Why is steel a better material than aluminium for our bikes? Its a common misconception that aluminium is a stiffer frame material. This isn't true, aluminium is not as stiff as steel. The reason why aluminium frames are stiff is because of they way they are built and the shortcomings of the material.
Why do you think aluminium frames have big fat tubes? Just for looks? Nah... aluminium is a lot weaker and more flexible than steel. Take a piece of aluminium and bend it a bit a few times and it will break. Do the same with a piece of steel and as long as you don't bend it too much each time it will keep flexing for a very long time. Big fat over sized tubing is stiffer and less flexible than smaller diameter tubing. So when an aluminium frame is designed, if the designer wants the frame to last a few years it needs to be stiff and that's the reason aluminium frames have big fat tubes.
All this over-building has other drawbacks too. Another misconception is that aluminium frames are a lot lighter than steel frames. After all aluminium is 1/3 the weight of steel. But because aluminium frames have to be over-built for strength and stiffness the weight difference is a lot less. Your average high quality steel frame is about 4lb and a quality aluminium frame is about 3lb. So there's not a lot in it.
We build steel frames because they just make more sense for the kind of bicycles we build. They are comfortable, light and with a bit of care last forever.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
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2 comments:
Do you have a Randonneur frame suitable for women? Does the geometry need to be different? My wife who is 5'4ins is looking for a light drop handlebar tourer that can take mudguards and saddlebag on which she can accompany me on day rides. I have your Randoneur.
Hello Doug
The smallest frame we can build witht the clearances the Randonneur needs is 20 and 1/2". Best thing to do would be to bring her in and we can size her up to see if a stock size would be suitable
Thanks
Paul
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