pepperbelly

I have a couple of vintage Raleighs that I have posted questions about here before.
I got the Tri Lite tuned up and have been riding it. I also have a Grand Prix that I need to get cleaned up. My wife wants to ride on the road with me. The Tri Lite is an aluminum frame and the Grand Prix is steel.
I am 54 years old so I won't be doing anything extreme, but I am also too big for my own good- that's one thing I hope to cure with cycling.

Which frame- aluminum or steel, would better stand up to a heavy rider? Both frames are about the same size so either will fit us.

Jim

Chombi

Paper or plastic??.....Just kidding...

Steel would generally be a more comfortable ride, so that could make it you first choice. As for which one is more durable, As you noted,you won't be riding the aluminum frame so hard that you will be able to kill it, so I wouldn't worry about which one will last longer. The two frame will most likely outlive most of us here.....including you.

Chombi

oddjob2

Aluminum frames tend to be more rigid than steel, not stronger, just stiffer. So if you want some comfort, I'd let your bride pilot the Technium.

frantik

pretty sure you're gonna find most people in this forum will say steel.. i like steel..

bradtx

Jim, It really isn't going to make any real difference which frame you choose. Pick the one with the stronger wheelset or let your wife choose which she wants to ride.

Brad

noglider 

I agree with bradtx.

Also, if you're over about 170 lbs, inflate your tires ABOVE the recommended maximum pressure. This will help prevent your rims from getting dented.

pepperbelly

Over 170? I haven't been 170 since I was a freshman in high school. I used to lift weights, and at 54 I am not even close to being as solid as I was but I can still throw around a lot of weight. I am 6' and 230#. That is why I was worrying about the frame.

Jim

pastorbobnlnh 

Jim, I'm a 1958er as well and have at least 30 more pounds on top of your weight. I ride all the time (just passed 1400 miles for the year), on both vintage steel Schwinns and more modern aluminum Cannondales. So I speak with some experience. I don't race, I just go out for rides.

First: Don't listen to the man with the vintage mustache. Over inflate as to not dent rims!?! Come now Tom! I was running my 23mm Gatorskins about 10lbs under the recommended 110psi on our Long Island ride a few weeks ago. Who flatted? Welterweight Neal! I was easily the heaviest guy on the ride!

Second: Guys of our heft tend to flex steel frames a lot more than guys like Tom. A stiff steel frame works just fine for me, but it does need to be nice and stiff. I think this is why I like the way old Schwinn Super Sport and Sport Tourer fillet brazed frames ride. My Paramounts are also on the stiff side, but do flex more than the fillet brazed frames. I own a 1982 Raliegh Superbe I keep in TN with a nephew. It flexes a lot more and I like the ride a lot less (open for offers).

Finally: I like the ride quality of my Cannondales. I tend to ride slightly faster on them when compared to the Schwinns over the same route. One Paramount is the same weight, the other Paramount is 2lbs heavier, and the fillet brazed Schwinns are at least 6-8lbs heaver. I believe the stiffness is the main factor.

Tom, I've ridden tens of thousands of miles in my lifetime, and have not weighed at or below 170 since Junior High. Often I ride with slightly under-inflated tires, frequently on dirt and gravel roads and paths, and now over the frost heaved roads of NH for 11 years, and never once, dented a rim! Stop spreading such rumors! You scallywag!

Gravity Aided

Depends on the bike . The Technium Raleighs, in my experience, were pretty comfy for aluminum bikes , although my Grand Prix is really comfortable for a steel bike . I've never owned a Tri-Lite, though . Put a few miles on each, and perhaps that will help your decision making process .

austy37

I think running under inflated tires is one of life's joys.

55 Traveler

Interesting how oppinions vary. I have a 78 Gran Prix and consider it a little harsh compared to my 76 Super Sport. In fact the Super Sport is the one bike I get on and always notice the distinctive ride. It seems better damped (quieter) over rough roads than any other bike I own.

It could be the slightly wide 27 x 1 1/4 tires as much as anything.

David S.

20grit

Yeah, everyone loves a pinch flat.