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Steel is Real.. Explain?

Old 05-20-19, 03:25 PM
  #101  
veganbikes
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My 1994 Phil Wood frame made from steel (including fork) is so extremely stiff it is ridiculous. I have trouble getting the correct sized wheel in the drop outs (yes I measured everything and yes I have installed plenty of wheels in semi horizontal drops) I am also equipped with a heavier but very aero toroidal bulge (like a ZIPP wheel) and I don't notice my steel frames to be noodles and I have ridden various different steel frames from Columbus Cromor tubing to Tange Prestige to Reynolds 531 and 753 as well as other stuff from different builders and manufacturers. However my steel frames are certainly more comfortable over long distances than my aluminum or any carbon bikes I have ridden.

Carbon is a fine material and has its place but for me I would rather have a frame built from high quality steel or titanium. If I was a lighter person and valued weight above all else I could easily build a very light steel framed bike without much fuss and I still wouldn't be able to race it in a UCI competition because it would be too light. Going really light is not hard these days and you can even do it avoiding carbon all together.
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Old 05-20-19, 03:48 PM
  #102  
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Originally Posted by Lemond1985
That's a pretty shocking statement, and I find it difficult to believe, but it does make me want to try out the new Cannondales.
I was very surprised, too. Cannondale (or whoever manufactures their frames) has something called the SAVE technique for hydroforming the aluminum frames, and that allows for some forgiveness to be built into the rear triangle. Also keep in mind that the CAADX is running 700x35 tires, so a lot of the forgiveness resides there. When I go for a ride, I am lucky enough to be able to choose between two bikes that feel similar. The main difference is in the 2x11 gearing of the C’dale and the 2x8 setup on the Miyata. It will be interesting to see how my present project rides - a 1974 Raleigh International.
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Old 05-20-19, 03:57 PM
  #103  
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The Brits have been building and riding quality bikes much longer than Americans, They were decades ahead of us.

I love my '76 Competition. It was fixie for a while, then a 700x35 gravel bike, and now I'm going for a race setup. Those old Raleighs can do it all, esp with modern componentry. Reynolds 531 rules, FWIW.

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Old 05-20-19, 04:23 PM
  #104  
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Originally Posted by goldensprocket

"So they don't make springs out of aluminum......................
Reminds me of my dream bike.

A bike made out of STEEL... AND made out of SPRINGS!

Will Peter Weigle build this for me?


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Old 05-20-19, 04:33 PM
  #105  
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Do you remember you mothers home baked cookies? Are they better than the ones in a package at the store? Of course, what was the secret ingredient? Love.

The idea of riding a bike whose frame parts were each chosen for the build and assembled by hand, a project that blurs the line between craftsmanship and art, a ride that invokes the idea of a sweaty Italian man building this bike for me. You're damn right I'm going to love that ride.

Sugar, flour, fat; those cookies at the store aren't much different than the one's mom made.

I'm a recent convert to steel. A common theme among us steel proselytizers is that most of us used to race on much more exotic materials. We've slowed down and matured. My Scandium bike was 16.5lbs in 2003, I sold it to pay for the next ride. My Litespeed was 14lb 15oz in 2006, I sold it for a loss because it rode like ****. I ride a Columbus steel Tallerico with Bayliss geometry. I might like it more each time I ride it. It's a 2002 or 3 and I've only had for 2 years. It still feels new and lively. It's not the "old bike". I've sure waited a long time on top of major climbs for people. 17.75lbs isn't slowing this thing down, well, not anymore than age/children/job have. I've never had something that descends this well. Something about it begs to be ridden. It entices me into the mountains. It dares me to attempt more and more audacious goals. It brings back the love of riding. Is it as fast as the stuff I raced on. Probably not. Is it as fast as a modern Cat 2 worthy bike? Definitely not. Am I in the market for a new road bike? What do you think?
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Old 05-20-19, 05:09 PM
  #106  
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Im not into the carbon fiber thing just yet.
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Old 05-20-19, 05:46 PM
  #107  
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Originally Posted by Rajflyboy
Im not into the carbon fiber thing just yet.
Carbon mountain bikes have been around since the mid-90s.

Luckily enough for you, while the middle to top tier bikes are mostly carbon fiber these days, some manufacturers still offer aluminum, or steel, frames for budget-conscious people.

(insert youtube video showing carbon frames being whacked with hammers, bare carbon rims being thrashed down stair sets, etc. etc.)
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Old 05-20-19, 06:29 PM
  #108  
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Being a Bear of Very Little Brain, I ride what I love and love what I ride - and that’s steel.

Well, three of four are steel. One tandem is aluminum.




I realize that metal is heavier than CF. But I’m not a competitor so it really doesn’t matter.

Rather than spending money on a additional “lighter” bike I lost weight. 30# less in the saddle really makes a difference.




Steel is real for me because it’s *my* reality.

Your reality may vary.
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Old 05-20-19, 06:29 PM
  #109  
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Are most synthetic oils truly synthetic and can I use it on my bike chain?
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Old 05-20-19, 06:38 PM
  #110  
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Originally Posted by Dr.Lou
Are most synthetic oils truly synthetic and can I use it on my bike chain?

But have you tried waxing your chain?


Stop me now.............


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Old 05-20-19, 06:39 PM
  #111  
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr
Only if you weigh no more than 150-160 lbs. To a heavier person, it's like riding a wet noodle.
I am 240# and havent found riding steel frame and fork bikes to be like riding a wet noodle. This goes for traditional diameter tubing and OS tubing. I own a lot of steel road, gravel, and touring bikes that are from the 80s, 90s, and present. I am 6'5 too, so the diamond frames are large too, which doesnt help things.


We all ride differently though. Perhaps my output isnt close to yours. Just saying that weight neednt be a reason to not ride a steel frame bike.[/QUOTE]

https://pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-001/FAIL-036.html
https://pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-001/FAIL-025.html
https://pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-001/FAIL-041.html
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https://pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-001/FAIL-193.html
https://pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-001/FAIL-194.html
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Old 05-20-19, 06:40 PM
  #112  
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Originally Posted by rosefarts
Do you remember you mothers home baked cookies? Are they better than the ones in a package at the store? Of course, what was the secret ingredient? Love.
The guy at the Trek factory who welded my 410 and my 620 in the mid-1980's must have had lots of his Mom's cookies. I'm still feelin' the love 35 years later!
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Old 05-20-19, 06:56 PM
  #113  
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Huh?

Not sure what the point of all this was. A lot of effort on your part for a lot of confusion on my part.
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Old 05-20-19, 07:09 PM
  #114  
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For building up bikes from old parts, a steel frame is more forgiving of adjusting the rear triangle spacing and correcting alignment issues. Practically any halfway decent lugged road frame will continue to have a use, even after most of its other parts have been trashed, so there are a certain number of us who are always looking out for those frames. Granted, that's a pretty small niche. For a newer mainstream bike that I don't expect to modify, I'd have no problem with a wider range of frame materials.
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Old 05-20-19, 07:16 PM
  #115  
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Originally Posted by Juggy_Gales
Ok I keep hearing and seeing quotes about "Steel is Real".

What is with the fascination? I am assuming it is related to steel framed bikes.. but why is this the thing now?

Im not mocking steel bikes.. they are robust.. very rugged.. But aren't they a bit heavy too?
With everyone trying to be light and go carbon.. Im seeing so much "Steel is Real"
I remember when LPs were replaced by CDs. And guess what is back and what is not?
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Old 05-20-19, 07:17 PM
  #116  
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
The reason it's real is because it can be welded or brazed.into a strong durable structure which will last for a very long time...Carbon is just a bunch of plastic held together with some epoxy and it's weak and fragile.
I’m a carbon-based life form, and I’m still going strong after 56+ years. I’m pretty sure my carbon-based bike frame is strong enough.
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Old 05-20-19, 07:41 PM
  #117  
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Carbon fiber asplodes. I seen it. Nuthin’ left but scraps of Lycra and white socks.
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Old 05-20-19, 07:51 PM
  #118  
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
I sprayed some rust proofing oil inside my steel frames because I ride all year round in all weather conditions...Cro- moly steel is pretty rust resistant and will last a very long time even without rustproofing. I've never seen a steel bicycle rust out.
Mine are doing a lot better once I stopped storing salt in the seat tubes.
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Old 05-20-19, 07:52 PM
  #119  
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Originally Posted by Loose Chain
I remember when LPs were replaced by CDs. And guess what is back and what is not?
Makes me think of the 21st century vinyl owners finding out they're allergic to their own vinyl collection. Sad.
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Old 05-20-19, 07:54 PM
  #120  
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Originally Posted by jlaw
Reminds me of my dream bike.

A bike made out of STEEL... AND made out of SPRINGS!

Will Peter Weigle build this for me?


So rigid. So light.
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Old 05-20-19, 07:59 PM
  #121  
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By the way, chocolate is inherently better than vanilla. Anyone who prefers vanilla is a moron.

and one point of information -- if you really don't want an assplosion, avoid mannitol ice cream and candy.
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Old 05-20-19, 08:23 PM
  #122  
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You get a lot of bang for your buck with steel, IMO. All things being equal, I think they are a more compliant ride than other materials, and way less expensive than cf. I still drool over bikes like the cutthroat, but I am also perfectly happy doing most of my riding on 26 to 30 pound bikes and having an extra$2k in my pocket. Any deficiency in my riding I chalk up to my fitness level, and until I can generate 1000w at the drop of a hat, I have no practical need for anything fancier than butted cromo.
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Old 05-20-19, 08:36 PM
  #123  
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Originally Posted by FiftySix
Makes me think of the 21st century vinyl owners finding out they're allergic to their own vinyl collection. Sad.
No, that is the black mold growing on LPs stored in wet basements!
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Old 05-20-19, 08:49 PM
  #124  
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Originally Posted by Machka
Now? It's been the thing for decades.

If you do a Google search on "steel is real" quote, the first result up is dated 2005.
And that date is fairly recent. Aluminum became the dominate frame material in the mid90s. People have been saying “steel is real” since at least then. It may even date from the mid80s when Cannondale and Klein started using aluminum as a new fangled material.
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Old 05-20-19, 09:17 PM
  #125  
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Originally Posted by Lemond1985
I freely admit that my Cannondale is objectively "faster" (especially during sprints) than any of my steel bikes, but steel really has the edge in comfort. Plus it's a "mature" product, meaning it's been studied and thought about for well over 100 years, so the technology is extremely well-developed.

If steel really was "faster", every pro in the peloton would be using steel frames, but they don't. There is at least one "ex pro" who does though, and you gotta respect his steel Paramount. He obviously knows his stuff, and absolutely loves the bike:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99Bb0R76AEw

beautiful bike

Colorful. I miss bikes with some color to them.
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