View Full Version : Steel cross frame
Situation: I am a 6'3" 205lb rider who pulls his 2 kids around in a trailer from time to time. I am looking for a new frame that fits me and is well suited to commuting both on and off road and will probably see some 'cross action as well. This build up will probably use either Campy Centaur or SRAM Rival components and Canti brakes. I think all of these frames meet the objective requirements, but there is a lot more to a frame than that...
Frameset Requirements: Steel, Cross, $750 or less, fit at least 700x35 tires
Nice to have: Disk compatible (just in case), fenders.
Question:
What are your thoughts on these frames and do you have any other suggestions?
Choices:
VooDoo Wazoo
Soma Doublecross
Jamis Nova
Lemond Poprad
Surly Crosscheck
Mtn Mike
01-15-07, 12:29 PM
For your purposes, all of the above are good frames (although not all of them are disc ready). The best frame for you is the one that fits you, and possibly the one with the paint job you like. Your fit is just about impossible to determine on an internet forum. I ride a Crosscheck and love it, but that's just me.
nowheels
01-15-07, 05:05 PM
I had a Proprad and a Gunnar a few year ago.......they are very nice rides. Nowadays I ride Van Dessel that has carbon stays and fork that give as good of a ride as steel. If I were to go back to steel, I would go for the Lemond.
Your fit is just about impossible to determine on an internet forum.
Agreed. Maybe a better way to phrase the question would be: Do you have any thoughts as to the relative strengths and weaknesses of the above frames? And why did you pick the CrossCheck? What do you like/dislike about it? I have heard less than stellar things about the steel and welds on the CrossCheck, but I like the versatility it offers.
FYI, campy's new outboard bearing BB and (I believe) sram don't come in triples - in case your kids are heavy.
If disk compatibility is important, that might narrow your list down quite a bit.
Mtn Mike
01-17-07, 06:22 PM
Agreed. Maybe a better way to phrase the question would be: Do you have any thoughts as to the relative strengths and weaknesses of the above frames? And why did you pick the CrossCheck? What do you like/dislike about it? I have heard less than stellar things about the steel and welds on the CrossCheck, but I like the versatility it offers.
Honestly I picked the Crosscheck for the wrong reasons...the paint job and the company's theory of simplicity. Luckily the frame also fits me really well.
I own two Surly frames; the Cross Check, and the 1x1, and I've had no problems with the construction/welds/materials. Are the welds and materials as good as my two custom steel frames? Nope, but the Surly frames are 1/4 the price of a custom frame, and do the exact same job very well.
you might also try curtlo.com for a custom true temper ox custom frame for $750.
I have a cross check and have been very happy with it. I have ultegra on it now and am considering my first venture into campy. fwiw, when I have taken it to my local (medium to high end) shop, the mechanics all come out and look at it. None of them look twice at the cervelos, etc. that come through the door.
acorn_user
01-19-07, 03:55 PM
How about Marinoni. Made in Canada :)
http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/html/en_fango.html
But the Cicle or Turismo would do you just as well.
Y'all are evil! EVIL I SAY! How dare you give me more choices ;-)
And a double will be just fine. I am currently on a cross gearing (38-46 up front) and plan on going with a compact gearing (34-50) so I will have an easier time on the new bike than I currently have. Thanks for the info though!
Just to make things worse...bikyle.com has or had the van dessel frameset with their own carbon fork for about $750 (and the Bianchi Axis frameset for about $500). It's a race bike, though...can't see you pulling the kids around on it. Why don't you get an $80 walmart beater to pull the kids and a slick cross bike for you? Get some hooks to hang them up in the garage that way your wife can't b!tch about not being able to get her car in the garage. Everybody's happy, especially big-daddy. and keep her away from Oprah while you're at it.
nowheels
01-21-07, 06:45 PM
Just to make things worse...bikyle.com has or had the van dessel frameset with their own carbon fork for about $750 (and the Bianchi Axis frameset for about $500). It's a race bike, though...can't see you pulling the kids around on it. Why don't you get an $80 walmart beater to pull the kids and a slick cross bike for you? Get some hooks to hang them up in the garage that way your wife can't b!tch about not being able to get her car in the garage. Everybody's happy, especially big-daddy. and keep her away from Oprah while you're at it.
I have a Van Dessel.....it is a pure race bike. I would not use it to pull around kids. I got a Kona Jake to that, a bit tougher than a race bike , bu then again it is not steel. Stick with the Lemond.
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