Why 'STEEL IS REAL' - the science bit!

[highlandsflyer]

Good bicycles tend to be ones that are well designed, not ones made from a particular material. If a Kona Hot rides well, its despite the fact that its steel, not because of it.

Steel is popular as a material for bike building because it is easy to work, its as simple as that.

With modern material manipulation and composite manufacturing techniques it is 'easy' to build bikes lighter and stronger than steel ones but with the same, or better ride characteristics. The problem is that the man in a shed with his blowtorch can't do it and cycling is a very traditional sport, hence the constant 'steel is real' nonsense perpetuated by the traditionalists.

Better designed, or better material?

Which better is best?

 

[shaun]

Good bicycles tend to be ones that are well designed, not ones made from a particular material. If a Kona Hot rides well, its despite the fact that its steel, not because of it.

Steel is popular as a material for bike building because it is easy to work, its as simple as that.

With modern material manipulation and composite manufacturing techniques it is 'easy' to build bikes lighter and stronger than steel ones but with the same, or better ride characteristics. The problem is that the man in a shed with his blowtorch can't do it and cycling is a very traditional sport, hence the constant 'steel is real' nonsense perpetuated by the traditionalists.

Better designed, or better material?

Which better is best?

.......you are 100% correct you need good design and a good material. My point is that over 20 years of buying and riding top end well designed aluminium, titanium and carbon, HT and FS, I have just bought a retro Kona Reynolds 853 Explosif (good steel and good design) and although not the fastest or lightest bike I have ever owned, I simply find the 'feel' of this bike totally addicitve and now will always own a top end steel bike in my collection.

 

[Russell]

Good bicycles tend to be ones that are well designed, not ones made from a particular material. If a Kona Hot rides well, its despite the fact that its steel, not because of it.

Steel is popular as a material for bike building because it is easy to work, its as simple as that.

With modern material manipulation and composite manufacturing techniques it is 'easy' to build bikes lighter and stronger than steel ones but with the same, or better ride characteristics. The problem is that the man in a shed with his blowtorch can't do it and cycling is a very traditional sport, hence the constant 'steel is real' nonsense perpetuated by the traditionalists.

Better designed, or better material?

Which better is best?

Better designed, clearly.

Give a shit designer the best material in the world and they'll design a shit bike, give a great designer a shit material however....

 

[Broken Biker]

The Custom Steel Market is the place to play. I have a custom touring frame made from Columbus Max and Max OR, that bike was a riot to ride and rode so fast because the back end felt like it had springs in it that pushed you forward with every pedal stroke.

Crashing it was scary though because it is the only bike I have had where the top tube got dented due to the thinness of the tube walls. Sadly she is now retired along with me and hangs in pride of place on my bedroom wall. Bless...

 

[dyna-ti]

So long as it dosn't rust

and here lies the problem :?
But damn good stuff all the same



IF YOU LIVE IN THE DARK AGES

 

[We_are_Stevo]

One aspect everyone seems to have overlooked is longevity...

...yes, you can build a modern composite frame out of all kind of exotic materials but you're not going to find a forum dedicated to them in 20+ years time because they're not designed to last that long.

It's amusing enough that people get upset at cracked aluminium frames from way BiTD which were originally designed with a life expectancy of three to five years!

At least even the thinnest walled steel tubeset has a good chance of outliving the Manufacturers warranty

 

[highlandsflyer]

Changing the tyres and grips, saddle and your shoes has as much effect on the ride.

Large changes in geometry have more influence than material in most cases.

The best riding bike I ever owned was a carbon/steel mix.

The best all round bike was a stiff as a board Klein.

The only thing that has changed is me.

 

[We_are_Stevo]

 

[highlandsflyer]

We don't all possess your rapier wit.

Thank god.

 

[suburbanreuben]

Good bicycles tend to be ones that are well designed, not ones made from a particular material. If a Kona Hot rides well, its despite the fact that its steel, not because of it.

Steel is popular as a material for bike building because it is easy to work, its as simple as that.

.

Utter bullshit.
Steel is popular because it is easy to work, durable, strong, cheap, and has the right properties for building a bike frame.
A kona Hot rides well because the designer harnesses these properties to achieve the ride characteristics he wants.