Is steel real?

nicklouse

Thelonegroover wrote:

My original post was asking anyone, (supersonic in particular) for names of known harsh steel frames, 29er or 26er, I should maybe have also added known comfy alu frames. All other things being equal (seat, bars, tyres, etc).

For example, I have read several reports that Genesis Latitude steel frames are quite ‘solid’ and that Charge steel frames are very springy.

This is the sort of feedback I was after.

sorry but why ask for a list of harsh frames? as that is most of them.

Just get a Jones if you want a comfy ridgid 29er.

jairaj

The frame is just a part of the package. Other components have equal effect too such as tyres, seatpost, bars, grips etc.

Adding 3 or 4 "comfortable" components can have a bigger effect than 1 frame. Don't too hung up on getting the most compliant frame. Get one that fits right and feels good. Then fine tune the ride will the finishing kit.

passout

Thelonegroover wrote:

I actually already have a 26" Inbred, this new 29er may also be used by my daughter or son. I'm guessing the difference between steel and alu is less pronounced on a 29er.

I'm not really looking for a steel 29er, I'm looking for less harsh/comfy 29er, if that turns out to be steel then OK, if someone knows a particularly smooth alu 29er, I'd consider that.

I'd still like to know if anyone has any experience of a particularly harsh steel 29er though.

Inbreds are comfy & I recommend them - don't worry. I rode the 26'' version - the most compliant hardtail i've ridden. I agree that frame material isn't everything. Great thing about inbreds is that are cheap, so you are not really paying a premium for steel, which is a questionable thing to do IMO.

passout

cooldad wrote:

passout wrote:

I used to ride a rickhopper when they only came in steel! Shows my age

I still have one, late 80's model. It's sh1t.

Yep, got mine in 1988 and sold it to unsuspecting Italian in 1991 for a similar price. Then moved onto a Gary Fisher AL-1 which was a great ride but broke. The got an alu. elevated chain stay Rock Mountain Experience & put a flex stem on it. Rode that for over a decade before selling, still going strong I think. After that we move onto boring modern day bikes; but at least I discovered that full suspension takes the fun out of mauntain biking, before going too far down that road.

YeehaaMcgee

passout wrote:

I discovered that full suspension takes the fun out of mauntain biking

:roll:

thelonegroover

nicklouse wrote:

Thelonegroover wrote:

My original post was asking anyone, (supersonic in particular) for names of known harsh steel frames, 29er or 26er, I should maybe have also added known comfy alu frames. All other things being equal (seat, bars, tyres, etc).

For example, I have read several reports that Genesis Latitude steel frames are quite ‘solid’ and that Charge steel frames are very springy.

This is the sort of feedback I was after.

sorry but why ask for a list of harsh frames? as that is most of them.

Just get a Jones if you want a comfy ridgid 29er.

So I know what to avoid!

supersonic

Older orange P7s were stiff, as is the Cove Handjob, NS Core (and a lot of these long travel steel frames), and in titanium the Rock Lobster, VN Tuareg. Some budget steel frames are the most brutal I have ever ridden.

Size of the frame makes a difference too, smaller, more compact frames will flex less.

But good points are made about finishing kit. Given that frame will only flex very little (if at all) in the vertical plane - many feel flex as lateral give - then stuff like saddles and tyres make more difference.

thelonegroover

Thanks all for your views. Looks like another On-One Inbred (29er) may be favourite. Need to work out the best size now.

passout

Re Inbred. I was on the cusp between sizes. I'm just under 5'9'' & went for an 18inch - it was too big for off road use for me, even with a 60mm stem & swept back bars. Fine for commuting though. Inbreds have long effective top tube lengths - I should have gone 16 inch. This is why I recently swapped frames - I went for for an 18 inch Kinesis Decade Versa (50% off at Winstanleys) which is more like a 16'' Inbred in terms of reach, as it goes. The on one website is quite helpful for sizing issues.

Torres

Passout; that's interesting.

I ride an 18" inbred 29er and I'm only 5'7" (on a good day.) Indeed the on-one size chart says I should have a 16" frame, but I find the larger size much more comfortable; I must have a poorly proportioned upper body!