Steel has been somewhat forgotten as a material for bicycle frames alongside materials such as aluminum, carbon or titanium. Wrongly so, we think. A bike with a classic steel frame has many advantages.
What makes a steel frame special?
It was true for a long time steel as ideal frame material for bicycles. Materials such as aluminum, carbon or titanium may be lightweight, but steel bicycles score particularly well when it comes to handling and safety. A steel frame absorbs the forces and stresses much better during a ride than a carbon frame or aluminum frame.
This is evident, among other things, in unevenness, which causes the frame to spring. The same journey on a bike with an aluminum frame is much more uncomfortable because there is no dampening effect.
Repairing steel frames is a routine task for many mechanics
Riding on a bike with a steel frame is not only more pleasant, but also safer. A steel frame, unlike a carbon frame, is a lot more robust and thus shatterproof. If there is an impending overload, steel pipes indicate an impending problem very early on through noticeable wobbling.
In addition, it is repair of a steel frame bicycle is routine for most mechanics. You have this necessary know-how and in their workshops the required tool. An aluminum frame, on the other hand, can only be repaired temporarily or not at all. If your carbon frame is defective, only a specialist workshop that specializes in these repairs can help.
Advantages and disadvantages of steel frames
Steel has as material in frame construction With wheels there are many individual advantages and very few disadvantages. Here you will find one below overview of strengths and weaknesses:
Nine advantages of a steel frame
- Height strength and stability
- Durable
- Material has high tensile strength with good elongation at the same time
- Easy to process
- oscillating load capacity permanently high
- Elastic material
- Cheaper price compared to other materials
- Easy repair based on years of experience
- Easy recycling
Disadvantages of steel frames
- Frame usually has higher Weight
- Protection against rust is necessary
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Renaissance of steel frames
The bicycle frame is something like that for two-wheeler enthusiasts soul of the bike. Anyone who buys a used bike with a steel frame not only gets a two-wheeled means of transport, but also a history associated with it. No matter how many times a bike has been restored or repaired, the frame remains the same for decades.
Wheels with a steel frame driving is characterized as trend away. Because there’s something about spicing up old bikes Vintage style and is an attitude to life. That’s why many dealers specialize in reviving old bikes – with new wheels but a classic bike frame.
Manufacture of steel frames
Steel frames are predominant for tailor-made two-wheelers in use. Ergonomic two-wheeler frames can be formed from the steel tubes using simple means. A designer puts the individual parts together very carefully. At the Painting Such frames require specialists because a lot of specialist knowledge is required when treating the surfaces of a steel frame.
Therefore, delivery times may vary Custom-made steel frames stretch over several months.
It exists two options for the production of steel frames:
- A welded unmuffed steel frame
- A brazed lugged steel frame
Socketed steel frames occur less frequently because the components required to solder the sockets are rare. This is also evident in the Steel frame price. A lugged steel frame is significantly more expensive. On the other hand, the disadvantage of a welded frame is often cited as the heating of the pipe, which causes the Strength and rigidity may suffer.
Instead, the positive effect is that the mass of the additional sleeves is eliminated and a solidly processed weld seam also makes a frame stable and stiffer.
To this day ask well-known manufacturers still make steel tubes for frames. One of these producers is Columbus Tubi from Italy. Reynolds Technology Ltd. produces suitable pipes in the UK from an alloy containing steel, manganese and molybdenum. Classic steel pipes are also still manufactured in Japan.
