Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Should i swap steel ss frame for alluminum frame?

Jump to Latest
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
S

singlespeed1

· Registered
Joined
·
115 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey everyone, i have a Bianchi SASS single speed mt bike (steel frame) 24.5lbs, and i am thinking about selling the sass frame and or trade it for a newer more flashier pink P.U.S.S frame. Easton Alluminum frame and fork. So it would me alot lighter then the steel SASS, and stiffer. What do you guys think should i swap for the pink frame. Also if anyone has a Bianchi PUSS would you be willing to post some pics.

Thanks
Chris
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
WTB-rider said:
Aluminum is evil.
Steel is real.
If you want less weight, go on a diet.

Okay, got the cliches out of the way.

I prefer the ride of steel, most aluminum frames ride too harshly for my tastes. If you want a pink bike, consider having yours painted.
Click to expand...
Its not the color of the frame i am looking for but all of my parts would fit nicely going from the bianchi sass to the bianchi puss. I just wanted a lighter frame.
 
#5 ·
singlespeed1 said:
Its not the color of the frame i am looking for but all of my parts would fit nicely going from the bianchi sass to the bianchi puss. I just wanted a lighter frame.
Click to expand...
Not worth the weight savings.

Sean
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#6 ·
I ride a SC Cham too. Having come from steel I've been on Aluminum for a few frames now. The Cham is rough though MUCH fun. Still though I'm missing Steel and moving back in that direction.
 
#7 ·
Simple answer. Don't do it!!!! You will regret it if you do for a mere few ounces. Get lighter wheels (rims/tires) if anything. They rotate and the effective savings in energy is much greater as a result of being on the perimemter of the circle. Steel simply has a better ride. I won't pull out all the cliches to try and describe the difference. Just borrow a buddy's bike for a particularly rough section of trail and do comparisons. You will feel it.
Cheers

'Flaps
 
#8 ·
Flip side...

I'd love to get on a custom high end steel SS as the only steel HT/SS I've ridden in the past few years is my budget Surly. Recently I moved to a scandium frame (which IMO is pretty much just fancy aluminum.) The biggest differences I felt were less weight and less frame flex with out of the saddle hard pedaling. Maybe I'm not getting the full benefit of a nice steel ride with the Surly, who knows. I ran this topic by an experienced frame builder about 2 years ago... the steel vs. Al thing. He made a good point. The spring in steel will be much more noticeable if you are using small skinny tires that don't provide cush, refering more to road bikes than mt. bikes; on a mt. bike much less difference will be noticed if you are using big tires. This is from a guy who makes his living build custom steel frames. Look at all the riders using Niner bikes on these boards... I've yet to hear one complaint about a harsh ride out of those guys. Now with all that being said I'd love to be able to get a nice custom steel SS; I just love that clean look you get with those skinny steel tubes.

Mike
 
#9 ·
I had a Bianchi BOSS (Easton aluminum) for 7 years, and it beat the crap out of me. It also seemed to dent very easily by rocks being launched under the DT by the front wheel. Yes it was light, but as mentioned elsewhere, that can taken care of by a wheel upgrade. Now I ride steel, and while it's not exactly plush, it seems to have a compliance that doesn't rattle my fillings loose like the alu frame did. And, while I'm not saying that you aren't one, IMHO if you ride a pink frame you had better be one BADASS rider.
 
#10 ·
The only decent riding AL rig I have owned has been the hardtail BP Stealth FiberLite frameset. It's amazingly forgiving like steel. Gotta run a Eno hub on it, though. Otherwise I'd stick with steel. My Tange Prestige Stumpy rides like butter.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#11 ·
Stick with steel. Spend you're time looking for a good, affordable, steel frame. My Gunnar Ruffian built up rigid at about 20 lbs with nothing ultra light on it. Just regular 32 hole wheels, etc.

Steel makes for a much better ride. To be honest, I have no idea why framebuilders are building up full rigid aluminum SS frames. Makes no sense to me at all. But, to each their own. As long as you can enjoy what you've got, then it's all good in my book.
 
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
About this Discussion
10 Replies
10 Participants
Last post:
one1spede
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion