Why Steel?

**Zen** · 05-08-2007, 07:57 PM

It seems like it would be so heavy and rigid.

**mimitabby** · 05-08-2007, 08:01 PM

steel is actually quite lively. It's not so heavy, they've learned to thin the tubes down so that they compete nicely weightwise with alum. and titanium bikes.

In an accident, steel bends, doesn't break (usually) carbon breaks, aluminum breaks.

some of this preference for steel is emotional (speaking for myself here); but it gives a good ride and lasts and lasts.

**KnottedYet** · 05-08-2007, 08:12 PM

Smooth as silk and springy. When it fails it tends to fail slowly, with lots of noise and warning. Slender graceful tubing. Cheerful "ping" when you bump it. Sturdy and forgiving. (a dent isn't going to spontaneously collapse the tube under presssure) Repairable.

Not heavy. My lugged steel Waterford is only 21.5 lbs with all the components. My TIG-welded steel Kona Smoke feels the same weight as my aluminum Kona Dew when I carry it up and down my steps.

Edit: I was trying to find a particular article about frame materials, but I found this one instead: http://www.rivbike.com/bikes/our_app...rame_materials

**xeney** · 05-08-2007, 09:35 PM

Repairable

Is that really true? I always hear that, but when we actually had a dented steel bike we couldn't find anyone willing to work on it.

**Velobambina** · 05-09-2007, 12:24 AM

My steel bikes aren't heavy, and they are fast,beautiful machines. For the same reasons as Mimi & Knotted, I prefer steel.

**7rider** · 05-09-2007, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by zencentury

It seems like it would be so heavy and rigid.

Some of it can be. Think of your average Huffy.
There are many grades of steel - some is a drag, some is quite wonderful.

Some companies create art with steel. Think Waterford, Serotta, Independent Fabrications, Bianchi.
Comparing those bikes to your average Huffy, is like comparing a Rolls Royce to a Yugo. Similar in some respects. Worlds apart in others.

Steel is extremely versatile. In the right hands, it can result in a bike that is wonderful to look at and a joy to ride - often at a price that is more appealing than titanium (I can't even compare it with carbon, aluminum and the like). Of course, the new 953 tubing that IF has.....Swoon....but that puts you up in the ti price range....

edit: This being said, realize that steel is not everyone's cup o' tea. Some folks prefer the "snap" of full carbon or aluminum over the ride of steel. Different folks like different things.....

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 05-09-2007, 04:15 AM

The steel they make for bike tubing these days is lighter and stronger than the steel from years ago.
Steel bikes ARE usually repairable- best by people who are familiar with making/working with steel bikes.
Steel bikes flex ever so slightly as you ride- giving a less stiff, more comfortable ride than many other bikes.
Steel (especially lugged steel) is very graceful, slender, and beautiful looking.
Steel is more affordable than titanium and sometimes carbon too. Aluminum is cheaper but some people feel it gives a harsh stiff ride.

**Pax** · 05-09-2007, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

...Steel (especially lugged steel) is very graceful, slender, and beautiful looking.

Okay, I'll go ahead and ask a dumb question...what does "lugged" mean??

**Veronica** · 05-09-2007, 04:31 AM

Lugs are a way to connect the tubes.

V.

**Pax** · 05-09-2007, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by Veronica

Lugs are a way to connect the tubes.

V.

Thanks V, but what is the difference with a non-lugged one? Is lugged lighter/faster/prettier/stronger?

**KnottedYet** · 05-09-2007, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by xeney

Is that really true? I always hear that, but when we actually had a dented steel bike we couldn't find anyone willing to work on it.

My sweetie drove her car into her carport, with her custom steel bike on the roof-rack.

She was able to have the frame repaired and bike is fine and doing multi-day multi-hundreds-of-miles rides.

Roguedog had her rescued steel Bridgestone repaired where bits of the frame were damaged and corroded.

**xeney** · 05-09-2007, 05:43 AM

That's good to hear. I don't think people should count on that as a feature of steel bikes unless they know of a frame shop that will do it, though. Because I know some builders that make their own steel frames will absolutely not repair a damaged steel frame ... which I can understand, from a liability standpoint.

But I don't really mean that as a knock against steel. All but one of my bikes is steel; my husband has a whole stable of steel bikes. It's just that very often I see this cited as a selling point, and in our experience it turned out to be a lot harder to get a steel bike repaired than we'd been led to believe. Most damaged steel bikes get thrown away, just like other kinds of bikes that get damaged.

(The steel bike my husband was riding when he got hit by a car is still sitting in our basement because he was told it couldn't be fixed but he can't bring himself to toss it.)

**Geonz** · 05-09-2007, 06:02 AM

Economical. (I know, a bad word!!!)

I have aluminum and steel. On that fourth day of the week-long tour, steel is infinitely more comfortable. Aluminum inspired me to sing the carbon fiber wannabe blues

(Other lesson learned : soft tires do not equal softer ride!)

**Veronica** · 05-09-2007, 06:15 AM

A non lugged frame is held together with welds or brazing. I think it's just prettier.

V.

**Pax** · 05-09-2007, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by Veronica

A non lugged frame is held together with welds or brazing. I think it's just prettier.

V.

I get it now, lugged = no welds, non-lugged = welds. You're right, it would be much nicer looking without all the lumpy welds.

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