I have always preferred Reynolds 531 for everyday use or i think there is/was a 'comp/SL' for racing...Well, what do you prefer and why?
Thankswhile I haven't the weights exactly, as an example when I was building my winter commuter with a 1970s maybe 1980s 531 frame...I had my modern alloy Bianchi in pieces at the same time. Just lifting then by hand, I couldn't detect any weight difference.
My 531 is supremely smooth on the road but then fork design probably has a bit effect on that.
Fir me it's not really down to material, it's personal choice dictated by aesthetics. I like the chunky style a carbon frame gives you...normal tubing doesn't paticually do it for me.
The flip side is my 531 is already 30 years old and I have no reason to think it will give up soon. I doubt many carbon frames will last that long.
Not many 531 frames have lasted that long and there is no reason to suppose that the same percentage of carbon fibre frames won't survive three decades either.The flip side is my 531 is already 30 years old and I have no reason to think it will give up soon. I doubt many carbon frames will last that long.
Geometry and wheels- yep agreedWay back an american cycling mag had several frames made of different tubing and exactly the same size ..............nobody could tell the difference
Geometry and wheels seem to make more difference in the real world.
Shaun
I have always preferred Reynolds 531 for everyday use or i think there is/was a 'comp/SL' for racing...
The steel frames might be a little bit heavier than alluminium or carbon fibre but can take knocks better /repaired....?
Thanks
Rich
* What that is I don't know. A bit of 'give' without being flexible is the best I can come up with.
You can engineer those qualities into any frame material though.