Frame Materials: Ti vs. Al vs. Steel

[Abui]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

Scandium is aluminum with some different alloy added.

And the alloy is Scandium. It's a Soviet invention so their missiles could be shot through polar ice. Scandium for bikes

[allison]

If you've got an aluminum FS bike you're fine. When it comes to HT's and rigid.. I think frame material matters a LOT more.

There are times when I feel more comfortable over bumps on my Surly (steel) than on my Dos (scandium). The scandium can be kind of harsh after a long time.

That being said.. I'm way more comfortable with a carbon rigid fork than steel.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

One debate a day (26er vs 29er) wasn't good enough for you?

The 26'er mob squad turned that thread into a debate

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by .8down

why are SSers so fond of Cromo frames? is it a throw back thing? feel? its not weight, cuz Cromo is not known to be light...and wouldn't the stiffness of a alum frame be better on a climb?

STEEL is real. Cromo is cheap steel. High quality steel is where it is at.

Have owned them all

For HT's if you can afford it Ti that is really nice. I like high quality STEEL (good bang for your buck) ALUM rides too harsh for my taste.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by .8down

why are SSers so fond of Cromo frames? is it a throw back thing? feel? its not weight, cuz Cromo is not known to be light...and wouldn't the stiffness of a alum frame be better on a climb?

I've wondered this as well- i've got a columbus/true temper steel 29er ss and a american-ti 26er ss and the ti bike feels more confident at speed- the ti just seems less sketchy for some reason.

i did have a low-end steel HT as my first SS. a DN6 steel inbred- it just felt right. i miss that bike.

overall frame material of choice? Ti. I'm up to three built and one for sale.

I've also had a titus aluminum SS (riddler) that climbed like a mountain goat on crack, and the ride was very similar to ti as a ride quality, so the alloy that they used wasn't your typical aluminum feel- it was rather compliant, like ti. this bike broke- apparently the interchangeable dropout system had a weak link in the frame.

i also borrowed a buddy's specialized SS (m3 metal matrix aluminum thingie) that was harsher than an old beer-can cannondale

just random thoughts.

BrewMaster- borrow bikes from friends to find what you like. I met you briefly at Dino's birthday thing and if you'd like to try my titus ss, it's available. you look to be about the same height as me.

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

BrewMaster- borrow bikes from friends to find what you like. I met you briefly at Dino's birthday thing and if you'd like to try my titus ss, it's available. you look to be about the same height as me.

Thanks for the offer slowSSer. Ultimately I will have to try many bikes to form my own opinion.

Ti bikes might be a little hard to find for demos. I am not in a rush on this, just toying with ideas before I spend.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

Thanks for the offer slowSSer. Ultimately I will have to try many bikes to form my own opinion.

Ti bikes might be a little hard to find for demos. I am not in a rush on this, just toying with ideas before I spend.

and it is a dedicated SS (horiz dropouts aka no hope for gears)- I wasn't sure if that's the route you were going.

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

and it is a dedicated SS (horiz dropouts aka no hope for gears)- I wasn't sure if that's the route you were going.

I have no plans to go to SS, but stranger things have happened, so I never say never.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

I have no plans to go to SS, but stranger things have happened, so I never say never.

sent you a PM.

edit: heck, even Dino "i am a horse" brown is likely going SS...

[.8down]

so if I were to build an SS true steel is best? anyway of finding out what kind of steel a maker uses?

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by .8down

so if I were to build an SS true steel is best? anyway of finding out what kind of steel a maker uses?

they should tell you what it's made of, right at the beginning.

personally, i think ti makes a better SS, but that's just me after riding 2 different steel and 2 different aluminum SS's.

[.8down]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

they should tell you what it's made of, right at the beginning.

personally, i think ti makes a better SS, but that's just me after riding 2 different steel and 2 different aluminum SS's.

too spendie for me Im afraid...my fascination with SSing extends to "damn that guy is nuts to climb that with that" and then"wish I was strong enough" then "maybe I should give it a go"

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by .8down

too spendie for me Im afraid...my fascination with SSing extends to "damn that guy is nuts to climb that with that" and then"wish I was strong enough" then "maybe I should give it a go"

...and then the "i'm selling the full squish now as i never ride it" phase and/or the "fixies seem interesting" phase...

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by .8down

too spendie for me Im afraid...my fascination with SSing extends to "damn that guy is nuts to climb that with that" and then"wish I was strong enough" then "maybe I should give it a go"

feels so nice

[.8down]

Kona Explosif: Race proven geometry with a Dedacciai SAT Butted Cromoly tubeset. The Explosif comes complete with disc mounts and uses an adjustable rear dropout. This will even allow for the uses of single rear cog without a chaintensioner. The frame is designed around an 80mm travel fork. The frames offer shorter rear chainstays for better power transfer and climbing traction and a sloping top tube that has become a Kona tradition. This design offers generous top tube lengths for a perfect fit for both men and women.

can anyone tell me what that kind of steel is? I have a connection with Kona, and it is my frame of choice at this time.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by .8down

Kona Explosif: Race proven geometry with a Dedacciai SAT Butted Cromoly tubeset. The Explosif comes complete with disc mounts and uses an adjustable rear dropout. This will even allow for the uses of single rear cog without a chaintensioner. The frame is designed around an 80mm travel fork. The frames offer shorter rear chainstays for better power transfer and climbing traction and a sloping top tube that has become a Kona tradition. This design offers generous top tube lengths for a perfect fit for both men and women.

can anyone tell me what that kind of steel is? I have a connection with Kona, and it is my frame of choice at this time.

zero idea of exactly what kind of steel it is- just keep in mind that the explosif (and unit- same frame, different dropouts, different colour) arent exactly what i'd call light. my wife has a fully geared X9 spec'd explosif and it weighs something like 33 pounds. not light.

if you've got a connection, why not the kula? scandium is nice and light...

[.8down]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

zero idea of exactly what kind of steel it is- just keep in mind that the explosif (and unit- same frame, different dropouts, different colour) arent exactly what i'd call light. my wife has a fully geared X9 spec'd explosif and it weighs something like 33 pounds. not light.

if you've got a connection, why not the kula? scandium is nice and light...

33? *gasp*, Hell no Im not riding an SS that is heavier then my squishy... I will look into the Kula. I just see everyone fascinated with steel so I wanted to see what the hub bub was about.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

zero idea of exactly what kind of steel it is- just keep in mind that the explosif (and unit- same frame, different dropouts, different colour) arent exactly what i'd call light. my wife has a fully geared X9 spec'd explosif and it weighs something like 33 pounds. not light.

if you've got a connection, why not the kula? scandium is nice and light...

"X9 spec'd explosif and it weighs something like 33 pounds. not light"

more going on there than the frame. Maybe take the sand out of the tires

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

"X9 spec'd explosif and it weighs something like 33 pounds. not light"

more going on there than the frame. Maybe take the sand out of the tires

build list:
alex td17 rims, 36 spoke, xt hubs
avid mechs front/rear
XT front der
X9 rear
truvativ stylo cranks (22:32:42)
xt casette (11:34)
kenda karma rear
wtb exiwolf front
sram 9 sp chain
sram x9 shifters
wtb low end seat
generic stem/post
pauls levers.
kona platform pedals.
odi lock ons.
Reba fork

so, maybe 33 was a little much. for a geared bike, it's sure got a bit on my 29er full squish seven (no idea on weight)