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A World of Difference Between Reynolds 631 and 853

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A World of Difference Between Reynolds 631 and 853

Old 12-05-05, 11:58 AM
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im thinking about puchasing a Vigorelli frameset. is it worth the extra 200 to get the frame built with reynolds 853? What differences should i notice if i opt for the 853?

631: 442.88 USD
725: 561.01 USD
853: 643.82 USD

EDIT: prices are way off. see below.

Last edited by modmon; 12-05-05 at 12:30 PM.
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Old 12-05-05, 12:03 PM
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Slightly OT but is there a good resource for information about tubesets online? As I start to research to build my own frame I'm having difficulty finding good info.
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Old 12-05-05, 12:13 PM
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Are those rates for the Bob Jackson Vigorelli?
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Old 12-05-05, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by eat_raw
Are those rates for the Bob Jackson Vigorelli?
rates are for the mercian.
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Old 12-05-05, 12:17 PM
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Not to answer your question or anything, but the different steel alloys all weigh the same, if in solid blocks of metal. The difference is that with a stronger alloy, you can use less, making it lighter.

Not sure how this translates into reynolds branded tubesets however (butting etc)
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Old 12-05-05, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by modmon
rates are for the mercian.
your conversion rates are off
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Old 12-05-05, 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by eat_raw
your conversion rates are off
i used an online currency converter. what are the correct rates? prices are 375, 475, and 545.
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Old 12-05-05, 12:27 PM
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yeah it's more like

631: 653.89 USD
725: 828.26 USD
853: 950.23 USD

per xe.com
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Old 12-05-05, 12:28 PM
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375gbp ~= 653usd
475gbp ~= 828usd
545gbp ~= 950usd

edit: beat me to it, ****.
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Old 12-05-05, 12:29 PM
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yikes. thats a world of difference...
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Old 12-05-05, 12:29 PM
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you were thinking they were dealin' in euros. GBP, baby.
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Old 12-05-05, 12:30 PM
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IIRC, the 853 is more rigid than the 631. 631 Is the air hardening version of 531.

more here:

https://www.reynoldsusa.com/english.html

FWIW I have two gunnar bikes with 853 frames and I like them alot.

later
dave


Originally Posted by genericbikedude
Not to answer your question or anything, but the different steel alloys all weigh the same, if in solid blocks of metal. The difference is that with a stronger alloy, you can use less, making it lighter.

Not sure how this translates into reynolds branded tubesets however (butting etc)
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Old 12-05-05, 12:38 PM
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I have an 853 frame and used to own another. They're nice. But for casual rides, anyway, I prefer the more springy feel of 531. And I prefer lugs. (Isn't 853 TIG only?)

Never ridden 631, though.
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Old 12-05-05, 12:45 PM
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853 can be lugged
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Old 12-05-05, 01:08 PM
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Lighter, stronger, blah, blah, but not cheaper.
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Old 12-05-05, 02:55 PM
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I have corresponded with Mercian about the different tube sets, and they told me they effect the ride quality and not so much the weight.
They said a professional rider or avid amateur would feel the difference, but for someone who just wants to ride on the street, I should trust them to use the tubes best for me; probably 725 or 631 or a combination thereof.
More expensive doesn't always mean better, only different.
They said I should probably go with cheaper on the street.

I very much want to build a bike on a Mercian Super Vigorelli.
How could it get any better?

They told me to send them the geometry of my present bike and tell them what I liked and didn't like, and to send a small picture of me riding my bike, and to trust them.

About three weeks and a thousand dollars delivers it to my door.

https://www.merciancycles.com/frame_vigorelli.asp
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Old 12-05-05, 03:10 PM
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Minor detail, but for a grand it's worth asking: can you get it with a fork that's not drilled?
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Old 12-05-05, 03:14 PM
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My (lugged) road bike is 853* and my Soma Rush is 631. They both have a great, lively feel. I did about 25-30 miles on the Soma yesterday and was amazed at how well it soaks up the little bumps. My road frame is maybe a little stiffer but it's hard to tell with my current noodly stem.

I would love to have a Mercian fixed frame. I'm practically drooling just thinking about it. $1000 is very reasonable for a custom lugged frame and the Mercian paint is badass. Enjoy!

*90% sure on this. It is a lugged Davidson frame the previous owner spray painted (there are no original decals and I can't find any other clues), but I know that is what they used for most of their steel frames during this era.
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Old 12-05-05, 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Ken Cox
They told me to send them the geometry of my present bike and tell them what I liked and didn't like, and to send a small picture of me riding my bike, and to trust them.
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this is interesting. do many custom framebuilders work this way? other than getting personally fitted by the framemakers, what would be the best way to get a frame personally fitted?
im looking into marinoni now, since my price conversions were so off. not as nice as the mercian but theyre more affordable.
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Old 12-05-05, 03:34 PM
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you guys oughta take note: those numbers connote a material,
not a tubeset. each of the materials is available in a wide selection
of diameters, lengths, and guage combinations. my sense is that
you "might" notice the difference between the lighest, thin walled,
small diameter set and it's heavy guage-ed, oversize equivilant,
but you would never know which of the 3 materials it was made from.
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Old 12-05-05, 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by e-RICHIE
you guys oughta take note: those numbers connote a material,
not a tubeset. each of the materials is available in a wide selection
of diameters, lengths, and guage combinations. my sense is that
you "might" notice the difference between the lighest, thin walled,
small diameter set and it's heavy guage-ed, oversize equivilant,
but you would never know which of the 3 materials it was made from.
e-RICHIE©™®
Basically the shape and diameter of the tubing is more important than the material. This forum needs an infusion of your brainpower.

They are all out-to-lunch
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Old 12-05-05, 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by eyefloater
Minor detail, but for a grand it's worth asking: can you get it with a fork that's not drilled?
They'll drill it or not drill it as the customer wants.
I asked for a threadless head tube and fork and they said no problem.
Apparently, they take the word "custom" literally.
Visit the site.

https://www.merciancycles.com/frame_vigorelli.asp

They'll do anything you want, some of it for free and some of it for a price, depending.

As for fitting, they also wanted body measurements in addition to the present bike geometry (plus what I like and what I don't like about my present bike) and a small picture of me riding my present bike.
I spaced out on the body measurement part.

On my 59cm Bianchi Pista, I have found a stem and bullhorn combo that puts me in a good place over the front wheel, but I feel too far forward over the back wheel, and would like a little more weight back there without changing my relationship to the front wheel.
I can't move my saddle any further back, and so I would expect a custom frame to give me what I think I want.
Hopefully, if wanted something bad for myself, Mercian would say "wait a minute, let's talk about this."
They've indicated that they would keep me from shooting myself in the foot, unless I really, really want to shoot myself in the foot, and in that case they'll take my money and let me blast away.
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Old 12-05-05, 04:27 PM
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Sounds good, I can't wait for some pics.
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Old 12-05-05, 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by 53-11_alltheway
Basically the shape and diameter of the tubing is more important than the material. This forum needs an infusion of your brainpower.

They are all out-to-lunch

Arent you the one always bangin on steel frames??? Dont think I dont know who you are.
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Old 12-05-05, 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Pipebomb
Arent you the one always bangin on steel frames??? Dont think I dont know who you are.
I bag on old steel frames made out of small diameter tubing that go for too much money on Ebay not Richard Sach's Deda steel creations. You should all realize he uses oversize lugs too.

No comparison.

Comparing a modern Richard Sach's track frame to a old cinelli is like comparing a new Ferrari to an old Fiat. Sorry, but I'm right

Last edited by 53-11_alltheway; 12-05-05 at 05:32 PM.
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