steel. I, and another guy, had snappy answers about it being cheaper and heavier, but then I tried to explain about road feel, the solid feeling of riding on rails, not feeling isolated from it, yet not buzzed & pounded. Not wanting others to mock my choices, I certainly wouldn't say it's because I can't get used to riding a piece of Chinese plastic. To me, a diamond frame is what a road bike looks like, and steel OK, aluminum, too) is what it feels like.

Maybe this is one of those "if you have to ask, I can't explain" questions. When people ask you, what's your response?

sloar 

They won't know until they experience it. I'm a believer after being a carbon rider. And I am still amazed of the riding quality of a nice
steel bike.

noglider 

I tell them it's heavier and cheaper. Not only that, it's older.

Puget Pounder

I tell them it's impossible to generalize so I try tobe more specific. For example, I tell them that my Gunnar feels springier and more lively than a a Carbon roubaix. The roubaix felt more dampening and like a piece of wood.

However, I think a lot of bike feel is actually the wheels and the tires, so I try to hype up the other aspects of steel. Durable, repairable, long history, etc... It's kind of silly to trash on another product to promote yours ya know?

iab

I'd tell them it is different. Not better or worse. I prefer different riding experiences, and steel is one option.

DiabloScott

It's just different and some people like it better. Part of it is tradition and some people like that too.

IthaDan 

No catastrophic failure with steel and as near as makes no difference to infinite flex cycles.

repechage

Indeed, if you crash there is very little chance you cannot remount and have no questions at to the integrity of the bike, if there is damage it shows.

Beyond that, steel came before carbon fibre. It's more cost effective, yes its heavier and you can ride in those steel only bicycle races.

https://menofsteelracing.com/

GuyForget

I don't buy bikes new, and would not feel comfortable riding a used CF bike (maybe that's stupid but I just wouldn't). I'd rather have something more likely to bend than to catastrophically crack.

iab

Higher capital cost for carbon, but lower labor cost. In the long run, carbon is cheaper.

I have a steel bike that is 7.0kg. I have seen one that is 6.0kg. With a UCI weight limit of 6.8, weight is irrelevant.





And on a completely different note (and absolutely not directed to you or your post), I give this thread another 5 posts before it becomes a carbon sucks and steel is real thread.

Der_Kruscher

A bike that rides great is a bike that rides great, regardless of material. I never evangelize about steel because I don't necessarily think it's better - just different and like anything, it has pros and it has cons. If someone is really interested to know what a steel bike rides like, offer to let them ride yours. If they're intent on ribbing you for riding steel, do the talking with your legs - those guys are dorks, anyway :-)

calamarichris

I tell them I need the extra weight to give them any hope of keeping up.

But seriously, why do you feel the need to justify your choice? They know very well the advantages and disadvantages. IMO, they're just asking so they can mock your choices.
And there's no need to mock their choice of Chinese plastic either. Sometimes my family mocks me for not eating chicken, cow, human or pig cadavers, but I never take their bait. It's a personal choice, not a social agenda.

RobbieTunes

Explaining steel to a carbon rider

1. find a blank wall space 3' wide x 7' tall
2. facing wall, stand 1' away, feet shoulder width apart
3. place hands on wall, palms flat, shoulder width apart
4. quickly snap head forward and down, impacting forehead against wall
5. continue until the urge to explain dissipates

A few get it, most don't. Pick your battles.

My response?

What, you don't recycle?
Greg Lemond.
Craftsmanship.
Character.
Consistency.
When I'm riding a bike, I want to look down and see a tube made of steel, about the same size as my...
When I'm shifting a bike, I don't want to hear a hollow echo.
I just like it, and I have 3 or 4 more. The cost is about as much as your wheels.
I'm not competitive; it's killing me to keep up.
And, hey, that's a pretty cool bike you have; I'll bet it's light and stiff.

Walk away.

Italuminium

Reverse psychology: race 'm, saying meekly that you're so weak that they can beat you even on a steel bike... Once they take the bait put them on a steel bike. The nice ride will reel 'm in.

calamarichris

To paraphrase Chris Rock:
"I love rap music, but I'm tired of defending it. Whatever kind of music was playing on popular radio stations when you lost your virginity... you're locked in--that will be your favorite music for the rest of your life."

Italuminium

fify, but to disprove your statement I have a total dislike for... wait, this is a family show.

TimeTravel_0

Steel is sexy.

JohnDThompson 

"Steel is real."

/thread

repechage

Most likely my next bike will be a carbon fibre frame, with 33 steel ones in the shed, one Mod bike will not be too bad... And on that one I could care less about the UCI weight minimum, I'm going to go with whatever it ends up, my guess 12 lbs. about.

jan nikolajsen 

I'm big with long legs and ride 63-65cm steel frames with a fist full of post showing. They are beautiful things.

But in that size my carbon bike is definitely safer on descents and windy conditions. Never had any of that dreaded speed wobble I feared from all those years on steel. And since I like keeping my bones intact I ride carbon mostly, although I wish I had a sub 150 lb body that could fit on a 56cm Columbus frame.

trek330

Feel.I've never ridden carbon fiber but I have a titanium.I was on a 4 mile descent flying happilly at 30MPH+ and thinking" I wish I was on my Pinarello."Love the liveliness of steel and yes there is a difference in types of steel.Subtle,like fine wines.

RJM

I have yet to get the steel frame question, but I have had the friction shifting question thrown at me. Cheaper, easier to repair and set up and I like dropping through the whole rear cluster in one motion.

I prefer steel because of the look, the ride feels right to me, and lugged carbon frames look like crap compared to steel and I would prefer to ride lugged bikes. I have ridden a few carbon bikes (Trek's Madone comes to mind) and I would much rather descend a hill on my steel bike. Probably has more to do with geometry though.

calamarichris

True 'nuff.



Oh, who'm I kiddin'.... If that statement were true, I'd be more pining after bikes like this...

ThermionicScott 

I rarely have to "explain" to my group why I like old steel bikes (with downtube shifters if they have any). I just laugh with them, and spend most of my time at the front of the group on rides.

chris1548

It's the overall ride, and I like it. But I agree with those who point out -- different strokes for different folks. I personally feel steel does provide the best overall ride. I tell people that, and it's what I generally ride. But, I'm not on a crusade about it.