swoosh1973 Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 Point taken' date=' iragrI still think very few people do some research into bikes and products before they buy. Whatever material it may be.So the general rule is of LIGHT , CHEAP and STRONG, you can choose 2?[/quote'] 100%. Shucks man why did i not think of that. I could have saved me typing the whole damn essay if i thought of that quote! LIGHT, CHEAP and STRONG choose any 2! I will remember that next time i talk to one of my cussies.
DawieO Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 and explains why a DG-1000 glider with Light and strong Carbon Composite wings comes in at around R2m...
Eldron Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 And now 2c from a Metallurgical Engineer!1) Steel is dead. It has a terrible (relatively speaking of course) strength to weight ratio, can't be manipulate easily due to the thin side walls and very little money is being spent on new steel alloying technology. Steel is effectively a low grade construction material. I'm not sure where the "wonderful ride quality" myth comes from - except if by wonderful you mean soft and whippy. My opinion is that steel bikes are for wonderfully nostalgic chaps (like me!) who want to reminds themselves of the good old days.2) Carbon is fragile (relatively speaking). It is a wonderful bike construction material because of it's awesome strength to weight ratio but more importantly because you can make virtually any shape you like - meaning you can add strength in some areas, stiffness in others and keep the weight off in non stressed areas. This of course comes at a cost - as someone else said - light, strong and cheap - pick two. 3) Alu is Mr. Happy Medium - with the latest hydroforming technology you can manipulate a metal nicely (much like carbon but not to the same extent). Personally I own a carbon road bike and alu mountain bike. This is because I dont think carbon can stand up to the abuse mtb's are exposed to (I have several dents on my alu mtb that probably only reduce the life of the frame - two of the dents would certainly have eneded a carbon mframe's life). It is a cost thing though - if I had a full time mtb sponsor I'd be on carbon!! I also don't ride full carbon wheels, bars, stems or seat posts. Although thats probably more out of paranoia. So in closing - if you are racing - buy carbon - if you are racing but poor buy alu - if you are nostalgic, have a 6" beard, think beer is the racing fuel of champions and think the 80's was the coolest decade like ever - buy steel
Tumbleweed Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 [So in closing - if you are racing - buy carbon - if you are racing but poor?buy alu - if you are nostalgic' date= have a 6" beard,?think beer is the racing fuel of champions and think the 80's was the coolest decade like ever - buy steel [/quote] i drink beer, haven't shaved for a bit, popped my cherry in the 80s...never race...is it ok if i own a carbon road bike, a coupla alu mtbs and a steel fixie and chopper?
daggavis Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 It irritates me that most manufacturers have gone the carbon route. I suppose they respond to what the market wants. Difficult to find decent alu specced bikes (105/Ultegra and up), except maybe for raleighs RC6000A/RC6500A/RC7000A.Yes carbon is sexy and racy but I can't justify the price of a complete decent specced bike or frame alone...
Eldron Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 [So in closing - if you are racing - buy carbon - if you are racing but poor buy alu - if you are nostalgic' date= have a 6" beard, think beer is the racing fuel of champions and think the 80's was the coolest decade like ever - buy steel [/quote] i drink beer, haven't shaved for a bit, popped my cherry in the 80s...never race...is it ok if i own a carbon road bike, a coupla alu mtbs and a steel fixie and chopper? Only if you post pics of your 6 inch ZZ TOP inspired beard. Your stable sounds like mine! Nothing beats owning loads of bikes. Just finished my semi old school single...
Tumbleweed Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 [ So in closing - if you are racing - buy carbon - if you are racing but poor?buy alu - if you are nostalgic' date= have a 6" beard,?think beer is the racing fuel of champions and think the 80's was the coolest decade like ever - buy steel [/quote] i drink beer, haven't shaved for a bit, popped my cherry in the 80s...never race...is it ok if i own a carbon road bike, a coupla alu mtbs and a steel fixie and chopper? ? Only if you post pics of your 6 inch ZZ TOP inspired beard. ? Your stable sounds like mine! Nothing beats owning loads of bikes. Just finished my semi old school single... working on the beard! for sure, nice to have your own wobble of bikes. my bike room is like a temple!
Climate Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 But there's more ... at the TdF this year, I spoke to an agent about this innovative product/design (a blend of kevlar and carbon), which some of the tour riders were apparently testing on rest days. It may be more suited to roadbike application, because mud "impregnatioin" on the MTB down-tube will have a serios effect on the weight specs. The roadbike frame in comparison, had solid (carbon?) seat- and chain-stays. Climate2009-10-06 09:53:13
EigerSA Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 And now 2c from a Metallurgical Engineer!1) Steel is dead. It has a terrible (relatively speaking of course) strength to weight ratio' date=' can't be manipulate easily due to the thin side walls and very little money is being spent on new steel alloying technology. Steel is effectively a low grade construction material. I'm not sure where the "wonderful ride quality" myth comes from - except if by wonderful you mean soft and whippy. My opinion is that steel bikes are for wonderfully nostalgic chaps (like me!) who want to reminds themselves of the good old days.What! Can't believe you said this! Loads of money is being spent on steel-alloying technology, just take a gander at the bicycle shows overseas, 90% are steel bikes. There's a huge factory in Italy that does nothing but manufacture, supply and research steel tubing for bicycles. Steel is relatively cheap and far easier to weld than aluminum, and is longer lasting. Most independent frame builders work in steel and will do so for a long long time. There's a major trend right now in the States where the longer endurance races are being completed on steel bikes, the majority being hard-tails. The only reason the top pro's ride aluminum and carbon fibre is because that's what their sponsors insist on them riding. It may have a sucky steel to weight ratio, but alu is not much better, and again steel outlasts alu by miles. [/quote']
Dirty Twin Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 A friend of mine built/modified this frame pretty cool. I think Brighter-Lights has made reference to the history of this bike elsewhere on the hub. Will have to look for it though.Dirty Twin2009-10-06 11:01:01
gummibear Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 A friend of mine built/modified this frame pretty cool. I think Brighter-Lights has made reference to the history of this bike elsewhere on the hub. Will have to look for it though. That's very good.
gummibear Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 I like steel frames.Enigma or Baum http://www.enigmabikes.com/images/uploads/images/bikes/elite1%281%29.jpg
Procrates Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 Mister Metallurgical Engineer Man.So what is the thick glassed texbook analysis of titanium, personally I think its the best.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now