[CR]Frame strength ! Some surprises in the tests-Columbus SLX vs Aluminum

(Example: Production Builders:Cinelli:Laser)

From: "Mark" <rena.cutrufelli@comcast.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Frame strength ! Some surprises in the tests-Columbus SLX vs Aluminum
Date: Tue, 05 Nov 2002 23:40:21 -0500

Ok only one sample per frame type. They would eat me up if I claimed anything based on one lab result test in food safety. I know welds vary;foods vary in supporting bacterial growth, temperature, pH effects vary. But ouch! Derosa SLX weakest and Cannondale CAD 3 strongest? I wish they had at least 10 replicates tested per frame type : http://www.efbe.de/etour109.htm

Now do some of these aluminum frames consistantly outlast the best Columbus SLX?? Nah??

Well then why is Cannondale willing to replace it's frame in the event of failure- their lifetime warrantee. Then some of these glued and screwed early aluminum (Vitus) I think were said to be long lived-still on the road.You guessed it, I still like steel but say what? (When I saw the earliest Cannondale frames many years ago I thought those thick aluminum tubes far too ugly to buy). Are some of these (any makes?) aluminum frames destined to much more than a 15 year lifespan? Your experiences?

Mark (Breakaleggo) Cutrufelli but my son will still be riding my steel frame in 2050 Laurel,MD

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