# A primer on steel bicycles
**URL:** https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787
**Category:** Sports & Exercise
**Tags:** exercise-equipment
**Created:** [July 16, 2024, 11:41am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787 "2024-07-16T11:41:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2024, 11:41am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/1 "2024-07-16T11:41:55Z")
There has bee a lively and fun discussion on [The best 24 hours in several months - #20 by Marie](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/the-best-24-hours-in-several-months/14781/20)
About childhood memories of bicycles. One of the things is that our bikes were quite heavy.
The reason for the weight is the bikes used a lower grade steel tubing that had to have thicker walls to put up with the rigors of children high jinks.
Over in Europe where there is a long history of road racing on bicycles many innovations were made to make bicycles lighter and faster. In frame design and manufacturing the best tubings used were chrome molybdenum steel double butted tubing often made by Reynolds.
Double butted means the tube is thicker near the ends than in the middle, making the unit lighter with some spring and strength. These tubes are never welded together but are brazed at lower temperatures in lugs.Some lugs are simple and others are works of art such as this one.
In this age of carbon-fiber wonder bikes there are still high end steel bikes being build and sold. Steel has a different feel than C-F and the proponents will say “steel is real.” Maybe like those who like LPs over digitized music.
Some of these builders will use lugs, but more common with new welding techniques will weld the tubing together. My bikes are titanium which has a lot of quirks as it can’t be welded in the presence of any oxygen. Neither of my have lugged frames I’m sorry to say but evidently there are TI frames using double butted TI tubing and lugs.
I hope I haven’t bored everyone to death. 🥱 ☠ with too much information that no one needs to know.
Here’s a bike like the one Tim rode that we all wanted, A 1964 Schwinn Paramont a speed demon’s dream.
And for you wheelie curb hopping dare devils the Stingray.
---
### Author:  [@bostrav59](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/bostrav59)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2024, 2:33am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/2 "2024-07-17T02:33:11Z")
Are those sew-up tires on that Schwinn Paramount? That is a beautiful looking bike.
---
### Author:  [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2024, 11:35am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/3 "2024-07-17T11:35:44Z")
It sure is a good looking bike, I still dream of one like it. Before I got my Birthday gravel bike I was looking at Paramounts of this vintage. Most available were track bikes, basically very stiff fixies with no brakes and bikes that were too large for me.
As to the tires, I believe that there were optional tubular (sew-up) wheels or clincher. I just found that picture and it was even the right color of our friend Tim’s bike. Looking at the head tube length I think it would fit me. Ah well, @CarlosLuis enjoy the bikes you have.
And at my age, I am not safe with toe clips 🤪
If you’re interested here’s an informative page on sew-up tires.
> **[Q&A: Gluing and Repairing Sew-Up Tires](http://jimlangley.blogspot.com/2011/11/q-gluing-and-repairing-sew-up-tires.html)**
>
> Today I'm answering a couple of questions about sew-up bicycle tires, also known as tubular tires, and not to be confused with tubeless t...
---
### Author:  [@jbowler](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jbowler)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2025, 5:49am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/4 "2025-11-15T05:49:08Z")
> [@bostrav59](#):
>
> Are those sew-up tires on that Schwinn Paramount?
They’re “regular” tires; I can’t remember all the terms. Here’s a picture of what is, I believe, the first “serious” bike I owned:
> **[Falcon Black Diamond restoration](https://falconrestorebike.wordpress.com/)**
>
> Restoring my steel-framed teenage bike back to its former glory.
Yeah, yeah, it’s not a picture. You have to check out the details of the tires. Yeah, no @CarlosLuis I don’t have that bike anymore; it was nicked, so I did buy the bike I had dreamed of. Whatever.
---
### Author:  [@bostrav59](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/bostrav59)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/5 "2025-11-15T20:22:53Z")
Here’s my first real bike - a red raleigh space rider. One speed. I think my version had pedal brakes. It must have had that bent top tube.
Now you’ve got me going. Here’s my second bike:
As you can see, this was quite an elegant bike - with 5 speeds and a derailleur. I took my first overnight bike trip on this bike (from Buzzards Bay to Provincetown, Ma.)
---
### Author:  [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/6 "2025-11-15T21:00:39Z")
I don’t have pictures of my earlier bikes here’s my current steeds.
A lynskey
And a Seven
Both unadorned titanium but very comfortable to ride
---
### Author:  [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 3:34am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/7 "2025-11-16T03:34:23Z")
@bostrav59 that Space Rider is a sweet looking bike! I tried to get my parents to by me one, but it was too big for me 🙁. I ended up with a gas station Roadmaster which in hindsight I wish I still had. I took a lot of spills on that bike it was too big for me too, lol. This wasn’t the actual bike but a picture of the one I had that I found on the ‘net.
---
### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 7:02am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/8 "2025-11-16T07:02:20Z")
Hi @CarlosLuis,
This is your post, so you should certainly do what you think makes sense.
But I am wondering why this is in the lounge. This is a fun and interesting thread, why not let everyone see it?
I just noticed it was in the lounge and thought I’d mention that to you.
🤷♂️
---
### Author:  [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 12:13pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/9 "2025-11-16T12:13:46Z")
> [@Eric](#):
>
> But I am wondering why this is in the lounge. This is a fun and interesting thread, why not let everyone see it?
Maybe I didn’t and still don’t know the purpose of the Lounge. I put it here because it wasn’t really diabetic.
Relieve my ignorance as to tthe purpose of the lounge and where I should’ve posted 🤣
---
### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/10 "2025-11-16T18:23:17Z")
The Lounge is somewhat hidden. It is only available to members who have been around long enough and who have a certain number of posts and visits and read-time, etc.
I don’t know the exact metrics that are used, but maybe a mod (hi @elver and @catlady!) can give details.
Any post on FUD can be read by absolutely anyone on the internet (even non-members) except for posts in the Lounge.
The purpose of the Lounge is if you don’t want to share something wide-open publicly with anyone on the internet, but just want to share it with the more trusted FUD members.
* * *
* * *
* * *
Here is an example:
Suppose you were having a problem at work with your boss and how he complains about your diabetes management. You want to ask FUD people for advice on how to handle it, but want to make sure your boss can never see your post!
Something like that would be great to post in the Lounge.
---
### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 6:25pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/11 "2025-11-16T18:25:24Z")
BTW, your post is fine here, it doesn’t break any rules or cause any problems.
It’s just that it limits who will see it.
So my comment was just to say - why not open it up to more people? It’s a fun and interesting post, let’s share it with everyone!
---
### Author:  [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/12 "2025-11-16T22:31:05Z")
> [@Eric](#):
>
> It’s just that it limits who will see it.
>
> So my comment was just to say - why not open it up to more people? It’s a fun and interesting post, let’s share it with everyone!
I get it now. Another discussion site (not diabetes related) the Lounge is for posts that are humorous or outside the normal stuff of the other forum.
I’m perfectly happy to have everyone see it, Can it be moved?
---
### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/13 "2025-11-16T23:05:48Z")
Not 100% sure, but I think you can go up to the top and reselect the category button.
But if not, a mod can move it.
---
### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/14 "2025-11-16T23:22:22Z")
> [@Eric](#):
>
> But if not, a mod can move it.
I moved it to “Sports & Exercise”. 🚲
---
### Author:  [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/15 "2025-11-16T23:41:08Z")
> [@CatLady](#):
>
> I moved it to “Sports & Exercise”. 🚲
Thank you CatLady.
---
### Author:  [@TomH](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TomH)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/16 "2025-11-17T15:24:31Z")
@CarlosLuis @elver @bostrav59 and other’s: I’d just like to say I’ve really enjoyed reading these posts! I’m not an avid biker (like some of you), but its one of the things I like about this group, we don’t “just” talk about “it” (T1/T2), we talked about cats, dogs, goats, bikes and wealth of other things…just like life! Thanks!
---
### Author:  [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/17 "2025-11-17T16:19:41Z")
Thank you @CatLady and @Eric for suggesting the move
---
### Author:  [@bostrav59](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/bostrav59)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/18 "2025-11-17T20:50:04Z")
Here’s the bike I took on my recent DC- Pittsburgh trip - all loaded up … it’s a Trek 520 - great touring bike.
---
### Author:  [@Marie](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Marie)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/19 "2025-11-17T21:47:55Z")
@CarlosLuis That first bike posted looks like the bike my brother got that was a more “modern” bike when he hit around 12ish? 10 speeds and I wasn’t allowed near it lol. I couldn’t ride it really anyways as I remember trying to get on it and it was way too tall. He was 5 years older so my feet wouldn’t come close to touching the ground even if I managed to get on it. And that’s when I inherited his old one that I still couldn’t touch the ground on but at least with a slight tilt I had more of a chance. Of course when I first got it, my Dad put training wheels on it. At some point they got me a 3 speed girls bike that I loved. I went everywhere with it.
---
### Author:  [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787/20 "2025-11-17T22:28:56Z")
> [@Marie](#):
>
> That first bike posted looks like the bike my brother got that was a more “modern” bike when he hit around 12ish? 10 speeds and I wasn’t allowed near it lol.
That was the premier bike of the US at that time.
I never had one and only saw one that belonged to Tim.
I built a single speed bike out of discarded parts and then my neighbor sold me his Raleigh 3 speed bike like this one. We called them English racers.
[Next page](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/a-primer-on-steel-bicycles/14787.md?page=2)