carlosfpr

Hi all,

I recently got my fixie, so I'm new to all this.

Why there's so many Chromoly or Steel fixie frames? On road and tri bikes most of them are carbon or aluminum, but on fixies this is very rare. Any particular reason?

Thanks!

Scrodzilla

homebrewk

^^^This. Aluminum is a little stiffer and often (but not always) lighter. Steel has a much, much, much smoother ride though.

rithem

whatever ... TRACK RACing bikes at least bikes made after the year 2000 are almost always Al or Carbon .... "steel" frames generally, in regard to cheap entry level "fixies", can be produced by nearly untrained laborers in Asia compared to high end carbon and Al fabrication. Needless to say YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR ... the Steel is real thing is a bit dated and tongue and cheek at this point if you ask me, it's just a handy thing for people to say so they can sound cool. There are plent of pro & cons for all materials mentioned here.

redpear

I think the the most reasonable argument I've heard for steel is real is that it's durable and inexpensive. Which is kind of nice to have in a city/urban bike.

I did, however, read something about Icarus frames being tremendously light despite being steel. A well made steel frame can be light and durable and stiff also.

Scrodzilla

I was being snarky.

redpear

Really? I kinda believe in steel to be honest. Not that it's a be-all-end-all, but it has its niche.

rithem

I figured ... wasn't callin you out

max5480

steel is cheap and has a dull ride quality.
aluminum is light and stiff.
yes they make high quality steel and they also make high quality aluminum.
most sane people would chose the high quality aluminum (unless you're old or think progression is a fad).

Jaytron

My steel bike was cheap, and rides nicely around the city. I don't need super stiff AL to shake my wrists to pieces when commuting to/from work.

Scrodzilla

This is a common misconception. My bones don't crumble when riding my aluminum bike.

redpear

But of course, you have bones of STEEL Scrod.

Scrodzilla

Another common misconception. Only my balls are made of steel.

edit: somebody sig that right now

hairnet

Why? Like with so many things in cycling, it depends.

redpear

Done.

rithem

do they hang from your trailer hitch?

Scrodzilla

hahaha

Jaytron

:C

I did have my AL bike when I was fatter, maybe that's why. Hahaha

jack002

Reliable
Unbreakable
So strong
Tough and inexpensive

Scrodzilla

Dude, I weigh nearly 200 lbs.

Lilcphoto

the whole argument can be summed up with cars... steel is like a Cadillac, and aluminum is like a Honda with cut springs... They both go down the road just fine, but when you hit a rough patch its nice to have steel, as the aluminum can be a bit jarring... but nothing to cry home about.

rithem

that's why you should get coilovers cut springs are for hacks

Butthole_Surfer

It's cheap and easy to make a TIG welded steel frame which helps fuel the hipster tarck bike trends to all new levels. Then there's lugged steel frames which are just beautiful.

hamish5178

How can steel be real? It isn't even on the periodic table! I like my bikes to be made out of pure elements, thanks very much.

...I'm sure someone will come along and try to give me a science lesson, to which I say whoosh

Scrodzilla

Jeez, they don't even make AIRPLANES out of steel.