Road Cycling - Steel bikes at about $2000

I really liked the look of the Cervelo Super Prodigy. I haven't ridden it yet but I'm really leaning to steel as my frame material. I think the Indy Fab and Seven steel bikes are going to be out of my price range. I rode the Veloce it was OK. I'm really trying to get it to 4 choices. Any other gotta tries? And yes I plan on riding the Litespeed Firenze.

How about a Ritchey frame? Or an air-transportable frame? Ritchey Breakaway is $2500... Nitanium tubing, full Ultegra, can be broken down to under 62 linear inches. If your budget were a little higher, I would also have suggested Co-Motion. Other excellent bikes to look at include the ones from Rodriguez.

I would definitely get the Cervelo -- I'm saving for one at the moment. I've researched this extensively, and I think they are by far the best buy for strengh, weight, cost and looks. Their steel bikes are the first steel frames EVER to pass the EFBe fatigue test in Germany ( http://www.efbe.de/defbefrm.htm ). This is impressive, especially considering the frame (no fork) weighs about 3lbs (58cm). They have designed the downtube in such a way that has left me believing conventional, cylindrical tubes are obsolete.

how about this..
http://www.gurubikes.com/newsteel.jpg

I really liked the look of the Cervelo Super Prodigy. I haven't ridden it yet but I'm really leaning to steel as my frame material. I think the Indy Fab and Seven steel bikes are going to be out of my price range. I rode the Veloce it was OK. I'm really trying to get it to 4 choices. Any other gotta tries? And yes I plan on riding the Litespeed Firenze.
Bianchi has steel frames :D
The veloce is a sweet bike...

One name: Waterford

One name: Waterford

Can you get a Waterford for 2K? The one I would like to have is atleast 5K.

Philli...

you should also look at marinoni (http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/). they make some of the best steel bikes around. i don't know what their availability would be in your neck of the woods, but it's worth asking. US$2000 should get you pretty close to a foco or spirit frame with chorus components.

Marinoni has limited state side availibility. But, that is exactly what I'm talking about. Complete Chorus bike for about $2K would be sweet. Closest deal is about 2700 miles away.

I rode the Veloce. Just OK sorry BR. I also wanted ride Virata but none in my size.

I didn't look at Waterford at all because of price.

Guru looks nice, but no dealer even close.

I'll have to check out Rodriguez. Thanks

I ride with a guy that has the new team color Super and its nice. He really likes it after riding alum.

I assume that's the SuperProdigy. What else does the guy say about it? I'm pretty sure I'm gunna buy one, but I haven't even seen one yet, let alone ridden one.

Gunnar Roadie or an '03 Lemond Zurich or Maillot Jaune.

55/Rad

Gunnar Roadie or an '03 Lemond Zurich or Maillot Jaune.

55/Rad

On that subject: it's kinda lame that Lemond dropped their all steel frames. They could've at least kept the BA in all steel.

Isn't the Propad steel? 853, infact.
http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/poprad.shtml

Isn't the Propad steel? 853, infact.
http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/poprad.shtml

Didn't look in the CX section. OOPS!

It still would have been nice to have kept a roadie.

No, me ooops. I didn't notice it was a CX

I would definitely get the Cervelo --Their steel bikes are the first steel frames EVER to pass the EFBe fatigue test in Germany ( http://www.efbe.de/defbefrm.htm ).

At the EFBe website, if you click on Reports about Bicycle Testing, then Light Artikle, you'll find that the Barellia SLX achieved the same standard(High or 100,000 cycles at 1200n) in testing that the Cervelo Prodigy(not Super Prodigy) achieved.

I really liked the look of the Cervelo Super Prodigy. I haven't ridden it yet but I'm really leaning to steel as my frame material. I think the Indy Fab and Seven steel bikes are going to be out of my price range. I rode the Veloce it was OK. I'm really trying to get it to 4 choices. Any other gotta tries? And yes I plan on riding the Litespeed Firenze.

I put around 15k miles on a 2001 Prodigy over the last two seasons and loved it. The only reason I replaced it was due to a pro deal I received on a new Trek 5500 frameset.

The Prodigy is a very smooth riding and fairly light weight steel frame. The handling quick but not too quick and it's very comfortable for long days in the saddle. I had many 4+ hour days on it and was never left wishing for more comfort. If you need lots of saddle setback, you may need an aftermarket seatpost as the seat tube angle is 73.5 (at least in my size) which is a bit steeper than most traditional road frames. The stock finishing parts kit on my bike was not the greatest but I pretty much changed out everything on it anyway after the first year. If they're still using the same Cervelo badged brake calipers, you can plan on replacing them if you value strong brakes as they're some of the worst I've ever used.

The new Super Prodigy should be even a touch lighter and less likely to rust as they nickle plate the entire frame prior to painting. I'm also a huge fan of the CSC team paint jobs you can get now.

I ride with a guy that has the new team color Super and its nice. He really likes it after riding alum.
He got it as a crash replacement for his 02 Prodigy and first thing he said was it is a tad taller,handled a bit better and he really liked his 02 but this is even better. Said it was very steady at 30 mph but most of all he really likes the ride.

How about a Ritchey frame? Or an air-transportable frame? Ritchey Breakaway is $2500... Nitanium tubing, full Ultegra, can be broken down to under 62 linear inches. If your budget were a little higher, I would also have suggested Co-Motion. Other excellent bikes to look at include the ones from Rodriguez.

I commute on my Ritchey and it's a sweet ride. If I had a chance to do it over now, I would get the breakaway...I just checked the colorado cyclist website and they are all backordered. Note that for $2,500 bucks you get the travel case and their new carbon fork! The great thing about Ritchey's system is that the clamps really don't add any weight.

The Marinoni looks like a really nice ride, every Marinoni that I've seen looks really sweet.

Isn't the Propad steel? 853, infact.
http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/poprad.shtml

The Poprad is 853 "select" - main tubes only. It's a great bike. So good that, after transforming mine into a pure roadie with a CX frame, I decided to tear it apart and build a Maillot Jaune. Lighter overall with full 853 "pro" and a carbon fork. I will be rebuilding the "Rad" into it's original CX form.

Check out the '04 Lemond Maillot Jaune Classic - it's still all steel.

55/Rad

I commute on my Ritchey and it's a sweet ride. If I had a chance to do it over now, I would get the breakaway...I just checked the colorado cyclist website and they are all backordered.

Those things are hot items. I end up in Palo Alto on a weekly basis and every once in a while I will stop into Palo Alto Cyclery in an attempt to check out their Breakaways since they're a Ritchey dealer. So far I have not had much luck. It seems that they sell so quickly that they can't keep them in the store. Whenever I walk in, it's like the Mister Snuffleupagus bit from Sesame Street. "Oh, you just missed it... we had a Breakaway in here a few days ago but it got sold." I just want to see one up close. I understand that they're going to be sold as a frameset this fall which is really what I want because I intend to do a parts swap from my current roadbike and rebuild the Aegis with new stuff. I'm still torn between the Ritchey Breakaway and the Co-Motion Espresso Co-Pilot.

At the EFBe website, if you click on Reports about Bicycle Testing, then Light Artikle, you'll find that the Barellia SLX achieved the same standard(High or 100,000 cycles at 1200n) in testing that the Cervelo Prodigy(not Super Prodigy) achieved.

Yes, but the Cervelo Renaissance passed the mid-range test. Isn't the SuperProdigy just the 2004 version of the Renaissance?

Yes, but the Cervelo Renaissance passed the mid-range test. Isn't the SuperProdigy just the 2004 version of the Renaissance?

I guess that would depend on whether they got the right tubes or not :p . I really don't know for sure.

Geeeez! Don't spoil my plans. I was gunna buy a SuperProdigy, and instantly set the new hour record of 65km!

Geeeez! Don't spoil my plans. I was gunna buy a SuperProdigy, and instantly set the new hour record of 65km!

It should be good for at least that. ;) :) I'll look for your picture in Cyclingnews.com.

I reckon you went a bit hard in your other post. You implied (at least) Cervelo was spreading mis-information, and utilising 'spin masters' to deconstruct information for their own advantage. Yeeeouch! Then you tempered it toward the end by saying that the their statement was probably incomplete. I think that was more reasonable.

What got you fired up? Did my exaltations make you think people like me have been sucked in by the EFBe stuff?

I reckon you went a bit hard in your other post. You implied Cervelo was spreading mis-information and deconstructing inormation for their own advantage.

You understood me correctly.

I reckon you went a bit hard in your other post. You implied (at least) Cervelo was spreading mis-information, and utilising 'spin masters' to deconstruct information for their own advantage. Yeeeouch! Then you tempered it toward the end by saying that the their statement was probably incomplete. I think that was more reasonable.

What got you fired up? Did my exaltations make you think people like me have been sucked in by the EFBe stuff?

On your edited post: This is not personal. I'm not fired up. Please don't take it that way. The EFBe info is good objective info that can be very helpful to consumers. My posts were about Cervelo's selective use or exclusion of info that EFBe publishes. For them to say/imply that titanium frames fail tests that their frames pass is just plain inaccurate.

There are no reports on the EFBe site of any titanium frames failing a test below the standard that Cervelo passes.

All reports of titanium frame testing on the EFBe site show them to exceed the 100,000cycles at 1200n standard for a High rating. In fact, as I reported in the other thread, a titanium frame exceeded the standard that Cervelo achieved. If that is not mis-information, then what is it?

Orbea Ultrafoco Carbon frameset built to your specs. I rode a few different bikes before I got the Orbea and it impressed the hell out of me. Still does every time I ride it. Triple butted Columbus Ultrafoco steel tubing with a Columbus Carve Carbon rear seatstay. Their compact sizing is comprised of a full run of sizes. Great bike, I suggest it to everyone that's looking for high end steel.

Bet you pay for every inch of it to$

Bet you pay for every inch of it to$

Which one, the Orbea? It's a great deal on a great frame, I think it was $1200.

But, they also have a full steel frameset, I think it's Foco tubing throughout, that's less expensive and, from what I hear from a coupla guys that have it, rides really well.

Full custom brazed steel Landshark from www.gvhbikes.com It comes with Ultegra, which is OK in my Campy-centered head, but the bargain is for real.

I want a Landshark track frame. Bad.

Gunnar Roadie or an '03 Lemond Zurich or Maillot Jaune.

55/Rad

Found out something interesting today. Gunnar is the TIG weld division of Waterford. Interesting. And I will check out the Maillot Jaune.

Marinoni has limited state side availibility. But, that is exactly what I'm talking about. Complete Chorus bike for about $2K would be sweet. Closest deal is about 2700 miles away.

I rode the Veloce. Just OK sorry BR. I also wanted ride Virata but none in my size.

I didn't look at Waterford at all because of price.

Guru looks nice, but no dealer even close.

I'll have to check out Rodriguez. Thanks

there's a shop here in berkeley that sells marinoni frames. not sure if they do any mail-order stuff though. they're called velosport (http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Bike_Shops/VeloSport.htm), and they have a crapton of marinoni frames hanging from their ceiling...wooooo doggies, they're hot.

(berkeley is 1711.32 miles, or 27hours, 5 minutes from frisco, TX according to mapquest). still a little far to go for a bike...

I'll have to check out Rodriguez.

Where are you located? Rodriguezes are popular around here because they're a local builder. Plus their frames come with nice little touches... like a bottle opener on the seatstay. How cool is that? ;)

http://www.rodcycle.com/catalog/bottle_opener.gif

Their prices (http://www.rodcycle.com/cart/showcat.cgi?Category=Bicycles+and+Frames&SubCategory=Bikes+for+Men) seem to fall within your budget.

Erf... I should maybe read the location tag next to people's profiles. I see you're in Texas. Since you're not local, you may want to check out Rodriguez's Long Distance Test Ride (http://www.rodcycle.com/long.html) policy. Granted, it's still a bit of a hassle but it's something.

Which one, the Orbea? It's a great deal on a great frame, I think it was $1200.

But, they also have a full steel frameset, I think it's Foco tubing throughout, that's less expensive and, from what I hear from a coupla guys that have it, rides really well.

Less then i thought,not bad.

Your can get the Orbea Zona. All steel for about $750 w/fork

Rivendell, Soma, and Surly all make nice steel frames at assorted price points.

Found out something interesting today. Gunnar is the TIG weld division of Waterford. Interesting.
Yes, Gunnar is often referred to as the "poor man's Waterford." Don't be fooled though, the bikes are very nice.

55/Rad

rivendell http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/

Didn't look in the CX section. OOPS!

It still would have been nice to have kept a roadie.


I'm sure it's a bit pricey, but they still have the Maillot June in 853.

Yes, Gunnar is often referred to as the "poor man's Waterford." Don't be fooled though, the bikes are very nice.


Another vote here for the Gunnar "Roadie". It's a GREAT riding frame, handwelded (TIG) by the same framebuilders that build the Waterford lugged frames. I think it's a steal for the money. I love mine.

I suggest you check out Torelli. They've been importing & selling great steel bikes for over two decades. Lots of frame/fork choices, neat paint jobs, excellent selection of build kits, good prices, and great service! Hopefully your lbs can provide you the opportunity to at least consider what Torelli offers (If they can't, visit other shops). You won't be disappointed.

i ride a Steelman and would recommend it in your price range.
5 years later i still get comments on the paint job and the welds.

Less then i thought,not bad.

yeah, they're still not charging as much as they could. I attribute it to getting their name out there and figure that they'll start getting more for their bikes once their name is more recognized outside of fora such as this.

What about the Colnago Master X-Light frame. I see those occasionally with good prices.

People are weird when it comes to those EFBe tests. There are tests on steel lugged frames circa 1997, and thats it. No modern steel frames have been tested, except one Cervelo - hardly figures you can base a broad ranging generalisation on. And what of their testing criteria? How many of you understand it, let alone think it's reasonable?
I've seen broken Cannondales, broken Treks, broken Principias, broken Merlins in the real world. Real world incidences! I've seen Colnage Masters last 20 years.

I don't think anyone should take much notice of EFBe tests. They hold a novelty value - thats it. If you buy a frame with a warranty, and from a good company with good policies, what more do you need to worry about? Do you think 200 kms a week is really going to fatigue out your frame? How long would it take you to cycle your frame 200,000 times? 10 years? 20 years? In reality you have no idea, thats the bottom line.