Columbus CROMOR Tubing, any good?
09-26-13, 07:58 AM
#1
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Columbus CROMOR Tubing, any good?
I just purchased a 1997 Simoncini Special Cyclocross Frameset made from Columbus CROMOR Tubing. I have Columbus SP and SPX on my roadbikes.
I noticed that Columbus CROMOR Tubing has thicker walls than SL. I found this description of CROMOR online: Built of cold-drawn, chrome-moly butted tubing, this set is for the more demanding riders who favour versatile, high-performance light frames, but can also be used for larger frames. Cr Mo Steel - Weight: 2190 g.
Is Columbus CROMRO Tubing a better quality material, like SP or SL?
I also know that SL and SP are of a Cyclex material and that CROMOR is Cr Mo.
I noticed that Columbus CROMOR Tubing has thicker walls than SL. I found this description of CROMOR online: Built of cold-drawn, chrome-moly butted tubing, this set is for the more demanding riders who favour versatile, high-performance light frames, but can also be used for larger frames. Cr Mo Steel - Weight: 2190 g.
Is Columbus CROMRO Tubing a better quality material, like SP or SL?
I also know that SL and SP are of a Cyclex material and that CROMOR is Cr Mo.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 09-26-13 at 08:28 AM.
09-26-13, 08:25 AM
#3
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Sure it's not Cromor?
If it's Cromor, it is seamed, drawn double-butted chromoly. The seam is very homogeneous, so it is virtually seamless. It's a little heavier than SL.
If it's Cromor, it is seamed, drawn double-butted chromoly. The seam is very homogeneous, so it is virtually seamless. It's a little heavier than SL.
Last edited by Scooper; 09-26-13 at 08:30 AM. Reason: added images
09-26-13, 08:32 AM
#4
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I'm actually hoping for a stiffer and heavier frameset than SL. I'm not too worried about ride quality, since the finished bike will use larger tires at a lower psi than roadbike tires.
I just want to avoid a flexy bike made from mediocre material.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
09-26-13, 08:36 AM
#5
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Yes, It must be CROMOR.
I'm actually hoping for a stiffer and heavier frameset than SL. I'm not too worried about ride quality, since the finished bike will use larger tires at a lower psi than roadbike tires.
I just want to avoid a flexy bike made from mediocre material.
I'm actually hoping for a stiffer and heavier frameset than SL. I'm not too worried about ride quality, since the finished bike will use larger tires at a lower psi than roadbike tires.
I just want to avoid a flexy bike made from mediocre material.
09-26-13, 08:38 AM
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Cromor is a fine tube set. To me, it seems a little less flexy than SLX. I prefer the ride quality of Cromor over SL, it feels a little more "lively". Very comfortable to ride - I've done many centuries on a Cromor bike.
09-26-13, 08:40 AM
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Good news, thanks'
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
09-26-13, 08:41 AM
#8
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Yes, it is heavier (not significantly) and stronger than SL. Had a Ciocc Cromor frameset and loved the ride better than an SL, but I was heavier than most at the time.
09-26-13, 08:48 AM
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I was little concerned that a seamed Cr Mo material might be more like gas pipe than anything else, It's good to see the positive reviews here.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
09-26-13, 10:37 AM
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I had an Olmo Cromor frame and loved it. I think it is supposedly a bit below SL/SP in the hierarchy, but I think it's just as good.
09-26-13, 11:18 AM
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i think it's a better bet than, say SL.
for instance, this bike is cool and all, but it's (supposedly) SL and a tall frame at that...
the bottom line is that SL is fragile. even more so if' you're a tall/heavy rider.
so for *cyclocross*, Cromor is a good choice.
i guess SP is one step up. but does it really matter ?
for instance, this bike is cool and all, but it's (supposedly) SL and a tall frame at that...
the bottom line is that SL is fragile. even more so if' you're a tall/heavy rider.
so for *cyclocross*, Cromor is a good choice.
i guess SP is one step up. but does it really matter ?
09-26-13, 11:31 AM
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Lots of those Swiss Titan frames sold on warehouse clearance up to recently, were supposed to have been made with Cromor tubing. I never heard any complaints about them...... In fact, all I heard was praise about how the bikes ride from owners when they built them up.......so the tubing must be good.....
09-26-13, 11:34 AM
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some interesting old read on 7 different Columbus tubings and their ride 'quality', if interested in.
i found it quite entertaining and informative.
Magnificent Seven
hope this helps
i found it quite entertaining and informative.
Magnificent Seven
hope this helps
Last edited by orangeology; 09-26-13 at 12:10 PM.
09-26-13, 11:53 AM
#15
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I had read that article in the past, but didn't remember that the Cromor frame is an ounce lighter than the SLX frame. That's pretty interesting.
Thanks for the link to refresh my memory.
Thanks for the link to refresh my memory.
09-26-13, 12:29 PM
#16
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This what T-Mar had to say about Cromor:
While Cromor was seamed, it was not a conventional seamed tubing technology. The blank or billet was welded and then the tube was drawn to size and butted. According to Columbus, performing the drawing operations after the welding operation resulted in a stronger tube. It also served to make the seam virtually undetectable.
Saying that Cromor is 0.1mm thicker than SL is oversimplifying things. It used an SP gauge downtube with an SL gauge seat tube. The top tube was SL grade butts with an SP gauge center section. Fork blades were SL gauge while the chain and seat stays split the difference between SL and SP. All three tubesets used the same alloy so the Matrix/Cromor set bascially split the difference between SL and SP, though overall, it leaned closer to SP.
While Cromor was seamed, it was not a conventional seamed tubing technology. The blank or billet was welded and then the tube was drawn to size and butted. According to Columbus, performing the drawing operations after the welding operation resulted in a stronger tube. It also served to make the seam virtually undetectable.
Saying that Cromor is 0.1mm thicker than SL is oversimplifying things. It used an SP gauge downtube with an SL gauge seat tube. The top tube was SL grade butts with an SP gauge center section. Fork blades were SL gauge while the chain and seat stays split the difference between SL and SP. All three tubesets used the same alloy so the Matrix/Cromor set bascially split the difference between SL and SP, though overall, it leaned closer to SP.
09-26-13, 02:33 PM
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why is cromor lighter than SL in the article ? (1 oz diff)
and probably stronger too ?
i don't get it (aka how is SL superior to cromor ?)
and probably stronger too ?
i don't get it (aka how is SL superior to cromor ?)
Last edited by bloom87; 09-26-13 at 02:47 PM.
09-26-13, 03:03 PM
#18
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As far as strength is concerned, the yield strength of SLX is 830 N/mm2 and Cromor is 760 N/mm2, so SLX is marginally stronger.
09-26-13, 03:09 PM
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According to: Tubeset specification for Columbus Tubing from circa 1989, EQUUS Bicycle
equusbicycle.com/bike/columbus/columbuschart.htm
A SLX tubeset weighs 1966 grams and a CROMAR tubeset weighs 2190 grams. That would make sense, given the thicker wall thickness. A SP tubeset weighs 2215 grams
equusbicycle.com/bike/columbus/columbuschart.htm
A SLX tubeset weighs 1966 grams and a CROMAR tubeset weighs 2190 grams. That would make sense, given the thicker wall thickness. A SP tubeset weighs 2215 grams
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 09-26-13 at 03:24 PM.
09-26-13, 03:13 PM
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According to https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/col...mbuschart.htm;
A SLX tubeset weighs 1966 grams and a CROMAR tubeset weighs 2190 grams. That would make sense, given the thicker wall thickness. A SP tubeset weighs 2215 grams
A SLX tubeset weighs 1966 grams and a CROMAR tubeset weighs 2190 grams. That would make sense, given the thicker wall thickness. A SP tubeset weighs 2215 grams
09-26-13, 03:23 PM
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Yes, I don't know why it's not working. Google: equusbicycle.com/bike/columbus/columbuschart.htm and it will take you there.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
09-26-13, 03:30 PM
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I had a Pinarello cross bike that I loved until I cracked the downtube.
Near the bottom bracket shell.
It was made from Cromor.
I'd take another one this afternoon.
Btw I almost bought the Simoncini the other day. She's a beauty. Congrats.
Near the bottom bracket shell.
It was made from Cromor.
I'd take another one this afternoon.
Btw I almost bought the Simoncini the other day. She's a beauty. Congrats.
09-26-13, 04:10 PM
#23
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