What's the view on tru-wel tubing? I had a look at the CR list archive and found next to no discussion on the matter.
I know it was used on a number of Carlton frames, most commonly on low end frames but some of the top end frames had it available as an option so can't have been all bad. Did any/many other manufacturers use it? I'm having a frame in a poor state refinished and couldn't find the decals on any of the usual sources so it can't have been that widely used.
I have 2 frames made from tru-wel 205 tubing (a Worksop Sun and a Carlton); a fairly inaccurate comparison from a 531 frame of the same size was around 600g less than the 205.
A short while back there were a number of posts comparing different Reynolds and Columbus tubing weight etc., surely weight isn't everything? I'd imagine that the thicker/denser tubing must be stronger, are there any other beneficial qualities? Personally I find a slightly weightier frame to be good for manoeuvrability with a lower centre of balance (but no fun for carrying up the stairs after a lengthy ride).
Best regards
Julius Naim
London UK