06-03-2011, 05:07 PM
There's a lot of weirdness about steel. I've talked to several mountain bikers who ride steel 29ers who say they don't need suspension because the steel soaks up the bumps. To me, if they're getting even a couple inches of suspension out of their steel frames, they've got a big problem. Like Sheldon, I don't think they're getting much of anything in terms of a better ride from the steel. I'm 100% sure tire inflation makes a lot more difference (with tubeless you can run less than 30lbs, which truly gives you some shock absorption). I have a nice steel bike, and it definitely feels different. I've come to decide it has more to do with vibration absorption. Aluminum almost resonates, which is not an attractive feeling. Carbon Fiber sucks up vibration like a little black hole. It's beautiful.
As far as durability, I just don't see much evidence breakage is a big issue. Most mountain bikes are aluminum, and a broken frame is not unheard of (I've had one frame break), but certainly not common. Given the incredible beating they take, I can't imagine aluminum is a poor material. And a road bike or commuter is going to have a lot easier life. Plus, I've had two steel frames fail, both where the top tube joins the headtube (both lugged). One was a mid-price japanese bike, the other a high price italian. I don't think that means anything, except that things break sometimes. Interesting topic though, for me at least.
Btw, I eagerly await the day I can afford a carbon fiber mountain bike. I can't imagine how smooth they must ride. And they're beautiful, all curvy and weldless. kj.
As far as durability, I just don't see much evidence breakage is a big issue. Most mountain bikes are aluminum, and a broken frame is not unheard of (I've had one frame break), but certainly not common. Given the incredible beating they take, I can't imagine aluminum is a poor material. And a road bike or commuter is going to have a lot easier life. Plus, I've had two steel frames fail, both where the top tube joins the headtube (both lugged). One was a mid-price japanese bike, the other a high price italian. I don't think that means anything, except that things break sometimes. Interesting topic though, for me at least.
Btw, I eagerly await the day I can afford a carbon fiber mountain bike. I can't imagine how smooth they must ride. And they're beautiful, all curvy and weldless. kj.