FWIW, interesting comment I saw posted recently on steel tubing:

"725 is Reynold's replacement for 753, it was introduced 4-5 years ago. It
is a Chromium-Molybedenum steel alloy that is heat-treated. Its non
heat-treated brother is 525 which is also the 531 replacement. 725 is a very
desirable tubing, said to be nearly identical to the famous but sadly gone
Tange Prestige tubing. Biggest advantage versus 753 is its heat tolerance.
Its low carbon content makes 725 easily joined with silver, brass or even
TIG welding, although it does suffer some annealing in heat effected area.
Most importantly for ride and durability, 725 has much better elongation and
ductility than air-hardened alloys thus maintains much of that resilience
that tubesets like 531 and 753 were most noted for. I would avoid 853/653,
Columbus Foco/Ultra Foco, Dedacciai 16.5 and True Temper OX Platinum/Gold --
these are in my experience rather "harsh or brittle" to borrow your
phrasing."


"Bobinator" wrote in message
m...
Can any of you explain the diffrence between the various steels used
for bicycles and their comparitive advantages? Example: A Lemond
Zurich (DF) boasts a Reynolds 853 sticker on the frame. It seems as
though all of the steel recumbents are 4130 chromoly. Thanks in
advance.