Chromoly Frames
 

What do you know about them? Particularly custom made chromo frames. Is it the same as steel?

They ride really nice. Mine are not custom, but both ride great. Heavier than aluminum, feels springier, and just a different feel.

"Chrome Moly" is short hand for a steel alloy including chomium and molybdenum. It's not the same thing as steel; it is steel.

Read this: http://www.rivbike.com/article/bicyc...rame_materials

I've yet to see a carpet fiber . . . er, carbon fiber frame last 50 years.

Assume the cost of the custom frame is just the tube set.

Having said that, I do have fantasies of walking into a thrift store, and finding a vintage Peugeot to ride off into the sunset on.

I wouldn't race it though. Not that there's anything wrong with racing steel, but I wouldn't.

For a little more detail: it's for track racing. Would probably throw a carbon fork on and 50mm carbon tubular track wheels. I would have posted in the track forum but I figured I would get more traffic here.

Chromoly steel frames are great. Ever heard of Reynolds 531? That's chromoly, and possibly the most famous and recognizable tubeset in all of cycling history. What I'm saying here is that chromoly frames are awesome, and some are deemed better than others. Some people claim that Columbos SLX is very stiff for climbing, and that Tange 2 was a great Japanese shot at producing with very similar riding characteristics to 531 -- nice and smooth.

How much is this custom build? Lugged or TIG? There are a lot of very very notable steel framebuilders still in business today and it's worth doing some research.

Steel is all that I've ever raced. Recently I've tried carbon fiber, but after decades of riding lightweight lugged steel frames it simply doesn't feel right to me. I believe frame materials are a matter of personal (highly subjective) preference, and I still prefer good ol' steel even if it does add about two pounds weight. If I was a pro racer at the top of my game then I'd probably feel differently, but I'm a 55 year-old who returned to cycling after a 17-year hiatus. Some of the new technologies I like/embrace (e.g., Selle SMP saddles) while others (index shifting, brifters, CF, et al) have yet to impress me. To each his own.

I can't give any details on the price, materials, builder or specs since 1. the details aren't finalized yet and 2. it's a team deal. I'm really looking forward to it though if it happens.

Actually 531 is manganese moly.

OK, OK, you caught me. I was trying to make a point. :p

I haven't seen a computer last 50 years either