Framebuilders - Production Steel Bikes

I've been riding my Bertoni for the last 21 years and am mostly happy with it. But, I keep getting tempted to buy a new bike. Something with all the modern goodies a new bike has. I still want a steel bike. What I'm wondering is, are there any companies that build a lugged steel bike. I know about the custom frames, which I still may go with, I would like to know if anyone is building a complete steel lugged frame and crowned fork. Thanks for any comments you may have.

bianchi has one for like 3300, kona has one for 2200 (kapu), those are the ones i can think of on the top of my head.

Rivendell, of course. Toei. DeRosa. Richard Sachs (arguably custom). Cinelli SuperCorsa. Olmo. Tommasini. Maxone. Mercian. Hetchins.

That's what I can think of right now. I'm sure there are many others.

Salsa, Gunnar, Surly and Soma make nice steel frames and bikes (not too sure which models have nice crowned forks but I know Soma do have some). Some are made in Taiwan but with nice riding qualities and a decent price tag.

May also want to check semi & full custom frames from manufactures like Waterford, Mercian and Bob Jackson (exchange rates are in the US's favor right now).

And if you're really interested in the idea of full custom, check out the North American Handmade bike show (http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/index_01.htm) site for a huge list of builders.

Not lugged, but Serotta has a production steel bike, the Fierte.

How's the quality of the tig welded frames from companies like Bianchi and say Masi and such? Are these all from Taiwan?

Many production frames are made in Taiwan. They can be really very good! However, there are not that many lugged production frames any more since they are time consuming to make. Bianchi and Kona have stock bikes with lugs, otherwise you will probably have to build up a frame from Soma or similar. Many of the Italian frame companies have hopped back onto the lugs bandwagon, but their frames are going to be expensive... with a few exceptions like the Gios Compact Pro :)

I have to say, the Gios compact pro is very interesting. Thanks for the tip. Probably the best bang for the buck I've seen.

Rivendell, of course. Toei. DeRosa. Richard Sachs (arguably custom). Cinelli SuperCorsa. Olmo. Tommasini. Maxone. Mercian. Hetchins.

That's what I can think of right now. I'm sure there are many others.

Also Bob Jackson and Woodrup. The English shops are very cheap now, with the weak pound.

How much does it generally cost to have a frame shipped from England?

Colnago Master X Light beautiful Lugged frame and chrome for about $2500.00 can be ordered through www.wrenchscience.com also there is Tommasisi Techno but l like the Colnago Master X Light I have one on order with ETA of April 15th 2009

The Colnago Master X Light is Italian made and they have only two builders not exactly a high production operation, all hand made,and the tubing and workmanship is first class and it takes about eight weeks to have it delivered. The shipping cost for me from wrenchscience was $20.00

How much does it generally cost to have a frame shipped from England?

Great question! I just checked the Mercian site, and they estimate typically 125 pounds for FedEx shipping to the USA, including insurance. For an Audax Special in 853 at 690 pounds, that totals 815 pounds. The pound is a bit stronger today, $1.43, so the $ price is about $1170. VAT is not included for US, I think.

Also check out GVHbikes.com. Tom usually has a good stock of steel bikes - such as DeRosa, Merckx, Cinelli, Colnago. Good prices and Tom's a good guy.

Great question! I just checked the Mercian site, and they estimate typically 125 pounds for FedEx shipping to the USA, including insurance. For an Audax Special in 853 at 690 pounds, that totals 815 pounds. The pound is a bit stronger today, $1.43, so the $ price is about $1170. VAT is not included for US, I think.

Going to be hard to find a new lugged steel frame for less than that, I think.

Going to be hard to find a new lugged steel frame for less than that, I think.

same bike in 631 is less than $1000, all told.

I think Bob Jackson was even less, though.