Steel frame heirarchy

[Cold Snail]

I've just bought a Tour De Fer and the frame is 4130.
I'm 6'3" and thought that I needed a 60cm frame, but couldn't find any for sale, so settled for a 58cm (using the logic that it's easier to make a smaller bike bigger) and in reality, the 58cm is perfect.
The new models are coming in August and there will be more than one as there was this year.

 

[Dan B]

Depends what you mean by 'improve ride quality'. My 531 frames are generally softer, whippier and more comfortable than my 853 frame which is tighter, stiffer and more composed.

Have you considered pumping the tyres up a bit?

 

[MichaelW2]

Even with std chromoly steel, tubes come in different grades of quality. Thick walled ones for cheaper bikes, as thin as possible for lighter or more expensive ones,with even wall thickness around the tube or a bit wibbly.
Tube profiles vary from plain to butted (thinned out away from joints).
LHT is a robust touring bike, built for a hard life, so avoids the more racy, thin-walled, high-end steel, which is unsuitable for heavy load-carrying.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Have you considered pumping the tyres up a bit?

23mm PR4 at 115psi? Oh yes!
Old 531 and many Chromoly frames are simply more flexible. The 531 Holdsworth can get quite out of shape on 40mph twisty descents whereas the 853 Rourke is solid as a rock .... but you still feel the vibes more even with it's lower inflated 28c tyres.

 

[Steam Pig]

Thanks for the input guys, so "lower end cromoly" ideal for knockabout, comfy riding, get to the high end exotic stuff and you'll notice every imperfection, including my own riding skills.

Well tomorrow will hopefully be the first time I get to see a DT in my size, which only comes with 26" wheels, so that might be a game changer.

 

[MichaelW2]

23mm PR4 at 115psi? Oh yes!
Old 531 and many Chromoly frames are simply more flexible. The 531 Holdsworth can get quite out of shape on 40mph twisty descents whereas the 853 Rourke is solid as a rock .... but you still feel the vibes more even with it's lower inflated 28c tyres.

Stiffness is related more to tube diameter than material. Modern frames tubes are oversized compared to classic ones.

 

[Citius]

Stiffness is related more to tube diameter than material. Modern frames tubes are oversized compared to classic ones.

Tube diameter or wall thickness.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Stiffness is related more to tube diameter than material. Modern frames tubes are oversized compared to classic ones.

It's related to many things .... I was trying to be a sweeping generalist for the purpose of the OP's question ....

 

[Cyclist33]

23mm PR4 at 115psi? Oh yes!
Old 531 and many Chromoly frames are simply more flexible. The 531 Holdsworth can get quite out of shape on 40mph twisty descents whereas the 853 Rourke is solid as a rock .... but you still feel the vibes more even with it's lower inflated 28c tyres.

Presumably if you wanted 853 that was a bit more flexible, softer and "whippy", Rourke's could build a tubeset for you that had those characteristics, if you were giving them £4 grand and said that's what you wanted.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Presumably if you wanted 853 that was a bit more flexible, softer and "whippy", Rourke's could build a tubeset for you that had those characteristics, if you were giving them £4 grand and said that's what you wanted.

Maybe, maybe not. 853 is a very stiff tubeset. I could have had 631 which is softer and I could have had a softer wheelset too, but I wanted something that was a good and strong combo for fast, dark winter training and longer summer riding and that's pretty much what I got. With prices starting around a grand for a custom framset that's pretty-much what I've ended up with. If I removed the guards, and stuck on my lightweight wheels it would go like a scolded cat. I might change the fork in the future to something a little more resilient, but I have not finished fine tuning her yet ....

 

[Cyclist33]

Maybe, maybe not. 853 is a very stiff tubeset. I could have had 631 which is softer and I could have had a softer wheelset too, but I wanted something that was a good and strong combo for fast, dark winter training and longer summer riding and that's pretty much what I got. With prices starting around a grand for a custom framset that's pretty-much what I've ended up with. If I removed the guards, and stuck on my lightweight wheels it would go like a scolded cat. I might change the fork in the future to something a little more resilient, but I have not finished fine tuning her yet ....

View attachment 95624

I don't like the colour choices throughout, I'm afraid to say, but luckily you have your own taste and it's your bike

 

[Fab Foodie]

I don't like the colour choices throughout, I'm afraid to say, but luckily you have your own taste and it's your bike

I'm not big on imagination .... but the seat-post, stem,spacers and bars will become silver (they were parts of the donor bike).

 

[Steam Pig]

Maybe, maybe not. 853 is a very stiff tubeset. I could have had 631 which is softer and I could have had a softer wheelset too, but I wanted something that was a good and strong combo for fast, dark winter training and longer summer riding and that's pretty much what I got. With prices starting around a grand for a custom framset that's pretty-much what I've ended up with. If I removed the guards, and stuck on my lightweight wheels it would go like a scolded cat. I might change the fork in the future to something a little more resilient, but I have not finished fine tuning her yet ....

View attachment 95624

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH, she's perdy

 

[PaulSecteur]

Just to prod my spanner in the works....

How about a specialized AWOL?

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/road-bikes/adventuretouring/awol/15awol

I have one and use it for commuting (I can use the disused canals and rail lines around my area). I like everything about it and it fills the job I had for it perfectly. However, If I were to go proper "loaded up" touring I would look at putting on some smaller chainrings from SPA Cyles.

 

[Fab Foodie]

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH, she's perdy

Thanks!