Steel Cylcocross Frames, what are my options?

[Barrettscv]

I'm considering building a fair-weather commuting & training bike and like the heavy duty design of most steel cyclocross frames.

Any suggestions?

Michael

[MIN]

Lemond Poprad
Soma Double Cross

[non]

kelly Knobby X
Curtlo Cyclocross
Gunnar Crosshairs

[mander]

Crosscheck

It's not very cross, but the KHS Flite 220 is a very cheap 4130 road bike built around Tektro 365 long reach caliper brakes (=huge tire+fender clearance and possibly less fussy to set up than cantis), and it has full rack and fender eyelets.

[TimJ]

Voodoo makes a steel cx bike, wazoo I believe.

[tigereye]

Pretty sure that bikesdirect has mentioned at least a 4130, and possibly an 853 model coming in the not too distant future.

[MIN]

cross bikes like the road too!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/poprad_zipp_0208.jpg

[mrtornadohead]

There's always the Legolas from Rivendell. And of course the custom builders - how much you looking to lay out for this?

[sfcrossrider]

MIN will use ANY excuse to post that sick Lemond of his. Not that I mind looking at it.

[MIN]

Considering that LeMonds will be no more, it is practically an endangered species.

[webmstrk9]

salsa la cruz is another steel frame TT OX platinum frame as with the Lemond.

[acorn_user]

Masi has one too. I forget what it is called.

OTOH, the new Raleigh Sojourn would be a beautiful and strong companion. And it includes a Brooks saddle!

[meanwhile]

Two new bikes: - Planet X Uncle John. - Cotic Road Rat, long or short wheel base version. Both are cromo and disc capable. You might also look at a hardtail 29er MTB like the Surly Karate Monkey, maybe with Midge drop bars.

[non]

Two new bikes: - Planet X Uncle John. - Cotic Road Rat, long or short wheel base version. Both are cromo and disc capable. You might also look at a hardtail 29er MTB like the Surly Karate Monkey, maybe with Midge drop bars.

Woah, the Cotic is pretty cool. Never saw that before.

[meanwhile]

Woah, the Cotic is pretty cool. Never saw that before.

Cotic have made a name for themselves in mountain bikes. Planet X are a twin company to the famous single speed company On One. The Uncle John builds up very pretty, although it looks more conventional than the Rat:


http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/road/images/pagemaster/superpimpa.jpg

- shame I couldn't found a picture of a bike built with disks.

EDIT TO ADD: I ***thought*** this was cromo, but now I'm not sure. The makers webpage just says "triple butted".

[cs1]

Cotic have made a name for themselves in mountain bikes. Planet X are a twin company to the famous single speed company On One. The Uncle John builds up very pretty, although it looks more conventional than the Rat:


http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/road/images/pagemaster/superpimpa.jpg

- shame I couldn't found a picture of a bike built with disks.

That is a nice looking bike. Is it difficult to handle off road with the bars that low?

Tim

[meanwhile]

That is a nice looking bike. Is it difficult to handle off road with the bars that low?

Tim


Alas, this one's not my bike. I'm thinking of getting one to replace my Sirrus when I have the Bike 2 Work scheme (huge UK tax break) sorted out. Probably with Midge Bars, BB7s, and just possibly an Alfine internal hub. (From which you can tell I have no intention of racing it...)

[the pope]

Isn't the Uncle John aluminum?

[justinb]

Isn't the Uncle John aluminum?

Yes, it is. It's still a nice bike though.

The Kaffenback is steel though, if that is what you want.

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/kaff_frame_500.jpg

[MIN]

^ Looks like the On-One.

[justinb]

^ Looks like the On-One.

It is. Planet X and On-One are the same people... Planet X being the road/triathlon portion of the company and On-One being the MTB side... Cross is where they overlap.

[MIN]

Thanks for clarifying... it seems like a versatile frame.

[Barrettscv]

Thanks for the info!

If I hadn't already overspent on bike (& alpine ski) gear this year I would be searching out a Lemond Poprad.

I'll add a reply when I pull the trigger on something.

Thanks again

Michael

[Client13]

Michael,
I have the Kaffenback. the steel frame/fork was only $ 300 shipped, but it got pricy building it up -- it has road crank 53/39 and 9 spd cassette (all shimano 105), easton midrise bar handlebar and r/fire shifters and avid shorty 4 c/lever brakes kenda kwick 30 tires. I find it to be a great for commuting on tough roads/ trails/ etc. while compromising little versus road bikes. it also takes fenders (barely clears the tires).

HOWEVER, I would not call it a cyclocross bike. If you're at all thinking about casual cx racing, you may want to spend an extra $ 100 for the surly crosscheck frameset. But, I think the Kaffenback is much better looking!

[motorcade]

Masi has one too. I forget what it is called.

OTOH, the new Raleigh Sojourn would be a beautiful and strong companion. And it includes a Brooks saddle!

Masi Speciale CX = steel frame

CXR = aluminum

both nice looking bikes and well-spec'd.

[nowheels]

Gunnar make s a nice one in 853..... bit pricy though

[Grumpy Pig]

MIN will use ANY excuse to post that sick Lemond of his. Not that I mind looking at it.+1.

[mrbubbles]

Singular Peregrine. Has EBB and derailleur mount, along with third water bottle mount and rack fender eyelets.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2636901433_e07576ee80_o.jpg

[nowheels]

Singular Peregrine. Has EBB and derailleur mount, along with third water bottle mount and rack fender eyelets.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2636901433_e07576ee80_o.jpg

That looks nice.......:love:

[cs1]

Gunnar make s a nice one in 853..... bit pricy though

It's a Waterford made in the U.S. not China. For what you get it really isn't that expensive. Plus the resale if higher than most bikes.

Tim

[Barrettscv]

I'm now cycling 100 + miles a week and I have a better idea of what my needs are. I like steel frames more than aluminum. I like bigger Kevlar tires more than skinny road race tires. I should have the bike ergonomically maximized for all day comfort and endurance.

I'm starting with this frame: http://www.somafab.com/doublecross_one.html

See the pix below or look here for more info: http://www.somafab.com/frames.html

I would like to finish with this: http://www.somafab.com/doublecrosspix.html

The frame is $305.00 and with the help of eBay, I've found most of the parts to make a 1x9. I already have two wheel-sets, one pair of new Fuji Cross take-offs with 700cx28 Gatorbacks for fast weekend rides and a pair of 36 spoke 29er MTB wheels with 700cx38 Armadillo's for commuting in Chicago.

Overtime, I'll upgrade it to a high spec bike with a quality CX group and a few bits of carbon here & there.

What do you think?

Michael

[bikeracr]

Kelly Knobby X

[scattered73]

Barrettscv, I had a Soma Double Cross built up last May and I love this bike and it is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden, it has been the perfect bike for me. I was surprised how light mine ended on coming out to be, 20.5 lbs on a budget build with the tange fork. Once it cools off here I plan to take it on a camping trip, really curious to see well rides with some weight on it.

[jchabalk]

i rode a raleigh sojourn a couple of weeks ago and wasn't really too impressed. They use the distressed Brooks seats (or antique or whatever they call it). Basically once you sweat the seat looks like something's spilled on it. anyway, i don't like that model of seat and the bike was rather unimpressive. i've ridden a bunch of bikes in that same vein and the sojourn would be near the bottom of my list...

For the money get a LHT and upgrade the seat - you'd be way better off...

[acorn_user]

Pre-softened is what they call it. Leather saddles change colour a lot. Mine do. The pre-softened ones more so, a bit like suede.

[bottlecape30]

Singular Peregrine. Has EBB and derailleur mount, along with third water bottle mount and rack fender eyelets.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2636901433_e07576ee80_o.jpg

Nice ride! how wide are those tires?

[admill]

Considering that LeMonds will be no more, it is practically an endangered species.

The poprad will live on with Gary Fisher stickers.

[MIN]

What? Source?

[bonechiller]

I haven't seen it in print, but it's been widely talked about by the Trek reps and whoever else. Basically, the LeMond line is going to be repackaged as Gary Fisher.

[jwbnyc]

Might I ask what bars those are?

They're sick.

Singular Peregrine. Has EBB and derailleur mount, along with third water bottle mount and rack fender eyelets.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2636901433_e07576ee80_o.jpg

[bw286]

Yes, it is. It's still a nice bike though.

The Kaffenback is steel though, if that is what you want.

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/kaff_frame_500.jpg

a pretty bike, but not really a racer. i had one for a while. not great tire clearance.

[mrbubbles]

Might I ask what bars those are?

They're sick.

On One Midges.
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14502-195_ONOMD5-3-Parts-398-Handlebars/Road/On-One-Midge-Handle-Bar.htm

[jwbnyc]

Thanks.

:thumb:

[gkalba]

Old Lemond Poprad = New Gary Fisher Presidio

http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/presidio/fullspecs

[rickyaustin]

Considering that LeMonds will be no more, it is practically an endangered species.

Do we know when they're going away? I'd like to snag a Poprad Disc before they go extinct.

[MIN]

Old Lemond Poprad = New Gary Fisher Presidio

http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/presidio/fullspecs

well looky here. cool. makes sense because the GF Triton was the same(ish) frame as a Lemond Fillmore.

Do we know when they're going away? I'd like to snag a Poprad Disc before they go extinct.

2008 will be the last production year as a lemond. I like the GF paint scheme though.

[irideacenturion]

well looky here. cool. makes sense because the GF Triton was the same(ish) frame as a Lemond Fillmore.



2008 will be the last production year as a lemond. I like the GF paint scheme though.

Word is that they're slapping an extra 300 dollars onto the price tag to account for the falling dollar, rising production costs and SRAM Rival drivetrain.

http://cxmagazine.com/gary-fisher-presidio-cyclocross-bike-2009

[MIN]

A steep jump in price... I would advocate an ala carte frameset buildup for the Poprad frame anyway. The stock components are marginal, particularly the wheels. I love the frame though.

[Turd Ferguson]

I was thinking of converting my Jamis Aurora touring bike for CC this year. It seems like a solid steel frame.

Does anyone see any issues or have recommendations what how I should modify it...other than tires?