A question of feel?

A question for all the roadies out there.
With the demise of my commuter I have finally got my mid 80's racer (with which I'm rapidly falling in love) on the road.
To my surprise, instead of shaking my teeth out on our rough nth est roads it's actually smoother than my commuter was on 700x40c's.
Can anyone explain to me how this works?

Tags: design, steel

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Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on May 29, 2012 at 12:22

By the way Randell...nice Pursuit bike which I recall could be purchased from Super Elliott's in Rundle Street back in the 1980s. They were custom made to fit too. Now with sloping frames number of sizes of frames have been greatly reduced to about five....the bike market has changed somewhat and not componets are more integrated but highly serviceable to the replacement of components

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Permalink Reply by Konadog on May 29, 2012 at 12:31

I love steel bikes for their longevity and strength and feel. I just got a new custom fit hardtail mtn. bike to replace my last aluminum one that cracked 6 months after the guarantee expired :/ The new steel bike is backed for life. I never want anything else (maybe titanium... :) )

That said, I did recently read that while many cyclists claim they can feel the difference (myself included), in blind tests they were unable to distinguish. Interesting...

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Permalink Reply by Mike Brisco on May 29, 2012 at 14:04

Yes, it's steel.

Peter Good used to talk about steel as being "springy" - compared to aluminium....

Next time heading down hill, look down onto the front axle - watch the forks bending and flexing to absorb the shocks.

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Permalink Reply by Randall Oakley on May 29, 2012 at 15:44

Well all I can say is I'm completely sold.
I will never buy another alloy frame as long as I live.
Now to find a affordable steel frame commuter...mmm?

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Permalink Reply by Notthefirst Brett on May 29, 2012 at 16:06

If single speed suits try this http://www.pacc.org.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3421

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Permalink Reply by Matt Jones on May 29, 2012 at 15:51

Hmmmmm, I have a steel frame sitting up in the shed. In two minds now whether to build it back up.

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Permalink Reply by hozozco on May 29, 2012 at 16:11

Just to be devils advocate, how much of the smoothness is due to the fact that it's steel compared to say, the geometry, or the tires or perhaps just the extra weight.

For example, my bike is very smooth - huge wheelbase, 2" tires and about 20Kg. It is alloy though.

Simon

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Permalink Reply by Dahondude on May 29, 2012 at 17:44

Yup tires (and tire pressure) and geometry are going to play a big part. Perhaps its just that steel frames tend to be more relaxed geometry so its nothing to do with steel at all. I really cant tell the difference (in perceived effort) riding on 700x23 at 110psi versus 700x32 at 80psi, but the latter feels a whole lot more comfortable and also more secure on fast descents when cornering.