The R3V Bicycle Thread

[Erik]

Damn that looks like it's going to be really good. I definitely want to check it out, I just watched all the videos on the sight and I love the music they're usuing.

[So Live]

Same dude. Thats some good inspiration to get a fix :)

[T3rd Ferguson]

That's strange, I figured it'd be more twitchy now (less caster).

I think I am going to buy this instead of the KHS. I read that the KHS is crazy heavy.

Why don't you just rock the bike you have now until you have been riding fixed gears for awhile? I guess I don't understand why you need to upgrade just yet.

[So Live]

Hahaha, so my step grandpa still has my step mom's/uncles/aunts old Schwinn road bikes. I think im going to convert one that feels the best cause its free :)

Any suggestions on wheels and drivetrain components?

[Jand3rson]

I went for a ride last night by myself for like 3 hours, all around downtown. Zipped in and out of traffic, scared the crap out of a few pedestrians, and had a blast. Just thought I'd tell everyone.

I think this is the frame I'm buying next:

http://www.leaderbikestore.com/pd-ld-721tr-2009-track-frame.cfm

[s0urce]

I went for a ride last night by myself for like 3 hours, all around downtown. Zipped in and out of traffic, scared the crap out of a few pedestrians, and had a blast. Just thought I'd tell everyone.

I think this is the frame I'm buying next:

http://www.leaderbikestore.com/pd-ld...rack-frame.cfm

Aluminum FTL

[Jand3rson]

Aluminum FTL

For why?

[Il Duce]

Bend City USA


Oh, you're from Bend... nevermind.



Speaking of bent things...


I feel like an idiot for not seeing how bent my fork was. As you can see, HUGE difference.

[s0urce]

For why?

Steel is a springy metal and aluminum is not (well, how many aluminum springs have you seen?). Aluminum bikes transmit high frequency vibrations (as do, to a lessor extent, poorly welded steel ones) while steel bikes absorb vibrations. The introduction of TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding allowed a reduction of production costs for bikes, however the major impact was that use of an inert gas for welding allowed aluminum to be used for bike frames, despite its obvious deficiencies: transmission of vibration and a failure mode known as 'sudden and catastrophic.'

Economics rules the world. Bike tubing is cheap. Welders are expensive. Aluminum is weak, so a thicker tube must be used. A thicker tube allows the use of a less skilled welder (which is harder to make, a pancake or a crepe?), and this is where the very major cost savings occur.

Also, since thicker tubes are used in aluminum bikes, especially mountain bikes, the weight savings are not as much as one might think. This situation was put into very clear focus a few years ago when one of the bike companies we dealt with offered steel and aluminum mountain bikes at the same price. Our staff, and all customers who made a comparison, found that the steel bikes were a little easier to pedal and less bumpy, even if the steel bikes had no shock (this is because a shock is a low frequency filter but a high frequency pass,ie it does not do away with the undesirable properties of aluminum, just the gross features of the road surface-the 'jittery', high frequency bumps pass thtough the fork and frame to your hands).

[T3rd Ferguson]

Had a R3v ride last night....

Cold Accord, Scabzzzz, and myself are all chillin in Ithaca, NY. went riding between like 1AM and 2AM last night

lulzzzzz

[brandondan1]

Steel is a springy metal and aluminum is not (well, how many aluminum springs have you seen?). Aluminum bikes transmit high frequency vibrations (as do, to a lessor extent, poorly welded steel ones) while steel bikes absorb vibrations. The introduction of TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding allowed a reduction of production costs for bikes, however the major impact was that use of an inert gas for welding allowed aluminum to be used for bike frames, despite its obvious deficiencies: transmission of vibration and a failure mode known as 'sudden and catastrophic.'

Economics rules the world. Bike tubing is cheap. Welders are expensive. Aluminum is weak, so a thicker tube must be used. A thicker tube allows the use of a less skilled welder (which is harder to make, a pancake or a crepe?), and this is where the very major cost savings occur.

Also, since thicker tubes are used in aluminum bikes, especially mountain bikes, the weight savings are not as much as one might think. This situation was put into very clear focus a few years ago when one of the bike companies we dealt with offered steel and aluminum mountain bikes at the same price. Our staff, and all customers who made a comparison, found that the steel bikes were a little easier to pedal and less bumpy, even if the steel bikes had no shock (this is because a shock is a low frequency filter but a high frequency pass,ie it does not do away with the undesirable properties of aluminum, just the gross features of the road surface-the 'jittery', high frequency bumps pass thtough the fork and frame to your hands).

What about frame geometry and tube design though? I've ridden several alu road bikes, and from what I can tell, some of them had harsher rides, while others put power to the ground better. Personally, I can deal with a bit harsher ride(than steel) if I'm going to have a light, stiff frame that transfers power better.

But then again, I've only been in this sport a few months, so I'm constantly trying to learn.

[quikveedb2]

i'd say that steel is definitely the way to go for a lot of recreational riders for the aforementioned reasons. the difference in power transfer between a steel and alu frame is negligible, unless you are racing, and even then. ti frames have the same benefits as steel, more so when well made, and are light to boot. high end bmx frames are almost always 4130 or the equivalent, as are a lot of xc hardtails or rigids. as far as fixies go i'd pick steel hands down, the connection between rider and road is so direct that a little virbation dampening is a good thing and will help fatigue and overall riding pleasure. rigid aluminum frames tend to ride really harsh, and weight savings aren't really a priority for me, a little more weight is only going to make you a little bit stronger.

[Gr00v3]

here's a few pics from a ride a few nights ago. same of the same




thats my bike








the crew i ride with

[brandondan1]

You should probably ride them firsthand before coming to conclusions, because everyone has their preferences. You can't experience how every pedal stroke makes you burst forward with speed, or how compliant/nimble a bike is by reading about it on the interweb.

I love blowing by people up hills with minimal fatigue because my bike is light(for what it is) and feels like no effort is being wasted. Many pros ride alu/cf bikes, so that says something to me...


Nice motion shots, groov3!

[s0urce]

You should probably ride them firsthand before coming to conclusions, because everyone has their preferences. You can't experience how every pedal stroke makes you burst forward with speed, or how compliant/nimble a bike is by reading about it on the interweb.

I love blowing by people up hills with minimal fatigue because my bike is light(for what it is) and feels like no effort is being wasted. Many pros ride alu/cf bikes, so that says something to me...

If you're blowing past people up hills it's because your legs are stronger or your gearing is superior, not because your bike is aluminum or lighter.