Alloy v Steel & what bike. Play devils advocate.
mattsccm
Posts: 409
Just looking for opinions. Lets say £1200 to spend.
My SS cross bike gets 75% of my cycling use so I think I will spend £800 on a Planet X Pompetamine with Alfine hub. SS may stay or go, so that money isn't in the equation.
£400 left. I like my 531 road bike with decent modern kit but it was made for me in 1983 when fashions had them big and my back and wrists could take the long top tube. Here is the dilemma. assuming I buy the Pomp, do I look for a cheapish alloy frame,(not many about that I can see, haven't found 1 yet) or a nice 531 or even 753 clasic steel frame. Steel just puts me where I am now but with a bike that fits. I like retro, like to be different ( bloody awkward my mates say) and 753 especially feeds my ego better than budget alloy. Gear snob maybe.
Found several frames for sub 200 that are nice. Modern alloy may be more up to date. does that matter. Is there a significant weight advantage.? iAm I correct in thinking that 531 and especially 753 are lighter than the 520 that seems common in mid price modern steel frames ?
That would allow £200 for some reasonable wheels which are the weak point in my old bike.
What would you do? Got a sportive booked and want to spend more time on the road again.
A disc braked bike that would take 40mm tyres and weigh the same as my 531 road bike would be nice but doesn't exist or that would be my choice.
Comments please just to confuse me more. Feel free to throw any spanners into the works.
My SS cross bike gets 75% of my cycling use so I think I will spend £800 on a Planet X Pompetamine with Alfine hub. SS may stay or go, so that money isn't in the equation.
£400 left. I like my 531 road bike with decent modern kit but it was made for me in 1983 when fashions had them big and my back and wrists could take the long top tube. Here is the dilemma. assuming I buy the Pomp, do I look for a cheapish alloy frame,(not many about that I can see, haven't found 1 yet) or a nice 531 or even 753 clasic steel frame. Steel just puts me where I am now but with a bike that fits. I like retro, like to be different ( bloody awkward my mates say) and 753 especially feeds my ego better than budget alloy. Gear snob maybe.
Found several frames for sub 200 that are nice. Modern alloy may be more up to date. does that matter. Is there a significant weight advantage.? iAm I correct in thinking that 531 and especially 753 are lighter than the 520 that seems common in mid price modern steel frames ?That would allow £200 for some reasonable wheels which are the weak point in my old bike.
What would you do? Got a sportive booked and want to spend more time on the road again.
A disc braked bike that would take 40mm tyres and weigh the same as my 531 road bike would be nice but doesn't exist or that would be my choice.
Comments please just to confuse me more. Feel free to throw any spanners into the works.
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Comments
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FWIW a 531 frame is in the region of 1800g (depending on size) whereas a decent alloy is <1200 - add a carbon fork and you'll be nearly a kilo lighter - certainly noticeable. Planet-X have got some nice Guerciotti alloy frames very cheap - 10 years ago these were 'state of the art' with Columbus Airplane tubing etc.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
