5 ms·

#4: steel bikes have a lower carbon footprint than aluminium bikes.

by Qwertious 3y ago

gambiting 3y ago
In like........any measurable way? I'm not being funny, I'm honestly curious.
- smorrebrod 3y ago
  The lowtech magazine published this number¹: > Scientists have calculated the lifetime carbon emissions of a steel bike at 35 kg CO2, compared to 212 kg CO2 for an aluminum bicycle. [1] https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2023/02/can-we-make-bicycles-sustainable-again.html https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2023/02/can-we-make-bicycles...
  - gambiting 3y ago
    That's super interesting - it's a lot more than I would have thought it is. Metal is metal, right? Didn't think the difference would be so large.
    - midoridensha 3y ago
      I'm not sure on all the particulars, but metals are not the same: some require more energy to work with or to refine than others. Steel (IIRC) needs a lot more energy to melt than aluminum, however I think aluminum requires more energy to extract from ore. Also, IIRC, aluminum needs more energy to weld just because it conducts electricity so much better, even though it has a lower melting point.
    - smorrebrod 3y ago
      Contrary to iron, silver or gold, aluminium has to be chemically extracted. The mineral you extract aluminium from is bauxite. This chemical process was mastered so recently that the Washington Monument is tipped with it just to show off. Even then the tip is so small that you can barely see it with your own eyes, but you can see it in Spiderman :) https://thescienceof.org/spider-man-washington-monument/ https://thescienceof.org/spider-man-washington-monument/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPVzP2Jfdgs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPVzP2Jfdgs
      - midoridensha 3y ago
        Yeah, I think Napolean used to show off his wealth by using aluminum silverware at his fancy dinner parties.
almostnormal 3y ago
Frames made of wood do exist, their footprint is probably even lower.
- prmoustache 3y ago
  They tend to use a lot of toxic resins though. Same for bamboo made bikes.

#4: steel bikes have a lower carbon footprint than aluminium bikes.

gambiting 3y ago

In like........any measurable way? I'm not being funny, I'm honestly curious.

smorrebrod 3y ago
The lowtech magazine published this number¹: > Scientists have calculated the lifetime carbon emissions of a steel bike at 35 kg CO2, compared to 212 kg CO2 for an aluminum bicycle. [1] https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2023/02/can-we-make-bicycles-sustainable-again.html https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2023/02/can-we-make-bicycles...
- gambiting 3y ago
  That's super interesting - it's a lot more than I would have thought it is. Metal is metal, right? Didn't think the difference would be so large.
  - midoridensha 3y ago
    I'm not sure on all the particulars, but metals are not the same: some require more energy to work with or to refine than others. Steel (IIRC) needs a lot more energy to melt than aluminum, however I think aluminum requires more energy to extract from ore. Also, IIRC, aluminum needs more energy to weld just because it conducts electricity so much better, even though it has a lower melting point.
  - smorrebrod 3y ago
    Contrary to iron, silver or gold, aluminium has to be chemically extracted. The mineral you extract aluminium from is bauxite. This chemical process was mastered so recently that the Washington Monument is tipped with it just to show off. Even then the tip is so small that you can barely see it with your own eyes, but you can see it in Spiderman :) https://thescienceof.org/spider-man-washington-monument/ https://thescienceof.org/spider-man-washington-monument/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPVzP2Jfdgs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPVzP2Jfdgs
    - midoridensha 3y ago
      Yeah, I think Napolean used to show off his wealth by using aluminum silverware at his fancy dinner parties.

almostnormal 3y ago

Frames made of wood do exist, their footprint is probably even lower.

prmoustache 3y ago
They tend to use a lot of toxic resins though. Same for bamboo made bikes.