I am not intending to start a carbon vs. steel debate but I thought this was a fun and well done study.
Link
“Which do I enjoy riding most? Well, after the trial I have to go for the steel bike. I get there as quickly, and it is more comfortable, better value, and has more ‘character.’”
plastic bikes are plastic. they serve their purpose. they are certainly more aerodynamic.
but people who know better prefer metal. Steel or TI are my preference. although I race on plastic.
but people who know better prefer metal. Steel or TI are my preference. although I race on plastic.
and what is it exactly that these people know better?
maybe its more like: “people who don’t like to, or can’t spend a lot of money prefer metal”
I know thats the category I fit in =)
Because money no object, every aspect of a bike can be made a tiny bit better with carbon fiber used well.
What that article really found out, is buying a carbon round tube bike is pretty silly. Gotta spring for the S3 
Steel is real. I find steel to be much better suited for climbing (for me) than anything carbon fiber. Unforunately, my last steel road bike, Orbea Ultrafoco did not last very long, maybe a year. If anyone has ideas for a reasonably priced, durable steel road machine (with a good warranty) please let me know. I’ll be in the market for one around springtime.
If you dont know, you dont know. Every plastic bike I have ever had has the same dead ride…my custom Litespeed however…
Again (for me) steel has a very springy feel and seems to have much better power transfer than a carbon bike. The downside is that steel seems a bit more fragile and cannot be a workhorse like a carbon road-bike.
These dudes in Santa Paula, CA “Ragatz” made some sweet steel bikes and when I did a test ride on one a long time ago, I was like “wow!!” But as mentioned something about steel seems delicate and fragile to me. So for as much as I want to get a steel road bike, it needs to be durable and come with a good warranty.
Go with Ti (a Seven if you want to spend the $$$). Plastic is lighter, but the Ti ride is like steel+ and unmatched for durability.
no no no, this was a terrible study. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that in traffic, speeding doesn’t save ANY time. This has nothing to do with bikes and how fast they are and everything to do with how you hit the lights.
Because money no object, every aspect of a bike can be made a tiny bit better with carbon fiber used well.
I’m afraid I’m going to have to throw the flag on this one. Every aspect? The stem? The seatpost? Unless weight is your “tiny bit better” tell me how you can make a better stem than my Syntace F99 stem in aluminum? The derailleur? Brakes? Bolts? Ok, so that last one was taking you a bit literally. Only a tiny bit though. 
In truth, outside of well designed aero frames and aero wheels, you would have a hard time making anything out of carbon fiber measurably better than plain old aluminum. Unless you are a weight weenie, which you never really seemed in the past. Carbon fiber components were not developed out of need, but rather from bike company marketing departments.
Chad
I had a Litespeed Tuscany that I bought new back in 2002 but it did not have the ‘steel quality’ ride. Perhaps this is because it was made of ‘lower grade’ titanium than the Ghisallo? But you are absolutely correct about durability.
A Serrota Ottrott would be nice if I had $9K!!
I had a Litespeed Tuscany that I bought new back in 2002 but it did not have the ‘steel quality’ ride. Perhaps this is because it was made of ‘lower grade’ titanium than the Ghisallo? But you are absolutely correct about durability.
A Serrota Ottrott would be nice if I had $9K!!
There is 3/2 Al/Van Ti and 6/4 (technically there is also CP, commercially pure, but that’s much weaker and not typically used in bikes). 3/2 is the standard, with some fittings made of 6/4 (which is stronger/harder); I’ve never heard anyone comment on a significant ride difference between the two.
Ti is a better spring than steel and damps vibrations a bit more. Many people like this; maybe it just doesn’t suit you.
Are we seriously debating an N=1 study submitted by an anesthesiologist about commuter performance?
Perhaps if he’d elicited the input from a few dentists and attorneys we’d have a more rigorous study to discuss.
we’re actually debating plastic vs. metal. i didn’t read the article. i hijacked the thread.
Because money no object, every aspect of a bike can be made a tiny bit better with carbon fiber used well.
I’m afraid I’m going to have to throw the flag on this one. Every aspect? The stem? The seatpost? Unless weight is your “tiny bit better” tell me how you can make a better stem than my Syntace F99 stem in aluminum? The derailleur? Brakes? Bolts? Ok, so that last one was taking you a bit literally. Only a tiny bit though.
In truth, outside of well designed aero frames and aero wheels, you would have a hard time making anything out of carbon fiber measurably better than plain old aluminum. Unless you are a weight weenie, which you never really seemed in the past. Carbon fiber components were not developed out of need, but rather from bike company marketing departments.
Chad
Do you think you could make a bike with exactly the same characteristics as the Scott Addict (for example) out of aluminum? Because I’d be very skeptical if you said you could.
Stereotypes, exist for a reason.
Keep buying up those shiny decals.
I was referring to the frame
Because money no object, every aspect of a bike can be made a tiny bit better with carbon fiber used well.
I’m afraid I’m going to have to throw the flag on this one. Every aspect? The stem? The seatpost? Unless weight is your “tiny bit better” tell me how you can make a better stem than my Syntace F99 stem in aluminum? The derailleur? Brakes? Bolts? Ok, so that last one was taking you a bit literally. Only a tiny bit though.
In truth, outside of well designed aero frames and aero wheels, you would have a hard time making anything out of carbon fiber measurably better than plain old aluminum. Unless you are a weight weenie, which you never really seemed in the past. Carbon fiber components were not developed out of need, but rather from bike company marketing departments.
Chad
perhaps it is because the “steel quality ride” is a total illusion having to do with geometry and tubing and tires and wheels and 100 factors and not just the material?
I had a Litespeed Tuscany that I bought new back in 2002 but it did not have the ‘steel quality’ ride. Perhaps this is because it was made of ‘lower grade’ titanium than the Ghisallo? But you are absolutely correct about durability.
A Serrota Ottrott would be nice if I had $9K!!
Good point . Not a big carbon guy myself. Oh I love my carbon shoes .To bad it was not non aero v areo .
Thom
plastic bikes are plastic. they serve their purpose. they are certainly more aerodynamic.
Not really. They have the potential to be more aerodynamic, but on the whole if you look at most plastic bikes–particularly road bikes but even many TT/tri bikes, a steel frame will be more aerodynamic, simply by virtue of the smaller diameter tubes. Most plastic bikes aren’t very aero.
Steel can also be made pretty aero as well; there are just very few people doing it, most likely because of the fear of that age old bike shop question: “how much does it weight”? And while you can make a steel bike light and aerodynamic, it’s not cheap…
perhaps it is because the “steel quality ride” is a total illusion having to do with geometry and tubing and tires and wheels and 100 factors and not just the material?
Maybe you are right and it is an illusion. However at the time I tested the Ragatz steel bike I was riding a 1998 Mongoose IBOC (Carbon) and the difference to me was significant: The Mongoose had a plush ride quality but the Ragatz was very springy…it felt better. I din’t get that sensation from the Tuscany as the ride quality had a dead feel. The Ultrafoco (steel) had that springy feel but I destroyed that bike in a year or so. Next time around, I am going to do some serious comparison shopping. But I’m a pretty big dude (6’2, 210) so perhaps steel is not the best choice of frame material for me.