Do you ride steel racing frame differently ?

[l0n3rider]

hi ALL,
sorry if this topic was discussed before. Maybe i didn't searched enough ..

anyway .. i recently changed my riding bike to a steel frame. Bixxis Prima to be exact. only the frame is changed. other components were transferred from my previous bike. previously i was riding Legend HT7.5, a carbon frame.

A little bit of background; i started of with Boardman SLR9.0, then moved to Colnago EPS before the Legend ..

so i have been riding carbon frame for almost 7 years ( i started in 2011) .. and recently moved to steel frame, Bixxis Prima.

The change was due to curiosity .. as well as I really like the classic look. I have been riding it for a month now .. and i'm struggling with it

so do we ride steel frame differently? .. i guess i'm struggling to be fast and responsive .. i do not really mind the extra weight .. but it takes more effort to close the gap in peloton and surprisingly .. if i freewheeling during a short descend .. it is noticeably slower than my carbon frame .. i thought the extra weight should give it more speed ..

any advice/tips/tricks on riding steel frame?

[weisan]

This is going to be good!

[l0n3rider]

me and my bike.. i guess i never really introduced myself before

[bikinchris]

The frame is probably not slowing you down. To me, it sounds like you have something else wrong. Like hub adjustment, brake dragging, wheel out of true etc.

[sitzmark]

I've had that feeling/experience when swapping components or setting up a new bike. Has your position on the bike changed? Not likely that the frame itself is slowing you down, but if you're not as comfortable/fluid on the new bike you won't be as efficient as on the old frame. Doesn't take a lot of variance to change the aerodynamics of body position, which can make a significant difference in perceived effort and/or actual performance.

[rccardr]

Why are you using such a long cage derailleur?
Guy pictured in front of you has some huge rear cogs. Why? Where are you riding?
Is the Bixxis the right frame for where you ride and the type of riding you do?

[mtechnica]

Not all steel frames are made equal. I had a frame made from Reynolds 853 that I eventually grew fed up with because it always felt so sluggish uphill, nice frame with a carbon fork too and it fit and handled well. The carbon frame I replaced it with - same components - blew it out of the water. My SLX Merckx is heavy but doesn’t feel sluggish at all so I think it just depends.

[hokoman]

seat is too high, not aero enough.

[Lanternrouge]

I'd like to see pictures of both the Legend and the Bixxis in the galleries.

[l0n3rider]

Originally Posted by Lanternrouge

I'd like to see pictures of both the Legend and the Bixxis in the galleries.

here is my previous frame.. legend HT7.5

[l0n3rider]

@mtechnica
.. really hope this is not the case here. i really luv the look of this frame

@hokoman @rccardr
.. thanks. will keep improving my position.. will let u guys know if it improved

all,
i have this input from a friend which has been riding steel frame for a while.. according to him.. steel frame needs to be ride differently.. we need to be more calm.. do not stomp the pedal for power.. but gradually increase your power to increase speed gradually.. do not panic when the gap is opened.. you will close the gap eventually.. steel has momentum.. not fast reaction..

true?

[Peter P.]

Originally Posted by l0n3rider

@mtechnica
@hokoman @rccardr
.. thanks. will keep improving my position.. will let u guys know if it improved

all,
i have this input from a friend which has been riding steel frame for a while.. according to him.. steel frame needs to be ride differently.. we need to be more calm.. do not stomp the pedal for power.. but gradually increase your power to increase speed gradually.. do not panic when the gap is opened.. you will close the gap eventually.. steel has momentum.. not fast reaction..

true?

It's your position?! You need to ride a steel bike differently?!

It's all nonsense and drama!

[hokoman]

You don't ride your steel vs. misc material any differently. They will feel a little different, but not make riding adjustments. Your seat height is the same on both bikes?

[jtbadge]

Originally Posted by hokoman

You don't ride your steel vs. misc material any differently. They will feel a little different, but not make riding adjustments. Your seat height is the same on both bikes?

Saddle height, saddle setback behind BB, reach from saddle -> bars, saddle->bar drop, gotta check it all.

[weisan]

ion-pal, I assume your Bixxis is a custom build. Did the custom build process include asking you a bunch of questions about your style of riding, preferences etc?

Assuming you answer those questions honestly and accurately, your custom builder would be able to factor those inputs into the build and transfer that into the ride.

To answer your question: Do you ride steel racing frame differently?

No, with the right frame, I shouldn't have to.

Take for instance, with my Serotta CXII steel bike, even though it was not custom, I was able to ride it as aggressively and capably as my other carbon and Ti racing bikes and my power numbers would tell the same story.

Because of that, I conclude that the material even though it was steel did not adversely affect my performance, at least not at my level of fitness and competitiveness. Maybe if I am Chris Froome or Mark Cavendish riding in the tour, it might be a different story at their level, I don't know for sure.

One last point.

I do have other steel bikes in my stable that are not as nimble or responsive as my Serotta. I attribute that to the design, geometry and perhaps old steel vs new steel like Columbus niobium/spirit vs Reynolds 531.