Is Steel Real?

[MORNE]

I also recently acquired a 80s columbus SLX road bike and although it has been restored....the frame looks like the day it rolled off the floor. And it rides amazing. So compliant for something rolling on 23c tires.

And its also no secret that i only have steel Mtb’s lol. Recently when the Tange Prestige one got ‘appropriated’ and i thought it was gone for good...i rebuilt an old Alu mtb just so i could ride. It was the first time on a alu bike in 4 years. The differences in how the materials feel when riding are huge imo. I’m sure modern aloy bikes are a bit better but to me Alu comparatively feels like you are riding on tires inflated to 20bar.

I recently watched this GCN video where the presenter traded his top spec canyon road bike for a vintage steel bike for the day to do a piece on how far bike tech has come. Obviously the new bike was faster, lighter, more efficient. But he could not say the carbon bike was more comfortable...he actually said the vintage steel bike was nicer to ride from that standpoint....taking out the road buzz that the newest and stiffest and best frame materials just inherently cant. He also made the same point mentioned by someone else earlier....our throw away culture and the way consumerism works means things aren't designed to last anymore....and thats part of the reason why you wont see any vintage carbon bikes around in 30y time....just like how generic 2020 model year cars wont be classics in the future...

[Hairy]

[wildwindfr]

Enjoy Old Shovels builds. Have watched a few over the last couple of months.

[Butterbean]

So Ive been a long time fan of steel bikes. Ive been looking for a wide tyre capable gravle bike for a while, so when this came up, i couldnt miss it... Yes, its heavy. Yes its a spez. But god its a great ride... So it joins the Ritchey in my steel fleet!

[Hairy]

Three Steel Bikes lined up .... and all SS

 

One is a real old classic GT, the other is a recent classic On One Inbred and the newest one is a new classic Momsen STR