Frame Material

redddraggon

What frame material do people have on their (number 1) bike?

It would be interesting to see the split between the different materials.

acorn_user

Steel, race and cross!

Rob Sallnow

Titanium Colnago for best, steel Colnago for winter.....it really should be the other way round!!!

Smokin Joe

Alu / carbon.

I have no fetish about materials whatsoever. If I was buying a new frame tomorrow it would be carbon because I think that is the best available at the moment, all my requirements consudered. i would not touch steel because it is too heavy, however if they made one that could match modern materials on weight, price and reliability i would be first in the queue. If they made one out of compressed teabags that ticked all the right boxes I would also consider that. Material is only stuff, it either works or it doesn't.

oldwelshman

Smokin Joe wrote:

Alu / carbon.

I have no fetish about materials whatsoever. If I was buying a new frame tomorrow it would be carbon because I think that is the best available at the moment, all my requirements consudered. i would not touch steel because it is too heavy, however if they made one that could match modern materials on weight, price and reliability i would be first in the queue. If they made one out of compressed teabags that ticked all the right boxes I would also consider that. Material is only stuff, it either works or it doesn't.

Reynolds 953 is only slightly heavier.

oldwelshman

I have old 531 which I use on turbo ( not often tho), 853 winter bike, 853 track and carbon for racing.

System_1

Recently swapped my full carbon frame and went back to aluminium (with carbon stays this time).

I'm a big guy and prefer the stiffness of aluminium. To get comparable stiffness in a carbon frame I think I'd have had to spend a fair bit. Aluminium is still the best value out there if you want a light stiff bike.

I tend to get bored with my bikes easily and lust for something new after 2 or 3 years so the longevity of titanium didn't particularly appeal, and the comfort of both ti and steel wasn't high on my list of priorities (considering the weight penalty) when most of my rides are 40-60 miles max.

munster

I have a steel "Caygill" with full carbon forks and rear end. I think it is pretty light, but I would go carbon again at some point (had a Trek for a couple of years until I fancied a change), probably a Specialized Roubaix.

Smokin Joe

oldwelshman wrote:

Smokin Joe wrote:

Alu / carbon.

I have no fetish about materials whatsoever. If I was buying a new frame tomorrow it would be carbon because I think that is the best available at the moment, all my requirements consudered. i would not touch steel because it is too heavy, however if they made one that could match modern materials on weight, price and reliability i would be first in the queue. If they made one out of compressed teabags that ticked all the right boxes I would also consider that. Material is only stuff, it either works or it doesn't.

Reynolds 953 is only slightly heavier.

Slightly heavier and a lot dearer!

John C.

I have 2 alloy frames with carbon forks that weigh about 20 lbs my winter hack is steel, it weighs a ton but is so much comfier on rough tarmac. If I could find a light weight steel frame set I'd be temped to swap. I'm not looking as I've no spare cash

nickwill

Steel is real. My best bike is steel. My Winter hack is aluminium.

Gerry Attrick

I love carbon, simply because I find it so comfortable to ride.

a_n_t

carbon..........too comfy!

Gerry Attrick

I put it to you, sir, there is no such thing as too comfy!

a_n_t

depends what you're into?

Gerry Attrick

Oh.....this and that, but mainly the other. :shock:

Monty Dog

A ti/carbon Colnago is my best bike; a full carbon Battaglin my trainer; a custom ti crosser; a Dolan aluminium track bike plus a couple of classic Gios steelies running as fixed gears....

feel

ali frame/carbon forks is my road bike. 531 steel tourer very old and a good ride, beginning to lust after a steel road bike - need the price to come down