For me it's zip, zero, and nada. . . at least for a few years.
Remember Armet from the early-90s? Ever try to work Metax? If
you're interested in the stuff you should check in at the
frameforum.net 953 forum at:
http://www.frameforum.net/
On Nov 11, 2006, at 1:38 PM, Angel Garcia wrote:
> Wondering what kind of impact stainless steel tubesets are going to
> have in
> the market? Any of our KOF builders on the list planning to use?
>
> WATERFORD, using Reynolds 953, has built a lugged version using
> tweaked some
> Richard Sachs stainless Newvex lugs, Pacenti stainless bottom bracket,
> silver brazed, polished frame, chromed 531 fork (for $3,500). For
> photos go
> to http://www.waterfordbikes.com/
> Message
> Board, and scroll through until you see Reynolds 953 discussion).
>
>
> Columbus has announced their new stainless steel tubeset (see below):
> Courtesy of http://www.cyclingnews.com
> "Columbus takes another shot at stainless steel tubing
>
> After a long hiatus, Columbus has reintroduced a stainless steel
> tubeset,
> dubbed XCr. Unlike the older Metax pipes, XCr will be truly seamless,
> starting from a solid machined billet and then cold drawn to
> produce the
> final wall thicknesses. Columbus claims that this production method
> will
> keep the mechanical properties constant and uniform throughout the
> entire
> round section of the tube. Moreover, the grain structure of the new
> XCr
> tubing is said to be unaffected by welding, thus maintaining joint
> strength.
>
> As expected, frames built with the new XCr tubes will boast excellent
> resistance to corrosion, and many builders will likely opt to use a
> bare
> finish. XCr frames also promise to be rather light as well, since
> tube walls
> as thin as 0.4mm will be possible given the material's high
> strength. "
>
> Angel Garcia
> Verona, IT