Author Topic: Steel  (Read 7380 times)

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Offline chang522

Steel
« on: March 09, 2010, 08:29:00 pm »
I am looking for a new touring bike and am confused about the grades of cromoly.  LHT uses 4130 cromoly, how does the quality compare to the Renyolds 520 or higher steel?  What difference does the higher quality steel make in the ride, durability etc. ?

Offline Tourista829

Re: Steel
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2010, 11:43:43 pm »
I am not a structural engineer but I have ridden a Surly LHT. I really liked it, more than adequate, but it did have some frame flex. I am sorry I rode a bike with 800 series Reynolds tubing. I ended up buying the bike, a Comotion. It is lighter, stronger, more durable, very comfortable and expensive. All I can say is, putting geometry, components, and fit aside, a bike with 800 series tubing is like driving a Porsche versus a Ford. (I like Fords too) Tubing matters!

Offline chang522

Re: Steel
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2010, 06:37:26 am »
That's exaxtly were I am at now.  Before I was married a few years ago I was set on an Americano.  Now with a wife and child I need to think more carefully moneywise.  Along with the family is also less time and with be using the bike for day rides and hopefully several local 3 day tours.  Right now I am in the Mekong delta and have been riding a local bike called Asthma.  It is way too small but still gets the job done.  I have logged about 500 miles through some tough riding and still feel great.  The LHT makes so much more sense right now for me but ......

Offline paddleboy17

Re: Steel
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2010, 03:27:58 pm »
Sometimes the tubing manufacturer has useful information on their web sites.

Reynolds says that 520 is for light applications.  Some light touring bikes are made with it.  I have ridden one 520 touring bike, and I found it too wigily for my taste.  Jamis has 2 touring bikes: the Aurora and the Aurora Elite.  The Aurora is based on a better grade of steel (at least according to Reynolds).

I don't know much about 4130, I think that is the SAE number for ChroMoly steel.  I think if you increased the tubing diameter and wall thickness you could compensate for the flexing nature of the steel.  The LHT supposedly does that.  Lots of people ride them, but I never have.

And grades of steel, my friend is why there is a market for heavy touring bikes like Co-Motions and Waterfords.  That and getting custom work done.  I have a Waterford, and I did so for the steel grade.  Of course while I was at it, I took advantage of the custom work.  My only regret is that I did not consider a Reynolds 931 frame.  I don't know how Reynolds made a stainless steel alloy that behaves like 931 does, but that is truly amazing.
Danno

Offline Tourista829

Re: Steel
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2010, 09:51:49 pm »
Chang522, if I were riding in Vietnam, I would want a 26 inch wheel. Surly LHT geometry, (lack of toe clearance) uses a 26" wheel in 54c and smaller frames. There is another company, out of the UK, that we like Thorn Bicycles from SJS Cycles. Their Raven and Sherpa are pretty good. My commuter bike is a Breezer Uptown. I like it. Purchased on E-Bay, from a pawn shop, for a song. I like the Shimano internal hub. In fact, with the new Shimano 11 speed internal hub, coming out soon, at $400, I might upgrade from 7 to 11. (speeds)  8)