Steel is back

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel
--
Robert Maskill - G4PYR - Peterborough Cambridgeshire
MF Coastal Radiowww.coastalradio.org.uk
Orton info community web sitewww.ortoninfo.co.uk
Nene Valley Railway Pictureswww.nenevalley.ortoninfo.co.uk/

Steel left?

(My last two new bikes are Steel.)

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel

troll.

jim beam said:

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel

troll.

Not at all

I came across the story and merely posted the link for those who may
find it of interest.

--
Robert Maskill - G4PYR - Peterborough Cambridgeshire
MF Coastal Radio www.coastalradio.org.uk
Orton info community web site www.ortoninfo.co.uk
Nene Valley Railway Pictures www.nenevalley.ortoninfo.co.uk/

"Hank Wirtz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel
--
Robert Maskill - G4PYR - Peterborough Cambridgeshire
MF Coastal Radiowww.coastalradio.org.uk
Orton info community web sitewww.ortoninfo.co.uk
Nene Valley Railway Pictureswww.nenevalley.ortoninfo.co.uk/

Steel left?

(My last two new bikes are Steel.)

I just finished building my tourer from a Surly LHT frame kit. That's with
double butted CroMo tubing and a CroMo fork. The 54cm frame weiged in at
2.4kg and the fork at another 2.4kg. I added a Rohloff 14speed rear hub,
Schmidt dyno front hub, 26" rims, Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres weighty
Brooks saddle and a cheapo alloy rack.
The complete bike weighs 15.5kg.

My MTB with Giant XTC alloy hardtail frame, Shimano 27sp drivetrain and a
rack also weighs 15.5kg The MTB does have a 100mm travel suspension fork but
the Surly has a somewhat heavier drivetrain, dyno hub, tyres that aren't the
lightest and a 900g saddle. There are weight tradeoffs with each bike but
the steel frame is not a major factor with the tourer.

Whatever, I was pleasantly surprised by the finished weight of the Surly.
It's handling and ride as a grocery getter are a dream. The unsuspended
steel fork and plump tyres soak up minor bumps and its directional stability
is quite unlike the MTB. I guess that MTB geometry is meant for twisty
singletrack and any utility as a suburban runabout is a bonus.

In case you hadn't guessed, I really like my steel Surly so far.

Peter
Australia

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel
--
Robert Maskill - G4PYR - Peterborough Cambridgeshire
MF Coastal Radiowww.coastalradio.org.uk
Orton info community web sitewww.ortoninfo.co.uk
Nene Valley Railway Pictureswww.nenevalley.ortoninfo.co.uk/

Steel is a wonderful material, superior in lots of ways to the 'other'
3 materials. If a potential customer will listen and actually ride a
nice steel framed bike, many will get sold..like here. Second material
that is nice is titanium with many of the same qualities as steel but
somewhat more expensive for US made frames. Carbon is flooding the
market and is 'disappearing' because of this. Not actually becoming
scarce but not noticed like great steel and ti is now being
noticed..hence tha article.

"Robert" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jim beam said:

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel

troll.

Not at all

I came across the story and merely posted the link for those who may find
it of interest.

Don't worry, beamboy is just [censored] because the article didn't plug CF
that talks to people before they break.

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel
--
Robert Maskill - G4PYR - Peterborough Cambridgeshire
MF Coastal Radiowww.coastalradio.org.uk
Orton info community web sitewww.ortoninfo.co.uk
Nene Valley Railway Pictureswww.nenevalley.ortoninfo.co.uk/

Reynolds 953 looks interesting, hopefully not all as expensive as the
IF 953 frame.

Chris

Peter Howard said:

"Hank Wirtz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel
--
Robert Maskill - G4PYR - Peterborough Cambridgeshire
MF Coastal Radiowww.coastalradio.org.uk
Orton info community web sitewww.ortoninfo.co.uk
Nene Valley Railway Pictureswww.nenevalley.ortoninfo.co.uk/

Quoted message said:

Steel left?

Quoted message said:

(My last two new bikes are Steel.)

I just finished building my tourer from a Surly LHT frame kit. That's with
double butted CroMo tubing and a CroMo fork. The 54cm frame weiged in at
2.4kg and the fork at another 2.4kg. I added a Rohloff 14speed rear hub,
Schmidt dyno front hub, 26" rims, Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres weighty
Brooks saddle and a cheapo alloy rack.
The complete bike weighs 15.5kg.

My MTB with Giant XTC alloy hardtail frame, Shimano 27sp drivetrain and a
rack also weighs 15.5kg The MTB does have a 100mm travel suspension fork but
the Surly has a somewhat heavier drivetrain, dyno hub, tyres that aren't the
lightest and a 900g saddle. There are weight tradeoffs with each bike but
the steel frame is not a major factor with the tourer.

Whatever, I was pleasantly surprised by the finished weight of the Surly.
It's handling and ride as a grocery getter are a dream. The unsuspended
steel fork and plump tyres soak up minor bumps and its directional stability
is quite unlike the MTB. I guess that MTB geometry is meant for twisty
singletrack and any utility as a suburban runabout is a bonus.

In case you hadn't guessed, I really like my steel Surly so far.

Peter
Australia

Excellent choice! I've had my Surly LHT for about a year. I rode it
halfway across Washington state this summer, and the bike was not my
limiting factor. It's slow, but very, very comfy. During the summer,
I've mostly been commuting on my racing bike, a Guerciotti made of
lugged Columbus SL, but I'm probably going to go back to riding the
Surly 80% of the time now that the weather's gone lousy.

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel

Interesting. From article:

"Increasingly, the use of exotic materials means that components and
frames are becoming non-interchangeable.

New for 2008, Specialized released its Future Shock, a carbon-fiber
suspension fork that's designed to be used only with its top-of-the-line
carbon-fiber S-Works racing mountain bike frame. This means that no
other fork will work with these frames, and vice versa. The manufacturer
also uses a similarly integrated, rigid fork in its new S-Works
triathlon and time-trial bike. Specialized claims more-responsive
steering and weight loss from this system. "

Uh oh, there goes the neighborhood.

Robert said:

jim beam said:

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel

troll.

Not at all

I came across the story and merely posted the link for those who may
find it of interest.

He couldn't really tell you you were OT, so he labeled you a troll
instead. (He's a cranky fellow lately).

Jambo' [email protected] said:

"Robert" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jim beam said:

Robert wrote:
>http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

troll.

Quoted message said:

Not at all

Quoted message said:

I came across the story and merely posted the link for those who may find
it of interest.

Don't worry, beamboy is just [censored] because the article didn't plug CF
that talks to people before they break.

Although he has a point. These threads often degenerate into L.P v.
C.D. discussions of the magical-ness of steel. I mean, you can say
"steel is real" -- but what rhymes with aluminum? "Aluminum is, uh,
er . . . great!" It's a losing battle. -- Jay Beattie.

Qui si parla Campagnolo-www.vecchios.com said:

Steel is a wonderful material, superior in lots of ways to the 'other'
3 materials.

I agree that steel is a good material--but for a frame, is it
really _superior_ in _lots_ of ways?

I've had steel, aluminum and titanium frames. For me personally,
the key advantage of steel frames is that it's easy to find someone
to repair or modify them, The advantage of titanium is that I don't
have to take care to avoid chipping the paint. All the other supposed
differences seem overrated to me.

Tom Ace

Jay Beattie said:

Jambo' [email protected] said:

"Robert" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jim beam wrote:
> Robert wrote:
>> http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel
> troll.
Not at all
I came across the story and merely posted the link for those who may find
it of interest.

Don't worry, beamboy is just [censored] because the article didn't plug CF
that talks to people before they break.

Although he has a point. These threads often degenerate into L.P v.
C.D. discussions of the magical-ness of steel. I mean, you can say
"steel is real" -- but what rhymes with aluminum? "Aluminum is, uh,
er . . . great!" It's a losing battle. -- Jay Beattie.

Steel is real, Ti is fly, Al's your pal, carbon is...?? CF is...? CFRP
is...? Composite is....? I give up. Oh, plastic is fantastic! Everybody
happy?

Peter Cole said:

Robert said:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel

Interesting. From article:

"Increasingly, the use of exotic materials means that components and
frames are becoming non-interchangeable.... "

Uh oh, there goes the neighborhood.

I've never really understood this complaint. How many parts are
interchangeable between an F150 and a Hilux? By the standards of any
other consumer durable, bicycles retain an astonishing level of
component compatibility.

If you want 100% compatibility and interchangeability, you may have to
give up some of the advanced functionality and ride a track bike; my
2007 Koga FPT is >90% interchangeable with my Dad's 1948 Rotrax, the
only real difference being my modern bike has a threadless
steerer/headset/stem. Compatibility ended when they switched to 3/32
chain to accommodate 5 speed freewheels, and it's been downhill from
there...

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

"Jay Beattie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Jambo' [email protected] said:

"Robert" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jim beam wrote:
> Robert wrote:
>>http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel

Quoted message said:

> troll.

Quoted message said:

Not at all

Quoted message said:

I came across the story and merely posted the link for those who may
find
it of interest.

Don't worry, beamboy is just [censored] because the article didn't plug
CF
that talks to people before they break.

Although he has a point. These threads often degenerate into L.P v.
C.D. discussions of the magical-ness of steel.

And just like the "discussions" on the magical properties of CF. So what is
the point you see?

Quoted message said:

I mean, you can say
"steel is real" -- but what rhymes with aluminum? "Aluminum is, uh,
er . . . great!" It's a losing battle. -- Jay Beattie.

The point is that you can say troll to every article referring to metal or
composite materials for bikes; however, beamboy thinks the steel article is
a troll because it's not about CF. Which, by the way, he loves but knows
nothing about.

Peter Howard said:

The 54cm frame weiged in at 2.4kg and the fork at another 2.4kg.

That last bit about the fork can't be right.

Chalo

"Chalo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Peter Howard said:

The 54cm frame weiged in at 2.4kg and the fork at another 2.4kg.

That last bit about the fork can't be right.

Chalo

You're right, it isn't. What I meant to type was another 1.1kg for the fork
which is what I have written down in my bike notebook. Defective
brain/typing finger interface :-)

Peter.

Tom Ace said:

Qui si parla Campagnolo-www.vecchios.com said:

Steel is a wonderful material, superior in lots of ways to the 'other'
3 materials.

I agree that steel is a good material--but for a frame, is it
really _superior_ in _lots_ of ways?

I've had steel, aluminum and titanium frames. For me personally,
the key advantage of steel frames is that it's easy to find someone
to repair or modify them, The advantage of titanium is that I don't
have to take care to avoid chipping the paint. All the other supposed
differences seem overrated to me.

Tom Ace

Yep, it's really annoying when people lean their painted bikes against
my Ti frame and leave a paint residue behind. ;-)

"Hank Wirtz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Peter Howard said:

"Hank Wirtz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Oct 2, 1:12 pm, Robert <[email hidden]> wrote:
>http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/10/interbike_steel
> --
> Robert Maskill - G4PYR - Peterborough Cambridgeshire
> MF Coastal Radiowww.coastalradio.org.uk
> Orton info community web sitewww.ortoninfo.co.uk
> Nene Valley Railway Pictureswww.nenevalley.ortoninfo.co.uk/

Quoted message said:

Steel left?

Quoted message said:

(My last two new bikes are Steel.)

I just finished building my tourer from a Surly LHT frame kit. That's
with
double butted CroMo tubing and a CroMo fork. The 54cm frame weiged in at
2.4kg and the fork at another 2.4kg. I added a Rohloff 14speed rear hub,
Schmidt dyno front hub, 26" rims, Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres weighty
Brooks saddle and a cheapo alloy rack.
The complete bike weighs 15.5kg.

My MTB with Giant XTC alloy hardtail frame, Shimano 27sp drivetrain and a
rack also weighs 15.5kg The MTB does have a 100mm travel suspension fork
but
the Surly has a somewhat heavier drivetrain, dyno hub, tyres that aren't
the
lightest and a 900g saddle. There are weight tradeoffs with each bike but
the steel frame is not a major factor with the tourer.

Whatever, I was pleasantly surprised by the finished weight of the Surly.
It's handling and ride as a grocery getter are a dream. The unsuspended
steel fork and plump tyres soak up minor bumps and its directional
stability
is quite unlike the MTB. I guess that MTB geometry is meant for twisty
singletrack and any utility as a suburban runabout is a bonus.

In case you hadn't guessed, I really like my steel Surly so far.

Peter
Australia

Excellent choice! I've had my Surly LHT for about a year. I rode it
halfway across Washington state this summer, and the bike was not my
limiting factor. It's slow, but very, very comfy. During the summer,
I've mostly been commuting on my racing bike, a Guerciotti made of
lugged Columbus SL, but I'm probably going to go back to riding the
Surly 80% of the time now that the weather's gone lousy.

What a coincidence. I pick you to reply to with my observations about good
steel and find that you are also a LHT owner. They sure are popular with
both complete bikes and framesets being readily available from LBS's as far
away as Australia.
I do like the classic look of lugged frames and the repairability is a plus
also. On the other hand, the apparently flawless TIG welding on the Surly
frames has a certain beauty too. Seems to be quite a few US builders of nice
lugged tourers. Rivendell in CA comes to mind. The only problem is importing
one to Australia yourself. From my reading of other bike newsgroups and
forums, there's a LHT drought in the USA at the moment. Maybe they shipped
the entire latest production run over here.
This evening a local 13 year old suffering from end of school break boredom
volunteered to accompany me on the supermarket run. While we were pootling
along the bike lane a triathlon type on a DBR breezed past. Not wanting to
look like a wuss in front of the kid, I gave chase and was doing good until
DBR man noticed and poured on the coal. I'm not a racer and the LHT
certainly isn't but I can just about beat a fit little teenager on an
up-market XC MTB. An athlete on a road racer is a different matter.

Peter