Why does Van Raam use steel?
- Strong
- Ductile
- Long lasting
- Very good to process
Steel frames are strong and have a high stiffness and when designed in a proper way, you can add a desired amount of flexibility to the bicycle. At the same time it is Ductile. This ensures that the frame does not break in case of impacts. This means that the material is very dimensionally stable. As a result, the durability of a steel frame is increased.
As far as riding characteristics are concerned, the unique and well-developed bicycle frame ensures that vibrations are well absorbed. This is important because it ensures a comfortable ride and you notice relatively little of the bumps in the road surface.
Van Raam produces in a sustainable way and also wants the bikes to be not only comfortable but also durable. Therefore the technical perspective of steel is also important and advantageous. Because wherever comfort and durability are a priority, the use of steel makes perfect sense. In addition, to the fact that steel is very easy to work with and is very processable, especially for adapted bicycles.
As you may know, steel can rust. It is therefore important to always paint the steel frames properly. Van Raam powdercoats his frames to protect them from their environment, but more of this later.