Road Cycling - Dangit. Looking for steel frameset. Again.

Hey all-

My quest for a high end steel frame with some flair has been reset once again. I was looking at Independent Fabrications, until I saw the price tag and nearly dropped. Then, I was looking at Orbea's steel/carbon frame, the Ultrafoco, until I found out that the dealer I'm working with can only find one in my size (60c) in the team Euskaltel colors. Not a huge fan of the paint scheme on that one, but it's a sweet frame. And, since this is the dream bike (I plan to build it up with Record, FSA carbon cranks, etc.), vanity counts. At any rate, I'm at square one again. I'm examining Bianchi's Boron steel frameset but wonder if it's stiff enough in the bottom bracket for someone nearing 200 pounds who likes to hammer a little. Other than that, I'm actually looking at Cannondale's Optimo frameset, (or the team replica bike, if I can work something out with the shop) to replace my CAAD3. The budget stands in the $1500 range for a frame only, and somewhere near or over $3000 for a full bike. I'd like to build it up myself, but I'm pretty flexible if a bike is spec'd well out of the box.

All of that said, and here's my only question: What would you fine folks suggest to someone for a high end, quick and relatively light weight steel or steel-mixed-with-something frameset?

Thanks. I'm looking forward to getting responses. You're a good group for stuff like this.

Serrotta? Well thought of for a long time. Still makes steel frames various
price points. Dealers a bit sparse. Steve

check out cycles marinoni (http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/html/eng_index.asp) in montreal. giuseppe marinoni's stell bikes are among the best anywhere, and are very attractively priced. he also does custom builds.

kirkframeworks.com

Here's a pretty 59cm Colnago Asso. on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3623282091&category=7298

Since you did say steel. These guys have Colnago Classics for $899.00. :D


http://www.bicyclebuys.com/HTML/V51W54.htm

Suggest you check out the steel frames at wrenchscience.com. They have some frames that look really light. Also check out the Cervelo SuperProdigy, and the Jamis Eclipse, both of which are really light all-steel frame bikes (though the Eclipse has carbon seatstay and chainstay).

Originally posted by ~LongRider~
Here's a pretty 59cm Colnago Asso. on Ebay.

'cept the Asso is aluminium.

peas,

Jester

I know,,, but it is awfully sweet, none the less. :D

De Bernardi Zona (like mine:D) $800
Colnago Classic or Master X Light $919/$1345

The De Bernardi comes with a matching carbon fork
The Colnago's come in about 15 different color schemes.

Both are available at Wrenchscience.com and are high-quality frames. Good move going with steel. You'll love it!:thumbup:

I think Id ride a tricycle if it was a Colnago. :D

for a hand made italian steel frame check out

www.tommasiniusa.com/

i have ridden both the fire and carbo fire

great steel frames .... the fire is above your price range though

the carbo fire is my dream bike

a local shop imports them www.granfondocycles.com and they have treated me very well and i higly recommend them

the waterford frames appear to be in your price range, as well, and i've heard good things about them.

Rivendellbicycles.com - they make a 'production' model, it's a completely handmade cro-moly LUGGED/BRAZED frame. They have a slightly lower BB and slightly sloped top tube - you can read all about it on the site. I think these guys know their stuff. Only $1000.

www.steelmancycles.com

The steelman is really nice!The indy fab should be in your price range.Ted Wojcik makes some really nice bikes w/ beutiful welds and paint. Gunnar makes a nice inexpensive steel tig welded frame(comes from the waterford plant).

The Indy was about $1800US frame and carbon fork, $1600US frame and steel fork. No way I could spec it the way I wanted to and pull that off. Anyway, ordered the Orbea after all. Sweet, sweet steel. Thanks for the suggestions, though, all. Lots of great steel bikes out there.

http://www.strongracing.com/

Thanks, but the Orbea should be arriving tomorrow. Well, most of it. The derailleurs will be in next week.

Im loving my Bianchi. It is amazing how much more comfortable steel is over aluminum, after changing. My Trek would bounce around pretty hard on rough roads. The Bianchi absorbs bumps alot better.

Congrats on the Orbea. Post us some pics when she's done.

I'm planning on cataloging the build for my own fun. I'll try to post some pics. I hope that she'll be ready by next weekend so I can give her a shot in the mountains.