K
Ken
Guest
When I bought my first 10 speed bike in the 1970s, I seem to recall cyclists using the term "alloy"
to refer only to lightweight steel alloys like chrome-moly. The term "alloy" was used to distinguish
higher quality steel bike frames from heavyweight, low tensile steels. Back then a lightweight 10
speed bike was 25 to 30 pounds (mostly from Europe or Japan) and 40+ pound 10-speed bikes were
common (mostly American).
Aluminum components and frames were called "aluminum". Back then the only aluminum frames were the
French Vitus and a few others with small diameter tubes. If you think all aluminum frames are
stiff, you should try riding one of those. Cannondale and Klein started popularizing fat tubes in
the early 1980s.
Seems to me that some time in the late 1980s, the term "alloy" started being used in the cycling
world only for aluminum alloys. When someone today calls a bike component "alloy", everyone
automatically assumes it is aluminum. Steel bike frames and components are now generically called
"steel", regardless of the steel alloy.
Is my mind slipping, or does anyone else remember this terminology change? When did it happen and
why? I'm just curious. Thanks.
Ken
to refer only to lightweight steel alloys like chrome-moly. The term "alloy" was used to distinguish
higher quality steel bike frames from heavyweight, low tensile steels. Back then a lightweight 10
speed bike was 25 to 30 pounds (mostly from Europe or Japan) and 40+ pound 10-speed bikes were
common (mostly American).
Aluminum components and frames were called "aluminum". Back then the only aluminum frames were the
French Vitus and a few others with small diameter tubes. If you think all aluminum frames are
stiff, you should try riding one of those. Cannondale and Klein started popularizing fat tubes in
the early 1980s.
Seems to me that some time in the late 1980s, the term "alloy" started being used in the cycling
world only for aluminum alloys. When someone today calls a bike component "alloy", everyone
automatically assumes it is aluminum. Steel bike frames and components are now generically called
"steel", regardless of the steel alloy.
Is my mind slipping, or does anyone else remember this terminology change? When did it happen and
why? I'm just curious. Thanks.
Ken