fallsjohn

Relative newbie rediscovering cycling after 20 years and looking to upgrade from my 88 Schwinn World Sport. Reading a lot about aluminum frames, carbon forks etc. Also have read a little about "catastrophic carbon fork failure." Yikes. Are the modern non-steel frames/forks weaker and less able to take the abuse of the road? I know my next bike will be like going from an 8 track to an Ipod, but can I get the same impact from a modern steel frame bike, and what quality steel frame bikes are out there? Thanks!

Youngin

How much are you willing to spend? Do you want a touring bike or a racer? I wouldn't worry about the carbon forks.

rufvelo

The $1500 aluminum framed bike with Ultegra is about the best bike you can buy today for practically any application. Steel, Carbon, Ti are expensive and should already have some idea of what these materials offer before spending upwards of $2000 for a bike.

michaelmc

Any failure of non-steel frames or forks is a result of either 1. chance, or 2. design flaw, not any inherent weakness of material. That said, modern steel frames can weigh as little as aluminum, or now with Columbus XCr and Reynolds 953, as little as some carbon frames (think 1400 g). Few big companies are making production steel bikes (Gunnar, Jamis, Lemond maybe), but the independent frame builder industry is burgeoning.

EDITED TO ADD: you're going to pay >$2500 for a XCr or 953 frame, probably closer to $3500. Al or carbon frame with carbon fork is A-OK.

big john

You can get a decent steel frame, around 4 pounds, from Soma for around $400, Gunnar around $750, and Waterford from around $1400. Add a couple hundred for an all steel fork if you want one.

Az B

I got an 853 steel frame for $200. I don't think that's expensive.

Az

StanSeven

If you have a Schwinn, consider Waterford. The great grandson of the founder of Scwinn and the chief engineer of the Paramount racing division left Schwinn before they went bankrupt years ago to strat Waterford.

However every material is better and durable compared to old steel. Take some time and go for some test rides. Each material is different but the biggest difference is what the builder does with the material.

Have fun and try each.

Camilo

I second the idea that you should ride some bikes and see what you think. That said, I got an aluminum frame/carbon fork (alum. stays) Cannondale last year and it rides very comfortably. Don't buy the "aluminum is harsh" thing. It might be, but if it fits well and has geometry you like it can be very comfortable and economical.

prendrefeu

All materials fail at some point. In the meantime, ride it!

ridethecliche

I think jamis makes a steel/carbon frame, which looked pretty cool.
Indy fab has some beautiful steel bikes.

Just depends on how much you want to spend. You could also buy a used 80's steel frame and build it up modern style if you found a good frame. I'm doing that soon

marqueemoon

Good analogy, because an iPod won't necessarily get you better fidelity. It's just the latest delivery method.

Lots of quality steel frames out there to choose from. Steel forks are rarer these days but they can still be found. If you're really looking for versatile steel bike the Salsa Casseroll is a good budget choice. If you have a little more money, Gunnar. If you're willing to expand the budget to, say, $1,200 for frame and fork, go custom.

sced

Check out the on-line offerings from Ebay, Bikesdirect, RSCycles, etc. You can buy a bike with a quality but no-name frame with very good components for usually much less than a brand-name bike at a bike shop. It turns out that most frames are made by a small number of manufacturers in Taiwan or China anyway. If you want a different frame later on you already have most of the parts that you'll want to use and didn't pay much for them. I'm like you, back into cycling after a long layoff (kids, business, life), and have bought 3 bikes this way and wouldn't do it any other way.

Hocam

853 and Columbus Zona will be at a similar price as aluminum, but at least 3/4 of a pound or more heavier for the frame weight.

953 and Columbus Spirit may take that down to 1/4-1/3 of a pound but it still won't be as light and you'll be paying out the wazoo.

dekindy

Gunnar would be an excellent production steel bike. Serotta's Fierte is the premier production model. Bianchi Virata is a great bike that was on closeout last year here in Indianapolis for $1,400 with all Ultegra components. I would have bought that in a heartbeat if I had not already purchased my Serotta Fierte.

Don't be afraid of the new materials. Unless you are racing buy what you think rides the best. I rode them all and decided to stick with steel except for the carbon fork.

fallsjohn

Thanks for all the great input! Just what I needed.

scotch

i don't know it's common to have a steel frame with a carbon fork, but i have a Columbus double-butted steel Torelli frame with a Torelli Aspect CF fork, and while the bike wasn't cheap (just over 2k), the thing is just a dream to ride, and i expect it to last for many years.