Mainstream press article pushing steel bike?

[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/opinion/theres-no-good-reason-to-buy-a-carbon-bike/?fbclid=IwAR2uIwBwz29AqiFhiVs5TTjdXw2HDNApUOMVh51foKzayEp1u_vB5UMltqU

Never thought I'd see this.

[DavidP]

I may have had a similar reaction when the article first came up in my feed but then I saw the byline.

This is Eben Weiss, BikeSnobNYC. He's a regular contributor to Outside but he is in no way a mainstream cyclist (more Riv/Bob-ish) and his articles stand out as a bit different to most of what shows up there. 

-Dave

[Mathias Steiner]

With all respect to Mr. Weiss, the logical material for racy/roady types is aluminum, not steel. 

Nearly as light as carbon, significantly more robust, cheaper, and has the modern look and feel.

It's a long way from a carbon Trek to a steel bike -- and whose steel bike do you buy? It'd have to be be something completely different.

Whereas some road and gravel models from major manufacturers are available in either carbon or aluminum.
That's what I read, anyway, in an article about the cost/benefit equation for aluminum vs. carbon. It made sense to me.

But what do I know... I'm riding 80s aluminum AND 80s steel and enjoy both.

cheers -m

[Bernard Duhon]

Many people thought the original aluminum frames were uncomfortable. I agree.

I believe modern aluminum frames are more comfortable.  Also now that we are riding 32mm and larger tires at lower pressures whatever comfort disadvantage has pretty much disappeared.

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[tio ryan]

Bike Snob owns a Homer and a Platypus, and his wife has a Clem. I often see his Homer locked up.

His blog, along with his endless praise for his Platypus, convinced me to finally purchase one last year.

He's also praised step-thru bicycles in a past article for Outside magazine.

[Richard Rose]

I might argue that he is mainstream. Of all the cyclist there are, how many actually race? His take is at the very least, interesting. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 29, 2024, at 4:00 PM, DavidP <dphi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I may have had a similar reaction when the article first came up in my feed but then I saw the byline.

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[Armand Kizirian]

Love it. I literally laughed out loud at the " Have you looked at a Pinarello Dogma lately? It looks like it’s melting." Hahaha

[Toshi Takeuchi]

My favorite quote:

Unless you spend more time carrying your bike than riding it, a slight weight reduction is utterly meaningless, and foregoing a nice steel bike because the carbon one is lighter is like choosing a single $50 bill over twenty $5 bills because the fifty is easier to fit in your wallet.

[Corwin Zechar]

I think Eben Weiss is mainstream. He's owned and ridden carbon bikes. And he rides a lot. I think "mainstream" in the context of cylcing encompasses a broad spectrum from racer wanna-be's to parents with kids in trailers or child seats to people carrying heavy loads on all kinds of bikes.

I don't think of myself as mainstream because I have never and will never consider riding carbon. Not that I'm a snob - just that I prefer my steel bikes.

Regards,

Corwin

[Chris Halasz]

I overheard that a big box bike brand is entertaining introducing a small tubed steel road bike. 

The concept would be in response to those desiring to segregate themselves from cyclists on very high end e-bikes that nearly camouflage the motor and battery within their respective carbon frame, which are similar in shape with many common high-end carbon fiber bikes. 

Not sure why that market sector wouldn't just be going retro with some nice steel European Bowlachili frame from the 80s. Maybe they need compact geometry and internal cables and the latest in derailer and gravel accommodations? 

Maybe they just buy a Roadeo? I'd love an Albatross-equipped Roadeo. 

- Chris 

[Nick Payne]

On Tuesday 30 January 2024 at 8:18:42 am UTC+11 mathiass...@gmail.com wrote:

With all respect to Mr. Weiss, the logical material for racy/roady types is aluminum, not steel. 

Nearly as light as carbon, significantly more robust, cheaper, and has the modern look and feel.

Yes, I've shifted towards aluminium frames and disc brakes (alongside being a touring cyclist, I also raced for about 30 years). The last two frames I've bought have been that, and they both ride really nicely. Modern hydro-formed aluminium frames are a far cry from the uncomfortable beer can Cannondales of 25-30 years ago. And the price of both those aluminium frames I bought was about one third of the price of the Open U.P.P.E.R. carbon fibre frame that I bought half a dozen years ago.

If you walk into a bike shop and look at the same model bike that comes in both C-F and aluminium (e.g. Trek Emonda), for the same level of components, the bike with the C-F frame will be much more expensive. That frame will very probably be slightly lighter than the aluminium one, but if you built the Al frame with a much better level of compenents to bring it up to the same price, you'd probably make up for any difference in the frame weights, plus you also have a more durable frame and (hopefully) better performing and lasting components.

Nick Payne

 

[Eric Daume]

I don’t think many big box store customers are debating between a $200 Mongoose and a $4000 Rodeo. 

It would be nice to have an entry steel option, but aside from aesthetics, I would rather ride entry level aluminum.  Cheap steel bikes are just heavy and overbuilt. 

Eric

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