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Steel frame

by GoodOldFashionedLoverBoy
Fri, Jun 30, 2017 09:39
12

Hey guys,

My regular racing bike is really cool, and I sold all my other road bikes since none were a proper fit (yes, it took 3 bikes to get the right size... but now I know).

Still, this bike is a bit too nice to ride it through winter, so I was thinking of getting a cheap one with lower-end gearing etc,...

Now, it is easy to find a random aluminium frame of even fully-built bike but that's no fun...

I would like to go old-fashion with a steel one (and I must be suffering of schizophrenia since I want to go old style steel for the frame but with recent components - yes, I want to shift with my levers, not with shifters on the tube...).

Any advice on this?

Obviously weight will not be a major issue here, quite the contrary... lol

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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12 comments

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Shades | 7 years ago
1 like

Bit harsh on steel bikes.  I've got a Genesis with 105 gearing, Dura-ace hubs and Mavic CX-Pro wheels and I comfortably kicked the a*rse out of people on carbon dream machines on a 80 mile Sportive.  Nothings beats riding a steel bike and overtaking a money-no-object carbon bike on a climb.  The ultimate 'salt in the wound' as you overtake is the Brooks label on the (heavy-ish) Swift leather saddle!  Steel and titanium - it's the 'zen place' beyond carbon.

Avatar
MoutonDeMontagne | 7 years ago
0 likes

Depending on your size, I've really enjoyed riding my charge plug, they have the steel frames going cheap on ebay still. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHARGE-PLUG-5-CYCLOCROSS-COMMUTER-BIKE-BICYCLE...

Really comfotable to ride, works well with big tyres and just trucks along nicely. Used for commuting and cross/gravel with 38mm G-ones, but might sling on some lighter wheels/carbon forks and some 32mm g-one speeds for the winter and use as a full on road bike. 

Avatar
graybags | 7 years ago
0 likes

I got a nice steel frame from Bob Jackson, very reasonably priced at about £500 and had my local LBS build it up with new components. It's a superb ride and I've upgraded it to the point where it's almost my favourite bike !

Avatar
Jimnm | 7 years ago
2 likes

I have a Genesis Equalibrium 10 chromoly Steelie for winter riding. About 10kgs but it's a pleasure to ride. 

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Dnnnnnn replied to Jimnm | 7 years ago
1 like

Jimnm wrote:

I have a Genesis Equalibrium 10 chromoly Steelie for winter riding. About 10kgs but it's a pleasure to ride. 

Mine (a 20) is a pleasure to ride all year round!

Avatar
Stef Marazzi | 7 years ago
0 likes

Look the "Neo-Retro Velo" Facebook group. Loads and loads of old frames with modern groupsets. And they are BEAUTIFUL.

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StraelGuy | 7 years ago
0 likes

My winter bike is a modern, cheap, cromoly job and he is fairly heavy but I love riding him more than my carbon summer bike. There's something about a steel bike, regardless of weight, that you dont get with alloy or carbon. It's a certain kind of smoothness because the frames absorbs alot of the road buzz and impacts. If I had to grab one bike in a house fire it'd be goodbye carbon I think yes.

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Mungecrundle | 7 years ago
0 likes

Why this prejudice that steel bikes are heavy? I have a 1990s vintage Sintesi that all up comes in at under 7.5Kg and is wonderfully compliant in all the right places.

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Bigtwin | 7 years ago
2 likes

I have 5 steel bikes, 4 of which were"as is" bargains, 1 I bought as absolute bargain Genesis frame and fork deal and built up as a disc front winter traininer/utility bike.  Plus I've just sold an 80's Reynolds with horizontal drops and tugs, 7 speed Sachs,all running, for £25 to a guy who is going to make great use of it for classic events.  None of them (save the Galaxy for obvious reasons) are heavy. All are lovely to ride, and were fabulous bang for buck, especially if you go the route I did with the Genesis and aren't in a great hurry, so you can sale/eBlag etc shop for parts.  I thnk everyone should have/have had a steel bike - they're just nice to ride.

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John_S | 7 years ago
0 likes

Hi,

Following on from Duncann's message I'm not sure whether you're looking to buy an older steel frame and add compondents yourself, such as daccordimark has talked about, or whether you want to buy a new complete bike.

If you want a brand new bike there are some suggestions here:-

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/194720-18-best-steel-road-bikes-and-frames-—-great-rides-cyclings-traditional

 

It depends what you want from a bike, for example and aggressive race position or a more relaxed and comfortable audax style bike.  If you want something more relaxed and comfortable then the 2016 Kona Roadhouse is well worth a look if you could still find one at a discounted price.  Unfortunately where as the RRP of the 2016 model was £1,699 the 2017 model is £3,499

http://road.cc/content/review/182237-kona-roadhouse

 

If you want new then you could also look at what Spa Cycles have to offer.  Not sure what you're budget is but if you're looking a trying to find a more affordable complete steel bike then bikes from Genesis might be worth a look especially if you could find an older discounted model.

Good luck finding the right bike for you!

John

 

 

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daccordimark | 7 years ago
0 likes

Sounds like a good plan, my advice is to get a fairly recent steel frame with 130mm rear spacing otherwise you have to cold set the frame like I had to with my RetroMod bike pictured here https://flic.kr/p/TmwVUa - it wasn't difficult but it took a bit of time and patience to do it right.

I like to think of these type of bikes as a best of both worlds. You get the convenience of modern components and easy availability of spares with the (to me anyway) visual appeal of steel tubing.

Go for it!

 

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Dnnnnnn | 7 years ago
0 likes

New or secondhand? What do you mean by cheap?

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