steelwool bikes and parts- are they any good
 

theres this store that sells steelwool bikes near me, they look like a solid bike but are they any good? reputable? anyways i was looking at their hubs and wanted to know how they are too? or are they ****?

Never heard of them.

I find it strange that all of their singlespeed bikes have vertical dropouts. But.. They do have eccentric bottom bracket inserts.

yeah, those eccentric bottom brackets just add unnecessary complexity where none is needed...why mess with an (apparently) proprietary solution where none was needed?

eccentric bottom brackets are hardly proprietary

they might as well be. instead of using a standard size which can easily be replaced on the user's end with cheap, quality components, they opt to use an oversized bottom bracket shell to accommodate the eccentric bottom bracket which are more expensive than their competitors with no increase in quality...you're basically paying for the "convenience" of eccentricity.

where is the win in all this?

I have heard rumors that Marinoni makes at least some of the Steelwool frames so if that is true, yes, they are good bikes. At least good frames.

No; the eccentric is just an insert that fits into the oversize shell. The insert is threaded to take a standard bottom bracket:

http://os2.dhs.org/~john/steelwool-eccentric.jpg

This has been standard practice on tandems for decades. The Steelwool eccentric is functionally identical. This is from my 1984 tandem:

http://os2.dhs.org/~john/eccentric.jpg

Not as pretty, but does the same thing.

I used a Niner bio-centric EBB on my Soul Cycles 29er. Setting chain tension is faster and easier than sliders. Not sure how it compares to an ENO eccentric hub, but EBB's are not a bad tensioning system is you opt for a design other than the traditional slug and pinch bolt set up.

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...linger/214.jpg

that's just what i'm saying, the eccentric bb is a good solution if the situation calls for it, but there is no reason at all for the eccentric bb on these steelwood bikes. it simply adds another layer of complexity where it is not needed and they try to pass it off as "never needed to fiddle with chain length"

my question is simply, "why? what's the point? what's the benefit in using this system on these otherwise completely commonplace, normal, run of the mill bikes?"

-With a EBB, you can completely change your gearing (and since its a SS) you don't have to screw with your brake pads nor do you ever have to worry about your calipers having the wrong reach.
-You can also run any rear skewer you want since its in a verticle dropout, including Ti and weight weenie models.
-You also get exact tension and wheel centering every time you drop in your wheel.
-No chain tugs needed, ever.
-EBB require an oversized BB shell which can help BB stiffness since you can weld larger diameter tubes to the BB increasing power transfer.
-Your wheelbase never changes when you change your gearing.
-No wheel slip
-No chewed up fork ends from the monster clamping you need when using a horizontal dropout w/ a steel skewer or track nuts

I would much prefer a EBB over horizontal forks.

So other than that, I suppose there are no benefits.

Changing rear flats is a pleasure with an EBB.

lol

You forgot to mention how much easier it is to get a wheel out of a fendered bike when it's got EBB + Vertical drops as opposed to track drops.

Incorrect. I have the Steelwool Tweed frame that I built up as an 8 speed Alfine drop bar IGH bike. The BB eccentric insert takes virtually any standard cartridge BB. They actually also offer a optional insert idealized to fit external bearing BBs too. I used a Phil Wood BB in building up my bike.

Vertical dropouts have the advantage of guaranteeing that the rear wheel goes in straight and there is no chance of one side slipping forward under chain tension when riding. As disc brake mounts are included also no need to readjust disc caliper position when tensioning the chain as with some horizontal dropout frame designs.

As for quality the Tweed uses Tange Prestige butted chrome moly tubing and is a lugged frame at the head tube and seat tube top areas. I find it good looking. Good paint quality. It is actually a Taiwan made frame so probably similar quality to Surly and Salsa frames. I believe Steelwool's true custom frames are Canadian made.

For me this is a huge advantage and one of the main reasons I bought a Steelwool. Not to mention the sweet looking lugged steel frame ride at a decent price.

I bought a Steelwool "Sweet City" last summer when they sold them as a complete bike. I've been commuting on it for about a year now (except for during the worst of the winter) and I'm very happy with it. The only neg. I'll say is the EBB needs to be tightened during the winter [I live in Toronto] every month or so. I suspect this is due to the differing expansion and contraction of the BB and the insert as the temperature fluctuates.