This video should be mandatory viewing for beginning riders. Reason I say that is I believe many are under the mistaken impression that steel bikes are boat anchors and outdated technology, neither of which is correct as this video shows. Personally, I ride many vintage steel bikes and love them all for what they are. I don't expect them to be something they aren't. Some are quite light, some not so much, but they are all great bikes. Thanks for supporting the use of steel-framed bikes in a very factual manner, based on personal experience. Good job!
I have returned to steel as well and I couldn't be more pleased. If I was racing I might be a little better off with the super lightweight bikes. But I'm not racing. I am riding for pleasure and the steel gives you more pleasure.
Hetchens Vibrant Triangle, Bob Jackson , Harry Quinn, Lejuene , All Nuevo Record , Masi Gran Criterium , Colnago , Pogliaghi , Chiorda , Bottechia , Witcomb , Holdsworth , Ahh The Good Olde Days , STEEL IS REAL !! Richard Sachs , Eisentraut All Amazing Rides , Too Many Flash Backs !!! B!! Thanx For Me Going Back To The Good Old Days 😉😁😎😋🔥💥🧨💯🍀🚴🚴🏻♂️🚴🏾♀️
While I hear you, the newer crowd most likely will set their sites on the voluminous amounts of carbon bikes that are being sold along with all the other biking propaganda. They know what's here and now. We are old school and grew up riding steel bikes and know both sides of the fence. I still have my steel bike from the 80s but I am one of those who ride a light weight carbon bike these days. I hand built it to my spec and it rides and handles nicely. No store bought bike. Building or having the lightest bike has been a mission of mine ever since I bought the Fuji with VALite framing back in the early 80s. But, the one thing I learned is it's not the bike that makes you fast, its the human motor and that their is always someone faster. Someone can smoke you one of those rental bikes if they have the motor and you don't. I always say the fastest bike is the one that comes across the finish line first.
Videos are so much better when the speaker knows in advance what they want to say, and organize their thoughts accordingly. Thank you for taking the time to prep, for following a structure, for letting us know within the first few seconds what you were going to cover in the video.
I am a 74-year-old cyclist and I own all of the major food groups, steel, carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium . I recently rode my steel Marinoni bike and it brought back all the reasons why I love steel bikes. Titanium is a close second, carbon fiber is my weapon when doing a fast group ride with the folks that are 30yrs. my junior because I need all the help I can get just to hang in with this group. However, for the experience of just riding for the fun of it, a steel bike is just a joy to ride. Thanks for bringing up this topic!!!
I really don’t get the difference factor that is being expressed. I ride both and I don’t see anything worth evaluating between the two. Maybe many of the comments come from steel frame riders.
@mstuartkendall - at your age be very aware of your weight. Just a few lbs is the difference between climbing and walking. All of the hill roads in the SF Bay Area were destroyed by the rains and Gavin Loathsome has no intentions of repairing them. I used to control my weight with climbing. Without, I put on an extra 5 lbs and now, climbing is painful. And headwinds, killers.
Electric road bikes are the future. They are cheaper and better than an $8000 Orbea carbon non-ebike and they are getting better and better. Yes, it's cheating, but most people are riding for fun anyways. And more and more people are using them, so I don't see a trend reversal anytime soon. In fact Orbea now makes an e-road bike. Your battery will help compensate for many shortcomings you have with the traditional roadbikes.
Love this. In my older years, I find myself looking for that original organic and raw experience of jumping on my bike and simply riding for the joy of it. Thank you for sharing this! We all need to get back to basics and fall in love with the sport again.
As someone who bought the aluminum frame idea in the 2000s for triathlon, it took me a long time to accept the idea of a steel-framed bicycle. I labored under the misconception that the tough guys rode steel because it was heavier. I just didn’t get that they were trying to tell me it’s better! Now you’ll never separate me from my ‘99 Lemond Zürich with Reynolds 853 steel It just makes you happy, as you said. I know it’s not modern frame geometry, but this wonderful bicycle has helped me to appreciate what a lightweight steel frame can do for the quality of every ride. now I’m looking for a modern frame with Columbus spirit tubing.
From an engineering standpoint you are touching on many core principles, vibrations(that feedback from the road), material properties(elasticity and ductility), strain energy and bending stiffness, for each bicycle topic you described there is a specific set of formulas that can describe in numbers what you described in words, and I think that's a beautiful thing. All of the things you mentioned experiencing made perfect sense from an engineering perspective.
Steel has become my favorite frame material as well. I would add that the skinny tubes and great paint jobs are also a big plus over the other materials. Steel is just more fun.
I had a serious concussion in 2009, and my memory was gone. I was on the edge of dying since I couldn't even remember to eat. A cycling friend got me to a professor of neurology at Staford University. He finally worked out the proper medication and dosage to more or less return me to normal. So, I went through the entire gamut of materials from a 16 lb. Look to Time etc. Aluminum, Titanium, and finally returned to steel.I found my home. I will never go back. How did I get that concussion? A carbon fiber fork broke. It was an early generation and I don't think that would happen again, but the entire heatube fell off of the Colnago C40 of the man who got me to the Stanford doctor and he lost a finger. I've seen some pretty awful carbon fiber accidents. Imagine never having to worry about that every time you ride? I also have a Tommasini Fire that weighs 20.5 lbs with a full water bottle and seat pack. I even changed the fork to an aluminum fork with a steel steering tube. It doesn't ride as well as the Aliverti but is 2 lbs lighter and I'm about to break my 100,000th climbing foot of the year. Not bad for 78. But in 2012, I did 250,000 feet. It's much easier when you're a kid of 68.
@Tom Kunich 78! I don't know why im constantly shocked. It gives me something to look forward to I guess. You've been through all of that and still keep going. I don't know you, but im so proud of you. Truly inspirational!
Honestly, as someone whose rides carbon. What you were saying bout steel makes me now understand why so many people love them and now I want one too. Great content!
On road I ride steel and steel with carbon stays/fork. I have various cranks too. I think there are so many components that come into play. Handlebars and BB for example. But as the video shows the one thing he gets right is ride quality overall as all road bikes rely on the frame to act as suspension along with the other parts.
@@paulb9769 I ran a similar size, 1.5 Nimbus tire at 80 psi on my S Works hardtail and it was versatile urban bike. Not all that slow either. I think I prefer my bike to have some natural springiness in the frame. My S Works M2 frame was some of the stiffest material ever used for a frame. My Independent Fabrications steel frame ride very nicely. Does your car have steel springs or no suspension and just tire compliance?
I know comparing MTB to road cycling is comparing apples to oranges but I can say that many of the points that you brought up hold very true in the realm of MTB. I’ve been riding carbon frames for a long time and just last year built up a steel framed hardtail and was blown away by the feedback and how that steel frame absorbed the trails.
For a casual rider who is 20-30 lbs overweight 2-3 lbs of frame weight difference is nothing compared to having an ability to abuse the bike and keep it safe
Great video! To repeat what most have said in the comments, you captured the essence of what we feel when riding steel. The Carbon and Titanium bike companies are not going to be happy with this video 🙂
In 2020 I got my hands on a 1992 Schwinn Paramount, one of the last built in the Waterford factory. Built it up with modern components and fell in love. I don’t own a carbon bike anymore and just love riding steel. Thanks for the video.
I did not even know that they were still building them that late! When I first started out racing in 1970, a (somewhat) local club rode NOTHING but Paramount road and track bikes with Campy record gruppos on them!
Wow! What a great video! Absolutely agree with everything you stated. Went back to a steel frame after years and years on aluminum. It was like a dream - and yes and felt like I was back in my childhood. Great job - thanks. Steel is real!
You are so right! I worked in bike shops for years and accumulated a bunch of bikes including a couple of top level carbon. I always ride the same bike -- a steel Serotta.
I'm 62 and been riding and wrenching for over 40 years, steel is all I have ever ridden for the most part. My go to bike is a Rivendell Rodie I bought new about 2 years ago or so. It takes 40mm tires and looks and rides beautifully.
Oh boy amen to everything you said! I cannot stress how much each point is felt by myself as well. I have 4 steel bikes (3 are vintage) and all have their own personality. Best part too is you can pretty much use modern components if you want, or go the new old stock route and still have new or like new components that aren’t bad at all. Wonderful video once again!
I have a replica Team Panasonic Raleigh from the 80’s which was my father-in-law’s that I inherited when he passed away, R.I.P Bob 🙏🏻 I tried to renovate the components but some of them were just beyond redemption. After a professional respray I decided to go with fresh Campag components and I absolutely adore riding it. However, and there’s always a but… the Frappuccino gang of “purists” are not amused. I didn’t do all that work to impress anyone but it’s definitely worth noting that in my experience the snobbery is alive and well in the community
What a great video. You've managed to articulate the feeling of riding a bike with a soul. My current bike is a Surly Pack Rat made of double butted steel. More Jeep than Maserati. The ride is quietly firm, soothing at rest, alive on request.
Thats such a 'realistic' way to describe a good steel frame. It 'has a soul'. Amen to that! I think a good steel frame is just animated and feels so alive, when compared to most of the offerings made from the other materials.
I'm so glad I found your channel, your explanations are practical and even for a novice like me reaffirming. I don't even own a bike yet I'm still looking but I feel more confident that cycling in definitely for me after watching your videos.
Thank you so much for a wonderful video! It takes me back many decades to when I wore a younger man’s clothes. Yes, you’re right. Steel does talk to you, it never tells, you lies, and you’re never surprised. I have a wonderful aluminum bike. It sucks up the high frequency. Vibrations, is very fast, handles like a dream, but don’t ever daydream! It will throw you a surprise. My 1974 Paramount is every bit as smooth and much more forgiving than my high-end aluminum bike. The only bad thing about steel is that it is being rediscovered. There go the prices!
Very good points! I still ride my Bianchi Veloce 1997 from time to time. It's fast, smooth, climbs well, descends like a beast and it's easy to maintain. Not to mention that it's an absolute beauty. I love my steel bike!
Nearly completely recovered from crippling nerve damage 14 years ago, I am training for a season on my 1997 Colnago Master Light with Campy Record and a 9-Speed Triple Chain Ring.
You've described the experience of riding steel frames beautifully. My steel Wilier Superleggera is a brilliant ride no matter what kind of ride I'm on. I've never felt the same on carbon frames. I've got modern Campagnolo shifting kit on mine and while it isn't "pure" retro, the convenience is worth it. A century on a steel bike is an experience more people should have. It's an awesome feeling. Great video!
Love this video and Luis' insights...we long ago ditched my wife's aluminum Trek, which she hated, and have gone all steel, all the way: our road bikes, our tandems, our city bikes. The comfort, compliance and responsiveness of steel frames are unmatched as a superb overall compromise for riding. On rando rides, nothing will keep you in the saddle and pedaling onward like a steel frame. We do long tours on the tandems and find the same thing: less fatigue, more sheer joy of riding. Thanks, Luis, for highlighting these features!
Wow! You really can see the difference between the Colango carbon and the Bianchi steel on the rough road. The first road bike I ever bought back in 95' was a lugged steel Bianchi Allorro with Campy Mirage. It rode great but the steel threaded stem was very flexy. Great video. Thanks.
I just built a 1995 Bianchi Ti-Megatube - to replace the one I bought new in 1995 and then sold in 2001, but later began to regret selling - and it's quickly become my new fave. Very lively, fast, communicative, comfortable, etc. I also have 4 carbon, 2 steel, and 1 aluminium road bikes. I love them all, and steel is real, but by heart is now with Ti 😊Great vid and gorgeous bikes. Viva Bianchi!
Love your comment at 8:10 about the communication of Steel vs. Ti vs. Carbon.! Nicely done video! I've been riding for over 50 years and have mostly ridden steel and Titanium with a few Aluminum bikes (not a favorite). I agree that a steel bike has a certain feel that can't really be explained but needs to be experienced. Thanks for you video!
I visited my sister in law in the States and she organized the loan of a carbon bike for me...sure, no energy got lost in the frame but it felt like a steel wheel over rocks, got back to England and my '70's Cinelli and it felt so smooth. To be fair on a fixed wheel in the city for a short commute I could go a carbon but I got my first steel in 1959(I think that's all there was) and I'm too old to change. Great video, and loads of interesting comments. I'll click subscribe right now
@@raynardandrews2498 I love my Specialized Allez SL Sprint comp Aluminum frame bike. It is wonderfully stiff for performance, and I don’t feel beaten up after my rides. My old 1981 chrome moly frame is a noodle by comparison. This steel frame resurgence just feels like another bike fad to me.
@maranatha3333 Understand that the addition of alloys affects the performance and "comfort" in addition to frame geometry. I owned a Raleigh Supercourse, and it was very rigid and rough on bumpy roads. But my Raleigh Pro comprised of Reynolds 531 steel alloy has much better control on rough surfaces. Bicycles have specific mechanical characteristics, so you need to find one that meets your "personal" riding preference and performance level regardless of its molecular material. But I also know a $4,000.00 carbon bike would have been totally destroyed in one of my "accidents" that my steel bike survived.
Luis recently discovered your channel and an instant like for me. Why so ? Simple it’s fun, you speak from experience / knowledge, the clarity of your points and personality shine through (happy people ride bikes, many become happier people as a result 😁). Great how you chart your experience of returning to steel frames for certain rides and what you shared, very well put. But the highlight for me was your reminder cycling is all about fun (regardless of material) out with your mates, re-connecting with those feelings of freedom, living in the moment and simply enjoying it for what it is. Over complication of the modern bike world often robs us of that, but only if we let it 🤔. …..subscribed 👍
Hi, nice commentary of steel frames. I have been an amateur cyclist for 30 years now, rode every frame material except titanium. Carbon frames have been the most comfortable for me. I had a steel Mondonico with neuron tubing, long rides were really hard on my lower back. I’m 61, comfort and lightweight performance is what matters to me. I love to climb, my Carbon Argon18 gallium Pro with Dura ace is really a sweet ride. Don’t forget that excellent wheels is half the ride of your bike. You can have a carbon, or steel frame. If your wheels are on the low end, you are really missing out on the performance of your frameset. Your video should of included the importance of good wheels!
Outstanding video Luis! I have ridden steel all my life, so I can't comment on CF. For me steel means lifetime bike. One of my rides, Reynolds 531 is going on it's 48th year. It still rides great! You just knocked this video out of the park. Great analysis and comparisons you made here. 👍👍👍
Until I bought my Merlin Road almost 23 years ago now, EVERY serious bike I've ever owned since 1970 has been Reynolds 531, or Columbus SL/SLX. With their bat s**t INSANE exorbitant co$tS, on top of all of the problems they have, I have no desire to buy and ride anything disc brake and carbon at this time, or EVER, unless their price$ come WAY WAY WAY down, and their (even lower model) quality goes WAY WAY WAY up!! 😉
You should take a look at some of the steel Reynolds 853 frames sometime...they are sublime. For example brands - Fairlight, Cotic, Niner, ORA, All-City, Genesis, etc...
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. I felt the same while riding a steel. Mine is columbus build with campy equipped. Such a beautiful build . Steel is peace..
Just bought an 81' Colnago Super, and it's beautiful. I was inspired after getting an old Peugeot road bike for fun, and I just kept wanting to ride that thing all the time. I agree that there's definitely something simple and fun about the classic steel bikes. Thanks for the video!
i own 7 peugeot now and every one is different but my fav is the 1 my brother in law braught back from germany in 1972 and it is full on touring fenders and all even with its own generator and lights
Don't know why TH-cam suggested this, but I am happy it did. I raced in the late 80's and through the mid 90's always on steel. Aluminum was established, and carbon bikes were up and coming. Anyone remember the Zipp 2001 carbon beam bike? One of the track sprinters I trained with tried it out when he was training for a flying 200m record attempt. My favorite bike I rode is still my Eddy Merckx track bike. A frame builder friend noticed the beefy chainstays swaged down to fit a standard bottom bracket lug. It was a beast of a bicycle. I always wanted a Colnago with the double downtube. Too young, and too poor to afford one. As the track sprinters I trained with said, steel is real. 😂
This is so true! I have just sold my main bike, a carbon bike and bought a alu bike - Except for having a bit more sideways flex (which took some getting used to), I dont feel much other difference- still feels efficient - What I do feel is a lot less fear of scratching or breaking stuff!
That doesn't even make sense... Aluminum bikes break so much easier than carbon. I've been in two accidents involving cars on my carbon frame. No alu bike I've had has survived a crash. Alu can't be repaired. Carbon can quite cheaply, although a lot of places lack people who know how to do it.
The first would be the cost of repair/replacement. I've seen stones crack carbon and manufactures not willing to warranty the replacement. English tread BB on 99.9% of all steel frames. Carbon frames are the best, but steel is this riders go to 90% of the time. If you make it a single speed the smile on my face gets bigger.
Luis, I really enjoyed this video. I think steel is great for most people and its so easy to get / source a vintage frame lying around and put modern components on it. Once again really great video!
The repairability and restorability of steel frames is a very attractive feature. If one knows what to look for, there some great buys are around as second hand items.
Yep, can't complain about my steel Schwinn Road Bike from the 80s/90s. Seems to keep up with the latest bikes just fine. One of the joys I find about riding a steel bike is that I'm never scared of breaking it just by riding through a puddle or pot hole.
First of all you are in really good shape! I've ridden everything from Aluminium to Carbon to Steel in mountain biking over many years. There is far too much marketing hype involved in cycling today. Each type of material has its own merits. Steel is wonderfully forgiving material for bikes, which I rode for years. Carbon is another story, so it all comes down to who are you a a cyclist and what works for you.
Mandatory video for offroad riders. If you want to have fun in the wilderness steel or aluminium is the way to go, no worries if you inevitably hit the fram with all sorts of things. Like he said in the video, it's like going to that childhood fun.
Thank you for sharing this. I have long (past a decade now) left the carbon (and even alu) in exchange of chromoly bikes, and you've precisely nailed it on the very intro as to why they should really give it at leas a tryt: the carefree / worry-free and sturdiness it offers, let alone that it absorbs road vibration too so the easy riding is comfortably possible :)
Great video! In the old days we used to talk about how steel was “alive” and “responded back to you.” I’m glad you had a great experience on it. I got a Specialized Aethos and one reason I love it is because it has some attributes that make it feel like steel.
I ride a titanium Moots road bike and absolutely love it. The bike hangs right in there with the ultra high end carbon bikes in the group that I ride with. Having said that, I’m really wanting to build a nice steel road bike, I miss the feel of steel! I’m looking at a modern Tommasini frame. Maybe after the new year. Great video! Cheers!!
I just bought a Battaglin Stephan Roche 30th Anniversary steel lugged frame with all Campy Chorus 12. The frame is new old stock and the components brand new. She's a thing of beauty. I am taking her out for her maiden voyage today. I always wanted something like it when I was younger and couldn't afford one. I have no doubt that it will be smooth sailing.
Love my Tommasini Sintesi, I built it up with the best modern-ish components I could get in polished aluminum. Rides great, looks amazing, gets many compliments, definitely go for it, you won't regret it!
At the bike shop my coworkers and I can ride anything we want and we are “lifers”, been at this for a long time. We all have steel bikes! Thanks for explaining the magic that steel is. 👍🏼
I have a carbon bike, but I also ride a steel frame bike and have no complaints. It's not an old-school bike; it was built in 2019 with high-quality components on a Colombus steel frame. It's plenty good for me and most amateur riders.
I am also a fan of steel. I enjoy the springiness of some steel frames. It makes for a fun and very responsive ride. My favorite frame gave me the feeling that it was part of my body, an extension of me. Like it was one with me. And a lot of fun. Exhilarating.
I'd also like to add that steel framed bikes do look good as well. They have that retro classic look, especially if it has chrome on it and it adds cool factor.
I have some mixed feelings about chrome. It tends to be very prone to pitting. I'd rather see beautifully executed paint. Think fancy Joe Bell, Brian Bayliss, or Bryan Myers paint jobs.
@@thegoodwheel BINGO! I was the back shop manager in a small upstate N.Y. shop. We sold several smaller brands of road bicycles and at the time steel was the primary material with a smattering of aluminum thrown into the mix. For our shop with what we sold we always qualified the customer with during conversations as well as looking at their size, build, injuries, etc. From that we would explain which models of bicycle would be choices to focus on. People like me that is in the center of the bell curve were ALWAYS easy from a fit perspective. Where we tended to do well were the people on the ends of the curve. It was a fun challenge to find and fit people that were sub 5 ft or 6 ft 6in+. Those were ALWAYS the people we enjoyed getting on a good bike.
Yes, they all seem to be compelled to push you onto a crunchy carbon, fully integrated aero, disc braked bike nowadays since that is all they stock, that is all most of the manufacturers provide, and their profits (and YES, I DO understand that they have to stay in business!) are exponentially more on the $10K+ USD bikes (as well as labor being 4x as much to service/maintain those hydraulic disc brakes, crappy bottom brackets, and hidden/'integrated' everything. But, they should not be lying to their customers telling them that ALL of their power will be wasted on anything but carbon frames, and that they risk death with anything but disc brakes.
@@christopheroliver148 I just saw your reply. And you're 100+% spot on. When I worked in a shop it was an era before fitting systems with the exception of the Fit Kit which we didn't have. Our main high end bike brand was Serotta so we DID have a Size Cycle. We didn't so much use it as a dogmatic system. We would duplicate different bike setups on it and work with the cyclist watching how their body would settle in. It was much more watch and listen to our customer as they pedaled different setups. That tool also saved everyone money in the end because instead of the customer and us going through a number of bars, stems, saddles, etc. We generally got things nailed well from the jump for them. It also meant that they generally would ride more.
This was fascinating to me. Haven't ridden since the mid 70's, when performance meant double-butted tubes and silk sew-ups. Actually went to high school with some of the guys who invented mountain bikes here in Marin. I've seen the changes in tech over the years, but this in the first "contrast and compare" I've seen between the new and old materials while being used in modern designs. And it all makes perfect sense. Steel can exceptionally stiff and hard, or makes excellent springs. Carbon fiber and aluminum can be stiff, but you don't see a lot of knives or springs made from either. Steel has that hard/tough and resilient/flexible thing down pat. Don't know what's replaced our iconic Reynolds 531, but I know there have been amazing advances in metallurgy in the last 55 years. I heard somewhere that folks have started tempering tubes for frames, which would add a whole new level of control of the frame's characteristics. Great job of analyzing the performance differences of the materials!
Hi siamsasean! I really appreciate your comments. 40 something years is a long time off the bike but your insights are priceless. I believe the 853 has taken the place of the 531 and the advances in steel will continue. Thanks again🙏🏾
What a joy to hear Luis talking lovingly about steel frames. I've always had only steel frames (Reynolds 531), except for one full carbon- a Peugeot Vitus. Didn't keee that joey for very long. I used to do mainly touring, so carrying sachets on the back. I have a lightweight French steel racer- full Campy, circa 1974. Great machine. But my prized bike is the Raleigh Record Ace- one of the most beautiful bikes ever built. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience Luis. God bless. Greetings from France. Ralph.
Raleigh, great bikes, the choice of Peter Post in the 70th. My theory is the carbon frames of late and horrific crashes are linked. Steel frames are more forgiving. I road a carbon bike back 2007 (a Willier). Hated it. On tiled bicycle path it was uncomfortable. Kept my Pinarello.
Makes me remember the times when I was young and riding a steel bike. Even later on my first MTB was made of steel. Now I am on Aluminium and Carbon.Thank you for making the point! Cheers Erwin
Been riding 50 years and almost all my rides are steel. Love the material and yes my single aluminum frame is harsher even with the suspension. Very well done job explaining the "feeling" that steel framed bikes give you while riding them.
Wow, I agree that Carbon bikes may be overrated (I ride a carbon bike hahaha my one and only road bike i've owned) but are aluminum bikes that uncomfortable? I prioritise confort over basically anything (second being how long they last and hold their value)... I bought my girlfriend a Aluminum bike and only ride with her on the smoothest road near us... She's very fast on it but i didn't know she may be uncomfortable (She's never complained)... I was planing on getting a Aluminum for my self, too! This has made me reconsider a lot of things, thanks, dude.
@@chalo212 Aluminum is comfortable enough. Most of the comfort thing can be related to type of cycling gloves used, type of saddle, type of short, tire pressure, and even body position. Steel does absorb vibrations better, but if asphalt roads are so bad that it is a problem with aluminum, you better call your city to fix the roads. Most roads bike above an entry level price point come with carbon forks.😀
@@chalo212comfort on a bike has to do with the set up of the seat, seat post height, crank length, and handle bar width, height and distance from the seat. If you're not comfortable or are experiencing pain after riding then something is set up incorrectly. Like when you finally set up your seat & seat post height correctly your butt will never be sore or uncomfortable. It's like you're floating on the bike. Definitely play around with your settings!
@@TarmanTheChampion Thanks for the reply ! I went on and switched bikes. 52 size frame couldnt be saved. Switched to 49 and I immediately felt hooked up with the bike. Setting everything else was easy as you say! This new bike is way heavier yet I feel so much better
Well said all around. I own all three: Carbon, steel, and Ti, but my 2008 Lemond Sarthe (with a mix of Dura-Ace 9100 and Ultregra 6800 + Roval CLX50's is the only one with soul! Plus the expression on peoples' faces when you're passing their $6,000 frame on your $400 used, steel frame, is priceless!
Hi Luis, I have been watching you for a while now and you have indeed inspired me to ride and enjoy the experience and to even challenge myself to be better. I have an alloy frame bike with campag group set I have watched your earlier review on steel frames, I have been considering a steel frame and your current review have helped me make up my mind, with that I am considering building a Colnago Master with campy group set. Would appreciate your view on the Master frame set. Keep up the great work and stay BLESSED.
Still riding my Colnago Master Light with Campy Record and a 9-speed Campy Triple Chain Ring purchased in 1997. Fine wine is how I have regarded that setup since the first day I rode it in November, 25 years ago, when I was a youngster of 51. Let me add that it has been inspiring, too.
Great video. I gave up carbon for steel (Fairlight Strael 3.0) 3 years ago and have never looked back. I found the ultimate balance of performance, speed, comfort, handling, reliability, and durability that I was always looking for. #steelisreal
I must say, you sir own some extremely beautiful looking bikes. And seeing that gorgeous machine at 9.24 with the gear shifters on the down tube has brought back some very happy memories of when I was younger, thank you
I'm not into the athetic side of cycling, so my priorities and experiences are different, but I love my two steel bikes. One is a more aggressive road style bike and it's pretty great. My other one is a dutch city bike and I can cruise around on that all day!
Luis, right on! When you feel good any bike is the best bike. My route times on steel , carbon or aluminum are comparable, however my grin ratio is way off the charts on my Gios , Gitane and Masi. It is about the love of bikes. Like you referred to biking as a kid. It is all about fun. As I get older comfort is more important. My 14 LB Cervelo is my least comfortable bike I own. I think the gravel bike brings this love back to the new cyclist, however I am and old roadie and steel is where the love is. Viva Velo, Grand Junction, Colorado
Hi there! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The 1st time I rode gravel, I was so excited the night before, I couldn't sleep... these experiences make the sport awesome👍🏾
When I started riding, all the cool guys save for the one dude on an early Klein Team Super rode Campy equipped Gios Super Records. I never had the privilege.
Very nice video! Just thinking when I was a kid, we just hopped on our bikes and went for a ride, not really caring about handling, cornering, accelerating , or what a frame was made out of. And the only thing we talked about when it came to bikes was fixing a flat tire from time to time. I'm kinda amazed that this phenomenon now known as cycling has such an incredible knowledge base that may be difficult for some of us bicyclists from decades ago to get used to hearing or caring about. I ride a Specialized Crossroads hybrid commuter bike and never think about anything other than checking the air pressure in my tires before riding almost every day. I have a lot of fun running errands or just cycling for the sake of cycling without a care in the world. That's the kind of thing that reminds me of being a 10 year old on my bike when I guess you could say a bike was little more than a toy. Now, it seems like a bicycle is so much more than that, and competition and a technological knowledge appear to be almost a requirement nowadays to fit in. Still, I enjoyed hearing you talk about cycling in such a detailed but interesting way. I pick up useful tips here and there. Many thanks for putting such an engaging video together for us!
Agree. While I have a couple of very nice custom bikes from the early 2000s, I have little patience for the whole Strava/watts thing that seems to be the rage. I just want to go out and ride a nice 50 to 75 miler. My legs will tell me if I'm working hard enough.
@@christopheroliver148 Of course, I agree with you, too! I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I've probably never gone more than 15 miles round trip on my hybrid around my medium-sized city with nice sights to see, a huge park, and friendly people. For me, cycling is about more than riding my bike. It's about just being outdoors, smelling the delicious aromas of food wafting from restaurants, picking up some fresh veggies and fruits at farmers market, grabbing a coffee, talking to people, the exercise, thinking and planning things (never worrying), in general, and so on. I also feel good on every level; never tired after a ride. So, I could do more mileage. But I don't since I'm happy enough doing what I'm doing. And when I get back home, I still have plenty of energy to do my yard work and get ready for riding again tomorrow.🙂
How you presented your experience in the first chapter is so damn relatable. I do ride a carbon frame and pretty electronic shifting but what you described is exactly what cycling means to me. I can definitely see how carbon frames and high tech caters people away from just having fun to feeling the need to be good in a sport and always needing to improve.
@@mlee6050 Mhh idk for me aluminum is way less comfortable. If it’s a bike just for sports. Don’t worry about damaging it. People shred downhill on Carbon. Formula cars use carbon. If it is for commuting or locking it somewhere where you don’t know if someone might knock it over or so, go with steel.
@@RAP4EVERMRC96 yes but when I spent £4k on the carbon bike 6.7kg is nice, but my own money and not rich so unless sponsored, maybe I learn with aluminium as looking at Trek Emonda ALR frame with SRAM red etap axs (was looking at rival mechanical original) be lighter than average carbon bike think even if rival but alloy tubular is fun to find, looking more aero and long lasting than light weight
@@mlee6050 looks like a great bike. go for it. But then why go for red etap? the new Force etap is better and cheaper i think. And also the weight difference between rival, force and red is minimal. Go for rival.
This was fun to watch and interesting to hear some thoughtful and honest feedback on riding steel. I feel the same away about growing up riding bikes as a kid - it was a fun place to be, an escape, a getaway vehicle. I started getting back into steel in the last couple of yrs - in between high end carbon and aluminum and road, touring/cross and MTB frames - and mostly cause high performance is now less important, but enjoyment is. Also, you can pick up some of the highest performance frames from the 80 and 90s (Pinarellos with SLX or Peugeots' with 531) at a fraction of current higher end bikes prices and experience what you could only dream about as a kid. And in fact they are pretty darned impressive. Weight is not the issue - they track nicely, you can push them well, some even climb well and the road vibe absorption is kinda amazing - esp with a 28mm tire or bigger, if possible. Not as snappy as carbon, but if all out sprinting is not on the menu, then they are pure enjoyment. Thanks for that and keep it up.
First time viewing, and thought I'd let you know you're a fantastic speaker and articulate the exact reasons why steel is real! :) I have a '76 Raleigh frame, built for more of an urban cruiser with 35c tires. It's the one bike I look to ride the most. Ultra light pro-spec bikes are like comparing a track car that feels every pebble in the road, vs something more compliant but just as fast and fun on the same public roads. The track car will be what you want on "race day", but it's just more fun to be on something unique and beautiful to look at.
I love this vid. People are convinced that getting a carbon frame automatically makes them lighter when in truth with a good steal frame and good components you'll be 15bls with great components and sub 15lbs with top of the line components. I think some of the draw backs you had to mention about the steel frame mainly had to do with the vintage component choices. I'm currently building a Neo-retro arabesque from Colnago with a record groupset. Only vintage thing will be the frame and a titanium quill stem (with a 31.8 cockpit ;D). All the rest of the components will be top of the line deda elementi as well as other Italian brands and fulcrum wheels. I will say that this is my first serious road bike build and I didn't know what kinda money I was about to be throwing down but from riding track bikes and fixies I have never had any desire to get into carbon frames. Ppl SAY carbon is stiffer for acceleration but with modern welding becoming better at shaping steel tubes into better aerodynamic shapes I just don't think those few benefits justify the downsides of a carbon frame. I say save your money buying a great steel frame and HIGh QuALItY components instead.
Hi Dandelion boy. Thank you for watching and sharing your future build... and good luck with it👍🏾 Btw non of my builds have vintage components. All Campy Super Record 11.
I recently discovered that Armstrong won the Tour in 1999 on a carbon frame with a Cinelli 101 quill stem. I never knew that those technologies ever had a crossover.
I absolutely love the classic look of steel frames. I only got into cycling in 2020 (pandemic closed down my gyms). I went down the rabbit hole since then...Fuji Sportif 2.1 > Chinese Carbon Bike (Sava with 105) > Specialized Tarmac SL6 (current ride) but also have a Velobuild. I still have all the bikes. I honestly miss riding my Alloy Fuji Sportif...I do enjoy my Specialized but it's disc brake and I miss the rim brake look and ease of maintenance.
Thank you for sharing even more experience in terms of carbon vs steel 👍 Never ridden carbon bikes, I'm very excited to try it one time to compare in a way you do it 🙂 Wanted to ask you about titanium bikes, but got an answer later in this video 😉
Fairly accurate video, objective, unlike many. The key difference, which you've identified, is the quality of power transfer, where there is a significant difference between carbon and steel. The stiffness of the BB shell and the rear stays is way better with carbon, and accordingly, there is less dimunition of power transfer
Steel is real! It’s not only a better ride but the frames are classic and sexy looking. Respect to the super elite people who require carbon to race, but for us mere mortals I’ll take Reynolds or Columbus. Cheers
Nice video! Eight of my bikes are steel so you won't get an argument from me about its qualities! However, I think that there are other factors to consider as well, such as frame geometry. I have a Bianchi Limited, which is really a crit bike, and it is very nimble, while my custom Marinoni is a plush cruiser. Also, in September I began riding a c. 1996 Colnago C40 and find the ride quality is like a magic carpet and in descents the feeling of control is impressive, an area I always felt steel was better but I now have lot of of downhill PBs with the Colnago to question that. I wonder if the fact that the C40 is tube-and-lug construction rather than the monocoque of your V3RS that makes a difference. Lastly, for most of us the weight difference, which for bike and rider combined in my case would be just over 1%, comparing a good (not super expensive) carbon bike to my custom Tommasini made with Columbus Nemo, really only comes down to bragging rights. For some of us, steel will always win on aesthetics alone. But you are right: the engine is what matters!😊
I've watched a lot of cycling videos recently, and I can't come to terms with the look of modern aero bikes. They just seem ugly compared with a lugged frame from a brilliant builder.
Thank you for commenting and sharing your thoughts. I think the tube and lug construction of those Colnagos lent to a very unique ride. I've know people who say the C40 has offered the best ride experience they know.
One factor that people don't take into account when buying a frame set and building out their bike is body type and riding style. The simple thing to remember is "Steel is Real."
Great video. When I owned 13 bikes one was carbon; one was titanium; the rest were steel. Fell in love with a Specialized Allez by Jim Mercer and a Miyata 912. Now I only have 5 bikes--Miyata 912 , Miyata Pro, Bridgestone 112, Centurion GT, and an Ibis Mojo hard tail. All steel, and 4 are vintage Japanese steel from the 80s. I love how the road bikes flex when holding the road and snap back when slaloming down a hill.
If someone want to race they ride carbon. But if someone wants to ride for the fun and enjoyment of it (which is most of us), you ride steel. Great content, your comparison nailed it 👏
Very interesting observations and that's a nice Bianchi stable you're building. I've returned to cycling after a long lay-off (13 years since my last race) and I'd forgotten how much fun steel can be. I've rebuilt a pair of 90s Gios Compact Pro (steel frame, steel fork) and they're superb ride-all-day bikes, as well as being a joy for fast descending. Clearances are typically 90s-tight, but even with 23mm rubber they're not troubled by road buzz. Yes, the bottom bracket flexes with big gear efforts ( I ride 60cm c-t ) but that's not an issue for the steady long-distance stuff I'm doing nowadays.
FACTS ! 30 years riding a hand-built Italian Tommaso ( UC Berkeley team bike ) ... Now my street treat. I also own a mint '89 Colnago Tecnos : the dream ride , smooth power transferring rail rocket in a work of art #SteelisReal . Been dropping carbon boys in California, Colorado, and Florida for many glorious years.
The "sales craze" is top end carbon, carbon, carbon. You are probably saving so many riders coin by showing the differences and cost savings yet still great performance steel frame bikes can provide. I so miss my old school steel frame, Hopefully someday soon I'll get another.
The differences you describe between the two Bianchi bikes are a consequence of their different wheelbases and not the tube sets. Short-wheelbase bikes, whatever the tubing (steel variants, aluminum, carbon), are stable at higher speeds (but twitchy at lower speeds). Bikes with longer wheelbases are slower handling. Compare small sports cars to mid-size sedans.
A steel bike with rim brakes and a good wheelset is the most fun I ever have on bikes. Pump up the tires and go. I also think the smaller diameter tubes make for a more beautiful bike, and while it seems silly, I find that matters to me.
I have to say, my carbon frame is lovely up the climbs, but terrifying on our terrible UK roads in the descents. The vibrations over every bump are really unnerving! My next frame will be an alloy one definitely.
Love this channel. I’m working on getting back into riding after 25 years of missing it. My road bike is my old Cannondale CAAD 3 with Campy 9 speed but my mountain bike (Jamis Dakota) and cross bike (Bianchi - not sure of model) are steel. Back in the day the only steel road bike I had was a Concorde. I can’t remember the model on that either but it was a great piece of machinery.
I personally like alloy frames better than Carbon or Steel. They are much heavier but the feedback you get from the road is very different, you get a stiff ride but still feel the road surface and you can react to corners much faster. I like my diy Colnago Concept carbon bike but still have and do most of my cycling ( even some light racing) on the 30lbs GMC Denali with the 1x7 freewheel setup all old school tech. It's about challenging yourself and frankly a very light bike does not do that for me, hence why the carbon is less fun. Too much tech ruins the experience of cycling in my opinion.
Glad to hear some riders are discovering that steel isn't so bad. The steel bike you were riding is still fairly new. Seems a lot of the younger riders never developed the muscle memory needed for using down-tube shifters proficiently. And at some point, bike builders decided that fork flex was bad and started making those straight super rigid things. Hence the very harsh ride and need for fatter tires to run lower air pressures. Kind of seems like the dog is chasing its own tail again. I just don't see any place where carbon fiber and epoxy have been applied for the sake of advancing bicycle technology that hasn't simultaneously resulted in a compromise in integrity of some other aspect of the whole system. And is there really any value in reducing spoke count? I mean really, how much do spoke weigh anyway, that we need to reduce spoke count below 32 and simultaneously want the wheel to be more rigid? Wheels had flex in them for a reason. But its all about racing efficiencies, watt savings, in the name of making up for our own weaknesses. In the end, I think you were saying that it was really nice to just be able to ride without having to obsess over things like power meters and the like. I think you've truly reach bicycle nirvana. Congratulations, you've arrived! Now if only those GCN guys would advance to that level. Road, gravel, endurance. cyclo-cross who cares about being pidgin-holed into a category, just get comfortable on your bike to where you want to ride every day.
I agree in everything you have said about carbon and the different marketed bikes. I also fully understand the advertising of aero, stiffness and carbon light weight to the public. All those aspects are not for the majority of riders that do not compete. As someone who just recently come to terms with reality of cycling, simplicity over everything is more important. High tech stuff, fancy aero wheels means nothing. We all buy it knowing that it won't make you any faster. But it does feel good riding a bike that looks like it's fast.
@@bonbonflippers4298 Aero does make you faster, though, once you get to about 12 mph. I've never liked the way carbon bikes ride, but aero is the slam dunk use case for it. No other material lets you create such shapes to cheat air.
@@barrytantlinger1033 I did not say aero is slower. It does allow one to be more "efficient" at a certain speed. What I meant by aero means nothing is that the concept of speed means nothing outside of racing. Speed, weight, watts all are meaningless outside of competitive racing as the results mean only applies to the individual. It's like asking a pro cyclist if you need aero carbon wheels and frame? The pro would always ask, "do you race/compete?" If not then no you don't need it. It becomes a "want."
Great video man. It takes me back to the good 'ole days of riding around on steel. This video made me recall, and put me back to the 'no agenda' days of having fun on the bike. Thanks and well done. Keep riding!
Great video! I LOVE my steel bikes, and your ending remark about wanting to ditch the data is absolutely on point. I have data on my carbon bike, which gets very little use these days, as I prefer steel and ti for daily riding.
Steel frames are so comfortable and in a class of its own. i now have a carbon Felt AR4 and A Specialized Alle Alloy. You are spot on with how they handle.
I just came back from France, Normandie, D-Day +80, riding my 1990 Peugeot Columbus Tubes CroMoly bike. But there is nothing better than my Trek Madonna 3.1 that I have here at home in Las Vegas. Weight is one thing, but the geometry of my Trek is so great : )
I recently found your channel and I have enjoyed your commentary. I started road racing in the mid-eighties and used bikes almost exclusively with steel frames, I agree a steel frame communicates with the rider. In 2022 I purchased my first carbon frame and the experience was revelatory. I noticed the immediate "liveliness" of the frame and how responsive carbon is for acceleration and climbing. I do agree that carbon is less forgiving on rough roads but as always there is some trade-off for performance vs. comfort. Thank you for your insights.
Thanks for your well thought out video.. Been riding a custom Eisentraut steel frame I got in 1987. In '95 I got a custom 531 competition track frame. I've a Peugeot aluminium with main tubes being carbon - great ride characteristics, but I feel more confident riding steel - soakes up road vibration and more solid when turning.
This video should be mandatory viewing for beginning riders. Reason I say that is I believe many are under the mistaken impression that steel bikes are boat anchors and outdated technology, neither of which is correct as this video shows. Personally, I ride many vintage steel bikes and love them all for what they are. I don't expect them to be something they aren't. Some are quite light, some not so much, but they are all great bikes. Thanks for supporting the use of steel-framed bikes in a very factual manner, based on personal experience. Good job!
Thank you for that sentiment Ray! It is very much appreciated 👍🏾
I have returned to steel as well and I couldn't be more pleased. If I was racing I might be a little better off with the super lightweight bikes. But I'm not racing. I am riding for pleasure and the steel gives you more pleasure.
That's how I learned. De Rosa bikes FTW.
Hetchens Vibrant Triangle, Bob Jackson , Harry Quinn, Lejuene , All Nuevo Record , Masi Gran Criterium , Colnago , Pogliaghi , Chiorda , Bottechia , Witcomb , Holdsworth , Ahh The Good Olde Days , STEEL IS REAL !! Richard Sachs , Eisentraut All Amazing Rides , Too Many Flash Backs !!! B!! Thanx For Me Going Back To The Good Old Days 😉😁😎😋🔥💥🧨💯🍀🚴🚴🏻♂️🚴🏾♀️
While I hear you, the newer crowd most likely will set their sites on the voluminous amounts of carbon bikes that are being sold along with all the other biking propaganda. They know what's here and now. We are old school and grew up riding steel bikes and know both sides of the fence. I still have my steel bike from the 80s but I am one of those who ride a light weight carbon bike these days. I hand built it to my spec and it rides and handles nicely. No store bought bike. Building or having the lightest bike has been a mission of mine ever since I bought the Fuji with VALite framing back in the early 80s. But, the one thing I learned is it's not the bike that makes you fast, its the human motor and that their is always someone faster. Someone can smoke you one of those rental bikes if they have the motor and you don't. I always say the fastest bike is the one that comes across the finish line first.
Videos are so much better when the speaker knows in advance what they want to say, and organize their thoughts accordingly. Thank you for taking the time to prep, for following a structure, for letting us know within the first few seconds what you were going to cover in the video.
Hi Dan, thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate it
I am a 74-year-old cyclist and I own all of the major food groups, steel, carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium . I recently rode my steel Marinoni bike and it brought back all the reasons why I love steel bikes. Titanium is a close second, carbon fiber is my weapon when doing a fast group ride with the folks that are 30yrs. my junior because I need all the help I can get just to hang in with this group. However, for the experience of just riding for the fun of it, a steel bike is just a joy to ride. Thanks for bringing up this topic!!!
Nice insights, thanks for sharing👍🏾
I really don’t get the difference factor that is being expressed. I ride both and I don’t see anything worth evaluating between the two. Maybe many of the comments come from steel frame riders.
@mstuartkendall - at your age be very aware of your weight. Just a few lbs is the difference between climbing and walking. All of the hill roads in the SF Bay Area were destroyed by the rains and Gavin Loathsome has no intentions of repairing them. I used to control my weight with climbing. Without, I put on an extra 5 lbs and now, climbing is painful. And headwinds, killers.
How about aluminum
Electric road bikes are the future. They are cheaper and better than an $8000 Orbea carbon non-ebike and they are getting better and better. Yes, it's cheating, but most people are riding for fun anyways. And more and more people are using them, so I don't see a trend reversal anytime soon. In fact Orbea now makes an e-road bike. Your battery will help compensate for many shortcomings you have with the traditional roadbikes.
Love this. In my older years, I find myself looking for that original organic and raw experience of jumping on my bike and simply riding for the joy of it. Thank you for sharing this! We all need to get back to basics and fall in love with the sport again.
Indeed Dalton, indeed!
As someone who bought the aluminum frame idea in the 2000s for triathlon, it took me a long time to accept the idea of a steel-framed bicycle. I labored under the misconception that the tough guys rode steel because it was heavier. I just didn’t get that they were trying to tell me it’s better! Now you’ll never separate me from my ‘99 Lemond Zürich with Reynolds 853 steel It just makes you happy, as you said. I know it’s not modern frame geometry, but this wonderful bicycle has helped me to appreciate what a lightweight steel frame can do for the quality of every ride. now I’m looking for a modern frame with Columbus spirit tubing.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing👍🏾
I also have a '99 Zurich, and I love it.
From an engineering standpoint you are touching on many core principles, vibrations(that feedback from the road), material properties(elasticity and ductility), strain energy and bending stiffness, for each bicycle topic you described there is a specific set of formulas that can describe in numbers what you described in words, and I think that's a beautiful thing. All of the things you mentioned experiencing made perfect sense from an engineering perspective.
Thank you C V👍🏾
Spoken like a true engineer 🤣🤣🤣
Steel has become my favorite frame material as well. I would add that the skinny tubes and great paint jobs are also a big plus over the other materials. Steel is just more fun.
Indeed John... indeed👍🏾
I'm still riding the old School downtube shifter one, and it's awesome
I had a serious concussion in 2009, and my memory was gone. I was on the edge of dying since I couldn't even remember to eat. A cycling friend got me to a professor of neurology at Staford University. He finally worked out the proper medication and dosage to more or less return me to normal. So, I went through the entire gamut of materials from a 16 lb. Look to Time etc. Aluminum, Titanium, and finally returned to steel.I found my home. I will never go back. How did I get that concussion? A carbon fiber fork broke. It was an early generation and I don't think that would happen again, but the entire heatube fell off of the Colnago C40 of the man who got me to the Stanford doctor and he lost a finger. I've seen some pretty awful carbon fiber accidents. Imagine never having to worry about that every time you ride? I also have a Tommasini Fire that weighs 20.5 lbs with a full water bottle and seat pack. I even changed the fork to an aluminum fork with a steel steering tube. It doesn't ride as well as the Aliverti but is 2 lbs lighter and I'm about to break my 100,000th climbing foot of the year. Not bad for 78. But in 2012, I did 250,000 feet. It's much easier when you're a kid of 68.
@Tom Kunich 78! I don't know why im constantly shocked. It gives me something to look forward to I guess. You've been through all of that and still keep going. I don't know you, but im so proud of you. Truly inspirational!
@@tomkunich9401 Hi.I also think that one day we will see a nasty crash in competition with carbon,I hope I'm wrong !!
Honestly, as someone whose rides carbon. What you were saying bout steel makes me now understand why so many people love them and now I want one too. Great content!
Thank you Ehoss👍🏾
On road I ride steel and steel with carbon stays/fork. I have various cranks too. I think there are so many components that come into play. Handlebars and BB for example. But as the video shows the one thing he gets right is ride quality overall as all road bikes rely on the frame to act as suspension along with the other parts.
What are you riding?
@@jamesmedina2062 Put 40mm rubber on your bike and carbon turns out to be king.
@@paulb9769 I ran a similar size, 1.5 Nimbus tire at 80 psi on my S Works hardtail and it was versatile urban bike. Not all that slow either. I think I prefer my bike to have some natural springiness in the frame. My S Works M2 frame was some of the stiffest material ever used for a frame. My Independent Fabrications steel frame ride very nicely. Does your car have steel springs or no suspension and just tire compliance?
I know comparing MTB to road cycling is comparing apples to oranges but I can say that many of the points that you brought up hold very true in the realm of MTB. I’ve been riding carbon frames for a long time and just last year built up a steel framed hardtail and was blown away by the feedback and how that steel frame absorbed the trails.
This is good to know! Thanks for sharing👍🏾
For a casual rider who is 20-30 lbs overweight 2-3 lbs of frame weight difference is nothing compared to having an ability to abuse the bike and keep it safe
Great video! To repeat what most have said in the comments, you captured the essence of what we feel when riding steel. The Carbon and Titanium bike companies are not going to be happy with this video 🙂
Hi James... thanks for sharing that. I am happy about the discussion👍🏾
In 2020 I got my hands on a 1992 Schwinn Paramount, one of the last built in the Waterford factory. Built it up with modern components and fell in love. I don’t own a carbon bike anymore and just love riding steel. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for sharing Philip👍🏾
I did not even know that they were still building them that late!
When I first started out racing in 1970, a (somewhat) local club rode NOTHING but Paramount road and track bikes with Campy record gruppos on them!
Wow! What a great video! Absolutely agree with everything you stated. Went back to a steel frame after years and years on aluminum. It was like a dream - and yes and felt like I was back in my childhood. Great job - thanks. Steel is real!
You are so right! I worked in bike shops for years and accumulated a bunch of bikes including a couple of top level carbon. I always ride the same bike -- a steel Serotta.
Thanks for sharing your experience Chuck! Serottas are amazing👍🏾
I'm 62 and been riding and wrenching for over 40 years, steel is all I have ever ridden for the most part. My go to bike is a Rivendell Rodie I bought new about 2 years ago or so. It takes 40mm tires and looks and rides beautifully.
Oh boy amen to everything you said! I cannot stress how much each point is felt by myself as well. I have 4 steel bikes (3 are vintage) and all have their own personality. Best part too is you can pretty much use modern components if you want, or go the new old stock route and still have new or like new components that aren’t bad at all. Wonderful video once again!
Hi NewOldSteel! Thank you for watching. Correct! Slight mods literally give you a new bike all the time.👍🏾
I have a replica Team Panasonic Raleigh from the 80’s which was my father-in-law’s that I inherited when he passed away, R.I.P Bob 🙏🏻 I tried to renovate the components but some of them were just beyond redemption. After a professional respray I decided to go with fresh Campag components and I absolutely adore riding it. However, and there’s always a but… the Frappuccino gang of “purists” are not amused. I didn’t do all that work to impress anyone but it’s definitely worth noting that in my experience the snobbery is alive and well in the community
I agree.
Just buy a titanium bike. Get the best of both worlds
What a great video. You've managed to articulate the feeling of riding a bike with a soul. My current bike is a Surly Pack Rat made of double butted steel. More Jeep than Maserati. The ride is quietly firm, soothing at rest, alive on request.
Hi Todd, thanks for watching! I love that quote "soothing at rest, alive on request"👍🏾
Thats such a 'realistic' way to describe a good steel frame. It 'has a soul'. Amen to that! I think a good steel frame is just animated and feels so alive, when compared to most of the offerings made from the other materials.
One of the best descriptions of bike feel that I have heard. Great job Luis!
Thank you Christopher!
I'm so glad I found your channel, your explanations are practical and even for a novice like me reaffirming. I don't even own a bike yet I'm still looking but I feel more confident that cycling in definitely for me after watching your videos.
Thank you so much for a wonderful video! It takes me back many decades to when I wore a younger man’s clothes.
Yes, you’re right. Steel does talk to you, it never tells, you lies, and you’re never surprised.
I have a wonderful aluminum bike. It sucks up the high frequency. Vibrations, is very fast, handles like a dream, but don’t ever daydream! It will throw you a surprise. My 1974 Paramount is every bit as smooth and much more forgiving than my high-end aluminum bike.
The only bad thing about steel is that it is being rediscovered. There go the prices!
It really is all about having fun, for that steel has no competition. Great story telling!
Thank you Philip! I appreciate that 👍🏾
Very good points! I still ride my Bianchi Veloce 1997 from time to time. It's fast, smooth, climbs well, descends like a beast and it's easy to maintain. Not to mention that it's an absolute beauty. I love my steel bike!
Nearly completely recovered from crippling nerve damage 14 years ago, I am training for a season on my 1997 Colnago Master Light with Campy Record and a 9-Speed Triple Chain Ring.
@@MrChuck365 That's amazing. Good for you, man!
Thank you for sharing Leo!
You've described the experience of riding steel frames beautifully. My steel Wilier Superleggera is a brilliant ride no matter what kind of ride I'm on. I've never felt the same on carbon frames. I've got modern Campagnolo shifting kit on mine and while it isn't "pure" retro, the convenience is worth it. A century on a steel bike is an experience more people should have. It's an awesome feeling. Great video!
Thank you Tom! I agree about a century on a steel frame👍🏾
Those who ride campagnolo are like those who pick up chicks on a ferrari to compensate they size and potency 😂
@RollinRat 😂😂
@@bikehub2396 Your ignorance is amusing.
@RollinRat Nuovo record hubs, brakes, and pedals can't be beat. Period.
Love this video and Luis' insights...we long ago ditched my wife's aluminum Trek, which she hated, and have gone all steel, all the way: our road bikes, our tandems, our city bikes. The comfort, compliance and responsiveness of steel frames are unmatched as a superb overall compromise for riding. On rando rides, nothing will keep you in the saddle and pedaling onward like a steel frame. We do long tours on the tandems and find the same thing: less fatigue, more sheer joy of riding. Thanks, Luis, for highlighting these features!
Wow! You really can see the difference between the Colango carbon and the Bianchi steel on the rough road. The first road bike I ever bought back in 95' was a lugged steel Bianchi Allorro with Campy Mirage. It rode great but the steel threaded stem was very flexy. Great video. Thanks.
Thanks for watching 👍🏾
I just built a 1995 Bianchi Ti-Megatube - to replace the one I bought new in 1995 and then sold in 2001, but later began to regret selling - and it's quickly become my new fave. Very lively, fast, communicative, comfortable, etc. I also have 4 carbon, 2 steel, and 1 aluminium road bikes. I love them all, and steel is real, but by heart is now with Ti 😊Great vid and gorgeous bikes. Viva Bianchi!
Hi Viddy! Thanks for watching and sharing your bikes👍🏾
Love your comment at 8:10 about the communication of Steel vs. Ti vs. Carbon.! Nicely done video! I've been riding for over 50 years and have mostly ridden steel and Titanium with a few Aluminum bikes (not a favorite). I agree that a steel bike has a certain feel that can't really be explained but needs to be experienced. Thanks for you video!
Thank you for that nice comment Andrew👍🏾
The fat tube aluminum bikes were a nice "fad" until riders figured out that extra stiffness sacrificed some comfort.
I visited my sister in law in the States and she organized the loan of a carbon bike for me...sure, no energy got lost in the frame but it felt like a steel wheel over rocks, got back to England and my '70's Cinelli and it felt so smooth. To be fair on a fixed wheel in the city for a short commute I could go a carbon but I got my first steel in 1959(I think that's all there was) and I'm too old to change. Great video, and loads of interesting comments. I'll click subscribe right now
@@raynardandrews2498 I love my Specialized Allez SL Sprint comp Aluminum frame bike. It is wonderfully stiff for performance, and I don’t feel beaten up after my rides. My old 1981 chrome moly frame is a noodle by comparison. This steel frame resurgence just feels like another bike fad to me.
@maranatha3333 Understand that the addition of alloys affects the performance and "comfort" in addition to frame geometry. I owned a Raleigh Supercourse, and it was very rigid and rough on bumpy roads. But my Raleigh Pro comprised of Reynolds 531 steel alloy has much better control on rough surfaces. Bicycles have specific mechanical characteristics, so you need to find one that meets your "personal" riding preference and performance level regardless of its molecular material. But I also know a $4,000.00 carbon bike would have been totally destroyed in one of my "accidents" that my steel bike survived.
I'm riding for several years but I enjoyed your thoughts. I hope you make more of this kind of informative videos.
Thank you Albert! I hope so as well👍🏾
Luis recently discovered your channel and an instant like for me. Why so ? Simple it’s fun, you speak from experience / knowledge, the clarity of your points and personality shine through (happy people ride bikes, many become happier people as a result 😁). Great how you chart your experience of returning to steel frames for certain rides and what you shared, very well put. But the highlight for me was your reminder cycling is all about fun (regardless of material) out with your mates, re-connecting with those feelings of freedom, living in the moment and simply enjoying it for what it is. Over complication of the modern bike world often robs us of that, but only if we let it 🤔. …..subscribed 👍
Hi Kevin! Thank you so much for supporting the channel, sharing your thoughts on many of the videos... it is greatly appreciated 👍🏾
Hi, nice commentary of steel frames. I have been an amateur cyclist for 30 years now, rode every frame material except titanium. Carbon frames have been the most comfortable for me. I had a steel Mondonico with neuron tubing, long rides were really hard on my lower back. I’m 61, comfort and lightweight performance is what matters to me. I love to climb, my Carbon Argon18 gallium Pro with Dura ace is really a sweet ride. Don’t forget that excellent wheels is half the ride of your bike. You can have a carbon, or steel frame. If your wheels are on the low end, you are really missing out on the performance of your frameset. Your video should of included the importance of good wheels!
Hi TheDom61! Thank you for sharing your experience👍🏾
I think that the quality Mavic wheels on my Bianchi Eros made my bicycle so pleasant and efficient.
That is so true and the reason why I'm more a fan of wheel's than frames.
which wheels is good
Outstanding video Luis! I have ridden steel all my life, so I can't comment on CF. For me steel means lifetime bike. One of my rides, Reynolds 531 is going on it's 48th year. It still rides great! You just knocked this video out of the park. Great analysis and comparisons you made here. 👍👍👍
Thank you! Your comment is very much appreciated👍🏾
Until I bought my Merlin Road almost 23 years ago now, EVERY serious bike I've ever owned since 1970 has been Reynolds 531, or Columbus SL/SLX.
With their bat s**t INSANE exorbitant co$tS, on top of all of the problems they have, I have no desire to buy and ride anything disc brake and carbon at this time, or EVER, unless their price$ come WAY WAY WAY down, and their (even lower model) quality goes WAY WAY WAY up!! 😉
You should take a look at some of the steel Reynolds 853 frames sometime...they are sublime. For example brands - Fairlight, Cotic, Niner, ORA, All-City, Genesis, etc...
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. I felt the same while riding a steel. Mine is columbus build with campy equipped. Such a beautiful build . Steel is peace..
Hi Suriya! Thank you for watching👍🏾
Just bought an 81' Colnago Super, and it's beautiful. I was inspired after getting an old Peugeot road bike for fun, and I just kept wanting to ride that thing all the time. I agree that there's definitely something simple and fun about the classic steel bikes. Thanks for the video!
Thanks Darren! The Super is a winner... great story 👍🏾
i own 7 peugeot now and every one is different but my fav is the 1 my brother in law braught back from germany in 1972 and it is full on touring fenders and all even with its own generator and lights
I hear you! I have a steel fixed gear bike that gives me the same experience! Brings a smile to my face. Something very cool about it!
Thanks for sharing that Randall👍🏾
Don't know why TH-cam suggested this, but I am happy it did. I raced in the late 80's and through the mid 90's always on steel. Aluminum was established, and carbon bikes were up and coming. Anyone remember the Zipp 2001 carbon beam bike? One of the track sprinters I trained with tried it out when he was training for a flying 200m record attempt. My favorite bike I rode is still my Eddy Merckx track bike. A frame builder friend noticed the beefy chainstays swaged down to fit a standard bottom bracket lug. It was a beast of a bicycle. I always wanted a Colnago with the double downtube. Too young, and too poor to afford one. As the track sprinters I trained with said, steel is real. 😂
I am glad you are here Sixter! Thanks for watching and sharing your insights👍🏾
This is so true! I have just sold my main bike, a carbon bike and bought a alu bike - Except for having a bit more sideways flex (which took some getting used to), I dont feel much other difference- still feels efficient - What I do feel is a lot less fear of scratching or breaking stuff!
That doesn't even make sense... Aluminum bikes break so much easier than carbon. I've been in two accidents involving cars on my carbon frame. No alu bike I've had has survived a crash. Alu can't be repaired. Carbon can quite cheaply, although a lot of places lack people who know how to do it.
I've been cycling for 25+ years and my steel frames are ones that i normally ride. It's like you said there is a carefree feeling when riding steel.
Thank you for watching and sharing your insights warrior!
Don't understand the carefree feeling. Why is that?
@@vancelray dunno, theres no other difference than weight.
The first would be the cost of repair/replacement. I've seen stones crack carbon and manufactures not willing to warranty the replacement. English tread BB on 99.9% of all steel frames. Carbon frames are the best, but steel is this riders go to 90% of the time. If you make it a single speed the smile on my face gets bigger.
Luis, I really enjoyed this video. I think steel is great for most people and its so easy to get / source a vintage frame lying around and put modern components on it. Once again really great video!
Thank you!
The repairability and restorability of steel frames is a very attractive feature. If one knows what to look for, there some great buys are around as second hand items.
Yep, can't complain about my steel Schwinn Road Bike from the 80s/90s. Seems to keep up with the latest bikes just fine. One of the joys I find about riding a steel bike is that I'm never scared of breaking it just by riding through a puddle or pot hole.
First of all you are in really good shape! I've ridden everything from Aluminium to Carbon to Steel in mountain biking over many years. There is far too much marketing hype involved in cycling today. Each type of material has its own merits. Steel is wonderfully forgiving material for bikes, which I rode for years. Carbon is another story, so it all comes down to who are you a a cyclist and what works for you.
It’s all “subjective”…
Only one suggestion ..add a pair of good tubulars to the steel..Heaven on earth!
Mandatory video for offroad riders. If you want to have fun in the wilderness steel or aluminium is the way to go, no worries if you inevitably hit the fram with all sorts of things. Like he said in the video, it's like going to that childhood fun.
👍🏾
Thank you for sharing this. I have long (past a decade now) left the carbon (and even alu) in exchange of chromoly bikes, and you've precisely nailed it on the very intro as to why they should really give it at leas a tryt: the carefree / worry-free and sturdiness it offers, let alone that it absorbs road vibration too so the easy riding is comfortably possible :)
Hi Ghost! Thanks for sharing👍🏾
This video is the most informative Cycling instructional I've ever viewed. So grateful for all the insight and the excellent examples. Thanks so much.
Thank you mobayguy👍🏾
Great video! In the old days we used to talk about how steel was “alive” and “responded back to you.” I’m glad you had a great experience on it. I got a Specialized Aethos and one reason I love it is because it has some attributes that make it feel like steel.
Thank you for sharing that Gary!
I ride a titanium Moots road bike and absolutely love it. The bike hangs right in there with the ultra high end carbon bikes in the group that I ride with. Having said that, I’m really wanting to build a nice steel road bike, I miss the feel of steel! I’m looking at a modern Tommasini frame. Maybe after the new year. Great video! Cheers!!
Hey Rob! Thanks for watching. Lugged Tommasini and Battaglin are so stunning👍🏾
I just bought a Battaglin Stephan Roche 30th Anniversary steel lugged frame with all Campy Chorus 12. The frame is new old stock and the components brand new. She's a thing of beauty. I am taking her out for her maiden voyage today. I always wanted something like it when I was younger and couldn't afford one. I have no doubt that it will be smooth sailing.
Funny thing is, steel and ti are now more expensive than so called ‘luxurious’ carbon.
Rob: I went to Grosseto and had a Tommasini Tecno built for me in 2014. It is like riding a piece of art!
Love my Tommasini Sintesi, I built it up with the best modern-ish components I could get in polished aluminum. Rides great, looks amazing, gets many compliments, definitely go for it, you won't regret it!
At the bike shop my coworkers and I can ride anything we want and we are “lifers”, been at this for a long time. We all have steel bikes! Thanks for explaining the magic that steel is. 👍🏼
Hey John! Say it louder for the people in the back👍🏾
I have a carbon bike, but I also ride a steel frame bike and have no complaints. It's not an old-school bike; it was built in 2019 with high-quality components on a Colombus steel frame. It's plenty good for me and most amateur riders.
Thanks for sharing Éric👍🏾
Luis your vids have so informative and refreshing.
I am also a fan of steel. I enjoy the springiness of some steel frames. It makes for a fun and very responsive ride. My favorite frame gave me the feeling that it was part of my body, an extension of me. Like it was one with me. And a lot of fun. Exhilarating.
I'd also like to add that steel framed bikes do look good as well. They have that retro classic look, especially if it has chrome on it and it adds cool factor.
Thanks for sharing Robin👍🏾
I have some mixed feelings about chrome. It tends to be very prone to pitting. I'd rather see beautifully executed paint. Think fancy Joe Bell, Brian Bayliss, or Bryan Myers paint jobs.
My second real race bike was a 531 ALL chrome Falcon with a full Campy Record gruppo on it.
Imagine a LBS where this kind of perspective was part of a pre-bike-fit conversation... I would definitely favor it. Good stuff, thank you.
Dawn, that is how it was done in the past.
@@thegoodwheel BINGO! I was the back shop manager in a small upstate N.Y. shop. We sold several smaller brands of road bicycles and at the time steel was the primary material with a smattering of aluminum thrown into the mix. For our shop with what we sold we always qualified the customer with during conversations as well as looking at their size, build, injuries, etc. From that we would explain which models of bicycle would be choices to focus on.
People like me that is in the center of the bell curve were ALWAYS easy from a fit perspective. Where we tended to do well were the people on the ends of the curve. It was a fun challenge to find and fit people that were sub 5 ft or 6 ft 6in+. Those were ALWAYS the people we enjoyed getting on a good bike.
@@parrisgeorge9708 Or people with weird leg to torso proportions.
Yes, they all seem to be compelled to push you onto a crunchy carbon, fully integrated aero, disc braked bike nowadays since that is all they stock, that is all most of the manufacturers provide, and their profits (and YES, I DO understand that they have to stay in business!) are exponentially more on the $10K+ USD bikes (as well as labor being 4x as much to service/maintain those hydraulic disc brakes, crappy bottom brackets, and hidden/'integrated' everything.
But, they should not be lying to their customers telling them that ALL of their power will be wasted on anything but carbon frames, and that they risk death with anything but disc brakes.
@@christopheroliver148 I just saw your reply. And you're 100+% spot on. When I worked in a shop it was an era before fitting systems with the exception of the Fit Kit which we didn't have. Our main high end bike brand was Serotta so we DID have a Size Cycle. We didn't so much use it as a dogmatic system. We would duplicate different bike setups on it and work with the cyclist watching how their body would settle in. It was much more watch and listen to our customer as they pedaled different setups.
That tool also saved everyone money in the end because instead of the customer and us going through a number of bars, stems, saddles, etc. We generally got things nailed well from the jump for them. It also meant that they generally would ride more.
This was fascinating to me. Haven't ridden since the mid 70's, when performance meant double-butted tubes and silk sew-ups. Actually went to high school with some of the guys who invented mountain bikes here in Marin. I've seen the changes in tech over the years, but this in the first "contrast and compare" I've seen between the new and old materials while being used in modern designs.
And it all makes perfect sense. Steel can exceptionally stiff and hard, or makes excellent springs. Carbon fiber and aluminum can be stiff, but you don't see a lot of knives or springs made from either. Steel has that hard/tough and resilient/flexible thing down pat. Don't know what's replaced our iconic Reynolds 531, but I know there have been amazing advances in metallurgy in the last 55 years. I heard somewhere that folks have started tempering tubes for frames, which would add a whole new level of control of the frame's characteristics.
Great job of analyzing the performance differences of the materials!
Hi siamsasean! I really appreciate your comments. 40 something years is a long time off the bike but your insights are priceless. I believe the 853 has taken the place of the 531 and the advances in steel will continue. Thanks again🙏🏾
Reynolds 853?
What a joy to hear Luis talking lovingly about steel frames. I've always had only steel frames (Reynolds 531), except for one full carbon- a Peugeot Vitus. Didn't keee that joey for very long. I used to do mainly touring, so carrying sachets on the back. I have a lightweight French steel racer- full Campy, circa 1974. Great machine. But my prized bike is the Raleigh Record Ace- one of the most beautiful bikes ever built.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience Luis. God bless.
Greetings from France. Ralph.
Hi Ralph! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us👍🏾
Raleigh, great bikes, the choice of Peter Post in the 70th. My theory is the carbon frames of late and horrific crashes are linked. Steel frames are more forgiving. I road a carbon bike back 2007 (a Willier). Hated it. On tiled bicycle path it was uncomfortable. Kept my Pinarello.
Makes me remember the times when I was young and riding a steel bike. Even later on my first MTB was made of steel. Now I am on Aluminium and Carbon.Thank you for making the point! Cheers Erwin
Thank you Erwin👍🏾
Been riding 50 years and almost all my rides are steel. Love the material and yes my single aluminum frame is harsher even with the suspension. Very well done job explaining the "feeling" that steel framed bikes give you while riding them.
Wow, I agree that Carbon bikes may be overrated (I ride a carbon bike hahaha my one and only road bike i've owned) but are aluminum bikes that uncomfortable? I prioritise confort over basically anything (second being how long they last and hold their value)... I bought my girlfriend a Aluminum bike and only ride with her on the smoothest road near us... She's very fast on it but i didn't know she may be uncomfortable (She's never complained)... I was planing on getting a Aluminum for my self, too! This has made me reconsider a lot of things, thanks, dude.
Thank you for sharing your experience David👍🏾
@@chalo212 Aluminum is comfortable enough. Most of the comfort thing can be related to type of cycling gloves used, type of saddle, type of short, tire pressure, and even body position. Steel does absorb vibrations better, but if asphalt roads are so bad that it is a problem with aluminum, you better call your city to fix the roads. Most roads bike above an entry level price point come with carbon forks.😀
@@chalo212comfort on a bike has to do with the set up of the seat, seat post height, crank length, and handle bar width, height and distance from the seat. If you're not comfortable or are experiencing pain after riding then something is set up incorrectly. Like when you finally set up your seat & seat post height correctly your butt will never be sore or uncomfortable. It's like you're floating on the bike. Definitely play around with your settings!
@@TarmanTheChampion Thanks for the reply ! I went on and switched bikes. 52 size frame couldnt be saved. Switched to 49 and I immediately felt hooked up with the bike. Setting everything else was easy as you say! This new bike is way heavier yet I feel so much better
Well said all around. I own all three: Carbon, steel, and Ti, but my 2008 Lemond Sarthe (with a mix of Dura-Ace 9100 and Ultregra 6800 + Roval CLX50's is the only one with soul! Plus the expression on peoples' faces when you're passing their $6,000 frame on your $400 used, steel frame, is priceless!
Thank you for sharing Peter!
Hi Luis, I have been watching you for a while now and you have indeed inspired me to ride and enjoy the experience and to even challenge myself to be better. I have an alloy frame bike with campag group set I have watched your earlier review on steel frames, I have been considering a steel frame and your current review have helped me make up my mind, with that I am considering building a Colnago Master with campy group set. Would appreciate your view on the Master frame set. Keep up the great work and stay BLESSED.
Hi Kaivery! Thank you for that, I really appreciate it.
The Master is an amazing bike... you cannot go wrong with that frame. Happy building👍🏾
Still riding my Colnago Master Light with Campy Record and a 9-speed Campy Triple Chain Ring purchased in 1997. Fine wine is how I have regarded that setup since the first day I rode it in November, 25 years ago, when I was a youngster of 51. Let me add that it has been inspiring, too.
Great video. I gave up carbon for steel (Fairlight Strael 3.0) 3 years ago and have never looked back. I found the ultimate balance of performance, speed, comfort, handling, reliability, and durability that I was always looking for. #steelisreal
I must say, you sir own some extremely beautiful looking bikes. And seeing that gorgeous machine at 9.24 with the gear shifters on the down tube has brought back some very happy memories of when I was younger, thank you
Thank you Paul!
I'm not into the athetic side of cycling, so my priorities and experiences are different, but I love my two steel bikes. One is a more aggressive road style bike and it's pretty great. My other one is a dutch city bike and I can cruise around on that all day!
Thanks for sharing Thalass👍🏾
Luis, right on! When you feel good any bike is the best bike. My route times on steel , carbon or aluminum are comparable, however my grin ratio is way off the charts on my Gios , Gitane and Masi. It is about the love of bikes. Like you referred to biking as a kid. It is all about fun. As I get older comfort is more important. My 14 LB Cervelo is my least comfortable bike I own. I think the gravel bike brings this love back to the new cyclist, however I am and old roadie and steel is where the love is. Viva Velo, Grand Junction, Colorado
Hi there! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The 1st time I rode gravel, I was so excited the night before, I couldn't sleep... these experiences make the sport awesome👍🏾
When I started riding, all the cool guys save for the one dude on an early Klein Team Super rode Campy equipped Gios Super Records. I never had the privilege.
Very nice video! Just thinking when I was a kid, we just hopped on our bikes and went for a ride, not really caring about handling, cornering, accelerating , or what a frame was made out of. And the only thing we talked about when it came to bikes was fixing a flat tire from time to time. I'm kinda amazed that this phenomenon now known as cycling has such an incredible knowledge base that may be difficult for some of us bicyclists from decades ago to get used to hearing or caring about. I ride a Specialized Crossroads hybrid commuter bike and never think about anything other than checking the air pressure in my tires before riding almost every day. I have a lot of fun running errands or just cycling for the sake of cycling without a care in the world. That's the kind of thing that reminds me of being a 10 year old on my bike when I guess you could say a bike was little more than a toy. Now, it seems like a bicycle is so much more than that, and competition and a technological knowledge appear to be almost a requirement nowadays to fit in. Still, I enjoyed hearing you talk about cycling in such a detailed but interesting way. I pick up useful tips here and there. Many thanks for putting such an engaging video together for us!
Copy that!
Agree. While I have a couple of very nice custom bikes from the early 2000s, I have little patience for the whole Strava/watts thing that seems to be the rage. I just want to go out and ride a nice 50 to 75 miler. My legs will tell me if I'm working hard enough.
@@christopheroliver148 Of course, I agree with you, too! I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I've probably never gone more than 15 miles round trip on my hybrid around my medium-sized city with nice sights to see, a huge park, and friendly people. For me, cycling is about more than riding my bike. It's about just being outdoors, smelling the delicious aromas of food wafting from restaurants, picking up some fresh veggies and fruits at farmers market, grabbing a coffee, talking to people, the exercise, thinking and planning things (never worrying), in general, and so on. I also feel good on every level; never tired after a ride. So, I could do more mileage. But I don't since I'm happy enough doing what I'm doing. And when I get back home, I still have plenty of energy to do my yard work and get ready for riding again tomorrow.🙂
Great comment Jolly! Thank you for sharing👍🏾
'Slowly at 15mph'.....I don't think I've ever gone that fast! New goals! :) I agree with you on the classic steel frame bikes! Love them!
👍🏾
Thank you for this detailed comparison. I’m new to cycling and this has opened a new door to figuring out which build I want to approach.
I ride a 1984 Trek 170. Like butter! When my carbon framed friends ride it they can't believe it.
How you presented your experience in the first chapter is so damn relatable. I do ride a carbon frame and pretty electronic shifting but what you described is exactly what cycling means to me. I can definitely see how carbon frames and high tech caters people away from just having fun to feeling the need to be good in a sport and always needing to improve.
Thank you Andre👍🏾
To me carbon is worry about damage, I am looking at aluminium frame
@@mlee6050 Mhh idk for me aluminum is way less comfortable. If it’s a bike just for sports. Don’t worry about damaging it. People shred downhill on Carbon. Formula cars use carbon. If it is for commuting or locking it somewhere where you don’t know if someone might knock it over or so, go with steel.
@@RAP4EVERMRC96 yes but when I spent £4k on the carbon bike 6.7kg is nice, but my own money and not rich so unless sponsored, maybe I learn with aluminium as looking at Trek Emonda ALR frame with SRAM red etap axs (was looking at rival mechanical original) be lighter than average carbon bike think even if rival but alloy tubular is fun to find, looking more aero and long lasting than light weight
@@mlee6050 looks like a great bike. go for it. But then why go for red etap? the new Force etap is better and cheaper i think. And also the weight difference between rival, force and red is minimal. Go for rival.
This was fun to watch and interesting to hear some thoughtful and honest feedback on riding steel. I feel the same away about growing up riding bikes as a kid - it was a fun place to be, an escape, a getaway vehicle. I started getting back into steel in the last couple of yrs - in between high end carbon and aluminum and road, touring/cross and MTB frames - and mostly cause high performance is now less important, but enjoyment is. Also, you can pick up some of the highest performance frames from the 80 and 90s (Pinarellos with SLX or Peugeots' with 531) at a fraction of current higher end bikes prices and experience what you could only dream about as a kid. And in fact they are pretty darned impressive. Weight is not the issue - they track nicely, you can push them well, some even climb well and the road vibe absorption is kinda amazing - esp with a 28mm tire or bigger, if possible. Not as snappy as carbon, but if all out sprinting is not on the menu, then they are pure enjoyment. Thanks for that and keep it up.
Thanks for sharing DKTO. Agreed, some great biild candidates out there👍🏾
First time viewing, and thought I'd let you know you're a fantastic speaker and articulate the exact reasons why steel is real! :)
I have a '76 Raleigh frame, built for more of an urban cruiser with 35c tires. It's the one bike I look to ride the most.
Ultra light pro-spec bikes are like comparing a track car that feels every pebble in the road, vs something more compliant but just as fast and fun on the same public roads. The track car will be what you want on "race day", but it's just more fun to be on something unique and beautiful to look at.
Thank you Davers!
Your analysis is spot on👍🏾
Great video. Steel is real. I like that I don’t have to baby my steel bike. I even bent the dropouts to fit a bigger hub.
Thanks for watching 👍🏾
I love this vid. People are convinced that getting a carbon frame automatically makes them lighter when in truth with a good steal frame and good components you'll be 15bls with great components and sub 15lbs with top of the line components. I think some of the draw backs you had to mention about the steel frame mainly had to do with the vintage component choices. I'm currently building a Neo-retro arabesque from Colnago with a record groupset. Only vintage thing will be the frame and a titanium quill stem (with a 31.8 cockpit ;D). All the rest of the components will be top of the line deda elementi as well as other Italian brands and fulcrum wheels. I will say that this is my first serious road bike build and I didn't know what kinda money I was about to be throwing down but from riding track bikes and fixies I have never had any desire to get into carbon frames. Ppl SAY carbon is stiffer for acceleration but with modern welding becoming better at shaping steel tubes into better aerodynamic shapes I just don't think those few benefits justify the downsides of a carbon frame. I say save your money buying a great steel frame and HIGh QuALItY components instead.
Hi Dandelion boy. Thank you for watching and sharing your future build... and good luck with it👍🏾
Btw non of my builds have vintage components. All Campy Super Record 11.
I recently discovered that Armstrong won the Tour in 1999 on a carbon frame with a Cinelli 101 quill stem. I never knew that those technologies ever had a crossover.
I absolutely love the classic look of steel frames. I only got into cycling in 2020 (pandemic closed down my gyms). I went down the rabbit hole since then...Fuji Sportif 2.1 > Chinese Carbon Bike (Sava with 105) > Specialized Tarmac SL6 (current ride) but also have a Velobuild. I still have all the bikes. I honestly miss riding my Alloy Fuji Sportif...I do enjoy my Specialized but it's disc brake and I miss the rim brake look and ease of maintenance.
Hi Silidons! Wecome to this amazing passion. That sounds like a path of bikes many have taken👍🏾
Thank you for sharing even more experience in terms of carbon vs steel 👍 Never ridden carbon bikes, I'm very excited to try it one time to compare in a way you do it 🙂 Wanted to ask you about titanium bikes, but got an answer later in this video 😉
Thanks for watching Aleksandrs👍🏾
Just an amazing, well put together video - You definitely captured what it's like on steel.
Fairly accurate video, objective, unlike many. The key difference, which you've identified, is the quality of power transfer, where there is a significant difference between carbon and steel. The stiffness of the BB shell and the rear stays is way better with carbon, and accordingly, there is less dimunition of power transfer
Thanks for sharing Steve👍🏾
Steel is real! It’s not only a better ride but the frames are classic and sexy looking. Respect to the super elite people who require carbon to race, but for us mere mortals I’ll take Reynolds or Columbus. Cheers
Agreed Mason👍🏾
Nice video! Eight of my bikes are steel so you won't get an argument from me about its qualities! However, I think that there are other factors to consider as well, such as frame geometry. I have a Bianchi Limited, which is really a crit bike, and it is very nimble, while my custom Marinoni is a plush cruiser. Also, in September I began riding a c. 1996 Colnago C40 and find the ride quality is like a magic carpet and in descents the feeling of control is impressive, an area I always felt steel was better but I now have lot of of downhill PBs with the Colnago to question that. I wonder if the fact that the C40 is tube-and-lug construction rather than the monocoque of your V3RS that makes a difference. Lastly, for most of us the weight difference, which for bike and rider combined in my case would be just over 1%, comparing a good (not super expensive) carbon bike to my custom Tommasini made with Columbus Nemo, really only comes down to bragging rights. For some of us, steel will always win on aesthetics alone. But you are right: the engine is what matters!😊
I've watched a lot of cycling videos recently, and I can't come to terms with the look of modern aero bikes. They just seem ugly compared with a lugged frame from a brilliant builder.
Thank you for commenting and sharing your thoughts.
I think the tube and lug construction of those Colnagos lent to a very unique ride. I've know people who say the C40 has offered the best ride experience they know.
One factor that people don't take into account when buying a frame set and building out their bike is body type and riding style.
The simple thing to remember is "Steel is Real."
👍🏾
Thank you for sharing. Your opinion makes a difference. Best wishes from Warsaw, Poland.
Great video. When I owned 13 bikes one was carbon; one was titanium; the rest were steel. Fell in love with a Specialized Allez by Jim Mercer and a Miyata 912. Now I only have 5 bikes--Miyata 912 , Miyata Pro, Bridgestone 112, Centurion GT, and an Ibis Mojo hard tail. All steel, and 4 are vintage Japanese steel from the 80s. I love how the road bikes flex when holding the road and snap back when slaloming down a hill.
Hi Norm! That's quiet a stable, thanks for sharing👍🏾
If someone want to race they ride carbon. But if someone wants to ride for the fun and enjoyment of it (which is most of us), you ride steel.
Great content, your comparison nailed it 👏
Thank you Penpen👍🏾
Very interesting observations and that's a nice Bianchi stable you're building.
I've returned to cycling after a long lay-off (13 years since my last race) and I'd forgotten how much fun steel can be. I've rebuilt a pair of 90s Gios Compact Pro (steel frame, steel fork) and they're superb ride-all-day bikes, as well as being a joy for fast descending.
Clearances are typically 90s-tight, but even with 23mm rubber they're not troubled by road buzz. Yes, the bottom bracket flexes with big gear efforts ( I ride 60cm c-t ) but that's not an issue for the steady long-distance stuff I'm doing nowadays.
Hi Clipping in! Welcome back to the passion. I bet the Gios is an amazing ride. Thanks for watching.
FACTS ! 30 years riding a hand-built Italian Tommaso ( UC Berkeley team bike ) ... Now my street treat.
I also own a mint '89 Colnago Tecnos : the dream ride , smooth power transferring rail rocket in a work of art #SteelisReal . Been dropping carbon boys in California, Colorado, and Florida for many glorious years.
Brilliant and poetic appraisal of steel bikes. Couldn’t agree more, they are wonderful to ride.
👍🏾
The "sales craze" is top end carbon, carbon, carbon. You are probably saving so many riders coin by showing the differences and cost savings yet still great performance steel frame bikes can provide. I so miss my old school steel frame, Hopefully someday soon I'll get another.
Thanks for watching 👍🏾
The differences you describe between the two Bianchi bikes are a consequence of their different wheelbases and not the tube sets. Short-wheelbase bikes, whatever the tubing (steel variants, aluminum, carbon), are stable at higher speeds (but twitchy at lower speeds). Bikes with longer wheelbases are slower handling. Compare small sports cars to mid-size sedans.
Hi jotcarey, thanks for watching! At 98cm, both bikes have the same wheelbase
A steel bike with rim brakes and a good wheelset is the most fun I ever have on bikes. Pump up the tires and go. I also think the smaller diameter tubes make for a more beautiful bike, and while it seems silly, I find that matters to me.
It's not silly at all John, thanksnfor watching 👍🏾
I have to say, my carbon frame is lovely up the climbs, but terrifying on our terrible UK roads in the descents. The vibrations over every bump are really unnerving! My next frame will be an alloy one definitely.
Thanks for sharing Dan👍🏾
Did you listen to his video? Alloy is the worst. Steel is not alloy.
@@tonyvitiello9897steel is literally an alloy. 😂
Yes! The joy of just hopping on your bicycle and taking off! My battered old three-speed is golden and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Love this channel. I’m working on getting back into riding after 25 years of missing it. My road bike is my old Cannondale CAAD 3 with Campy 9 speed but my mountain bike (Jamis Dakota) and cross bike (Bianchi - not sure of model) are steel. Back in the day the only steel road bike I had was a Concorde. I can’t remember the model on that either but it was a great piece of machinery.
I personally like alloy frames better than Carbon or Steel. They are much heavier but the feedback you get from the road is very different, you get a stiff ride but still feel the road surface and you can react to corners much faster. I like my diy Colnago Concept carbon bike but still have and do most of my cycling ( even some light racing) on the 30lbs GMC Denali with the 1x7 freewheel setup all old school tech. It's about challenging yourself and frankly a very light bike does not do that for me, hence why the carbon is less fun. Too much tech ruins the experience of cycling in my opinion.
Glad to hear some riders are discovering that steel isn't so bad. The steel bike you were riding is still fairly new. Seems a lot of the younger riders never developed the muscle memory needed for using down-tube shifters proficiently. And at some point, bike builders decided that fork flex was bad and started making those straight super rigid things. Hence the very harsh ride and need for fatter tires to run lower air pressures. Kind of seems like the dog is chasing its own tail again. I just don't see any place where carbon fiber and epoxy have been applied for the sake of advancing bicycle technology that hasn't simultaneously resulted in a compromise in integrity of some other aspect of the whole system. And is there really any value in reducing spoke count? I mean really, how much do spoke weigh anyway, that we need to reduce spoke count below 32 and simultaneously want the wheel to be more rigid? Wheels had flex in them for a reason. But its all about racing efficiencies, watt savings, in the name of making up for our own weaknesses. In the end, I think you were saying that it was really nice to just be able to ride without having to obsess over things like power meters and the like. I think you've truly reach bicycle nirvana. Congratulations, you've arrived! Now if only those GCN guys would advance to that level. Road, gravel, endurance. cyclo-cross who cares about being pidgin-holed into a category, just get comfortable on your bike to where you want to ride every day.
A lot of that harsh ride comes from those modern over-sized headtubes.
I agree in everything you have said about carbon and the different marketed bikes. I also fully understand the advertising of aero, stiffness and carbon light weight to the public. All those aspects are not for the majority of riders that do not compete. As someone who just recently come to terms with reality of cycling, simplicity over everything is more important. High tech stuff, fancy aero wheels means nothing. We all buy it knowing that it won't make you any faster. But it does feel good riding a bike that looks like it's fast.
Amen Chris!
@@bonbonflippers4298 Aero does make you faster, though, once you get to about 12 mph. I've never liked the way carbon bikes ride, but aero is the slam dunk use case for it. No other material lets you create such shapes to cheat air.
@@barrytantlinger1033 I did not say aero is slower. It does allow one to be more "efficient" at a certain speed. What I meant by aero means nothing is that the concept of speed means nothing outside of racing. Speed, weight, watts all are meaningless outside of competitive racing as the results mean only applies to the individual. It's like asking a pro cyclist if you need aero carbon wheels and frame? The pro would always ask, "do you race/compete?" If not then no you don't need it. It becomes a "want."
Great video man. It takes me back to the good 'ole days of riding around on steel. This video made me recall, and put me back to the 'no agenda' days of having fun on the bike. Thanks and well done. Keep riding!
Thanks for watching superd👍🏾
Great video! I LOVE my steel bikes, and your ending remark about wanting to ditch the data is absolutely on point. I have data on my carbon bike, which gets very little use these days, as I prefer steel and ti for daily riding.
Hi Bryan! Thank you🙏🏾
Steel frames are so comfortable and in a class of its own. i now have a carbon Felt AR4 and A Specialized Alle Alloy. You are spot on with how they handle.
Thank you Desmond👍🏾
My first intro to your videos (thank the TH-cam gods for the recommendation), and loving it! Hooked.
I just came back from France, Normandie, D-Day +80, riding my 1990 Peugeot Columbus Tubes CroMoly bike. But there is nothing better than my Trek Madonna 3.1 that I have here at home in Las Vegas. Weight is one thing, but the geometry of my Trek is so great : )
I recently found your channel and I have enjoyed your commentary. I started road racing in the mid-eighties and used bikes almost exclusively with steel frames, I agree a steel frame communicates with the rider. In 2022 I purchased my first carbon frame and the experience was revelatory. I noticed the immediate "liveliness" of the frame and how responsive carbon is for acceleration and climbing. I do agree that carbon is less forgiving on rough roads but as always there is some trade-off for performance vs. comfort. Thank you for your insights.
Thank you for sharing your experience stibbbs!
Thanks for your well thought out video.. Been riding a custom Eisentraut steel frame I got in 1987. In '95 I got a custom 531 competition track frame. I've a Peugeot aluminium with main tubes being carbon - great ride characteristics, but I feel more confident riding steel - soakes up road vibration and more solid when turning.
Thanks Bradley! That sounds like a great build
its good to see and learn from people with lots of experience in cycling. thanks for the views Luis!
Thanks for watching Mr. Moonlight👍🏾