531 st vs 853

[TLW]

I have an old Trek touring bike, all Reynolds 531st, a local shop has a consignment frame, an IF Independence all Reynolds 853 tubing at a very good price. The frame meassures out the same as my Trek but the owner is lighter than me. Is there any real advantage to the IF other than pure "bike lust" and the thrill of tricking out a new bike(I'm thinking fast light tourer as in how far and fast can I go with a handlebar bag and a Carridice.)
Terry

[wanderingwheel]

For all Reynolds tubing, the different numbers indicate different types of steel, but not necessarily different yube sizes.  853 is stronger than 531 so it can be drawn into thinner tubes that still possess good strength qualities.  With thinner tubes, the bike will be lighter.  If both the Trek and the IF have identical tubes (diameter, wall thickness, butting profile) it will be impossible to discern between the two.  They will have identical ride characteristics and identical weights.

However, the IF being a newer design probably has oversized, thin-wall tubes which will make it both lighter and stiffer.  How much of a difference?  Probably not much.  Enough to be considered a "real advantage"?  Maybe, maybe not.

Sean

[RussellSeaton]

I agree with wanderingwheel.  In a "blind" test ride with the same parts on both bikes, you could not tell the difference in 853 or 531 if both used the same tubing size.  And probably not even if they used radically different tubing sizes.

If you want a new bike, go for it.  Build it up and enjoy it.  Keep the Trek too.  Its good to have a second or third or fourth bike when the first or second or third bike is not working perfectly.