Grant actually did this type of test for Bicycle Guide in the early 90's. It may be on the internets somewhere if someone wants to dig around for it.
JB On Thursday, June 19, 2014 9:11:20 AM UTC-7, Hugh Flynn wrote: > 531, I believe, describes the cro-moly mixture. However, 531 tubes were > offered in different configurations (straight gauge or butted and probably > a range of other details). > > Since riders didn't always know the configuration differences between two > frames that bore the "531" sticker, it would be difficult to determine > whether people who rave about 531 (and I am one) are raving about the > mixture, the configuration, or both. > > It is worth stating that while 531 frames have been much lauded, there are > many other wonderful metals and tube-sets out there, and many great bikes > have been created using things other than 531. Given how long 531 was > prominent in the market, there simply aren't as MANY frames make from other > high-end tube sets as there were frames made from 531. That having been > said, I also suspect that since 531 and all of the available tube-set > configurations were well-known to builders, it may simply have been easier > to "tune" a build to rider requirements with 531. > > Actually answering the question you've asked would require a set of raved > about 531 frames to be ridden in a set of double-blind tests with visually > identical frames made from straight gauge 531 and identically configured > tube sets of other metals. The scale at which this test would need to be > executed would be enormous to say that it has covered all possible > permutations and metal mixtures and tube set configurations on the market. > Moreover, the test would not identify the frames for which the mixture of > metal and tube configuration produced the magic. > > Hugh "sometimes I think it's best to just ride" Flynn > Newburyport, MA > > > > > On Jun 19, 2014, at 10:23 AM, Michael wrote: > > > So 531 denotes the mixture of metals in it? > > It came in different configurations of butting and wall thicknesses? > > So people may be raving about the wall thickness, not so much about the > 531-ness itself? > > > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send > an email to [email protected] <javascript:>. > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > <javascript:>. > > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
