Steel or Aluminium
- Thread starter Ultra Mikenus
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Buy the 'dale, get that itch out of the way take it for a lot of rides in the style you ride. It may or may not work for you.
I know with steel frames I've used, especially higher end ones you need to ride them quickly and not plod along. At that point the frame 'kicks in' and starts to work, often by design. Early 90's RM Blizzard are an example I even think this was mentioned in it's review, my RM Altitude is the similar, its comfy and easy at the slower pootling speed but crank it up and it livens up, smooths the ground and becomes easier to ride.
My Fusion on the other hand works extremely well a the plod along speeds but find the quicker speeds a bit harsh
So in effect your riding style may vary. So give it a go.
(ok so it's hard to describe what I mean, just give it a go and try others bikes out)
I know with steel frames I've used, especially higher end ones you need to ride them quickly and not plod along. At that point the frame 'kicks in' and starts to work, often by design. Early 90's RM Blizzard are an example I even think this was mentioned in it's review, my RM Altitude is the similar, its comfy and easy at the slower pootling speed but crank it up and it livens up, smooths the ground and becomes easier to ride.
My Fusion on the other hand works extremely well a the plod along speeds but find the quicker speeds a bit harsh
So in effect your riding style may vary. So give it a go.
(ok so it's hard to describe what I mean, just give it a go and try others bikes out)
Alloy is stiff.Therefore the power transfer is good so sprinting/climbing is great,but the ride is harsh and uncomfortable.
Steel is like Ti, flexible[to some degree :?]giving a more compliant ride.
I think the real differences that affect us are that steel is very easy to repair whereas alloy is not :?
Steel is like Ti, flexible[to some degree :?]giving a more compliant ride.
I think the real differences that affect us are that steel is very easy to repair whereas alloy is not :?
Without wishing to be rude, it's a bit of a silly question. One steel frame is nothing like another steel frame, one aluminium frame is nothing like another aluminium frame. A doubled-butted steel frame is better than a plain-gauge aluminium frame. A doubled-butted aluminium frame is better than a plain-gauge steel frame. The quality is more important than the material.
If it helps, I have the June 1995 MBUK here. In a test of three aluminium bikes, the Orange E3 was reckoned easily the best, the Cannondale M900 not. The M900 weighed 3.8lbs and was described as a 'good, solid frame'. The E3 weighed 3.4lbs and was described as 'superb'.
The E3 was made of generic 7005. I have just built up an Orange E4, which is made of Easton Elite and weighs about the same as the E3. I find it rides pretty similarly to high-end steel frames, maybe more solid feeling, but not uncomfortable at all. The only aluminium hardtail I had ridden before was a 1999 Stumpjumper M2 that I bought and set up for a friend. He is very pleased with it, but I thought it was terrible - heavy and dead compared to my lighter steel bikes.
If it helps, I have the June 1995 MBUK here. In a test of three aluminium bikes, the Orange E3 was reckoned easily the best, the Cannondale M900 not. The M900 weighed 3.8lbs and was described as a 'good, solid frame'. The E3 weighed 3.4lbs and was described as 'superb'.
The E3 was made of generic 7005. I have just built up an Orange E4, which is made of Easton Elite and weighs about the same as the E3. I find it rides pretty similarly to high-end steel frames, maybe more solid feeling, but not uncomfortable at all. The only aluminium hardtail I had ridden before was a 1999 Stumpjumper M2 that I bought and set up for a friend. He is very pleased with it, but I thought it was terrible - heavy and dead compared to my lighter steel bikes.
Ultra Mikenus
Dirt Disciple
Anthony":2zip33qy said:
Not rude at all, just highlighting a very valid point!
Ultra Mikenus
Dirt Disciple
If I told you that, then you'd be after it too 
It's on ebay.....
Do Leisure lakes have 2nd hand bikes?
It's on ebay.....
Do Leisure lakes have 2nd hand bikes?
sylus
Old School Grand Master
for my tourers i always use steel
and for my mtbs i've tended to use steel as they have a bit more bounce and give than ali which tends to be more rigid and a harder ride ..although some sus units temper this out
for most it's a case of get on it and try it yourself
and for my mtbs i've tended to use steel as they have a bit more bounce and give than ali which tends to be more rigid and a harder ride ..although some sus units temper this out
for most it's a case of get on it and try it yourself
