I just came across a great (and highly biased–my favorite kind) of article comparing steel and carbon frames.  The author is obviously trying to make a point of durability and customization over light weight, and he gets it across quite well.

Article:  http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/../why-you-should-be-riding-steel-and-not-carbon/

For more proof of why the typical rider might want to avoid plastic bike frames, check out BustedCarbon.com or watch the amusing video below showing a completely unscientific, but easily repeatable, comparison between AL, steel and carbon frames.  KAPUT!

For the record, I don’t really have anything against carbon fiber; in fact, I love the stuff.  In the years I’ve been biking, I’ve ridden carbon handlebars, a rigid MTB fork, a carbon road fork, and a couple seatposts.  I wouldn’t mind building up a 13lb all-carbon bike for occasional use, either.  But, I still feel that steel is the ultimate material when you’re going for a combination of strength, durability, ride quality, price, and ease of manufacture.

Awhile back, EighthInch mentioned they were working on a cyclocross frame for this year.  Well, today they’ve released a sneak preview of their new Butcher freestyle frame, but is this the cyclocross frame they had talked about before?

Sidenote:  "sneak peak" apparently means releasing specs and nearly a dozen HQ photos of the frame.  They seem to have a lot to learn from the auto industry.

Anywho, here’s some info on the frame:

- Sizing: 50, 53, 56, 59cm
- Double Butted 4130 Chromo
- 45/45 Integrated Headset
- Mid Bottom Bracket
- Removable 990 Brake Mounts
- Removable Cable Mounts
- 700×45 Tire Clearance (maybe more)
- Bar Spin Clearance In All Sizes
- Includes Mid-BB and Integrated Headeset
- ESTIMATED STREET PRICE – FRAME ONLY: $300 FRAME+FORK $350

Oh, and here’s a profile photo:

Now, tell me that doesn’t look like a singlespeed cyclocross frame to you.  If that’s the case, it looks like an excellent frame, although I’m not sure I’m too happy about the mid bottom bracket (it uses press-fit bearings instead of a standard threaded bottom bracket).  The integrated headset is a nice touch, though, as are the butted tubes and extra gussets aft of the head tube.

If this isn’t the CC frame, then it’s at least a great platform for it.  I wouldn’t mind seeing disc brake braze-ons and a normal BB shell on that bike should it still be in the development phase, though.

For more info and pics, check out their blog:  Butcher Sneak Peak

One of my resolutions this year was to learn how to build my own bike frame.  I have pretty much no idea what I’m doing–story of my life–but I’ve always been able to figure things out for myself pretty well with patience, reading, and practice.

My first frame is going to be based off the geometry of my EighthInch Scrambler frame, set up as either a singlespeed, or maybe a 3-speed with a Shimano Nexus hub.  Fortunately, I have plenty of time to make up my mind about that, since I have exactly zero seconds worth of torch time so far.  But… that’s about to change.

I got a handful of crappy old steel frames to use as torch victims, and my first project will be to learn how to attach small braze-on parts, such as bottle holders, seatpost clamps, and an internal cable routing guide.  After I get to the point that my work looks decent, and not like a pile of semi-retarded garbage, I’ll turn my torch toward something a little nicer.

For the time being, these pieces of crap need to be stripped of their paint, sanded, read their rights, and then shown a little pain.

I recently finished a new project bike.  The frame is from an ’02 Fisher Mamba, but I rebuilt it with new parts since all the old stuff was pretty much trashed.  The frame is an over-built steel model with zero rust, which is pretty surprising, considering the condition I got it in.  It’s a couple sizes too large for me, personally, so I’ll keep it around to loan out to buddies who want to ride but don’t have a bike.

The fork is an aluminum version of the Carbon Cycles eXotic carbon fiber fork I bought for my own bike last year.  It cost half a much, and is only a couple ounces heavier than the carbon version.  I won’t be able to do a review on it since I won’t be the one riding it, but I’ll report back on how well it holds up in the long run, or if any problems crop up.

I posted all the photos of the build in my photos section:  http://gearinches.com/…/2002-gary-fisher-mamba