Are Steel mountain bikes worth it?

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Frames:

My prescription sunglasses:

Parts seen in the video:

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[EvansMTBSaga]

Use Exclusive code 'C730' Purchase the C7 now and enjoy a $30 discount

[fatrobdouble]

I don't wanna hear any more about this "C7-30" chair until you take it down a double black diamond trail.

[puntoycoma]

1:16

"Despite its strenght, it's not overly stiff". Steel stiffness (Young's modulus) is three times that of aluminum. That's a topic beaten to death on all "steel is real" discussions. The reason why steel frames are "springy" is that density of steel its also three times that of Aluminum, so in order to build frames with a reasonable weight, you need to use smaller tube cross sections. You can still do that because 4xxx steel alloys (and other proprietary concoctions) are stronger (higher yield strength) than typical weldable Al (some 6000 and some 7000 series Al alloys). Everything related to frame compliance depends almost exclusively on cross section size and shape, the only factors that influence its second moment of area.

So, steel alloys are strong enough to deform more at the same percentage of ultimate allowable stress than Al alloys, hence the compliance.

[downtoridemtb]

“Steel is real” is real. I had a demo Marin Pine Mountain for a few months and was amazed how I didn’t feel like the trails were beating me up. I did a particular downhill trail only once on it that I had done countless times on my full suspension bike and I was only seconds off my PR. Pretty impressive. Anyway, great in depth comparison!

[StanEby]

There are different kinds of steel, aluminum, carbon, magnesium, and titanium. Different tube shapes, wall thicknesses, construction, and manufacturing processes. Various geometries. Components add a dynamic to the whole picture. All these factors can highly mitigate the general assumptions. All the best.

[justgo]

Having tried both aluminum and steel hardtail, steel is real, way better ride . If you’re going for weight go aluminum, if you want more compliance and a nicer ride go steel .

[rodcosta]

Paused the video just to say that I really appreciate the not so intrusive ad integration on the video. First time seeing it and I appreciate the non interruption of the build. Great video by the way!

[ctsingletrack]

The lower stack on the aluminum frame was probably allowing a little more front end traction on that one corner were the steel bike got a little squirrelly. Its easier to weight the front end with lower stack, but the high stack helps on steep decents where you don't want your weight over the bars.

[zacknagel]

I have a 29” full ridged steel and it’s one of favorite Bikes in my fleet.

[tmwei]

Awesome. We're heading out to Bentonville in June and one of the bikes I'm bringing is a Ti hardtail and I plan to try it out at the Castle.

[GeirEivindMork]

I bought into the steel craze in '08. Built a fully high end steel hardtail, sram x0, avid ultimate, chris king headset and hubs, mavic rims, top end fox fork and thomson seatpost and a carbon bar. So pretty much at the max on every level at the time. Frame consist of True Temper OX Platinum main triangle and Butted CroMoly rear triangle.

Now it is about to end up parted out for the kids bikes for sale or whatever. The bike just feels so sluggish. I had an aluminum decatlon sram x3 bike at the same time, and that despite having a crap fork and a drivetrain from the bargin bin, it felt so much more nippy.

BUT. My steel bike is an XC hardtail, not a trail bike. So maybe steel is more optimal for trail? I don't know, but it was the one and only shot I had at steel (outside of the steel bikes of my childhood).

[fud]

Had my Steel Ragley BluePigRace almost a year now and loving it..

[MichaelRobibaro]

Steel, AL, TI, really don't care if one is faster or slower in reality.
But mentally, if it feels faster or smoother( but not too smooth tonfeel disconnected from the trail)is what matters
Perspective of enjoyability

It's kind of like why I like a hardtail over a full suspension.
Full suspension dumbs down the trail, and you just feel slower.

Another reason I went custom soft tail... faster, but still feel like a supple hardtail instead of a disconnected FS

[gilabear]

I went from riding titanium (Merlin and Litespeed) exclusively for 23 years (1990 - 2013) to a custom steel Coconino (made in Flagstaff, AZ). Night and day. The steel Coconino is amazing and super fun.

[steveprice]

Raced a vintage Saracen Kili last weekend, 1990s race excellence. Got ahead of quite a few guys on modern mtbs by halfway through the first lap until the chain snapped 😂
Not heavy at 23lbs ish with Pace forks. 26 inch wheels are a disadvantage but I'm an aggressive rider and happy to cane it over roots and rocks. Having raced xc in the 1990s I guess steel is normal, alloy was expensive and carbon a dream, now I have a collection of old bikes including high end Cannondale and Trek, the steel Kili is the best so far.
Cheers.

[Greasy_Goblin]

I've always ridden steel bikes. I've been riding a Kona Honzo ESD for about 2 years now and I have to say its one of the best bikes I've ridden. I've tried out a few of my friends carbon or aluminum bikes, but the feel you get from steel is, in my opinion, alot better than either alternatives.

Next you should try to find a titanium frame! That's one material I haven't been able to test out personally, and I would love to see your opinion on it.

[edeszabo]

So came here for a bike frame review but learned a lot about office chairs too, thank you for this life changing lesson. Pretty sure I am more fulfilled accomplished person now.

[CaseyA.]

Evan’s MTB video while getting ready for work, yes please.

[JasonScottCarter]

I have two different steel hardtails. They are awesome. Neahaus Metalworks Hummingbird and ...and Richey Ultra.

[willheft]

The steel frame may need a break in period before it rides better. I know dirtbikes with steel frames “break in” after about 10 hours of riding. I think it has something to do with the endurance limit of the steel. It may be something interesting to look into but you may feel no difference. Great video!