I know there are a lot of people, fixed gear riders in particular, who prefer steel to aluminum or titanium...and not just for the price.

Does anyone on here actively NOT like steel?

I hate steel if it's part of an SUV.

Does that count?

I'm not biased against steel but as a newbie I definately notice that (and maybe Surly portrays this the most) if you are not into steel you are not "in the know."

yeah there does seem to be this "steel is cooler" kindof thing...personally, I agree...I do think steel is cooler but I"m not biased against aluminum or anything.

steel is real... dig it ?

jeff

Each have their benefits. Steel is regarded as the most comfortable, and dead easy to repair (and lugs are just cool); aluminum is lighter than steel, won't rust, but will break eventually (painfull); titanium is seemingly the best combination of the two, but more expensive than both put together. I have no real alligiance to any of them, but a lean towards steel on a cost versus longevity basis.

When I buy, I buy steel... but if anyone wants to give me Alumnium or Titanium - PM me for my address.

Part of the allure of fixed gear bikes is the connection with the older style of bike and the low cost of converting older steel bikes from the 60's-70's. That era produced some of the best handling and most beautiful bikes ever made. Lugged steel bikes can be repaired by anybody competent with a torch and have some of the best ride characteristics of any bikes ever produced. There have been some desirable bikes made of other materials, but to the steel lover, they lack soul. That, I'm sure, is in the eye of the beholder as I have seen some gorgeous bikes made of "different" methods and materials. I also think that the perceived vision of the independent craftsman toiling away in his Atelier, as opposed to the large mass production factory plays a part in the judgment.

fixedgearhead

I have to admit my favourite steel frame was actually welded and not lugged, but then I've never had a nice lugged frame so I guess that maybe where the difference comes. Oh and my nice aluminium frame gives as much comfort but is considerably stiffer than my somewhat noodly bad steel frame. So it all depends, I certainly love the look of lugged, but I've yet to be able to afford a decent steel frame where I can tell the benefits.

I just know that I prefer metal to carbon frames. Just my preference. These days, though, steel roadie frames are getting to be almost as light as ti or aluminum without sacrificing stiffness where you want it. My SS, MTB and roadie are all steel. The fixie is alu, just because it's my old road bike and still wanted me to ride it. It's really gotten to where the differences beween the weight of materials is almost negligable at the high end.

Steel is the least damaging to the environment to produce.
Steel is infinately recyclable (if it doens't rust into oblivion)
Steel is repairable.
I really like steel as a metal, in buildings and cars and bikes.
We should all use more steel.
Steel is good.

Long term exposure to aluminum, even by touching your frame etc, will drastically reduce the occurrence of coition.

Asking if anyone is against steel on a fixie/ss board is like asking if anyone dislikes carbon on the roadie board.

Part of the ethos of riding fixed or singlespeed is basic, fundamnetal, retrospective etc. That usually means steel as it's the oldest and most refined building material, and fits the ideaology. Titanium is tollerated because, well, it just rocks and kind of looks like steel that someone forgot to paint, but Aluminium frankly reminds us of the slab of beer we drank last night.

Initially satisfying, but eventually crumpled up in our recycling bin and us feeling like sh1t.

AL hater.

You can't chrome aluminum.

your answer seems to be........................................................................ NO!

somebody posted a querry asking if his Alu frame was toast because it fell over onto a granite boulder.
Ugly cuts right into the metal, and this is not a metal that can stand X-stress if compromised.
Ugggh..poor guy. Alu I think is fine in FS bikes. Traditional frame builds minus suspension-no.

Unless you have a minimal budget, no bike, then shure.......I guess.................NOT.

I was talking with a guy from a LBS yesterday and he mentioned how steel is getting better and better, partially due to the steel but also because lugs are getting welded better. I don't claim to know a lot of this personally, but it seems to make sense. Steel seems more sturdy for the city, or at least 165 has done a good job brainwashing me into believing that. You have to watch that guy... He's sneaky.

I just purchased an unused Italian made steal lugged frame from circa 1990 for my fixie commuter/fun ride. It's a road frame but it's a beauty and I cannot wait to get her rigged up fixed. My road bike is an Al/Carbon combo and she is my racer and race she does... so, bias? I don't know. Just use what's out there you know? ...

Actually, the swingarm of my FS bike, as well as 2 trials bikes I've done in the past are Nickel coated Aluminium. "How does he do it?" I hear you say.

"Bugger off" comes the reply. "It's a secret".

well, steel is the best material for fixed gear bikes due to the rear spacing needed. the dropouts can be positioned well on a steel bike.

I cherish my old vintage columbus frame bike because I rode my first (and only ) races on it years ago and could only swear by steel frame till.... I the exact size of my old steel one, the frame is aluminium.. and I love it. But I can't give up my old bike, it's called nostalgia..

My old 70's steel frame is so much more comfortable than my modern aluminum frame bike that it isnt even funny.

I used to ride a 3-speed Triumph All-Steel bike. It was called "all steel" not because other bikes were made of carbon Ti or Al, but because the bottom bracket lug was steel rather than cast iron.

Lugs?..not for me, too heavy (look nice).
I just stripped a Ritchey to metal, the welds are so fine-pure craftmanship.
Most MTB now are huge alu tubed bikes with weld beads the size of rope you use to ty up your boat. Ugly...though probably strong. Guess robots have little sense of asthetics.

Asking a fixed rider if they don't like steel is like asking a man if he doesn't like receiving oral sex.