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Resources & Links

Boeshield T-9

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DD1DV?tag=cycleworth-20

Torque Wrench 2-20 Nm

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BCTT5NH?tag=cycleworth-20

Torque Key 4/5/6 Nm

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WMPMVGJ?tag=cycleworth-20

Carbon Assembly Gel

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012RIEM6?tag=cycleworth-20

Thule Carbon Frame Protector

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0741DNNR7?tag=cycleworth-20

Saris SuperClamp Rack

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6PRKSS7?tag=cycleworth-20

Frame Protection Tape

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KT3XH8X?tag=cycleworth-20

Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HS48VBV?tag=cycleworth-20

Schwalbe One Tire

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MMFG9YS?tag=cycleworth-20

Topeak SmartGauge D2

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051LQ0X4?tag=cycleworth-20

SKS Airchecker

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OMQK6Q?tag=cycleworth-20

SILCA Pista Floor Pump

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DX8JCWB?tag=cycleworth-20

Redshift ShockStop Seatpost

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z9N43DK?tag=cycleworth-20

Lizard Skins DSP 3.2 Bar Tape

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X622Q48?tag=cycleworth-20

Park Tool PCS-9.3 Repair Stand

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097F1MFPT?tag=cycleworth-20

Park Tool Polylube 1000 Grease

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NORVHI?tag=cycleworth-20

Streamlight MicroStream

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D1FZX5W?tag=cycleworth-20

10X LED Loupe

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R8SPF76?tag=cycleworth-20

Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1646048970?tag=cycleworth-20

Bicycling Science

🛒 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0262538407?tag=cycleworth-20

Vintage Reynolds 531 Road Frame

🔍 eBay (Best Deals): https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=reynolds+531+road+frame&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5339196185&toolid=10001&customid=cycleworth

A $1,199 aluminum Trek, a $2,999 carbon Canyon and a $3,499 steel Surly compared on weight, ride feel, fatigue, crash damage, repair and cost per year.

What is your frame made of? Tell us in the comments.

Chapters:

0:00 Aluminum vs steel vs carbon: the price ladder

4:20 What every rider over 45 was taught

5:29 Reynolds 531, Cannondale, LeMond and Kestrel

13:41 Ride feel: why your tires matter more

20:04 The 1997 EFBe test where steel broke first

25:05 Follow the incentives: warranties and landfill

30:03 Frame weight: carbon vs aluminum vs steel

32:26 Crash damage, repair costs and frame care

40:22 Real cost per year and three costs each

45:07 The honest verdict for riders 45 to 75

Sources:

Sheldon Brown — 12 High-End Frames in the EFBe Fatigue Test — https://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/frame_fatigue_test.htm

SILCA — Part 3: Tire Pressure and Comfort — https://silca.cc/blogs/silca/part-3-tire-pressure-and-comfort

Velo — Technical FAQ: Aluminum frame, crankarm fatigue — https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/technical-faq-aluminum-frame-crankarm-fatigue/

Evident — Ruckus Composites Inspects Thousands of Bikes — https://ims.evidentscientific.com/en/insights/ruckus-composites-inspects-thousands-of-bikes-with-one-ultrasonic-thickness-gage

Cannondale — CAAD is Cannondale — https://www.cannondale.com/en-ch/blog/caad-is-cannondale

road.cc — Remembering Greg LeMond's Look KG86 from the 1986 Tour de France

Velo — Cannondale CAAD13 review

Escape Collective — Surly Midnight Special with carbon fork

Trek — Limited Warranty

Reynolds Technology — The evolution of steel with 853 and 631

You can write me at: cycleworth@proton.me

CycleWorth is run by a cycling enthusiast and is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, specifications, prices, values, and historical information may change or contain errors.

All trademarks, brand names, and product names belong to their respective owners. Always do your own research before buying, modifying, repairing, or using any bicycle or cycling-related product.