With referance to the on going question of Stainless steel rims I will make a small quotation from My 1949 H.E.G Ferris Catalogue.
" The Championship Model Can also Be fitted With the New Dunlop Stainless steel HP Rim at an extra charge of 15/- including Purchase tax". There are also several referances to Stainless rims in a Jack Taylor brochure I have.
As for how to tell stainless rims from Chrome steel rims? Well thats quite easy the weight !!
If I rememember correctly Stainless steel has a much higher UTS (ultimate tensile strength) than 'Normal' steel therefore when you come to draw the rim through the extrusion Die you can do so with a much thinner wall section than 'normal' steel the result a lighter rim !
Stainless steel rims were considered top flight kit back in the 50's and 60's here in the UK. A lot superior than Alloy rims of the same period. Steel was considered a lot Superior than Alloy it that period for all sorts of cycle parts. Look at Chater Lea components no alloy in sight!
I guess as metallurgy improved with the 'Jet age' and with advancements in Aerospace technology the trickle down slowly began to other sectors of the engineering market.
I guess that AVA stem is a good example of a poor use of alloy as a material combined with poor design.
As the stem flexes repeatedly it stresses. Eventually after enough stress cycles the material exceeds it's limit of elasticity an breaks.
The real problem is that the modulus of elasticty of that particular type of alloy is lower than the force being applied to it. You will never know weather that partiular brand of AVA stem will break or not as you will never know the history of it and even if you do how many people ride with a strain guage on their stems ??
Sorry to ramble on for so long.
Cheers,
John.
>From: "brian blum" <brianblum@hotmail.com>
>To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: [CR]AVA stems/lightweight stainless steel rims/last chance FOR
>SALE
>Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 19:08:29
>
>
>I have noticed two types of AVA stems on Peugeots. The most common and very
>fragile looking one has a nose in front of the handlebar with a bolt
>positioned vertically in the clamp. The other AVA looks like the PIVO stems
>with a clamp under the H/Bar and the bolt positioned horizontally like most
>other stems. Which are the more failure prone stems?
>I also have a pair of wheels sporting verylight weight stainless steel
>rims, radelli spokes and Lambert hubs. Who made stainless steel rims in the
>27" size?
>
>Also last chance on my clearance, please don't bid on the Cinelli it is
>killing me to part with it. ;) I will relist the Bevilacque which got no
>bids???? List price $200 for what I think is a complete 60's bike looking
>for some Campagnolo Record or Grand Sport derailleurs.
>
>
>
>Bevilacque 21" 60's racing Auction ended $200
>http://ebay.com/<blah>
>
>1950's womens Peugeot 3speed derailleur bike $250 right now
>http://ebay.com/<blah>
>
>1987 22" 55 cmSpecialized Expedition in New condition $475 right now
>http://ebay.com/<blah>
>
>Bontrager Mountain bike 17"
>http://ebay.com/<blah>
>
>Peter Mooney Custom Racing bike 22" 55cm
>http://ebay.com/<blah>
>
>Cinelli Special Course 23" 57cm
>http://ebay.com/<blah>
>
>1972 24.5" Peugeot PX-10
>http://ebay.com/<blah>