Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Mountain Biking
Reload this Page >

The heavy arsed steel MTB thread

Notices
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking.

The heavy arsed steel MTB thread

Old 10-07-19, 07:17 AM
  #26  
Leebo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 5,721

Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 854 Post(s)
Liked 111 Times in 66 Posts
Originally Posted by Daspydyr


Santa Cruz Tallboy, ExLarge. 32 pounds of indestructable.
Did you not get the memo? That is not made of steel.
Leebo is offline  
Old 10-07-19, 07:21 AM
  #27  
Leebo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 5,721

Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 854 Post(s)
Liked 111 Times in 66 Posts
Originally Posted by Kapusta
Still heavy for what it was. Could easily have been several pounds lighter with a different frame.

Don’t get me wrong I love Surlys. I own two of them (Karate Monkey and Wednesday), but the frames are heavy, even for steel.
Ever weight bare frames? For me 1lb is not that much difference. Look at tires and parts spec for weight savings. At 235 lbs, I call my 4 Surlys appropriate in sturdiness for my size. Especially all loaded up for bikepacking.
Leebo is offline  
Old 10-07-19, 07:43 AM
  #28  
Kapusta
Advanced Slacker
 
Kapusta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,187

Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2749 Post(s)
Liked 2,516 Times in 1,422 Posts
Originally Posted by Leebo
Ever weight bare frames? For me 1lb is not that much difference. Look at tires and parts spec for weight savings. At 235 lbs, I call my 4 Surlys appropriate in sturdiness for my size. Especially all loaded up for bikepacking.
A pound difference in frame weight is a lot for a frame. Sure, in the larger scheme of things it is just a pound, but it is a lot for a rigid frame. And I'd be willing to bet most CF frames/forks are 2 pounds lighter.

I mean, if your seat post was a pound heavier, you'd say that was a pretty freaking heavy seat post.

Again, I don't think it is a big deal, just saying Surly frames are heavy. And they are.
Kapusta is offline  
Old 10-07-19, 10:14 AM
  #29  
Leebo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 5,721

Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 854 Post(s)
Liked 111 Times in 66 Posts
Originally Posted by Kapusta
A pound difference in frame weight is a lot for a frame. Sure, in the larger scheme of things it is just a pound, but it is a lot for a rigid frame. And I'd be willing to bet most CF frames/forks are 2 pounds lighter.

I mean, if your seat post was a pound heavier, you'd say that was a pretty freaking heavy seat post.

Again, I don't think it is a big deal, just saying Surly frames are heavy. And they are.
If the bike is 30, the load is 25 or so, depending on food and water for that day, and I'm 235, 1 lb is not going to make a difference, for me. I never weighed a bare frame before, Do they make CF frames that fit 29 x 3.0 tires meant for bikepacking? Curious on say something a little more refined steel say niner or such weight? Or maybe the stache frame in Aluminum.
Leebo is offline  
Old 10-07-19, 10:32 AM
  #30  
Daspydyr 
Pedals, Paddles and Poles
 
Daspydyr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Vegas Valley, NV
Posts: 5,495

Bikes: Santa Cruz Tallboy, Ridley Noah, Scott Spark 20

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1233 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times in 58 Posts
Originally Posted by Leebo
Did you not get the memo? That is not made of steel.
DANG, you are right, aluminum! SHEESH, its so heavy I actually thought it was made of iron!
__________________
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!

I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
Daspydyr is offline  
Old 10-07-19, 10:50 AM
  #31  
eshew
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 110
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 40 Post(s)
Liked 54 Times in 29 Posts
Originally Posted by qclabrat
@eshew, I just noticed your Ritchey has very similar welding as an old RD Coyote I have. The lugged seat tube and fillet brazed headtube is a really nice touch. Only difference can see is the RD I have has lugged drop outs like the old 3Rensho bikes. Can you snap a few close ups of the BB? What an awesome looking bike!
Here are some pics from when I was giving the bike it's initial clean.

eshew is offline  
Old 10-07-19, 10:54 AM
  #32  
Kapusta
Advanced Slacker
 
Kapusta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,187

Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2749 Post(s)
Liked 2,516 Times in 1,422 Posts
Originally Posted by Leebo
If the bike is 30, the load is 25 or so, depending on food and water for that day, and I'm 235, 1 lb is not going to make a difference, for me. I never weighed a bare frame before, Do they make CF frames that fit 29 x 3.0 tires meant for bikepacking? Curious on say something a little more refined steel say niner or such weight? Or maybe the stache frame in Aluminum.
If your point is that a pound of bike weight does not matter all that much, you won't get any disagreement from me on that, and I weigh a lot less than you and don't carry 25 lbs on the bike.
Kapusta is offline  
Old 10-07-19, 11:58 AM
  #33  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
It's possible to make a much lighter steel frame than a Surly.

...But you don't see many like that any more. Some bikes that are more like that, like Soma, get a rep/rap for being a bit wimpy.

One part of the MTB origin story is that Tom Ritchey jumped on the bandwagon early because he realized he could buy straight gauge tubing in bulk, miter it with a hole saw and zap it together, for a fraction of what it cost to get branded tubing and lugs.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 10-08-19, 01:27 PM
  #34  
tgenec86
Rouleur
 
tgenec86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Central NY
Posts: 150

Bikes: Felt FC (SRAM Red), Nashbar Carbon (SRAM Red), Felt BR2 (SRAM Red), Salsa El Mariachi 29'er - solid steel, Peugeot PX-10 1972

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 73 Post(s)
Liked 166 Times in 63 Posts


Salsa El Mariachi - 29'er, solid steel. Weight? Doesn't bother me in the least - it rides so well that it doesn't matter!
tgenec86 is offline  
Likes For tgenec86:
Old 10-08-19, 01:43 PM
  #35  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
Apropos of nothing, updated Krampus builds and colors today. Two builds, orange one $2200 with NX, Level brakes, and a suspension fork and dropper post, sky blue one $1550 with SX and all rigid. The new rigid build is a slight step down from last year's at the same price - so it goes.

I love that matched stem on your El Mar
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17

Last edited by Darth Lefty; 10-08-19 at 01:50 PM.
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 10-08-19, 09:22 PM
  #36  
qclabrat
Senior Member
 
qclabrat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,373
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 257 Post(s)
Liked 70 Times in 63 Posts
Originally Posted by eshew
Here are some pics from when I was giving the bike it's initial clean.

Wow, even fillet on the BB, that's some good looking USA craftsmanship
qclabrat is offline  
Old 10-08-19, 09:32 PM
  #37  
eshew
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 110
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 40 Post(s)
Liked 54 Times in 29 Posts
Made by the man himself. Ritchey doesn't mess around. Stoked to own it, only one better is the 83 competition.
eshew is offline  
Old 10-17-19, 01:19 PM
  #38  
Jmpierce
Full Member
 
Jmpierce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: The Lou
Posts: 341

Bikes: 82 Trek 710, 90 Trek 750, 86 Vitus, Nishiki Cervino, 1989 Bianchi CdI, 2 Nashbars, an Italian Steel MTB, Sears Spaceliner, and a 74 Schwinn Speedster. I also manage a fleet of Volcanic Patrol bikes, 83 of them.

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times in 120 Posts
Originally Posted by qclabrat
Do the rear drop outs have any stampings? Did you see stickers for tubeset brands
No stamping on the rear drop outs and the frame was bare steel, no stickers.
The top tube and down tube are sort of oval and the stays are curved.
Jmpierce is offline  
Old 10-19-19, 06:51 AM
  #39  
qclabrat
Senior Member
 
qclabrat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,373
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 257 Post(s)
Liked 70 Times in 63 Posts
qclabrat is offline  
Likes For qclabrat:
Old 10-27-19, 08:46 AM
  #40  
DorkDisk
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,212

Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 576 Post(s)
Liked 989 Times in 484 Posts
This 91 Haro Extreme is by far my heaviest steel bike; but it rides fairly nicely, and has good handling.



DorkDisk is offline  
Likes For DorkDisk:
Old 11-07-19, 10:02 PM
  #41  
tallbikeman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Yolo County, West Sacramento CA
Posts: 517

Bikes: Modified 26 inch frame Schwinn Varsity with 700c wheels and 10 speed cassette hub. Ryan Vanguard recumbent. 67cm 27"x1 1/4" Schwinn Sports Tourer from the 1980's. 1980's 68cm Nishiki Sebring with 700c aero wheels, 30 speeds, flat bar bicycle.

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 131 Post(s)
Liked 141 Times in 102 Posts

Late 1979 I built my first MTB out of a Schwinn Varsity using 26"x1.75" wheels and tires. It weighed 31lbs in race trim sitting on the start line. Because of this heritage I consider the Varsity a capable MTB if you build it that way. The above Varsity is my gravel road/trail bike with 700C x 40mm tires. This bicycle is best characterized by the phrase, "Heavy Metal". So I ask to be qualified a Heavy Arsed Steel MTB. In those early years of MTBing I raced against Mr. Ritchey in several of the Northern California races of the era on that bicycle and did very well. I love the pictures of the steel Ritchey. Speaking of the Ritchey bottom bracket I broke a seatpost at the Rockhopper MTB race in Santa Rosa and walked back to the start line with a guy who had torn the whole BB bearing assembly out of his Ritchey frame with a pedal strike. Ruined the frame.
tallbikeman is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
magnusr
Utility Cycling
1
08-22-17 09:43 AM
PeregrineA1
Classic & Vintage
4
02-13-17 08:53 PM
SteelFrameMane
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
3
01-18-17 12:34 PM
gummibear
Mountain Biking
10
10-30-13 11:00 AM
celticfrost
Road Cycling
5
08-02-10 06:46 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.