• The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to @SHaines here on the forum, or use the Contact Us form to message the Community Team.

    In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.

    Thanks!

Is steel still real?

Page 5 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Mar 12, 2009
331
1
0
Zigster said:
There is clearly something that steel brings to the table that carbon and aluminum can't. More interestingly, I am willing to bet that sales of titanium frames will actually return nearly to levels seen in the late 90's, once the shortages created by the wars in the middle east subside.

Titanium prices have dropped substantially recently and the prices from Ti bike makers have shown this with price reductions across the board. They offering bikes (not just frames) for less than $2000.
 
Mar 19, 2009
2,703
3
0
Zigster said:
I find it fascinating the amount of partisanship this discussion creates. I can't imagine people arguing over wood vs aluminum vs vinyl vs clad windows.

Nothing wrong with debate, if you really want to see some silly discussion check out the Pro Road and Clinic sections of the forum. This is a veritable oasis in comparison. I used to remodel houses for a living and the older guys would always discuss what tools and materials are best to install those windows. ;)
 
Jul 23, 2010
312
1
0
RDV4ROUBAIX said:
Nothing wrong with debate, if you really want to see some silly discussion check out the Pro Road and Clinic sections of the forum. This is a veritable oasis in comparison. I used to remodel houses for a living and the older guys would always discuss what tools and materials are best to install those windows. ;)

don't get me started with what windows are the best.
 
Jul 23, 2010
312
1
0
usedtobefast said:
i like the clear one's myself. discuss...:D

my wife would find a reason why these are not the best.

Did a whole window remodel this year. It took a year just to pick what windows, what frames......ugh, bad memories.
 
Jul 15, 2010
66
0
0
I think it's safe to say that Titanium framed windows aren't going to take over anytime soon and the demand for steel framed windows has waned somewhat since the 1800's. The real question here is the viability of wood framed, double glazed bicycles.:D
 
Jul 23, 2009
2,891
1
0
Hangdog98 said:
The real question here is the viability of wood framed, double glazed bicycles.:D

scuo08.jpg
 
Jun 10, 2009
606
0
0
tubularglue said:
?who could hate a steel frame. who? :D

I wouldn't hate every steel frame out there, but there are plenty of hate-worthy steel frames (and the same goes for CF and Al too). Bad steel frames can be pretty awful, heavy, flexy, and dead.
Even my wool jersey-wearing, "steel-is-real" evangelising Surly riding friend just gave in and bought himself a Scott CR1 a few weeks ago ;)
 
May 23, 2010
2,410
0
0
dsut4392 said:
I wouldn't hate every steel frame out there, but there are plenty of hate-worthy steel frames (and the same goes for CF and Al too). Bad steel frames can be pretty awful, heavy, flexy, and dead.
Even my wool jersey-wearing, "steel-is-real" evangelising Surly riding friend just gave in and bought himself a Scott CR1 a few weeks ago ;)

Sizes can be hate-worthy in any material...Who cares what someone's 63cm Reynolds 753 was like? Seems like the most opinionated on what is good and bad are always some supersize.. the 60cm+ vitus that flexed etc..duh..
 
What is it with these steel fixies anyway? I'm stopped at the traffic lights the other day and... "bang".. this guy runs right into into the back of me. I look around and he says ... "sorry, I'm on a fixie, I can't stop very well". Oh I see, well,... glad I could help you out then!
 
Jul 15, 2010
66
0
0
Darn fixies

Last week I'm in the city crossing the main road, at night, on foot. The pedestrian signal says "walk" so I start out and out of the corner of my eye I detect a fixie Wanchor in full flight, no lights, tight jeans going though the red light. I stop abruptly and he doesn't even deviate from his line, which was a direct collision course with me. He whizzes past me with 6 inches to spare wearing a scowl as he eyeballs me.

This is the guy who creates enemies for me on the road. This is the guy that the anti-cycling crowd are talking about.:mad:
 
Hangdog98 said:
Last week I'm in the city crossing the main road, at night, on foot. The pedestrian signal says "walk" so I start out and out of the corner of my eye I detect a fixie Wanchor in full flight, no lights, tight jeans going though the red light. I stop abruptly and he doesn't even deviate from his line, which was a direct collision course with me. He whizzes past me with 6 inches to spare wearing a scowl as he eyeballs me.

This is the guy who creates enemies for me on the road. This is the guy that the anti-cycling crowd are talking about.:mad:

and it's name is Douchebag. when a car takes them out, it will cull the herd.
not really wishing that on anyone, but...behave yourself ahole!
 
Mar 12, 2009
331
1
0
Back to steel, and the other materials. Still I see some hipsters riding some sweet vintage steel frames (all fixies of course). I bet when the trend is dead (won't be too much longer) those bikes will be all over ebay and craig's list for next to nothing.
 
uphillstruggle said:
The guy who won the race I was in the other day was on a steel frame. Left us mugs on aluminium and carbon steeds for dead.

Steel is as real as the leg under it it would appear.

There's not one at my club and I never see them in any serious races. Steel is now a fashion statement only.
 
Mar 12, 2009
331
1
0
Polyarmour said:
There's not one at my club and I never see them in any serious races. Steel is now a fashion statement only.

I would argue that Carbon is as much a fashion statement at the club level.
 
Mar 8, 2010
3,263
1
0
My steel-loveliness :cool:

typical szenario:
Him: "Do you sell this bike?"
Me: "No, never"
Him: "300€ ?"
Me: "No thanks"
Him: "500€ ?"
Me: "No thanks, at 3000€ I will perhaps start thinking about selling her!"
Him: "Mh, okayyyyyyy"

steel.jpg
 
Apr 7, 2010
77
0
0
I ride both materials, carbon and steel. I would rather have my carbon frames any day. the ride of the carbon frame is smooth and less chatty for me. Plus I live in Florida and just looking at something steel it will rust. Also the wheel debate in the beginning never once did someone post some real time results. I have rode the same route a few years now and I can say a light pair of wheels help with the speed, if that is your thing. The quickest time on my route was 23+mph constant every time I rode them and that was with 40+ stops on the route all on my light weight wheelset. The best I could muster on my 32 sopke wheels was low 22 mph. fact!..just saying...
 
May 3, 2009
52
0
0
I have been using a steel Orbea with a record group for the last 7 years between the test rides I do on some real high end carbon (see my blog) and somehow it's always a great feeling to get back on it after a few months on some super high end machine.

Steel has the best feel but it's not a racing machine. Some of it has to do with the 3x hand built wheels as well. Traditional wheels also enhance ride quality but not speed.

Keep that steel Lemond and use it to get back into the swing but the time will come when you will need a new carbon machine to gain those seconds in the TT's
 
Sep 3, 2010
6
0
0
You're Good

RDV4ROUBAIX said:
Steel is still very much real. If the bike is still in great shape you're good to go. Ride a lot, and you'll have the plastic cycling chic scratching their heads why an old guy on an old steel rig is smoking us. It's the best feeling.

This is great advice, and I totally agree.

I just recently switched to a carbon frame
because I had a ruptured disc in my back, recently repaired by clinical trials surgery. The carbon frame has allowed me to ride again, due to the marked increase in comfort over my prior aluminum frame. But that is not necessarily true for steel. If your bike feels good, fits you well, and is comfortable, stay with it and save yourself a lot of money.

Another thing I would say, and I didn't read all the posts in this thread so I apologize if it has already been mentioned, but if you are going to do club rides/races, etc., then remember that $4K - $8K bike is darn expensive to replace after a crash. When I rode Cat III and then II, I kept the good bike at home, and had a decent, but pretty thrashed bike for the races. If I crashed it, it wasn't the end of my financial world. I don't know if that makes any sense. But I would ride that pretty steel frame as long as you can. No need to go to carbon unless you have to. Cheers.
 
Black Dog said:
I would argue that Carbon is as much a fashion statement at the club level.

+1

It's all about the legs and brain powering the bike. That said, I know why people like carbon and I can't fault them for it.

Carbon is too expensive and the failure is too sudden for me. When I've broken steel frames, the bike rides *badly* such that you take a look around. You find the crack. Carbon just breaks. Worse than that, you can set up carbon failure by scoring the material. No thanks.

Modern steel bikes are a good deal lighter than the old equipment. Few builders use the older geometry. That's some of what people enjoy on those old bikes. They are easier, more fun to ride. Hampsten builds them using more relaxed geometry. He's onto something. New tube sets and relaxed geometry is the fun way to go. No, handling is not compromised.
 
Jul 15, 2010
420
0
0
OK - I have been thinking about this a lot lately and while I own two steel frames, whole "steel is real" thing kind of ****s me. But don’t worry cause carbon fiber is a short step behind.

I know it’s not fashionable, but I am putting my hand up for a good aluminum frame.

While steel is great for poncing around on and talking about “purity”, “craftsmanship” and “character” while you sip on your merlot, aluminum has it by the balls when it comes to the zing.

Yeah it will shake your fillings loose and you will have a sore **** after 100k, but when it comes to feeling like you are riding a bucking bronco of a bike that wants to sprint and climb like a randy goat – aluminum will take you to heaven – it’s just you will have to go to purgatory along the way.

Oh and there will always be the chance that your frame is going to snap unexpectedly behind the bottom bracket so every ride is exciting and has that little bit of mystery!!

If you are a fat bloke you can pretend you are Cippolini and if a wee fellow, Marco Pantani. Steel has become cool. Try rocking up to the bunch on 90’s alloy frame and see what the gang thinks – down tube shifters on a tube as big as your leg is an underrated look.

Steel is real? Aluminum zings.
 

Latest posts