Steel framed road bikes...Are they still desirable

[Tim Hancock]

As most of you might know, I am a man of too many hobbies. I have an uncle who is heavily into cycling and he recently made the mistake of showing me a couple of Scott CR1 frames he acquired and is outfitting them with all sorts of expensive Dura ace and expensive wheels. He claims these frames are around 2 lbs each.

While I have an old mountain bike, I am NOT a cyclist. At 41 however, I am thinking I need to start exercising again and the technology of modern cycling is drawing me near the edge.

I started thinking about piecing together a light 54" (I am 5'8"), road bike. I know carbon is all the rage and Aluminum is considered harsh. As a hardcore DIY type, I can't help but think about building my own steel frame, then outfitting it with ultegra or maybe even dura ace or Campy components.

Those who know me, know that I am a mechanical engineer by day and a hardcore DIY'er at night. I have much experience in all aspects of aircraft building (tig welding 4130 thin wall tubing especially) and have built a violin from scratch after thoroughly researching it. IOW, I can easily research then build a fixture and braze/silver solder a lugged bicycle frame if I choose to.

I have done just a small amount of searching thus far at sites such as this http://www.henryjames.com/

Are steel frames still of value today.... What is the weight of some modern custom built steel frames? Is sub 4 lbs common? I know there are some current avid cyclists here....any one with recent new steel frame experience?

PS, I do not NEED top of the line, but as a mechanical guy who likes custom building things, I would go big or not go at all. Chances are, after a year the bike will just sit like most of my other hobby toys.....it is a sickness I tell ya

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I ride an '80s Pinarello. Love it.

Real men ride steel bikes.

[Drago]

I ride a custom Rodriguez steel frame and fork. Fillet brazed. It is sweet.

If your riding to get into shape I wouldn't be so concerned with weight.

Here's a link to their site:

http://www.rodcycle.com/

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Excellent point. Most important thing is to get out there and RIDE. Build base miles. A lot of 'em.

There's nothing more despicable than some chunky out-of-shape dude puffing away on a climb on a brand new $5,000 carbon fiber/TI bike with Campy Record or full Dura-Ace stuff on it. Oh, and a "Discovery team" jersey.

Yep, they're out there.

I enjoy cooking such guys on my 20-year-old frame with mismatched parts and my "DRINK MORE BEER" jersey. And I'm not even that good.

[the]

How about using this material:

http://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/TUBING/tubes_road_sc.html

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

There's nothing more despicable than some chunky out-of-shape dude puffing away on a climb on a brand new $5,000 carbon fiber/TI bike with Campy Record or full Dura-Ace stuff on it. Oh, and a "Discovery team" jersey.

Why, oh bike snob?

Could be the guy's first day. He spent his whole life working now can buy anything he wants (including the jersey). Nobody makes fun of the guys who create 'race cars replicas' and run them on no competition track days? But the SuperBikers all care about Freds. So what I say?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

It's the poseurdom of it. A full-on race bike is not the most ideal thing for training. It's like showing up for your first DE event in an F1 car.

[the]

Surely some of those newbie bikers could wear something a bit less, umm, "ambitious" when they are starting out. Perhaps something that leaves a little more to the imagination.

Although it is funny watching clipped in, overweight newbies in their full grape smuggler regalia toppling over at stoplights.

[Tim Hancock]

I am the first to admit that I do not NEED top notch, but the technical side of me is the main reason I why I am intrigued by the idea of bulding my own frame , then adorning it with a hodgepodge of high end goodies. IOW the "project" part of this latest daydream is what is making want to go down this road.

Hardcore cyclists may not understand my motivation or desire as well as hardcore DIY project guys might.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

It's the poseurdom of it. A full-on race bike is not the most ideal thing for training. It's like showing up for your first DE event in an F1 car.

Who says you have to start with the training wheels on? If you can afford it and want it, why not buy a nice bike. This is the same arguement people throw up when someone with no prior Porshce goes out an buys a 997. You don't have to earn these things, you just get them.

I figure if that what made you get outside...all the better. I paid a lot less and use the **** out of my bike....well in the basement.

Originally Posted by the

Surely some of those newbie bikers could wear something a bit less, umm, "ambitious" when they are starting out. Perhaps something that leaves a little more to the imagination.

Although it is funny watching clipped in, overweight newbies in their full grape smuggler regalia toppling over at stoplights.

Nothing makes you more motivated than to have that spandex stuff start fitting properly. Besides the fatties need it the most. Denim chafes!

[nostatic]

steel is real. plastic is spastic.

[Palum6o]

Once you go aluminum ie Cannondale, its hard to go back to steel. I recently had a steel Specialized robbed from me and I got back into a Cannondale, I got a Synapse with CF forks, stiff as hell...

Those early Italian bikes with Campy components were awesome. My brother still rides his Bertoni.

[nostatic]

aluminum is my least favorite frame material, but ymmv.

Get some lugs from Henry James and braze up a frame. That would be quite cool...

With the modern tubing it is easy to get sub 4 lbs with steel. And I still think a steel frame feels great, second only to a good titanium frame.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

It doesn't work the same way though. If you're starting out and wanting to get stronger, it's actually better to ride a heavier bike. It'll make you train harder. Then when you get on a race bike (or swap parts out to lighter/race ones), you're all the faster.

There are also disadvantages for using race components to train on - they're easier to break (and expensive to replace when they do).

[Palum6o]

I found the best way to train is to pull a 35 pound kid in a Burlee. Can you comment on why Aluminum is your least favorite? The only issue I had in the past were cracking center axles on my old SR500, had to get the stronger Campy ones, otherwise its the best responding frame material in my mind.

[SlowToady]

Aluminum is quite harsh, compared to other frame materials, and tends to not hold up as well structurally after an accident. Put a crease in a tube, and you could have a problem. At least that's what people who dislike Al. tell me:-D I like, it's stiff, responsive, and fast.

Tim, steel is definitely desirable. It's very forgiving, yet strong, and still puts the power down quite well. Since you're a mech. engineer and you build airplanes, or something, I'm sure you know (or can easily figure out) the pros/cons to the different steel types.

If I were you, I'd study the fitting (ie, fit the bike to _you_) very carefully. You can have the greatest frame on the planet, but if it doesn't fit you, it'll never ride well. There are numerous books, written by experts, on the subject. Head to Borders and check em out.

Have fun, and post pics!

Originally Posted by Palumbo

I found the best way to train is to pull a 35 pound kid in a Burlee. Can you comment on why Aluminum is your least favorite? The only issue I had in the past were cracking center axles on my old SR500, had to get the stronger Campy ones, otherwise its the best responding frame material in my mind.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Palumbo

I found the best way to train is to pull a 35 pound kid in a Burlee.

Heard that! It's the only way my wife can keep up with me. The handicapper!

[cantdrv55]

I want steel but didn't want to shell out $$ for a new bike so I bought an '80s steel bike and fitting on Ultegra bits to it. Seems to be a very popular thing to do nowadays. You just have to beat the fixie guys to the deal on frames.

[JavaBrewer]

I forgot how snobish cyclists are.

Many years & lbs ago when I had the time for 3-4 hr rides I too laughed at the weekend warriors with the expensive bikes and desk job guts crammed into their team replica jerseys. I would drop them on my mountain bike. Now I'm one of those guys I used to laugh at (minus the expensive gear).

Ride whatever gets you out the door and on the street.

Edit - dang forgot to address the main question. Senior moment... Yes. Steel frames are sweet! If you're buying second hand I'd stay away from carbon. Have the frame and components checked out for possible stress fractures before you pound on the pedals or bomb the downhill.

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Heard that! It's the only way my wife can keep up with me. The handicapper!

I just bought a Burley solo for my newborn for this reason as well. He isn't sturdy enough to ride in it so, in the meantime, I will be using it as a grocery getter cart.