quote:
Originally posted by Spondonash
I don't think it will be too hard showing that the newer (Spondon) frames are considerably stronger than the older style frames. Alloy frames might to some extent be a fashion item but primarily they are used as they are strong and light. You only have to look at the way the Ducati MotoGP bikes tie themselves in knots to see that a steel trellis design just doesn't have what it takes to handle the sort of power the bike develops.
You don't in all seriousness believe that an old steel frame is as good as a modern alloy frame ? I have been trying to think what frame from days of yore might have influenced the modern Spondon frame but there just aren't any, they were one of the first to use the alloy beam and that seems to be the way to go strength wise.
Don't get me wrong here, I love most of the "special" frames, I have built Tritons and built a very nice Rickman T160 Trident as well as a few less special bikes over the years.
All frames have there limits and it is fair to say that a steel frame will reach it's limit sometime before an alloy one, weight for weight.
If you can find someone that can build a comparable frame here I would consider one but your proof they exist seems to hang on Terry Princes spine frame etc which as I already said are not a viable alternative to a Spondon.
Also as I have said our chronic exchange rate artificially inflates the prices of these frames and doesn't as you stated actually make them more affordable, we get very few pounds for our Pacific Peso nowadays
Is someone else going to wade in here or is it up to us ?