Who makes steel bikes?
#26
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Taken from Rivendell site
Lug Primer
1. What is a lug?
A sleeve of metal that surrounds the frame tube at the joint, strengthening the joint. Most modern frames don't have them.
2. How come?
They're more expensive to build with; and from a strictly practical point of view, they're unnecessary.
3. What does a lug do?
It strengthens the joint by adding material to the stressed areas, and distributes the stresses over a large area. And it adds an artistic element to the frame joint. And it allows tubes to be joined by brazing, rather than welding.
4. Why brazing rather than welding?
Less heat, mainly, and one of the benefits is that the tubes themselves are not melted. So, if you crash and bend a top tube, for instance, it can be replaced and the frame made good as new.
5. Are all lugs alike?
No. Some are well-designed to eliminate stresses. Others cause stresses. Some are thick, some are thin. Some fit the tubes well, others don't. Some are rather plain, some are rather ostentatious. Some are generic and available for purchase by anybody, others are proprietary and unique to one brand of bike. Some are hand-cut and one-of-a-kind. In addition, lugs can be made by any of several methods, including but not limited to investment casting, stamping and welding, die casting, and machining.
6. Is there any reason to get a lugged frame over a glued or tig-welded frame?
Well, it depends. From strictly a functional perspective, in the short-term life of a bicycle, it makes no difference whether the frame is lugged or not. And, if you plan to get a new frame every couple of years, then the long-term benefits of a lugged frame (durability and the ability to replace bent/crashed tubes) don't work for you. Likewise, if you prefer the appearance of tig-welds, then you won't be talked into lugs, no matter what.
We love lugs. We don't build frames without them. We like the look, the art, the way they're made, and we like designing smart, beautiful, and unique ones. We also like knowing that a the frames we make will be identifiable even in 300 years, because of the lugs beneath the paint.
.
Lug Primer
1. What is a lug?
A sleeve of metal that surrounds the frame tube at the joint, strengthening the joint. Most modern frames don't have them.
2. How come?
They're more expensive to build with; and from a strictly practical point of view, they're unnecessary.
3. What does a lug do?
It strengthens the joint by adding material to the stressed areas, and distributes the stresses over a large area. And it adds an artistic element to the frame joint. And it allows tubes to be joined by brazing, rather than welding.
4. Why brazing rather than welding?
Less heat, mainly, and one of the benefits is that the tubes themselves are not melted. So, if you crash and bend a top tube, for instance, it can be replaced and the frame made good as new.
5. Are all lugs alike?
No. Some are well-designed to eliminate stresses. Others cause stresses. Some are thick, some are thin. Some fit the tubes well, others don't. Some are rather plain, some are rather ostentatious. Some are generic and available for purchase by anybody, others are proprietary and unique to one brand of bike. Some are hand-cut and one-of-a-kind. In addition, lugs can be made by any of several methods, including but not limited to investment casting, stamping and welding, die casting, and machining.
6. Is there any reason to get a lugged frame over a glued or tig-welded frame?
Well, it depends. From strictly a functional perspective, in the short-term life of a bicycle, it makes no difference whether the frame is lugged or not. And, if you plan to get a new frame every couple of years, then the long-term benefits of a lugged frame (durability and the ability to replace bent/crashed tubes) don't work for you. Likewise, if you prefer the appearance of tig-welds, then you won't be talked into lugs, no matter what.
We love lugs. We don't build frames without them. We like the look, the art, the way they're made, and we like designing smart, beautiful, and unique ones. We also like knowing that a the frames we make will be identifiable even in 300 years, because of the lugs beneath the paint.
.
#27
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Originally Posted by late
You pal's Rivendell has lugs. The tubes are held together by L shaped joining pieces. It's nice, but more exepensive to make.
I have a Gunnar Sport. Nice bike.
https://www.gunnarbikes.com/sport.php
I have a Gunnar Sport. Nice bike.
https://www.gunnarbikes.com/sport.php
Sounds like luga are more aesthetic than practical?
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Originally Posted by Marmalade
I hadn't really been thinking of a custom built bike, but found a builder through this site pretty close to home. I only have $1800 tops to spend...can you get a custom bike for that? I'll ask here first, I don't want to risk insulting the guy by asking him before I know the price range.
#31
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Originally Posted by slotibartfast
Bianchi Vigorelli, yes. If you want to go with Campy, check out the Bianchi Veloce.
Just a note to say I finally made up my mind and went with the Bianchi Veloce. Got a great price on a 2005 and can't wait to break it in. Thanks for your input.
#32
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Great choice, Marmalade! Of course, I'm biased with your decision. You'll love the bike! Welcome to the celeste army! What color? Where did you buy it? I really dig the Campy groupo. Pictures**********?
#33
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No pictures yet, it's being shipped. I got it on a close out from a shop in CA through ebay. Only $1000 brand new. I went to my lbs and paid for a fitting, so I knew the size. They don't carry Bianchi and didn't have a steel bike in my price range, so that's why I went the ebay route. The lbs will get the business for pedals, seat, computer and maybe new handlebars, depending on what's on it. I actually upgraded my current touring bike for size differences as well, so not feeling too bad about buying the bike elsewhere.
The color is celeste, of course.
The color is celeste, of course.
#34
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Wow, you got a hell of a deal. Congrats! I feel that celeste for a Bianchi is the only way to go. Enjoy!
#35
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Originally Posted by badkarma
My old bike had 105/Tiagra (2003), and my current bike has 2005 ultegra. I can definitely say there's a difference, however, it's not a huge one. I think if you went with a 105 bike, you'd be plenty satisfied. Then if you wanted to put an ultegra derailleur on it next year, you could always do that. The Quest is a pretty nice frame and it comes with a nice wheelset, so I think you get a decent amount to start with.
My philosophy is to buy a bike with a nicer frame and lesser components, and then upgrade components later as money allows. Some people may disagree with me, but that's my thinking.
My philosophy is to buy a bike with a nicer frame and lesser components, and then upgrade components later as money allows. Some people may disagree with me, but that's my thinking.
But a good frame and solid wheels will make up for alot of "budget" componetry.
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Originally Posted by slotibartfast
Wow, you got a hell of a deal. Congrats! I feel that celeste for a Bianchi is the only way to go. Enjoy!
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So, bikemeister, since you brought up wheels, the set that comes on my new bianchi are the Campagnolo Vento G3. The spokes are different, place in threes around the wheels...can you tell me the purpose of this? When I talked to someone about the Vigorelli vs the Veloce, they said I would be adding some weight in the wheels with the Veloce, but not much. Can you tell me if these are good wheels?
#39
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Originally Posted by bellweatherman
Oh Fing geezis! how hard is it to go to google and type steel frame manufacturers?