So the gist of this thread is that steel is real...

...unless explicitly declared integer?

I had a '94 TIG welded version for a short time. They say the TIGs were shipped in from Toyo as seperate triangles and completed by TR himself, while he did all of the brazing on the fillet frames.

I have my eye on this one.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a57...done1Large.jpg
1986 aluminum
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a57...mountLarge.jpg
1978 steel

Both have stood the test of time and both are wonderful rides in their own right.

I like these--in no particular order


http://www.pereiracycles.com/

http://richardsachs.com/

http://www.pegoretticicli.com/

http://curtgoodrich.com/

http://www.willitsbikes.com/

http://rebolledocycles.com/

Why steel? Stee brought me back to my first road bike and many long rides on other materials that I would comment "that none of the bike to follow had the ride of that old Schwinn". Never ridden a full carbon or titanium and I know they are great. Won't get into that debate; but, I have two steel bikes that I enjoy equally, a Waterford 2200 and a Landshark. Maybe it is the smooth ride and just being a little different than most around here in Kentucky. Could it be the modern day technology of the old school builders? Does that make sense? Of course, my Landshark is anything; but, old school with a carbon fork as also the Waterford. So, the answer to "Why Steel?".........not sure; but, riding one sure re-energized my attitude for cycling particularly in November when normally I would be going back to the gym to attempt to keep the fat off.

you know you are supposed to leave the paint on right?

In all fairness, you can get some beautiful lugged Ti frames, too.

Funny that I ride my bike to work, it stays there for 8 hours, and then I bike back home,
in snow, rain, you name it..... washing it with a water hose when it's filthy with mud,
dirt, etc. ...even in -20 weather ....as long as the roads are not iced, and there is NO RUST
on a cheap steel frame after 3 years ! The paint is also low-end, and has a few chips on it.

Of course, this information will not please the online or LBS retailers who need to scrounge around for
arguments to convince people to spent $5,000 on a bike, just so the rain will not make the frame fall apart.

crazyb -

Those were the good old days, when the USA had steel producing plants,
metallurgical operations, engineers and technicians who had 20 to 40 years
of experience in the business, as did the LBS people.

Nowadays, steel is produced in China, the young people here in USA have
no relevant training, work experience, or direct knowledge of working with steel or
welding. It's all IMPORTED...due to cost, slave labor from China, India.

Your bikes really appear long-lasting and trustworthy.

And the g7 countries are service economies, factories are gone overseas.

Serpico -

Nice Welding Work !

When I race, I ride a carbon bike. But when I ride for the sheer pleasure of riding, it's Columbus steel hand welded by a man in a little shop in Rome.

http://www.ciclicaldaro.it/images/4.jpg


And they've yet to invent a carbon fiber that shines like chrome in the early morning sun:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18...ugust06039.jpg

As Ferris Buehler would say, "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. "

Same here...though if I do race, it will be on a steel and carbon frame...welded by a man in a shop in Italy with the name Guerciotti hanging outside.

A carbon frame...if I ever get one...is a few years down the road. I don't need super light, and my three columbus tubed bikes ride like pure sex.

My steel Gios in a race

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMGP0767.jpg

it's not me, I'm just a fan

I only ride bikes

Sometimes un-pure is more fun;) . Steel does ride the best. I love my aluminium Bianchi but still crave steel. I am looking at getting something lugged for next year.

My 20lb + thin tube Reynolds 853 KHS Flite 800 is my reason why.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/671...800sidept1.jpg

I "upgraded" from a Steel 531 tubed Holdsworth to an OCLV Trek earlier this year....

The Trek feels better to me - but I don't think that that's all about the frame - maybe it's because:

- 2006 Ultegra is better than late 80's early 90's Shimano 600
- Bontrager race wheels are better than Wolber "classics"
- Brifters are better than down tube shifters

When I bought the Holdsworth it was secondhand and it was all I could afford at the time, when I "upgraded" I could afford a lot more.

I didn't even think about getting a steel bike this time - I wouldn't have known a "Gios" or even a "Vanilla" before I started looking at this forum. I thought of Carbon as the new new and didn't look much beyond Aluminium.

I think steel frames get a bad rep because people like me associate them with bikes that we had in our younger days that didn't work as well as we wanted them to.

I still take the Holdworth out and I Love it in the same way as I love my 1971 Volvo.

Just an opinion - now where did I put that Seven catalogue?