Only ever rode Steel or Ti hard tails , started with a Marin Bobcat Trail ( Tange) in 95 , Kona Caldera ( Kona DB) in 97 , Cove Handjob ( Columbus) in 05 .Â
More recently, a few years back an Onza Jackpot made from double butted 4130 Chromo . Finally after all those years a Curtis , a mix of 853 and Columbus.
As much as I was happy with the Jackpot the Curtis is in a different league altogether ride and handling wise . Some of that may be down to the geometry as the Onza was a 10 year old design but am I kidding / justifying to myself about the Curtis because of how much it cost ?Â
Thinking more about it I reckon the Jackpot was like a more modern version of the Inbred I had DN6 ? tubing ?.
Any thoughts?Â
I reckon it's the same with Ti frames , years ago I tried a Litespeed , it was painfully ( literally)clear that was designed for out and out racing , yet the Cove Hummer I had , also made by Litespeed was completely different in ride feel so much so I've still got it 👍
I've also got a 2012 Kona Raijin made by Lynskey and I can still ride that for hours in complete comfort.So maybe they aren't allowed the same?
I don't believe they are, but it's hard to know how other factors might affects that.
My dad's very old, rigid Kona Kilauea (I think, one of their higher end hardtails of the early 90s) was light, flexy, springy and fun.
My first gen Charge Duster was a heavy tank, although I loved it once I had adapted my riding to suit 😆
My custom 853 gravel frame has been underwhelming, certainly not living up to any of the hype surrounding 853 although it is not unenjoyable to ride. I don't know if the builder just erred on the side of stiffness or robustness, or maybe even mixed in some cheaper or plain gauge tubes (I was given reason to believe from a knowledgeable third party that the seat tube at least might not actually be 853).
I certainly do think it boils down to more than just 'steel'. Tube selection and geometry must play a big part.
not, i don not think they are all the same.
back in the time of white onza porcipines i was the proud owner of a couple of very nice classy hardtails.
a pre trek bontrager privateer, then a 853 rock lobster.  both were light, flexy and springy.... yet they rode fantastic.
just so comfy and nice to ride.
in total i have owned 20 or so steel framed bikes... possibly more. some good some rubbish.
a big number of those were Surly frames.  crap gas pipe tubbing, like riding a iron gate to most, but i kind of love that feeling nowadays from a bike.
on a side note..... Ti felt no better than a good steel frame.
