Wspsux

Is this just glorified 4130 chromoly?

How does it stack up against Reynolds 725 or Tange Prestige with regards to ride quality?




From AC web site:

"We spend a crazy amount of time designing our frames, dialing in not just the geometries but the tubing diameters, wall thicknesses and butting profiles to get the feel of the bike just right. We do this not just on one frame size, but across them all, making sure that each size of every model is precisely tuned to give the rider the experience and thrill that they’ve come to expect from a bike wearing the Hennepin Bridge headtube badge.

It’s a process and result that we’re quite proud of, so we decided to give our proprietary blend of double-butted 100% 612 Select Cro-Moly tubes a name. That name is 612 Select."


Is this just fluff Or is there substance to this? They're crafty wordsmiths.

Scrodzilla

Wacky idea of the day: Contact All-City and ask them.

Wspsux

Wouldn't they be biased?

it would be pretty poor salesmanship not to be.

third party info seems best.

jlafitte 

"proprietary blend" means that if they told you, then they'd have to kill you.

Scrodzilla

Yes, you're right. People on a forum - most of which have never ridden an All-City bike or seen one in real life - are much more apt to tell you exactly what goes into the manufacturing of All-City's tubing and how it compares to other steel tubing. Proceed.

europa

It all depends on the questions you ask. They can't lie and say it's the equivalent of Reynolds 725 when it was actually drawn out in a milking shed out the back end of China somewhere, and I'm sure you're smart enough to see through generalist comments that don't tell you anything such as 'butted tubes for outstanding ride'.

Generally speaking, good quality products have their manufacturer's name on them. 4130 tubing tells you stuff all ... so why are you imaging it'll be as good as any product from Reynolds or Tange?

You can also do a search (pause for shock and horror to subside) and discover what people on this forum have had to say about their All City bikes.

BTW, it's the middle of the night and I'm damned near dead with the flu so it's possible I'm not as diplomatic as I could be

Wspsux

Thanks Europa,


thats just just it, I almost feel like they're rebranding generic 4130 by calling it 612 select. I've heard only good things about the big block, which is what I'm interested in.

i draw a comparison to Tange and Reynolds because there are frame offerings from Soma and Wabi, respectably, within a very close price of the AC big block frame. I'm trying for figure out why they're so closely priced given the differences in quality (if any) of steel used.

anyway, feel better!

Wspsux

Scrod, I did fire them an email this morning but I don't expect to hear back until Monday.
while there are plenty of people on this forum who would not be qualified to answer my question, there are also people like you who are knowledgable and deeply involved (to my understanding) with the industry. I was hoping to reach the latter group.

Scrodzilla

You did, and I told you your best bet would be to contact All-City directly.

Perhaps it's just be being "old-fashioned" but when I have a question directed toward a certain person, company, restaurant, etc. I tend to consult the source instead of sifting through other people's opinions.

Leukybear 

OP you would've gotten your answer already if you followed the 1st reply.

+1
Don't forget to use a fictitious name to throw them off!

Wspsux

I did.

I haven't.

Thanks for the help

IAmSam

I will presume that OP actually did try to do some research before posing his question here because there is no information anywhere in the Google about “612 Select Cro-Moly” besides All City’s own mentions and promotion of it…

which I take to mean that there really is nothing all that special about 612 tubing - or Bikesdirect would have stolen it

Scrodzilla

I'm sure the steel quality itself is comparable to 4130 (just like "Reynolds 520" and "Columbus Cromor") but the difference is in the butting and thickness.