Reynolds 953 steel thoughts and opinons please

[Jack Brunk]

Benefits/drawbacks?

I'm really liking the new steels. Is the stainless a step up?

Makers- IF number one on my list, anybody else?

Thanks,

[J.Greene]

Originally Posted by Jack Brunk

Benefits/drawbacks?

I'm really liking the new steels. Is the stainless a step up?
Thanks,

Like everything I'd choose some one that builds a bike that is what you want in geo, then material second. I never liked my IF that much.

I wonder if Hampsten would do it?

JG

[Z3c]

Jack,

You might want to look at Badger Cycles; Rob did some of the test welding for Columbus on their stainless tubing and in general, knows tube sets in great detail. He is a great guy and will make you exactly what you want..

Scott

[jeffg]

953: Carl Strong

Columbus stainless: Dario

[Pete Serotta]

JACK, send a note to SPOKES, he has done lots of research on this,,,,,

[paczki]

Chris Igleheart is building me a Ritchie travel fixie out of a mix of 953 and Columbus Spirit. I'll report back on it.

[mschol17]

Bob Brown up in MN builds with stainless, and his prices are very reasonable. I think he was one of the earlier builders to work with it, too.

[ThasFACE]

terry b got a very nice looking Strong 953 a while back, so you might want to check in with him: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showth...ght=strong+953

[TimB]

I stumbled across the Bob Brown site a few years back - his work looks _real_ nice. If only I had an extra few thousand bucks...

http://www.bobbrowncycles.com/stainless_frames.htm

Originally Posted by mschol17

Bob Brown up in MN builds with stainless, and his prices are very reasonable. I think he was one of the earlier builders to work with it, too.

[Russity]

Originally Posted by ThasFACE

terry b got a very nice looking Strong 953 a while back, so you might want to check in with him: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showth...ght=strong+953

ThasFACE is right. When I was looking at a 953 frame from Carl, I spoke with Terryb and he was a wealth of knowledge and good info. In the end I went with True Temper S3, and the bike is sweeeeet. Dealing with Carl was the best experience I've had with custom builders and he nailed it straight off. Top Bloke!!!

[Steve Hampsten]

Originally Posted by J.Greene

I wonder if Hampsten would do it?

JG

I'll pass, but thanks!

[DarrenCT]

JB,

I saw an IF stainless rig today at this new sig cycles bike store here in greenwich. it looked pretty sweet and was very light if that means much...

I'd defiantly trust IF

go for it.

-d

[Len J]

seems like not much actual benefit for the premium you pay.......IMO.

Although it can make a very pretty bike.

YMMV

Len

[Ti Designs]

Jack,

I had a chance to try out the IF (the one that didn't fit you), and it's got that IF Crown Jewel ride with a bit of a twist. If you go way back when bikes were made of Reynolds 531 or Columbus SL (excluding french bikes), the 531 bikes had more spring, the SL bikes were a bit stiffer. The 953 has that spring to it that the 853 didn't. I've had both 531 and SL bikes that I've loved, but I could tell 'em apart with my eyes closed (which isn't the best way of riding). At very first I thought it was one of those light wimpy bikes, so I took it up the steepest [mostly] paved street in the area out of the saddle. I could feel a little movement at the bottom bracket, but I couldn't cause the chain to rub. I would have liked shorter chainstays, but that's my own taste.

[Blue Jays]

Tom Kellogg of Spectrum Cycles isn't particularly a big fan of the stuff. It still needs to be painted if one opts for a non-welded, lugged frame using this steel...essentially eliminating the "stainless" feature of the 953 metal.

Tom_Kellogg wrote:
"...I was kind of hoping that this topic wouldn't come up. I have spoken with MANY folks about 953 since it was first announced a couple of years back. I even had about ten guys ask me this year at Vegas. Anyway, here is the short version:

It is very unlikely that we will be building with 953. Below, please fine a few reasons that apply to us, although not to all other builders;

Although the 953 main tubes are drawn in reasonable gauges and butt lengths for a significant portion of our custom customers, we can get non-953 tubing that will replicate the weight & feel of those tubes on almost any street corner.

The 953 chain stays and seat stays are not as good (functionally) as the ones we do use. Our chain stays are custom-drawn Reynolds 531 stays that we had them mill for us a number of years ago. There simply aren't any other steel chain stays out there that work as well in the real world.

The fact that 953 is practically stainless steel really does nothing for us. Since we don't weld our frames, we still would have the problem of corroding silver solder and bronze on our frames if we didn't paint them.

Along with the issue of the molecular structure of 953 ... it IS very strong stuff. In the real world of bicycles, the only advantage that 953 gives a rider is that it will hold up better in a crash than most other tubing ... all other things being equal. And there is the crux of the issue. Since 953 is really very thin tubing, it is tough for its weight, but it is not very tough.

And of course, that means that it does not make a very rigid frame. For its weight it feels just like any other steel frame, but it does not work as well as most steel frames that might be a couple of ounces heavier.

I guess that I am just too practical..."

So there you go from one of the masters of this craft. YMMV.