Zona downgraded from Nivacrom to 25CrMo4

[SteelRules]

Dear All,

It seems that venerable Columbus Zona has been downgraded from Nivacrom to 25CrMo4.

Putting mechanical characteristics side by side there seems to be a difference in numbers.

Alloy Breaking load Yield load Elongation
====================================
Nivacrom 1200 N/mm2 1030 N/mm2 12%
25CrMo4 800 N/mm2 760 N/mm2 12%

I have some questions for the eminent frame builders of the forum:
i) what has motivated the change? Nivacrom was the most famous Columbus' patented steels
ii) is the change motivated to increase the gap and draw demand towards Niobium alloy steel?
iii) does this mean that to get a proper Nivacrom frame, one has to rely on previous generation stock of Zona?
iiii) any experience/thoughts on how 25CrMo4 compares to Nivacrom from a ride perspective?
v) in your opinion, is the difference in price between Zona and Niobium justified, performance wise?

I hope you find this thread relevant.
Many thanks to all for your insightful comments.
All the best.

[Eric Estlund]

Just wondering where the change is being noted? New catalog info?

When I buy tubes, I ignore the tube set or model and look at the alloy and internal/ external dimensions, and match that tube to my needs. The tube set names are largely irrelevant, though could create confusion while ordering if the inventory numbers are kept the same with the material change.

[Mark Kelly]

25CrMo4 = 4130.

[e-RICHIE]

Some things haven't been downgraded atmo:

http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...rum-36866.html

Thanks for complying.

[Curt Goodrich]

My attempt to answer your questions-
1. The only people that can truly answer that is Columbus. The rest of us can only speculate and that's boring.
2. See previous answer.
3. I guess so.
4. The ride will remain the same if wall thickness, butt profile and diameters remain the same.
5. See previous answer.

[Amaro Bikes]

It's not just about alloys, thickness and butting sections have their speech in the frame, for example I would not build a mtb with niobium alloy because this is only happening with life/spirit tubes, which is calling for troubles as their thickness are not very rock friendly.
It's also important the tube manufacturing process (seamless vs welded sheet) and not to mention the builder knowledge and skills not to put too much heat on the process which can definetly ruin any Breaking load Yield load Elongation or whatever PhD level theoretical graphics.

Funny enough, most Cromor frames are more reliable than zona or life. The price to pay is weight, as usual.

[steve garro]

De-Evolution.

We are De-vo!

- Garro.

[SteelRules]

Some things haven't been downgraded atmo:

http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...rum-36866.html

Thanks for complying.

Dear All,
My apologies for stepping into the oracle of steel framebuilding without complying with anonymity rules.
I have included my first name and surname in my profile. I am not a framebuilder, just an avid enthusiast
who enjoys cycling, building wheels and dreams of learning the process to braze 11 steel tubes into a straight frame.

Please, let me know whether I comply now.
Many thanks to all for your contributions.

[Eric Estlund]

Thanks- just add a quick signature line with your name and you'll be golden.

[Jake Rosenfeld]

Move your name into your signature line and you will be golden :)

Edit; Haha, jinx!!

[SteelRules]

Thank you Eric, for your patience.
Any way of editing my previous posts on this thread to add the signature to them

[e-RICHIE]

Thanks, Miguel.

[Eric Estlund]

No need to edit- learning curve and you are good now. Thanks!

[Michael Gordon]

Funny enough, most Cromor frames are more reliable than zona or life. The price to pay is weight, as usual.

Strong / Light / Cheap... Pick Two