Frame Hunting

[GeorgeET]

Ye 10-4 to the weight issue. I looked into it once and steel being stronger than aluminum less of it is needed for a strong frame. In order for aluminum frame to be as strong as steel it will need to be thicker and weight about the same as a steel frame of comparable strength. Not sure about some of the current high tek alloys. Riding characteristic are different with steel usually being more springy.

However the aluminum frame will not rust and chipped paint will not result in rusty spots.

I have a Schwinn MB that weighs 26.9 lbs and a steel Fuji RB that weighs 24.2 lbs. Made of quad butted VALite tubing. Some steel Fujis were as light as 21 lbs, like the super exclusive Schwinn Paramount racers. Other Japanese bikes of the period had some great buys too.

Cannondale probably makes some of the best aluminum frames, and many frames are still build in USA and shipped abroad for assembly.

Ye its a shame what happened in the Bicycle industry, kind of the same thing happened to British motorcycles.

Now most bikes are from the Far East. ANND the prices are still higher. The CEO's maximizing their salaries, and firing local builders. Seems most of what we are doing is pushing paper.

End of semi rant. :-))))