Aluminium frames - Durability, rigidity, longevity
07-09-07 | 06:52 PM
#51
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f
Come on, sonny, get with it. Even Bill Clinton talks about Peak Oil in his lectures these days. Get off the fricking bicycle and do some reading, ya moron.
https://www.peakoil.com/forums.html
Originally Posted by Frunkin
You are a crazy old man
https://www.peakoil.com/forums.html
Last edited by africanomad; 07-09-07 at 07:02 PM.
07-09-07 | 06:53 PM
#52
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Originally Posted by indygreg
Get a MTB not a road bike. End of civilization/no gas/etc would mean streets are not likely to be maintained. 
Also, if all hell brakes loose you can count on a lot of tire popping debris on the roads. Tires would be your #1 concern by far.
Also, if all hell brakes loose you can count on a lot of tire popping debris on the roads. Tires would be your #1 concern by far.
07-09-07 | 06:57 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by Camilo
Just for perspective, in the US, $500 in 1980 is around $1400 in 2007. I don't know if the cost of living factors are similar in Australia, but my guess would be yes. If you were happy with the "several hundred dollars" range in '80, you should be looking in the $1,000 - $1500 range now.
Consider a "cyclocross" or "hybrid" bike. The can accept on relatively narrow tires (700X28c) for "road" use (I use 28's on my real road bike all the time) and wider (35c range) for more comfort, heavier loads, or poor roads or trails. Depending on your price point, they compare very favorably in performance to full on racing road bikes, but are made for rougher use and/or more comfort. Hybrids are similar in concept - a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. Generally cyclocross bikes have road-style handlebars, and are more performance oriented, hybrids have flat bars and are more comfort oriented. Either would be excellent for commuting, touring and straight ahead road riding for sport.
I have a couple of friends (in totally different parts of the US) who are long term, very dedicated recreational riders - several thousand miles per year for many years. Both have top of the line road bikes. Both also bought "medium to high end" Cyclocross bikes within the past few years. Now they ride the cyclocross bikes almost exclusively.
I have a couple of friends (in totally different parts of the US) who are long term, very dedicated recreational riders - several thousand miles per year for many years. Both have top of the line road bikes. Both also bought "medium to high end" Cyclocross bikes within the past few years. Now they ride the cyclocross bikes almost exclusively.
I'll do as you say. I've also ordered some good books incl the Zinn books to get me up to speed on all this.
07-09-07 | 08:41 PM
#57
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From: Southwest Idaho
Originally Posted by africanomad
f
Come on, sonny, get with it. Even Bill Clinton talks about Peak Oil in his lectures these days. Get off the fricking bicycle and do some reading, ya moron.
https://www.peakoil.com/forums.html
Come on, sonny, get with it. Even Bill Clinton talks about Peak Oil in his lectures these days. Get off the fricking bicycle and do some reading, ya moron.
https://www.peakoil.com/forums.html
Peak Oil is just recycled paranoid junk science. And even if it isn't, the free enterprise system will find a way. It always does when there's a profit to be made. The only roadblock will be if socialism takes hold and impedes the human spirit/initiative, , and stifles incentive to find an alternative.
When the oil supply becomes too short/too expensive, other technologies will become more viable or worthy of investment dollars, and will be developed.
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S. J. Perelman
07-09-07 | 10:17 PM
#58
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@ bigbossman, you are what is called a "technofixer". I suggest you do some research. There is no technofix for peak oil, sorry. I wish there were.
Just came back from my LBS, where all 220lbs of me was plonked on a Diamondback Crestview and a Giant Perigee (now known as a CRX I think). The Perigee was very nice, at AU$1200, the Diamondback only AU$600 or so after a 30% discount. The shop mechanic says he simply does not see aluminium frames failing, which was reassuring. I'm not sure why there is so much brouhaha about this issue then ... puzzling.
I was told the best bike for me would be what is called a "flat bar roadie" here; this is apparently a road bike with flat bars and thinner tires than a hybrid.
Just came back from my LBS, where all 220lbs of me was plonked on a Diamondback Crestview and a Giant Perigee (now known as a CRX I think). The Perigee was very nice, at AU$1200, the Diamondback only AU$600 or so after a 30% discount. The shop mechanic says he simply does not see aluminium frames failing, which was reassuring. I'm not sure why there is so much brouhaha about this issue then ... puzzling.
I was told the best bike for me would be what is called a "flat bar roadie" here; this is apparently a road bike with flat bars and thinner tires than a hybrid.
Last edited by africanomad; 07-09-07 at 10:49 PM.
07-10-07 | 06:46 AM
#60
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Originally Posted by indygreg
Um ok . . . when the entire world breaks down only the US will riot and be chaos. Sure . . . why not?
https://www.ft.com/cms/s/2d97d75a-2e0...0779fd2ac.html
07-10-07 | 06:59 AM
#61
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From: Indianapolis, IN
yep, rest of the world is totally functional, no issues there. Clearly one picture of a hillbilly proves that we will be the only society on earth that will fall apart when all transportation, food, communication and government falls apart. Everyone else will just hug it out.
I have to point out that if you really believe this stuff, and clearly you do, I am shocked you are looking at a $600AU bike. Honestly . . . you want a diamondback POS to last the rest of your life in an apocolyptic world? Good luck with that.
I have to point out that if you really believe this stuff, and clearly you do, I am shocked you are looking at a $600AU bike. Honestly . . . you want a diamondback POS to last the rest of your life in an apocolyptic world? Good luck with that.
07-10-07 | 07:01 AM
#62
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Originally Posted by africanomad
The shop mechanic says he simply does not see aluminium frames failing, which was reassuring. I'm not sure why there is so much brouhaha about this issue then ... puzzling.
07-10-07 | 07:14 AM
#63
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From: GA
Originally Posted by africanomad
@ bigbossman, you are what is called a "technofixer". I suggest you do some research. There is no technofix for peak oil, sorry. I wish there were.
Really though if you want to survive for the rest of your life you should start stockpiling bikes. Expecting a bike to last for the rest of your life is short sighted. Most bikes(and parts) fail in crashes and so lifespan is usually more a factor of luck rather then material unless you are looking at racing frames.
There is so much bruhaha because certain advocates of steel cling to every possibly advantage they can think of therefore a phsyical property of steel that doesn't normally have a real world effect becomes a main talking point.
07-10-07 | 08:16 AM
#66
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From: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Originally Posted by africanomad
Hi, newbie here, be gentle.
I've spent the last few hours reading about a zillion threads here on how steel frames are superior in durability and comfort to modern alu frames. I don't want to raise those old debates again. But my specific questions are:
Some background: I'm nearly 50, haven't been on a bike for many years, but used to cycle a LOT 30 years ago in South Africa on a Peugeot with Reynolds 531 tubing, also a very pricey Eddie Merckx. Steel frames, loved 'em. Nowadays it is almost impossible to get them where I am, in Australia (Perth), unless you are willing to spend absurd amounts of money (this excludes the super cheap and heavy Hi Tensile steel junk frames). Seems that aluminium frames are cheaper to manufacture, so that's where the makers have gone. I'm looking to buy a hybrid/touring bike for long commutes. MUST be very durable and comfortable.
I've spent the last few hours reading about a zillion threads here on how steel frames are superior in durability and comfort to modern alu frames. I don't want to raise those old debates again. But my specific questions are:
- Do aluminium frames really have a limited lifespan under normal touring/commuter use? (I must have a frame that lasts for the rest of my life, with peak oil and retirement coming on).
- Could the "asshammer" rigidity of an alu frame be mitigated by some sort of shock absorbing system? If so, why aren't they standard?
Some background: I'm nearly 50, haven't been on a bike for many years, but used to cycle a LOT 30 years ago in South Africa on a Peugeot with Reynolds 531 tubing, also a very pricey Eddie Merckx. Steel frames, loved 'em. Nowadays it is almost impossible to get them where I am, in Australia (Perth), unless you are willing to spend absurd amounts of money (this excludes the super cheap and heavy Hi Tensile steel junk frames). Seems that aluminium frames are cheaper to manufacture, so that's where the makers have gone. I'm looking to buy a hybrid/touring bike for long commutes. MUST be very durable and comfortable.
07-10-07 | 07:46 PM
#68
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more affordable steel?
Not sure if it is appropriate to say this here but just trying to help.
I could get handmade, custom geometried Columbus Spirit Tubed frames for a tad less than $900. They will even send you autocad PDF's for your approval before committing to manufacture. However you gotta factor shipping from Beijing where I am at the moment.
Designer's and builder's from Holland by the name of Jan Kole.
Cheers.
David
I could get handmade, custom geometried Columbus Spirit Tubed frames for a tad less than $900. They will even send you autocad PDF's for your approval before committing to manufacture. However you gotta factor shipping from Beijing where I am at the moment.
Designer's and builder's from Holland by the name of Jan Kole.
Cheers.
David
07-10-07 | 09:02 PM
#69
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Originally Posted by africanomad
... The shop mechanic says he simply does not see aluminium frames failing, which was reassuring. I'm not sure why there is so much brouhaha about this issue then ... puzzling.,,,
07-10-07 | 10:15 PM
#70
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From: Columbia, Kentucky
Bikes: Trek 1000, Trek 4500
https://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/roa...eel/sarthe.php
This is a steel frame lemond. I know a guy who has a steel lemond and really likes it.
This is a steel frame lemond. I know a guy who has a steel lemond and really likes it.
07-11-07 | 12:54 AM
#71
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Originally Posted by Camilo
A brouhaha? No such thing. Millions of alu bikes have been ridden for gazillions of miles and even more kilometers and they work great.
