Steel vs Aluminum
06-26-14, 03:28 PM
#26
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tires make a much bigger difference
than frame materials
in defining ride quality
get the bike that fits best
and if there is a tie in that department
get the bike you like best for any other reason
eg
colour
lbs preference
component spec
than frame materials
in defining ride quality
get the bike that fits best
and if there is a tie in that department
get the bike you like best for any other reason
eg
colour
lbs preference
component spec
06-26-14, 04:39 PM
#27
Senior Member
I'll agree with what Wilfred wrote regarding tires and riding comfort.
I spent a small fortune on my current bike and swapped out just about everything to get the bike to my liking. I found the bike rather uncomfortable on the very common brick roads over here, the bike would register every change in the surface I rode on. The idea of lowering air pressure to make the ride more comfortable escaped me.
I had learned that lesson a long time ago ... and had forgotten it. (I feel rather stupid having to admit that publicly.) Once I lowered the air pressure the ride was much more to my liking, it was a different bike.
Having the handle bars adjusted to your liking as well as the tire air pressure and saddle height account for more than anything in my opinion.
(The only reason I bought a titanium frame, the brushed aluminum frame I initially wanted could not be delivered by the manufacturer.)
I spent a small fortune on my current bike and swapped out just about everything to get the bike to my liking. I found the bike rather uncomfortable on the very common brick roads over here, the bike would register every change in the surface I rode on. The idea of lowering air pressure to make the ride more comfortable escaped me.
I had learned that lesson a long time ago ... and had forgotten it. (I feel rather stupid having to admit that publicly.) Once I lowered the air pressure the ride was much more to my liking, it was a different bike.
Having the handle bars adjusted to your liking as well as the tire air pressure and saddle height account for more than anything in my opinion.
(The only reason I bought a titanium frame, the brushed aluminum frame I initially wanted could not be delivered by the manufacturer.)
06-27-14, 10:09 AM
#28
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I took my Langster for a spin today. This is a fairly high strung aluminum machine which has never given me cause for complaint before, but which mostly sits in the garage after the pecking order was rearranged a few years ago with the introduction of this box of tubes.
Thinking what a sad state of affairs it is when a perfectly good bike doesn't get exercise, the two of us journeyed o'er hill and dale to get to know each other again.
The bike itself felt fine. Alas, the ride was dead as a very dead thing. Partway through it suddenly struck me: it must be the tyres. They are a type I haven't bought in years which are renowned for their puncture resistance, as well as for a less than lively feel. I didn't worry too much about how they felt back when they were the only tyres I used to buy when I valued puncture resistance over all else.
Now, this bike had originally come with different tyres, which had probably influenced me when I had bought it on impulse; these dead-feeling things were only on there because when the originals had worn out I parked my no-longer-favourites on them and forgot about it even as I half forgot about the bike.
The tyres may not make the bike, but they can certainly unmake it.
Parked in front of recycling bin, which accepts aluminium however it's spelt
Last edited by 905; 06-27-14 at 10:15 AM. Reason: Spelt: it's not just a grain
06-27-14, 10:15 AM
#29
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How true.
I took my Langster for a spin today. This is a fairly high strung aluminum machine which has never given me cause for complaint before, but which mostly sits in the garage after the pecking order was rearranged a few years ago with the introduction of this box of tubes.
Thinking what a sad state of affairs it is when a perfectly good bike doesn't get exercise, the two of us journeyed o'er hill and dale to get to know each other again.
The bike itself felt fine. Alas, the ride was dead as a very dead thing. Partway through it suddenly struck me: it must be the tyres. They are a type I haven't bought in years which are renowned for their puncture resistance (my experience: so-so), as well as for a less than lively feel. I didn't worry too much about how they felt back when they were the only tyres I used to buy when I valued puncture resistance over all else.
Now, this bike had originally come with different tyres, which had probably influenced me when I had bought it on impulse; these dead-feeling things were only on there because when the originals had worn out I parked my no-longer-favourites on them and forgot about it even as I half forgot about the bike.
The tyres may not make the bike, but they can certainly unmake it.
Parked in front of recycling bin, which accepts aluminium however it's spelt
I took my Langster for a spin today. This is a fairly high strung aluminum machine which has never given me cause for complaint before, but which mostly sits in the garage after the pecking order was rearranged a few years ago with the introduction of this box of tubes.
Thinking what a sad state of affairs it is when a perfectly good bike doesn't get exercise, the two of us journeyed o'er hill and dale to get to know each other again.
The bike itself felt fine. Alas, the ride was dead as a very dead thing. Partway through it suddenly struck me: it must be the tyres. They are a type I haven't bought in years which are renowned for their puncture resistance (my experience: so-so), as well as for a less than lively feel. I didn't worry too much about how they felt back when they were the only tyres I used to buy when I valued puncture resistance over all else.
Now, this bike had originally come with different tyres, which had probably influenced me when I had bought it on impulse; these dead-feeling things were only on there because when the originals had worn out I parked my no-longer-favourites on them and forgot about it even as I half forgot about the bike.
The tyres may not make the bike, but they can certainly unmake it.
Parked in front of recycling bin, which accepts aluminium however it's spelt
my main ride so far this year
has been an aluminum touring bike
with 38mm tires
the wide tires make it easy to ride on rough
and unpaved roads
like the majority of the roads around here
i promised myself that i would put racier tires on
as soon as the rear 38mm tire is worn out
and i have two sets of tires waiting
a set of 25mm conti gatorskins
and a mixed set with a basic cheap 28mm and a specialized armadillo 28mm
and i was going to use the 28mm tires
until I remembered the ride quality of the armadillos
and realized i might be better off with a slightly harder 25mm tire
that actually has some give in the casing
06-27-14, 12:16 PM
#30
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All you need to know about why steel is so bad-a**ed, and über alles today and forever:
Man! That makes my quads swell with pride, my veins pump with the urgency of EPO!!
Aluminium...pfftt.
Man! That makes my quads swell with pride, my veins pump with the urgency of EPO!!
Aluminium...pfftt.
06-27-14, 12:20 PM
#31
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iMO there is but one material to make a bike frame from.
Lugged steel!
Lugged steel!
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
06-27-14, 12:29 PM
#32
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I generally like steel bikes.
Aluminum main tubes glued to steel rear triangle and head tube was pretty nice also, however.
Aluminum main tubes glued to steel rear triangle and head tube was pretty nice also, however.
