WHICH FRAME IS BEST ?
Thread started by
Dedicated818 at 01.26.09 - 9:11 pm
Steel ?
Aluminum ?
Titainium ?
Carbon fiber ?
Bamboo ?
Boron ?
any opinions ?
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I like the new Carbon fiber frames,
The ride quality is great.
Stiffness yet compliance with road shock.
Dedicated81801.26.09 - 9:14 pm
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That's an unanswerable question without knowing your particular situation. Are you racing, touring, commuting? How much do you weigh? What's your budget? A quality carbon frame is often the ideal mix of light weight and comfy ride quality, but it'll cost you. Given the carbon frames that are available these days, I wonder if there's any justification for the cost and environmental issues of titanium. Steel frames have great ride quality but are quite a bit heavier. Aluminium is very stiff and great if you put a ton of power to the pedals in a sprint, but may not be terribly comfy over the course of a 100 mile day or while riding along typical LA streets with all of their cracks and bumps.
In general, I'd favour a high quality frame in a cheaper material over a low quality frame made out of something spendy. For most of us, that means a nice steel frame.
ideasculptor01.26.09 - 9:29 pm
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LOLZ dedicated asked a question, and then answered his own question in a reply.
i sitll love steel.
riding carbon fiber makes me... nervous to say the least.
_iJunes01.26.09 - 9:30 pm
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i love that i can ride steel wrecklessly.
i hope to one day acquire a titanium frame.
see how that fares.
_iJunes01.26.09 - 9:33 pm
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I only trust Italian steel! Classic of course.
User101.26.09 - 9:41 pm
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saw this luscious little frame
i ain't lying fellas, she was fine
sweet young miss cold gave me a kiss
and i knew that she was mine
ephemerae01.26.09 - 9:43 pm
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I been holding on to my favorite steel bike for 20 years.
A limited edition Black Chromed Pinnarello Montello SLX
Built by Mr Pinnarello in 1987 it's a keeper. Rides bitchen.
but it weighs 21lbs built with Campy Record C.
To heavy for todays race bikes. Nice crusier
Cheap steel frames ride like shit, as the low qaulity tubing gives a dead feel. not to mention the weight.
A high end steel frame will be made from tempered seemless tubing giving a resiliant ride. And will also be stiffer on acceleration.
Dedicated81801.26.09 - 9:46 pm
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Ride it 'til it breaks!!!
But, if I were rich, a titanium, 700c/20in recumbent with a carbon-fiber fairing!!!
bentstrider01.26.09 - 9:58 pm
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carbon fiber is overrated.
and i say that because i'm on one.
_iJunes01.26.09 - 9:59 pm
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no no no not remorse..
just a lot of nerves...
which forces me to take extra precautions...
so not all bad.
i went into a few shops to look for a new cyclocross/commuter bike, and now i can't justify paying anything for any of those bikes
damn craig, you spoiled me. you done it.
_iJunes01.26.09 - 10:28 pm
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I didn't read this thread but I will not ride carbon!
monovsstereo01.27.09 - 9:11 am
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sure the answer is highly application-specific, but if you have to pick just one...
STEEL IS REAL, BABY!
My ~16 lb road bike and ~30 lb touring bike (which can carry around 300 lbs altogether including rider and cargo) are both steel, very different, but very kickass!
Lance K01.27.09 - 8:41 pm
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Somebody once said this;
"Steel, thousands of years of metallurgical development, Aluminum, barely 100.
Which would you trust under your ass at 30mph???"
bentstrider01.27.09 - 8:52 pm
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Steel obviously. Just think where each of these frame choices would be after 15 years of life.
Steel - still kicking ass!
Aluminum - dying or already dead.
Titainium - kicking ass but man it can't be that easy to work on.
Carbon fiber - are you serious? trashed!
Bamboo - possibly still working just fine.
User101.27.09 - 10:42 pm
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My freind is still riding his 1987 kestral carbon
He only rides 5 to 7 thousand miles a year on it.
Please dont get delusional about steel.
It fatigues over time losing what they call snap.
And drop outs are known to crack or snap over time.
In the old days it was suggested for a racer to replace ther steel frame every two years.
But steel can be repaired and tubes can be replaced along with dropouts.
Carbon fiber can also be repaired, re wraped fixed just like a fiberglass boat.
It all depends on what your willing to settle for.
Dedicated81801.27.09 - 11:02 pm
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Well yeah you can repair any of the frame material listed, but at what cost? Carbon fiber doesn't exude confidence when durability is considered. Nor does it when you're considering repairs.
Steel does fatigue, but at a predictable rate and at a rate that is favorable over all other materials listed. Bamboo maybe the exception.
User101.27.09 - 11:11 pm
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Is everybody so poor that they can't afford to spend money on something that is the center of there life ?
Upgrading to modern equipment is worth it.
Suffering from Bicycle itus I spend most of my income on bikes,
and cycling gear. And have no regrets,even when I am broke
I have a bad ass bike to ride.
If your forced to pinch pennys the rest of your life buy old steel.
I still ride my Dads 1959 Schwinn daily as a commuter.
Dedicated81801.28.09 - 9:41 am
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"But steel can be repaired and tubes can be replaced along with dropouts. "
Steel framebuilders say that all the time, but in real life, has anybody ever seen someone replacing tubes on their steel bikes?
Theoretically, you can pay a framebuilder to carefully do this, but between the work involved in the frame-building and repainting the frame, you could probably replace the frame far more cheaply and quickly.
Get the bike that you can afford that makes you happy, whatever it happens to be made out of.
JB01.28.09 - 9:57 am
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wow lance what steel bike could you be riding thats 16 lbs?
_iJunes01.28.09 - 10:03 am
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For frame restorations Cycle Art is king.
If you have a old masterpiece you want like new they can do it.
From replacing tubes to original graphics. thet even have NOS components. The wait is long and the price is high but work is A+
Dedicated81801.28.09 - 10:12 am
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818,
I would like to refer you to the original question. And thanks for making my argument for me.
Junu got it right in a way. The weight wienies should work on losing a couple of pounds rather than spend $1000 to lose 3 pounds. What rida couldn't stand to lose a couple of pounds?
User101.28.09 - 2:32 pm
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has anybody ever seen someone replacing tubes on their steel bikes?
mothattack megan can do this, i believe.
my friend matt from santa barbara was in a terrible crash on his bomber pro that did some terrible damage to his spine, as well as denting his tt and cracking his dt. he had both tubes replaced.
before (this was before the damage was done)
but this is what it looks like now. it was done locally (in sb) by a guy named steve daniels.
ruinedbyidiots01.28.09 - 2:52 pm
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TIMESARECHANGING08.19.09 - 3:05 pm
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