Reynolds 525 ride characteristics?

[Dromen]

I am considering a new Reynolds 525 bike for my girlfriend and don't really wanna hear how its "not comfortable" or it "feels stiff".

I ride Reynolds 853 & 531, Columbus Life and DeDaccial 0 Uno bikes. Not sure which tubes of the bike are these grades, just assuming the main triangle. Can tell the difference in all but can't find any good layman's info on the Reynolds 525 and where if may compare in comfort, stiffness etc with these.

Just a few general comments on comparative ride qualities of the 525 would be appreciated.

TIA

[RedRider]

As a tubeset, as I recall, Reynolds 525 is very similar to 531 but 525 was configured for TIG welding.
As far as ride characteristics, your framebuilder and the selected geometry will play the biggest role. Tubes are just the ingredients in the recipe... it's what the chef does with it that counts...

[eBAUMANN]

if 525 is anything like 520...its heavy and not much else. wouldn't call it stiff or lively...more "stout" or "solid" - again, just speaking from my experiences with 520, can't say I've ever ridden a 525 frame.

[bluesea]

I thought 525 was a heat treated 731 class tubeset.

[eBAUMANN]

From Bob Jackson:

"Reynolds 525 non heat treated chrome moly has been in Reynolds inventory of bicycle tubes for many years. Since 1998 it has been reconfigured and up graded to a strength level very similar to that of Reynolds legendary 531 tubing. The primary reason for it existence is its ability to be tig welded, thus producing lower cost and lower quality frames. It has no advantage over 531 except for this singular feature. Jackson does not use this tubing for the 3 main tubes as there is no added benefit to the cyclist."

From Reynolds:

"The 525 is a range of cold drawn chrome-molybdenum tubes, all precision butted, using either seamless or welded raw material. The material is suitable for TIG welding and brazing, with lug or lugless construction. 525 will be found in frames with combinations of all 8 tubes, 3 main tubes down and seat tube and seat tube only. The decal will clarify the tubes used by each builder. We recommend 631 or 525 forks for use with 525 road and touring frames. Reynolds also use the 520 decal for Reynolds chrome-moly tubing made under license to our specification."

Sounds like its pretty similar to 520 to me...

[Dromen]

Understanding that it's what the chef does with the tubes that counts, from ebaumann and redrider, 525 is can basically be thought of as 531-like if viewed in a vacuum?

[wallymann]

given a particular set of tubeset specs and build specs, all steels will ride the same regardless of what magical steel alloy is used. full stop.

so what really matters are the tubeset and build specs. is it STD or OS? wall/butt thicknesses? lugged or TIG'd?

err...just re-read what savile said...same thing!

[KidWok]

It's magical tubing from the cycling gods. If you happen to find one (especially if it's made by Steelman) used on here, you should snatch it up immediately.

Tai

[Scooper]

Originally Posted by eBAUMANN

Sounds like its pretty similar to 520 to me...

525 and 520 are the same; 520 is made in Taiwan and 525 is made in England.

725 has the same chromoly chemistry as 525, but is heat treated for greater strength.





Here's the butting/wall thickness.

[Peter P.]

I would NOT consider Reynolds 525 a lower tier tubing.

Brent Steelman used to offer a stock geometry model TIG welded from 525. In fact, I think it was called the SR525.

That alone should tell you it's worthy of high end steel bicycles.

[pbarry]

Originally Posted by Peter P.

I would NOT consider Reynolds 525 a lower tier tubing.

Brent Steelman used to offer a stock geometry model TIG welded from 525. In fact, I think it was called the SR525.

That alone should tell you it's worthy of high end steel bicycles.

Yep, good stuff. TK has used it for more than a few frames as well.

[fogrider]

As others have said, the tubing is just part of the it. I think the choice of tires will have a bigger difference in the ride and if it's going to feel harsh. get a tire designed to be wider and designed to run at a lower psi.

[Doug Fattic]

One of the most common misunderstandings about tubing is not differences between makes and models but what tube diameters and wall thickness were used on a particular frame. In addition there can be minor differences as to where the tubing butts are positioned. As can be seen from the chart Scooper provided a builder could choose many different options to make a custom frame. The feel of the frame is greatly effected by those choices.

Reynolds 525 tubing was not as expensive as heat treated models and as a result was more likely to be used on more budget minded frames. It also is easier to cold set back into alignment.

[sokyroadie]

I have thought about trying the 525 frame Ribble sells for $239.01.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/roa...me/ribbfraw240

Jeff