Question About Columbus Neuron Tubing

[cpsqlrwn]

Anyone have any experience with standard size Neuron tubing? I had always known this tubing to be elliptical in areas, oversized, etc., but I have come across a bike that has standard size, non elliptical Neuron tubing. I am wondering how the ride is, stiffness, etc. and whether there are any issues as it gets a little age on it. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[oldpotatoe]

Anyone have any experience with standard size Neuron tubing? I had always known this tubing to be elliptical in areas, oversized, etc., but I have come across a bike that has standard size, non elliptical Neuron tubing. I am wondering how the ride is, stiffness, etc. and whether there are any issues as it gets a little age on it. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

It's elliptical inside, kinda lobed, tubes have an up and down, top and bottom orientation but round outside. I used to have a DeRosa and Mondinico that were both Neuron. No issues with age with this tubeset unless rusty. The Mondonico was one of the 3 best riding frames I have owned(along with SL Ciocc and my MXLeader). DeRosa was nice but not oooo-aaaahhh, imho.

[steelbikerider]

I have a 59 cm Hans Schneider with standard Neuron. It's been a good bike for 17 years now and 50,000+ miles and is still ridden regularly. I'm a 200lb'er. Frame is not too stiff, not too flexible and is at 19 1/4 lbs with DA 7900, Ritchey cockpit and HED rims.
It's very similar to this one. http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/readersrigs/readers-rigs-hans-schneider-custom/

[alexstar]

My 2004 Cinelli Supercorsa is built with standard diameter Neuron. Sweet, sweet ride. Stiffer in the BB area than my old Colnago which was SL, but just as comfortable. Great long distance ride.

[donevwil]

Back in the mid-90's I had a custom CX bike built by a small builder in Italy who used Neuron. Knowing this was lighter than the SP/SPX I was familiar with I was initially worried as I'd requested OS tubing (I'm 6'5" and was 210# at the time). Result was very similar to what steelbikerider and alexstar state above. The bike was definitely lighter than my SPX bikes, had maybe just a tad more flex at the BB, but was comfortable as heck and never had flex, handling or shimmy issues. I loved that bike, unfortunately questionable construction quality lead to it's retirement two years ago.

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[Carl Strong]

Neuron was part of a family of tubes that Columbus offered in the early and mid 90's. It had what they called differential butting. Basically that meant the butt was shaped to follow the high stress areas allowing them less material and lighter weight.

I worked with Neuron, Genius and Nemo quite a lot back then and it is all excellent material. To answer your question about ride, you can expect it to feel like any other steel tube of the same diameter. The only practical difference will be weight... that and it's cool.

I've attached an old tube chart I dug up from my 1999 website that shows how Neuron fits into the Columbus family.

Anyone have any experience with standard size Neuron tubing? I had always known this tubing to be elliptical in areas, oversized, etc., but I have come across a bike that has standard size, non elliptical Neuron tubing. I am wondering how the ride is, stiffness, etc. and whether there are any issues as it gets a little age on it. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[wildboar]

Sort of interesting to compare the tube shapes on both of these bikes:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/5922600119.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/5931407992.html


The Merckx seems to be made of oversize Neuron. The Arcobaleno chainstays are more ovalized and less round at the BB than the Tommasini.

https://images.craigslist.org/00a0a_6mhRmf4iyHk_1200x900.jpg

https://images.craigslist.org/00Y0Y_6YjMk8jUVV_1200x900.jpg