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VV discussion
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Author: Pedaldog (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 25-01-2005 17:47
I know it's an old question but here goes anyway!
I am going to get a new Streetmachine GT, my 4th (Don't ask!) and wonder which to go for, steel or aluminium frame.
I weigh in at 18 stones and with 4 panniers, tent etc is the ally too brittle?
Ben tells me that HP guarantee the frame for 25 years but I dont want the need to claim on it! Also, if it does break in an out of the way place I can get steel welded more easily. The weight saving of the ally is about 1kg.
Advise please!
At the pace of sailing ships and bicycles!
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Author: Wobbly John (---.gotadsl.co.uk)
Date: 25-01-2005 20:56
Get the steel frame - lay off the chips for a week to lose the extra 1kg.
If it ain't broke - fix it 'til it is.
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Author: Para Handy (---.access.uk.tiscali.com)
Date: 26-01-2005 00:25
Steel.
I've been riding my (steel) SMGT for three years with no problems.
First Alu frame I bought, I cracked the BB shell in less than 500km!
(but you've seen that pic on C+, no doubt...)
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Author: Para Handy (---.access.uk.tiscali.com)
Date: 26-01-2005 00:30
Dammit, where's the 'edit' function...
and should have added ~ and that's with my puny 10st frame and no panniers!
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Author: Tom (---.park-s46b.dslaccess.co.uk)
Date: 26-01-2005 11:34
Steel. It's future-proof- you can modify the frame or fit braze-ons for things as yet uninvented, and if it should break can be welded at many more places than an ali frame. Better fatigue limit, too.
... there's so much time, and so little to do. No, wait a minute...
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Author: Tony Smith (---.cosh.broadband.ntl.com)
Date: 26-01-2005 12:20
Are you the same Pedalog as seen on the Thorn forum? 100 lines please of the mantra "Steel is Real"
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Author: Pedaldog (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 26-01-2005 19:23
Tis indeed I Tony and I agree that "Steel is real" so I ordered the bugger this afternoon from Ben and, finances permitting, I should get it in three or four weeks.
Going with Hydraulic disc brakes too and I have to admit to being a bit nervous about that, as I was with the Magura rim brakes, but I have heard that it's possible to "Educate Pork" and I'll try and understand it all!
At the pace of sailing ships and bicycles!
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Author: gNick (---.ipt.aol.com)
Date: 27-01-2005 12:25
Interesting crack - it is exactly where I would expect it on a badly done aluminium weld; right on the edge of the heat affected zone.
For all the technos going on about other materials steel is very good for a lot of things. It isn't so good at being ultralight but for a touring machine the extra weight of a couple of pints at lunchtime is not a lot compared with being able to get it mended in outer Afsponistan.
gNick
Pity Me, Durham
----------------------------------------------------
I'm just a primitive creature of the heath,
So excuse my savage ignorance
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Author: Bentnotbroken (218.159.173.---)
Date: 01-02-2005 05:05
I have a Steel Streetmachine GT. While shipping it to me overseas it was dinged quite a bit. I was told that dent and bent steel frames will hold their strength while the same cannot be said for Aluminum. So far this has been the case.
Just something for you to consider if you are shipping it places or plan on doing some hard riding.
I have had two other bicycles, both diamond frames, one was steel and the other aluminum. I never really did take a liking to the aluminum frame. Of course it is personal preference, but I go by the saying that nothing rides like steel.
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