I ride a chromoly frame road bike.

Of course, I know that bikes with the latest technology are good.

I touch and lift my touring partner's carbon bike, marveling at its feather-lightness, and feel envy at the effortless initial acceleration when riding it.

Then, I straddle an aluminum frame, start pedaling, and am impressed by its digitally responsive performance.

However, I dearly love my chromoly bike.

Why is that?

What is it about chromoly, this relic from a bygone era, this mere iron (pardon my rudeness), that attracts me?

I want to consider this emotionally, incorporating some theoretical information.

The Appeal of Chromoly Road Bikes

In the 1950s, there was a British sports car called the Jaguar D-Type.

It was a famous car with an overly glamorous body that established Jaguar's early reputation.

At that time, the chassis and body were built separately.

And, without exception, high-performance sports cars used chassis assembled from steel pipes. (Even today, "super" sports cars adopt a similar method.)

The other day, I was casually reading an article about the Jaguar D-Type.

It mentioned "using a Reynolds steel tube frame."

That "Reynolds" was like a seal of approval for chromoly road bikes.

I was so delighted by the unexpected connection between road bikes and super sports cars that I slapped my knee, but thinking about it, it's only natural.

Reynolds is a high-end British steel tube manufacturer, so it's not surprising at all that Jaguar used it.

It might seem like I've randomly jumped to exotic sports cars due to the steel tube frame connection, but in fact, the purpose of this article is to suggest that chromoly bikes evoke similar feelings and enjoyment not only in terms of material but also in the way they connect with slightly older cars.

If you choose chromoly bike components and parts with an aluminum finish instead of modern black, the vintage feel is further enhanced.

However, chromoly bikes are not maintained solely for such nostalgic enjoyment.

Despite being drawn to the lightness of carbon and the stiffness of aluminum, there's a unique goodness to chromoly frames that I feel every time I ride.

Advantages of Chromoly Road Bikes

Road bike frame materials currently include carbon, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and chromoly.

Among these, chromoly, specifically chrome molybdenum steel, has the oldest history, dating back to the 1940s.

Because it is stronger than iron, it allows for thinner walls and lighter weight.

The heyday of chromoly continued until the 1980s, and it began to decline with the advent of aluminum and carbon, but in the 2000s, it once again began to receive some attention.

This is probably due to the vintage appeal already mentioned, the unconditional beauty and coolness of its slender frame, and several other advantages that I will now discuss.

① The frame is flexible and has excellent vibration absorption.

Chromoly steel is inherently stronger than aluminum or carbon materials, so it should be possible to build frames that are as robust as desired. However, through years of development, alongside the aspect of weight reduction, a slightly delicate and flexible frame has emerged as the perfected form of chromoly.

This results in the unique flex of chromoly, making it a highly valued frame for long distances due to its ability to reduce fatigue.

② Exceptional durability

Chromoly's biggest enemy is rust, but if you're careful about that, it's durable enough to last a lifetime. It's also resistant to impact, and even if it does break, it has the advantage of being repairable.

③ Custom frames are possible.

For riders considering a custom frame, local frame builders are a strong presence. Beautiful frames, meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail, captivate people.

Furthermore, major manufacturers like Panasonic and Bridgestone Anchor offer easy custom orders, making it relatively simple to get a perfectly sized bike.

How to Choose a Chromoly Road Bike

Chromoly bikes can largely be divided into two types.

One is the entry-level category, which takes advantage of the relatively inexpensive manufacturing cost of chromoly frames.

These can be acquired for under 200,000 yen, equipped with Shimano's SORA or 105 components. Some even feature Campagnolo components, fully leveraging the vintage aesthetic, creating a rather nice atmosphere.

The other group consists of high-end brands that maximize aesthetic appeal, or semi-custom and full-custom options.

In any case, chromoly bikes are not equipment used for racing, so many of them emphasize beauty and finish, conveying a sense of luxury as a connoisseur's item.

Currently, only a limited number of manufacturers handle chromoly, and you might find it difficult to find something that perfectly matches your preferences. However, with chromoly, the choice is primarily "frame first." There's plenty of enjoyment left in replacing parts and other customizations.

Recommended ICAN Alu27 Aluminum Wheels

When I look at catalogs for chromoly road bikes, the weight inevitably catches my attention.

They are easily over 1 kg heavier than aluminum or carbon models in the same price range.

For riders who specialize in climbing, there are other options, but for general riding, primarily on flat roads, this weight difference isn't much of an issue.

In particular, many chromoly bikes tend to feel lighter as they pick up speed, which can be seen as one of their unique charms.

However, entry-level road bikes come with heavy wheels, and it might be a good idea to consider replacing them eventually.

It's known that the firm ride quality of aluminum wheels pairs well with a softly set up chromoly bike, and ICAN's Alu27 aluminum wheels are highly recommended.

This can achieve a weight reduction of approximately 300-400g.

Don't underestimate it just because it's inexpensive; it also meets ICAN's high-level quality standards.

ICAN Alu27 ¥24,914 (tax included)

Finally,

This time, I introduced the niche genre of chromoly frame road bikes.

There are many ways to enjoy cycling.

If you notice a slender-framed bike passing by, also pay attention to the rider who seems to be enjoying their ride.