Comments on: Bicycle Frames, The Heart Of The Bike

By: Samuel

Samuel — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:18:56 +0000

Yes Simon, it makes sense. In fact doing these calculations is what most people don’t do. I always recommend to invest in good quality bikes that ride as you say; faster and easier. Nohting leaves forever and bikes need some replacement time to time. I replace the saddle and tyres every year. Chain and cassette every 2 years and cables every 3….it’s money….but gasoil is more expensive

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:51:27 +0000

I do 10,000km per year, ride to work. Hey just to let you know I was running a steel Columbus tubing 105 bike, made in Italy (Vetta) and just got a Carbon Giant 105 TCR advanced for $2K. The ride is so much easier, so much smoother and WAY more enjoyable. This thing is faster with less effort and doesn’t hurt my back as much. I know it will not last forever but Carbon is way superior to other materials, I would say it is 30% better and easier to ride. Giant give a Lifetime warranty on the frame.

I have read many of these posts but this is an honest unbiased view. They truly are better. Durability over the long term? I don’t know. To be honest with you if I get 30,000km (3 years) daily commute out of this I will be ecstatic and buy a new one. By then all other components will need replacing anyway – chain, tyres, seat, wheels maybe, cassette, chain rings. Given it costs $2000 per year in public transport where I live in Perth I am way ahead ($500 a year in bike depreciation and I will sell it in 3 years time for $500). At this point I will buy a whole new bike. Hope this makes sense.

By: Elizabeth McCausland

Elizabeth McCausland — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:48:19 +0000

The type of bike frame you buy is determined on the type of riding you do, commute, tour, race, weekend warrior, or just plan riding for the exercise. How long have you been riding, are you going to stick with it, how many hours a week do you ride? Do you ride a lot of hills, flats or something in between? What can you afford?

I started on a Gary Fisher Mt bike in 2006. I would ride it every chance I got, on the road. I did that for a year until the introduction of the Solvang Century. I bought a Dolce Specialized $1400, aluminum frame, carbon forks, and seat post, Shimano 105 in 2007. I lost 20 lbs and now ride 100-150+ miles a week. I live in San Diego area and all we have are hills. I love riding so much that I wanted a bike that I can abuse and have it last 20 or more years. I want components that help me go fast on the flats and get me up 15-22% grades. I want wheels that are going to move and respond when I need them to. I ride with pros and amateurs. I can never keep up the pace of pros, but I try. I do not want a frame that will brake if it’s dropped in an accident (Carbon can break). I had a friend drop his CF bike on a downhill turn with a flat tire, the $3000 Trek frame went in the trash. Titanium is my choice of frame material. They do not make titanium frames that will fit me, 122lbs and 61”. I’m taking the plunge and buying custom titanium frame, components that are light made for hills, flats a cassette at 11-28 and wheels with ceramic bearings. It is costing me $5000. It is worth it to me; I plan on riding for the rest of my life.

By: Ron Page

Ron Page — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:13:35 +0000

I’ve been told that the reason aluminum is so popular is that the major bike manufacturers are now set up to produce aluminum frames and that the welding techniques for aluminum are understood by manufacturers. At the same time, steel alloys have become more exotic and the manufacturing process for steel has become more complex, and the end result is that more and more bikes are produced with aluminum. I’m a good 40 lbs overweight, so a few extra pounds from an older steel frame just doesn’t matter. (g)

By: HiTecHoBo

HiTecHoBo — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:09:34 +0000

My partner and I are currently developing a Monocoque / Hemp Hybrid frame that will be stronger and lighter than Beryllium.
Problem is that you forgot that you were going to ride.

By: alastair

alastair — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:56:48 +0000

Sounds like you’ve got your hands on the real thing there. I doubt the bike is important to Freddy as he will get new bikes from his teams. The bike was probably sold off at the end of the season.
Dont worry about it and get out there on a real “Pro” bike!
Enjoy.

By: Michael Olexo

Michael Olexo — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:24:17 +0000

I bought a Ridley bike frame from a fellow that has been ridding
professionally for many years. He said the bike had been hanging for
a year and so he was getting rid of it.

On the frame it says Fast Freddy, which I assumed to be a cycling team. I googled Fast Freddy, but only found, Fast Freddy as Freddy rodriguez. On his web site it mentions he was the national pro champion several years. So then I googled Fred Rodriguez bicycle, and found an image that matches my bike. It is the same Ridley Fast Freddy frame that is in your article.

Since the guy I bought it from seems nice enough, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, that it is a legitimate sale.

Is there a way to find this out. I’d hate to have this bike if its important to Mr. rodriguez.

Thanks!

Michael Olexo San Francisco, CA

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:53:28 +0000

My current bike is aluminium (a 2001 Klein Quantum) and I’m looking to replace it.

I’m prepared to spend a couple of grand to find a bike as good as my Klein was when I bought it 8yrs ago. If that brings me a lighter, faster more comfortable bike I’ll smile even broader when crunching the miles.

The local bike shop says go carbon, a couple of cyclist I know say go carbon. They say aluminium is harsh/stiff, yet I have never thought my Klein as harsh, before people mentioned it the thought never crossed my mind. And some say wait until you’ve tried carbon and you’ll see the difference.

Not sure it makes much difference but I’m short and lean so while I’m happy to sacrifice frame weight if I can save weight elsewhere. And my bike will be used for the occasional triathlon (1-2 per year).

By: phil webb

phil webb — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:56:30 +0000

Bamboo is the up and coming material of choice. 10 year warranty? No problem. Crash resistance? Better than Carbon. Ride? Smooth and quiet beyond belief. Responsiveness? When selecting the right species and processing the raw material correctly, very responsive. Green? Green.

By: Jim Wedeking

Jim Wedeking — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:18:13 +0000

I have 4 bikes, One is Chromoly, one is steel, one is Aluminumn, and one is a mixture of Carbon and Aluminumn. Of all my bikes, the oldest and my favorite is the one made of Chromoly, yet I now ride it least of all because I got used to the index shifting of the newest bike.My friends tell me to go all carbon or titanuum. What happened to Chromoly? It was lighter than steel, and just as light as Aluminum and just as stiff as Titanium. I’m confused about what direction to turn. Bike shops only care about making a sale or is it because I don’t know what to tell them what’s best for me?

By: Oliver

Oliver — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:48:00 +0000

I’m amazed at the dearth of conversation and information on the web about steel frames. While aluminum is cheap and light, it is a ROUGH ride, especially for those of us heavy enough to require very stiff/tough wheels. I think the laid-back geometry of older steel designs is wonderful for folks who like to ride distances but don’t necessarily race, as well as those new to longer-distance road riding. Do you know of any websites/rags that are devoted to steel bikes?

By: john

john — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:31:47 +0000

this is so typical…. The tunnel vision of focus on racing. This article started off talking about frames in general, and frame materials. Then they started focussing on a carbon fiber Ferrari of the biking world. Unfortunately this is what gets the free press every year with the Tour de France. Yes if your racing the tour de france then 2-3 minutes difference in performance over the alps is crucial. But if your looking to commute to work, it’s inconsequential. If your trying to accomplish your first century, or taking a bike tour vacation… then comfortable positioning, gearing for your fitness level, and other factors are far more important than a few minutes. If your built like me (or too many of my fellow Americans), the 50 extra pounds i am still carrying (but still losing as I progress) have far more importance than a few ounces that might be shaved on a bike frame. Spend your Ferrari money, I’m doing fine getting around on my ford Taurus of a cycle.If you focus on yourself and not on others than you can always compete against the clock on whatever bike you ride.john

By: Carbon Fiber Bike Frame

Carbon Fiber Bike Frame — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:47:09 +0000

As “Mike said, owning a carbon fiber frame does come down to having the cash to buy it and also the need for it. Your run of the mill cyclist will not need a CF frame at all and I expect the majority of people who do have one don’t really need one either.Light, durable and excellent they may be, but not always the right thing to buy – unless you have more money than sense!

By: Vince

Vince — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:08:57 +0000

Carbon Fiber frames are very commonplace nowadays and full bikes with proven racing credentials can be had for under $2K. I’ve tried looking for steel bikes and it would seem the only option is to custom build a bike around an Italian frame. Usually the steel frame itself sells for more than $2k. The cost of the entire bike would end up costing twice that. Steel has become the new exotic and expensive material. Am I missing something?Can you tell me of a manufacturer as reputable as Trek, that produces steel bikes with proven racing geometry for a reasonable price. It doesn’t even have to be lightweight. Thanks

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:59:54 +0000

@Jim Wedeking -as you probably already know, steel is a generic name for all alloys of iron. Chromoly is name for a family of steel alloys that have relatively more molybdenum added. Chromoly steels tend to be strong, so the tubing of the bike can be ma

By: Fk

Fk — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:29:30 +0000

dont forget the magnesium frames that (if memory serves me correctly) were available for a short period of time in the early 90′s.no end of problems with them from what i can remember.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:31:37 +0000

I don’t think there’s any danger of the extinction of steel bikes any time soon. Their durability, welding ease (fix your bike if you crash!), ride and price/weight (many chromoly or newer steel composites are as light as aluminum), all contribute to their popularity. This review reads like it was written towards the end of the 1990s when steel was losing ground over fancy new technologies, but in the last 5 years steel continues to be the real thing.Maybe I’m biased b/c I was searching for steel tubing reviews (for my custom bike) when I came across this article.