Looking for some opinions here.

I have a lugged 753 steel frame, very nice.

I have a lugged 531 frame, very nice.

I also have a fillet brazed Dedaccai Zero frame, nice but I am not sure if it is as nice as the two above, could be I just don't have as many miles on it to be sure.

I am looking for another steel frame. I have found a suitable frame for what I want in Zero Uno HT (the heat treated version). It is fillet brazed.

I also looked at some nice Mercian frames the other day, lugged and different varieties from 531 to 853.

Anyone have any thoughts on the newer steel alloys, such as Zero or ZeroUno. Do you think they ride better or worse, any word on longevity? How about the differences if any between lugged and fillet brazed. Do you think the lugs, or lack of lugs make any difference to ride, or lifespan?

gotta admit I like lugs.

I am looking for a downtube shifter with 1 inch headset and steel tubes and fork.

Looking for some opinions here.

I have a lugged 753 steel frame, very nice.

I have a lugged 531 frame, very nice.

I also have a fillet brazed Dedaccai Zero frame, nice but I am not sure if it is as nice as the two above, could be I just don't have as many miles on it to be sure.

I am looking for another steel frame. I have found a suitable frame for what I want in Zero Uno HT (the heat treated version). It is fillet brazed.

I also looked at some nice Mercian frames the other day, lugged and different varieties from 531 to 853.

Anyone have any thoughts on the newer steel alloys, such as Zero or ZeroUno. Do you think they ride better or worse, any word on longevity? How about the differences if any between lugged and fillet brazed. Do you think the lugs, or lack of lugs make any difference to ride, or lifespan?

gotta admit I like lugs.

I am looking for a downtube shifter with 1 inch headset and steel tubes and fork.


The diameter of the tubes have a lot to do with how flexable they are. Your 753 ane 531 frames use what's called "standard" tube sizes which is small by modern standards. Your Zero frame is most likely "oversize" which is to say that the diameters are one size larger than "standard" which makes the frame slightly stiffer. There are oversize 753 and 531 frames but these are quite rare so it's unlikely yours are configured that way.

Zero is heat treated version of the same steel as used in ZeroUno. Because Zero is stronger it can be made thinner - which makes it more flexable. Bother of these tubesets are usually built with oversize diameters. I own two different frames made with ZeroUno and find them to have a good ballance of stiffness to ride quality. The ride is firmer than Zero so keep this in mind before you order one.

As far as lugs vs. TIG vs. Fillet Brazed is concern, the ride quality is the same regardless of the joining method as is the durability. The only real difference is the way it looks and to a small extent, the weight.

Good luck.

Ed