So go on then, how do they "rank" and why?

My new ht is either going to be T45, 4130&true temper or 853,631& chromoly. What would the differences be?

The sticker.
😉

A bit of weight and the sticker.

FWIW, my 853 inbred rides exactly the same as standard ones though in theory it should be a bit lighter.

Frame design is more important than the tubing/material in determining how it'll ride.

Frame design is more important than the tubing/material in determining how it'll ride

spot on.

Chucky (aka Vortex Racing) – Member

Frame design is more important than the tubing/material in determining how it'll ride

spot on.

+1

They'r all* the same

*well nearly, 4130 and 520/525 are often made from the same metal (in the same factory in the case of some 520's). 853 has equivalents from all the other manufacturers, ditto 631 and 725. Just a case of picking the right strength/weight/price comprimise for any particular tube.

Cotic's new BFe I think i'm right in saying is a mixture? 853 mountain bike frames have 4130/525/520 rear ends. BMX's have been built (and advertised as such rather than preteding a frame is 853 just because it has a sticker on it) from a mixture forever.

This is the most sense I have ever seen on a steel frame debate… 🙂

Good point. Has anyone mentioned pixie dust yet. Or steel 'feel', realness, zing, etc? 😉

Has anyone mentioned pixie dust yet. Or steel 'feel', realness, zing, etc?

Or where it's welded? Remember a niche American frame JUST HAS TO BE better then a cheap Taiwanese one because it costs 7 times as much, even though the tubes and the angles are identical……

Very good point. Also if the frame builder has a beard and lives in a hut in the mountain in the states, it has extra pixie dust and rides 6.3x better.

You know it!
8)