Discussion
I've had my Croix de Fer steel for the last year now and I'm looking at the possibility of donoring all of the equipment onto a Ti frame, possibly a Reilly gradient. Full hydraulic 105 groupset with Vero wheelset.
Just wondered if there would be a significant difference between steel and Ti or if it's just a cosmetic preference?
Is it worth the outlay to go Titanium?
Just wondered if there would be a significant difference between steel and Ti or if it's just a cosmetic preference?
Is it worth the outlay to go Titanium?
I've a titanium frame it's great, always looks like new, lighter than steel, feels like a steel frame except better as it doesn't turn dead and sluggish feeling after a bit of use. Only problem is designs move on and the lovely titanium frame becomes dated.
I'm about to sell mine as I've replaced it with a bang up to date aluminium frame that new cost is 5 times cheaper, but it rides better for how I use it and at the end of the day that's what I care about. Doesn't have the snob value though.
Steel - the marketing mans having a field day at present. It's heavy, the springs people talk about a gone after a few miles, it's not stiff enough where you want it without becoming mega heavy. They feel dead and lifeless before long, oh and they are heavy regardless. Basically why 20 years ago people started ditching steel to ride anything else. People really only buy steel today for words like 'bespoke', 'artisan' to try and make the very ordinary feel special.
That's my take after 501, 531, 653, 753, Columbus, etc Aluminium, Titanium, Carbon fibre.
I'm about to sell mine as I've replaced it with a bang up to date aluminium frame that new cost is 5 times cheaper, but it rides better for how I use it and at the end of the day that's what I care about. Doesn't have the snob value though.
Steel - the marketing mans having a field day at present. It's heavy, the springs people talk about a gone after a few miles, it's not stiff enough where you want it without becoming mega heavy. They feel dead and lifeless before long, oh and they are heavy regardless. Basically why 20 years ago people started ditching steel to ride anything else. People really only buy steel today for words like 'bespoke', 'artisan' to try and make the very ordinary feel special.
That's my take after 501, 531, 653, 753, Columbus, etc Aluminium, Titanium, Carbon fibre.
Herman Toothrot said:
I've a titanium frame it's great, always looks like new, lighter than steel, feels like a steel frame except better as it doesn't turn dead and sluggish feeling after a bit of use. Only problem is designs move on and the lovely titanium frame becomes dated.
I'm about to sell mine as I've replaced it with a bang up to date aluminium frame that new cost is 5 times cheaper, but it rides better for how I use it and at the end of the day that's what I care about. Doesn't have the snob value though.
Steel - the marketing mans having a field day at present. It's heavy, the springs people talk about a gone after a few miles, it's not stiff enough where you want it without becoming mega heavy. They feel dead and lifeless before long, oh and they are heavy regardless. Basically why 20 years ago people started ditching steel to ride anything else. People really only buy steel today for words like 'bespoke', 'artisan' to try and make the very ordinary feel special.
That's my take after 501, 531, 653, 753, Columbus, etc Aluminium, Titanium, Carbon fibre.
First time I've read that particular viewpoint.I'm about to sell mine as I've replaced it with a bang up to date aluminium frame that new cost is 5 times cheaper, but it rides better for how I use it and at the end of the day that's what I care about. Doesn't have the snob value though.
Steel - the marketing mans having a field day at present. It's heavy, the springs people talk about a gone after a few miles, it's not stiff enough where you want it without becoming mega heavy. They feel dead and lifeless before long, oh and they are heavy regardless. Basically why 20 years ago people started ditching steel to ride anything else. People really only buy steel today for words like 'bespoke', 'artisan' to try and make the very ordinary feel special.
That's my take after 501, 531, 653, 753, Columbus, etc Aluminium, Titanium, Carbon fibre.
Herman Toothrot said:
I've a titanium frame it's great, always looks like new, lighter than steel, feels like a steel frame except better as it doesn't turn dead and sluggish feeling after a bit of use. ....
Steel - the marketing mans having a field day at present. It's heavy, the springs people talk about a gone after a few miles ...
That's my take after 501, 531, 653, 753, Columbus, etc Aluminium, Titanium, Carbon fibre.
I've got a thirty year old steel frame that still rides like a dream. Soaks up the miles like a magic floating carpet.Steel - the marketing mans having a field day at present. It's heavy, the springs people talk about a gone after a few miles ...
That's my take after 501, 531, 653, 753, Columbus, etc Aluminium, Titanium, Carbon fibre.
Herman Toothrot said:
I've a titanium frame it's great, always looks like new, lighter than steel, feels like a steel frame except better as it doesn't turn dead and sluggish feeling after a bit of use. Only problem is designs move on and the lovely titanium frame becomes dated.
I'm about to sell mine as I've replaced it with a bang up to date aluminium frame that new cost is 5 times cheaper, but it rides better for how I use it and at the end of the day that's what I care about. Doesn't have the snob value though.
Steel - the marketing mans having a field day at present. It's heavy, the springs people talk about a gone after a few miles, it's not stiff enough where you want it without becoming mega heavy. They feel dead and lifeless before long, oh and they are heavy regardless. Basically why 20 years ago people started ditching steel to ride anything else. People really only buy steel today for words like 'bespoke', 'artisan' to try and make the very ordinary feel special.
That's my take after 501, 531, 653, 753, Columbus, etc Aluminium, Titanium, Carbon fibre.
Ah that explains the well known phenomenon of car springs getting stiffer with age. (?)I'm about to sell mine as I've replaced it with a bang up to date aluminium frame that new cost is 5 times cheaper, but it rides better for how I use it and at the end of the day that's what I care about. Doesn't have the snob value though.
Steel - the marketing mans having a field day at present. It's heavy, the springs people talk about a gone after a few miles, it's not stiff enough where you want it without becoming mega heavy. They feel dead and lifeless before long, oh and they are heavy regardless. Basically why 20 years ago people started ditching steel to ride anything else. People really only buy steel today for words like 'bespoke', 'artisan' to try and make the very ordinary feel special.
That's my take after 501, 531, 653, 753, Columbus, etc Aluminium, Titanium, Carbon fibre.
Er I think you are mis-interpreting, but Paul & Usget thanks for agreeing with me. Yes car springs go soggy soft and uncontrolled over time just like steel bike frames. I.e. They loose the 'spring' they once had, just like steel bike frames.
Comfortable yes maybe like an old worn out sofa ;-)
Comfortable yes maybe like an old worn out sofa ;-)
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 29th November 11:01
Herman Toothrot said:
Er I think you are mis-interpreting, but Paul & Usget thanks for agreeing with me. Yes car springs go soggy soft and uncontrolled over time just like steel bike frames. I.e. They loose the 'spring' they once had, just like steel bike frames.
Comfortable yes maybe like an old worn out sofa ;-)
You're talking crap mate, please stop.Comfortable yes maybe like an old worn out sofa ;-)
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 29th November 11:01
Herman Toothrot said:
Don't make jokes, people who ride bikes made of scaffolding poles and 5 bar gates get very upset very easily.
I currently have bikes made from cheap steel, posh steel, aluminium with aluminium fork, alu with a carbon fork and carbon frame with a carbon fork.The cheap steel frame is probably the stiffest in the stable.
The Columbus SLX-framed Merckx has a delightful springy ride, and is from 1985.
The alu frame and fork also rides delightfully, as it's a CX rig with bigger (700c/32) tyres.
My Bianchi alu/carbon bike is uncomfortable compared to the others, but that's more to do with the limited tyre clearance (max 700c/25). I will sell it in the spring.
My all-carbon TT rig is a BP Stealth monocoque so rides unlike anything else I have.
Herman Toothrot said:
...Basically why 20 years ago people started ditching steel to ride anything else. People really only buy steel today for words like 'bespoke', 'artisan' to try and make the very ordinary feel special...
To build a thin walled lugged steel frame properly takes time, and is labour intensive, while an aluminium frame can be made by a machine, that's why steel frames fell out of mainstream use.As for steel becoming less springy with age, not really. A coil spring may settle with age, but the spring rate doesn't change.
Interesting mix of bikes maybe the Merckx is a particularly good steel, they do have that reputation.
I honestly have thought my steel frames good when new but have felt they have lost that feeling relatively quickly, I'm not making that up. I don't own a steel bike anymore as over the years I've been far more impressed with Titanium, Aluminium and carbon bikes I've had. Some people think steel frames last forever if kept waxed and oiled but they do fatigue I've seen many crack, at the moment they seem to be part of the hipster wardrobe and are getting priced accordingly - I think a lot of new steel isn't a patch on their often less expensive Aluminium counterparts.
I honestly have thought my steel frames good when new but have felt they have lost that feeling relatively quickly, I'm not making that up. I don't own a steel bike anymore as over the years I've been far more impressed with Titanium, Aluminium and carbon bikes I've had. Some people think steel frames last forever if kept waxed and oiled but they do fatigue I've seen many crack, at the moment they seem to be part of the hipster wardrobe and are getting priced accordingly - I think a lot of new steel isn't a patch on their often less expensive Aluminium counterparts.
Herman Toothrot said:
Some people think steel frames last forever if kept waxed and oiled but they do fatigue I've seen many crack, at the moment they seem to be part of the hipster wardrobe and are getting priced accordingly - I think a lot of new steel isn't a patch on their often less expensive Aluminium counterparts.
Replace steel with titanium and the same could be said...Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff