Wonder Metal: Reynolds 953 Turns Heads

No, this isn't 953 being welded...but it is a pretty picture.

Well, it’s been a while since Interbike and the tidal surge of 2006 product hype is finally beginning to recede. But I’m still getting swamped with inquires of what products impressed me most at the show this year. As Vernon’s comprehensive web reports demonstrate, there was no shortage of cutting-edge technology on hand. The lightweight, long travel carbon fiber frames from Scott and Ibis are definitely pushing some boundaries. LED technology has come a long way in the past 12-months and damn near everything was lighter, stronger and cheaper than ever before.

But perhaps what surprised me most was a steel track bike. While most of the media swarmed like moths to the brightest and biggest booths of the show, I stopped to admire a chrome fixed gear frame proudly displayed in Independent Fabrication’s small space.

Like all of IF’s creations, the welds were meticulous and detail superb. But just before I turned my attention to IF’s new custom dirt jump bike, I noticed a Reynolds 953 placard above the bike. Nine-five-three?

Back in 1995, Reynolds revolutionized steel bike frames with 853. The alloy took the market by storm, and remained the frontrunner of lightweight steel until the majority of the market abandoned steel for aluminum, titanium and ultimately fell into temptation with the glossy, black devil, carbon fiber. Although few could argue with 853’s supple yet snappy ride quality, most riders couldn’t stand the extra weight and corrosion.

The new 953, however, addresses both of those drawbacks. According to Peter Thompson from Carpenter Specialty Alloys (Reynolds’ material supplier), the new stainless alloy is twice as strong as titanium with a frame weight comparable to high-end aluminum, and won’t corrode. That’s a big deal. Those same qualities are what make carbon fiber such a standout. But carbon fiber isn’t a “tough” material---one good gouge could ruin a frame---where a steel frame can be ripped from a car by a low-overhang, buckle in two and still be easily rebuilt.

So far, only a couple bicycle frames have been produced with the promising new alloy. Independent Fabrications’ vice president, Tyler Evans welded both of them. “It’s extremely hard to work with,” says Evans. “It’s more difficult to weld than titanium, but the results are fantastic.”

Although IF and several other builders are excited about the potential, it is still in the developmental stages. Evans plans on having the wall thickness, butting profiles, surface finish and heat treatment optimized by this summer. Checkout IF’s website for more info later in the year or read Evan’s account at Tyler Evan’s account of welding the world’s first 953-tubed frames