Steel is better? - Page 2

yes........me to

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The most beautiful thing in the world is blue : the sky, the sea ...

In theory there's no difference between theory and reality; in reality there is.

All fatigue failures begin with an initial crack. Aluminum can develop that initial crack through cyclical loading, but for steel (never stressed beyond the fatigue strength) the crack must come from elsewhere - material flaw, threaded section, trauma, even a kickstand clamp.

The reality is, steel bikes fail by fatigue all the time and aluminum bikes can be designed for whatever expected life the engineer wants to.

Hi Tingle...or is it Wayne

I'm not going to get into the science of steel vs aluminium (or whatever other materials there are). I have two mountain bikes and one road bike. Of the mountain bikes one is steel and the other is aluminium. Although I enjoy riding both of them, I really favour the steel one. It just seems to have a better ride. They're both set up in a very similar way; ie tyres, riser bar height, sweep, width etc, stem length and so forth. I'm not one to get into the debate about the properties of materials but maybe if you could try an aluminium frame to make a comparison then you might determine a preference. Again, I like to use both bikes as there are pros and cons. For example, the steel is a little heavier and I do actually notice this on hills. The same hills, when ridden with my aluminium bike, seems easier. There are a couple on my way home which I virtually ride granny in the steel bike but am using the middle ring on the other bike. This could be that i'm just fatigued on the day, or the wind is up or whatever. Whatever, the case, go for what suits you.

Have two aluminium bikes. Giants, both of them. Don't like the ride quality AT ALL. Hate it. But they were cheap and at the time I bought them, I thought good value.
Before one group ride, stood next to a Colnago which had very slender tubes...so it was obviously steel.
I said to the owner, "my one is aluminium, it must be lighter than yours..."
lifted HIS up and went "oh sh..." it felt so damn light it was scary.
He didn't have to say "yes, you were saying?..."
Right then I realised the truth, that if a Giant is like a Hyundai car, then a Colnago is like an Alfa Romeo or better. Bianchi as well.
If only I could afford a nice light Dedaccia or Reynolds 853 frame...

Good steel. Ahhhh.

This got me thinking - you've all seen the magazine article: "Steel is Real" - a review of 3 beautiful bikes, all made of steel - harking back to "old technologies" and usually stating that the craftsmanship and skills involved create a better product than the modern materials (and their associated modern approach to production).

But isn't the thing with steel that it's the very familiarity of the stuff that makes it so trustworthy and the beloved material of so many? I mean, we eat with the stuff, drive in the stuff, walk on it, fly in it, most of our bikes are even made of it(!). It's my opinion that it's this familiarity that gives steel its "real" quality.

Personally, I love steel bikes. I know how they ride. I know how they'll react to the ride. And most importantly, I can ride them hard in the knowledge that they don't tend to fail unpredictably. Unless of course someone puts a tree (car) in the way. Ouch.

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www.wheelism.co.uk - Keeping it wheel, every single day.

"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, January 18, 1896, Scientific American Magazine

Because they haven't yet upgraded to Carbon.

I rode steel for a long time and also convinced myself that it was better. Changed to Carbon and won't be going back to steel now (unless I win the lottery and get a steel commuter bike).

See the weakness creeping in. This man loves steel but daren't admit it.

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www.wheelism.co.uk - Keeping it wheel, every single day.

"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, January 18, 1896, Scientific American Magazine

Wheelist: ya got it right, dude...the man secretly lusts after Steel...how could ANYBODY love carbon? OK, my carbon forks on my OCR1 prove that Carbon is very compliant and comfortable.
But it has a limited life, and constant cyclical loading and stresses will cause it to fail. One day it will crack, Bottom Bracket shell, head tube, wherever, but it will go. Carbon is fine if you are in a pro team and have a new bike handed to you each year. Most of us mortals cannot afford the luxury of changing bikes almost as often as we wear out a front tyre...!!!!

Off topic...just wanted to include my new signature...sorry all !!!

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"...too old to be riding a bike..." my former workmates used to say. Screw them. I don't judge people for their lack of interest in exercise. So don't judge me.

My steel bike ROCKS!!

Cannonadale keeps trying to make aluminum alloys that ride as resilient as Chromoly but they never can quite do it. Carbon is strong but not as strong as steel and has a dead feel to it. Bottom line steel is stronger and rides better than either of them just not as fast up hills 2lbs heavier not a big deal unless you are an elite rider.

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Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. http://www.earnharts.com/html/realau...cific.asp?id=3

its the age old question...what gives?

i have ridden a steel bike and an alu bike for many years...

steel gives. It is flexible and isnt so prone to metal fatigue the way stiff heat treated alu is. Of course a lot of your power is lost (absorbed) in the flexible steel frame.

So the upshot is steel is comfortable and aluminium is responsive and harsh.

Comfortable riders can win races, but less power is required with alu. Beer and whisky.

I need a sandwich.

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HARD
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All this discussion is very interesting, not having really paid much attention to the scientific differences, but I agree that it comes down to what you like. I have an aluminum road bike that is light fast and responsive. It also kills my neck, shoulders and lower back. I like it enough to upgrade the drive train this winter and overall my rides have improved. I also have an older mtn bike, converted into a street bike that is ChrMo and comparitevely heavy as hell. But at the end of a ride, say twenty miles average, the only thing really sore are my legs. Also at 220lbs (and decreasing from 260) I worry about material fatigue. It's taught me to ride smarter, to look out for road debris and nasty holes and bumps. I've been slowly reconditioning an '83 Trek sport road bike (T500) and have to say that the ride so far has been solid. They have their differences for sure. But its good to have a choice, depending on the need and desire of the day. Side note: the gearing on the converted mtn bike actually make the climbs faster as well as easier than the road gearing, weight not withstanding. Keep the info coming..............

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kevinh01

ride safe (but dont forget why we're out there!)

Wow you sound like a real expert on materials there.

I've had a few carbon frames, my only problem with any of them was a creaking BB shell (because I got one of the first ones before they perfected the bonding agent). It was of course replaced under warranty, and I fully expect the replacement to last indefinitely.

Then there's my carbon mtn bike, which has literally been wrecked hundreds of times, into trees, rocks, etc. It has scratches and gouges and a good section of the drive-side chainstay is missing from repeated chainsuck, but unfortunately it will not die.

Having said that, I still want a quality steel frame one day, for no reason really than to complete my collection. Can't have a proper stable without a good steel bike.

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my bike page - my journal

See if your bike shop has a cross section of light weight steel tubing (eg ultrafoco). It is about as thick as aluminium foil. Do you really think that stuff is going to last? (Hint - it doesn't).