How many on the 41 still like steel bikes???
 

So I have 2 s-works that I really like. I find just as much joy in riding my Tommasini. I'm wondering how many here appreciate and/or ride a steel steed of a by gone era?

I still ride my 1980s steel race bike now & then. But it now has Centaur 10.

Baum,stoemper,Indy fab all still intrigue me and are on my A list

New and old steel bikes:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=378712http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=378713

Um, all I have are steel bikes. So I guess I'd better like them! I concede that crabon fiber makes for lighter, stiffer frames and that is undoubtedly better objectively, but cycling is also about feel and aesthetics. I'm glad you still like riding your Tomassini, cycling is not all about ultimate performance.

Just returned from a ride on my Colnago Master. 16.2 pounds (without pedals) - DA 7700, carbon force fork, downtube shifters, Ambrosio Montreal rims, with Veloflex tubs. Nimble and quick to accelerate, and only a tad harsher than my carbon bike. Great road feel. It is a toss up right now as to which one I prefer. (It is new to me, so the novelty factor may be at play)

What kind of weight savings did you get out of a carbon fork?

Carbon, Ti, and repainted steel. Love them all.

I prefer lugged steel bikes and have pretty much found the best road bike for me.

I like them. I'd love to have a new stainless steel custom someday.

NAHBS. Mostly steel/cro-mo/ti.

It's gone?
Didn't know that.
Seemed to work OK this morning.......

-Bandera

I have new carbon and AL bikes but still ride my Waterford or Paramount about half the time. Pretty much anything solo. I also have a steel utility bike for commuting and pulling the kids.

I love the look of a modern steel road bike, but it's so hard to find it on many of the LBS around my country. While the vintage ones are plenty to find I kind of holding up buying them just because of that a 1" steerer tube and that horizontal dropout. Are the new 1 1/8" head tube and vertical dropout really any better than the old tech?

All of my currently owned bikes are steel. I have had several aluminum bikes and one carbon bike.

I wouldn't let 1/8 of an inch stop you from buying a bike. 1" worked for years and still does. Maybe on a mountain bike I'd be more interested in a larger head tube. Nothing wrong with the horizontal dropout either. It's old school and let's you adjust the axle position which can be helpful. It's not weak or anything.

Steel bikes vastly outnumber AL and carbon bikes around here. Most people don't cycle as a hobby or exercise, it's transportation. So they buy cheap steel that they don't have to worry about locking in a public bike rack.

I'm planning to do the same, buy a vintage steel for commuting. Haven't done it yet since loving commuting on my carbon. But I really should get an expendable steel bike.

If you expect to fit a 130mm rear w/o hassle, my Soma Stanyan fits 10 speed drivetrain as designed.
If you push a bit the 1 1/8" threadless on my Soma is very solid & confident w/ nice feel.
"Better"? Can't say, I never felt shy in a criterium on classic kit, but this works just fine.

You can also fit a bell to "Ding!".

-Bandera

Where is "here"?
It helps to add that info to your profile so we don't have to guess.

I guess: Manchester UK.

How did I do?

-Bandera

http://www.amazon.com/Thomson-Bicycl.../dp/B0013UOZ20

The vertical dropout allows you to get the wheel in and out a little easier. Otherwise not much benefit.

Newest ride is a Carb. /Ti. Merlin with Campy Record. My other bike is a steel lugged frame I bought in 1976, re outfitted wit Campy Centaur in 2004. The steel is still my favorite ride by far. 38 years old and still in perfect condition.

Two modern steels and one aluminum, like them all but the steels are my favorites.

Unless you have a full set of mudguards fitted, then it is Way Easier.

-Bandera

Don't be hatin on aluminum.

The force carbon fork is about 280g less than a precisa steel fork. I bought the frame used and it came with a flash carbon fork (that was ascetically in rough shape) that has a steel steerer tube. The force fork is about 100g lighter. I should also note that the crank is 7800. I have a more period correct Record crank that looks better, but it weighs about 160g more. (My inner weight weenie is in constant conflict with the ascetic portion of my mind - first world problems)