Modern Steel Road Bike Appreciation Thread
01-20-16, 11:55 AM
#76
- Soli Deo Gloria -
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The weight penalty is between 0.5 to 1.25 lb. Steel forks provide a nice ride, but so do carbon.
Your exaggeration ("riding on a cloud") actually discredits what you are saying. It just comes off as BS to anyone who has a wide range of experience with frames made of different materials.
Your exaggeration ("riding on a cloud") actually discredits what you are saying. It just comes off as BS to anyone who has a wide range of experience with frames made of different materials.
Metaphor =/= exaggeration. Buttery feel. Smoother ride relative to aluminum. Whatever phraseology makes you happy. I'm sorry my prose disappointed you. I guess sunsets can't be "breathtaking" nor can a smart person actually be "brilliant" nor a bike "hot" unless heated in an oven. Farnsworth be damned.
When did weight suddenly become a "penalty" on bikeforums? I thought weight doesn't matter?
Last edited by TimothyH; 01-20-16 at 12:01 PM.
01-20-16, 11:57 AM
#77
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Hey Mig, I get your point. I like the Tange Prestige chrome fork a lot, but I'd like to see a fork similar to the Wraith's Columbus FEL made of steel, or more clearly, I wonder if it can be done. I'm sure it can't be done for the weight of that fork, which is a smooth one to ride on, no doubt about it.
01-20-16, 12:01 PM
#78
Vain, But Lacking Talent
I've been checking out the Velominati website more as of late (the 41 is no longer roadie enough for me) and they seem to have some partnership with Jaegher out of Belgium. Looks nice, but stupid expensive, and I can find almost zero info online in terms of actual ride reviews except for one super picky (hey, they aren't cheap) guy with a blog who had quite a few small gripes.
Airlight Steel Race Cycles ? Jaegher
Beautiful bikes, though. Not sure if I could justify the expense.
Airlight Steel Race Cycles ? Jaegher
Beautiful bikes, though. Not sure if I could justify the expense.
01-20-16, 12:20 PM
#79
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I'm not arguing against carbon forks. I do wonder however, why there aren't more steel forks available for modern steel bikes.
My steel fork is "modern" in that it is threadless but is pretty high-end lugged Tange Infinity CroMo. It's not an old or vintage fork but manufactured in 2015. I thought it would be heavy and harsh but everything I heard about the "Buttery feel" of steel frames translated to the fork as well. Riding he bike is like riding on a cloud.
Not really sure I have a point here other than expressing my own experience with a steel fork and wondering out loud why riders don't consider steel forks for steel bikes more often. I get that you can't have on your bike what what manufacturers don't offer. If I was to build a modern steel bike however, I would not hesitate to put a good quality steel fork on it.
My steel fork is "modern" in that it is threadless but is pretty high-end lugged Tange Infinity CroMo. It's not an old or vintage fork but manufactured in 2015. I thought it would be heavy and harsh but everything I heard about the "Buttery feel" of steel frames translated to the fork as well. Riding he bike is like riding on a cloud.
Not really sure I have a point here other than expressing my own experience with a steel fork and wondering out loud why riders don't consider steel forks for steel bikes more often. I get that you can't have on your bike what what manufacturers don't offer. If I was to build a modern steel bike however, I would not hesitate to put a good quality steel fork on it.
01-20-16, 12:36 PM
#80
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01-20-16, 02:06 PM
#82
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Wasn't he disqualified for doping at the last Olympics? 
Seriously, who is Farnsworth? Surely you don't mean the guy who had so much to do with television development.
Seriously, who is Farnsworth? Surely you don't mean the guy who had so much to do with television development.
01-20-16, 02:24 PM
#83
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WRT defining modern vs C&V, a can of worms.
Eroica uses 1987. No aero brakes, no integrated brake shifters, no clipless pedals, etc. Classic Rendezvous uses 1983 and similar equipment criteria. In either case carbon forks and threadless stems are forbidden.
From my perspective the 130 spacing, integrated brake/shifters and vertical rear dropouts make the best definition. Pedals tend to be what works best for the individual. One can buy today, using Gunnar/Waterford as the example, steel or carbon fork, sloping or horizontal top tube, threaded or threadless fork, lugged or tig welded (let's not forget fillet brazing by many others). Certainly these options are available from any number of other builders.
The world of steel is probably at a new high given the number of choices in technique, material, etc. What's the date? For this thread? I have no idea. For me, if I can put a 130 spaced wheel in without spreading the stays, it is modern.
Eroica uses 1987. No aero brakes, no integrated brake shifters, no clipless pedals, etc. Classic Rendezvous uses 1983 and similar equipment criteria. In either case carbon forks and threadless stems are forbidden.
From my perspective the 130 spacing, integrated brake/shifters and vertical rear dropouts make the best definition. Pedals tend to be what works best for the individual. One can buy today, using Gunnar/Waterford as the example, steel or carbon fork, sloping or horizontal top tube, threaded or threadless fork, lugged or tig welded (let's not forget fillet brazing by many others). Certainly these options are available from any number of other builders.
The world of steel is probably at a new high given the number of choices in technique, material, etc. What's the date? For this thread? I have no idea. For me, if I can put a 130 spaced wheel in without spreading the stays, it is modern.
01-20-16, 02:39 PM
#84
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I really couldn't care less about arguing over what the definition of modern steel road bike is, I came here to look at pictures of cool steel bikes. So here's one, as modern as can be IMHO:
If I had some gravel to grind I'd be looking into buying this bike for sure.
If I had some gravel to grind I'd be looking into buying this bike for sure.
01-20-16, 03:34 PM
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Black Cat are some wicked steel bikes...shockingly modern, this one blurs the distinctions between old and new; geometric lugs which incorporate an integrated headset, integrated seat mast, curved stays, carbon fork, wheels and other bits. Wow.
01-20-16, 03:38 PM
#88
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01-20-16, 03:38 PM
#89
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That is a cool looking, modern steel bike, but I question the logic behind the integrated seat mast.
01-20-16, 03:47 PM
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01-20-16, 03:54 PM
#92
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I'd ask the price, but I know that means I couldn't afford it. I too don't get the point of seat masts (in any application honestly), but it does look fantastic.
01-20-16, 03:55 PM
#93
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01-20-16, 04:12 PM
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I guess if it's your "forever bike," and you're going to have it until you can't ride anymore, then why not? The topper gives some range of adjustability, and if anything, you'll be adjusting it down as you shrink, so you could cut the tube.
It does make reselling a PITA, though.
01-20-16, 04:47 PM
#96
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I concur on those two. I especially like the fork on the Fairdale - looks similar to the Gunnar Crosshairs I have (color especially). I like the carbon forks painted to the color of the frame.
01-20-16, 06:36 PM
#97
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That is the best looking steel bike I've ever seen...maybe the best of any type. Now this has me thinking on another bike.
01-20-16, 06:50 PM
#98
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Modern Italian Steel. https://www.stelbel.it/en/prodotto/sb03-en/
Last edited by dr_lha; 01-20-16 at 06:55 PM.
