Road Cycling - Steel Bikes

I am in the market for a new bike. I have another thread going "Opinions on my next bike, please". In my search, I have had many people suggest a steel frame, since I plan to keep the bike a long time. Most of the bikes I have ridden have been aluminum, carbon or a combination of the 2. (I am still looking for a Titanium bike in my size, in my area ). I want something nice and light for recreational riding and some century rides.

Any suggestions for a high quality steel framed bike, Ultegra level components, nice wheelset for around $2000?

Thanks.

Phredd

Well I am picking up an '04 Specialized Allez Comp Cr-Mo double this week. It was exactly what I was looking for, steel, full carbon fork, carbon seat post, full Ultegra group, etc. The wheelset on it is the Shimano 540...will work for now but I will probably upgrade fairly soon.

I wish it was lugged, but it's double butted. Still for under $1499 I couldn't beat it.

Have you looked at Orbea?

I got a left-over '03 Specialized Allez Comp Cr-Mo and love it.

I found this web-site, don't know how thorough the list is of steel bikes but it's a start:

http://www.nordicgroup.us/bikerec/#Road

Any suggestions for a high quality steel framed bike, Ultegra level components, nice wheelset for around $2000?


For that price, I would only ride Carbon or Ti, not Al. My old ride is a traditional Medici Pro Strada (steel). She served me well (13+ years). Current ride is a Litespeed compact. No comparison in price, but absolutely no comparison in quality.

Just remember that components is the last place to spend your dollars - get the best frame/fork first.
Have you looked at the Litespeed Firenze?

CC has it for $2K

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=30917&CGRFNBR=735&CRPCGNBR=735&CI=1,263,701,735&TextMode=0

And I found it at BikeSmart.com

http://www.bikesmart.com/index.cfm?menu=browse&cid=ROAD&ssid=PAOHADGENINKOKAG&ap=2099.99&StartRow=1

for $1789.

Best.

I just ordered my new bike yesterday. I had the same requirements as you it seems. I ended up getting a Jamis Quest. Full ultegra, carbon fork, mavic cosmos wheel set for $1299. The LBS is even switching the front triple to a double for free.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/images/04_quest.jpg

Find a great bike shop with a great reputation for measuring and fitting people. A friend went to an LBS here and for $1700 (total), she was measured and got the right frame for her, an Orbea, spanish company I hadn't heard of before along with some really nice wheels and Campy Veloce.

If this is your next bike for years to come, just get the right frame and fork now... and only a good shop can really tell you whats right for you. Spend the money on the measuring and fitting.

Take a look at the LeMond Zurich.

I am in the market for a (another) bike. I want something nice and light for recreational riding and some century rides.

Any suggestions for a high quality steel framed bike, Ultegra level components, nice wheelset for around $2000? (Good grief!!)

Phredd

For a quality road bike you could do a lot worse than to
buy an older used Bridgestone XO-1 or RB-1 no matter how
much money you want to throw at a bike.

I ride both now and constantly amazed at how smoooooooth they
are on the road. These bikes are made with steel lugged
frames with good compenents. Do you really believe that it
takes $2000 to buy a premium bike????? I don't.....as my
experence with the Bridgestone's bear out.

I'd look at some of Rivendell's off-the-rack bikes, too. They're designed by Grant Petersen, the same guy who did the Bridgestones mentioned in the other post, and have some of the same strengths. I have an Atlantis ($990 frame and fork). The roadier version of that is the Rambouillet, same price, and there are a couple of lower-priced ones, the Romulus and another one I can't remember, that I think are about $1400 for a complete bike. I love the Atl after three years, and the company's been great to deal with.

Here are a few that I would recommend...

Bianchi - look at the Virata, Veloce, Vigorelli in that order.
http://www.bianchiusa.com/road.html

Gunnar (made by Waterford) - this can be built up within your budget.
http://www.waterfordbikes.com/gunnar/data/mainframe.htm

Definitely check out the Lemond Zurich,, you can probably get a good deal on a 2004, as the '05's should be coming out soon... I have a Lemond Maillot Jaune setup with Ultegra... the frame is identical... love it.. very smooth... fits me great

jeff

you should try to buy used. i see beautiful old steel bikes going for reasonable prices all the time on ebay.

or buy the serotta fierte. finishes are limited and it's made to stock geo, as opposed to every other serotta, which is made to custom specs, but they offer a ton of sizes and the numbers really make sense. this is an absolutely top-notch, beautifully made steel bike by a builder who really understands the material and does excellent work.

the frame and fork are $1120. if you'd accept ultegra 9 speed on the bike, hold out a few more months until ultegra 10 comes out. there will be sales on the 9 speed, and with a nashbar or performance 20% coupon, you can get the stuff dirt cheap.

i ended up with a DA 9 speed group last year for super cheap using this method.

For that price, I would only ride Carbon or Ti, not Al. My old ride is a traditional Medici Pro Strada (steel). She served me well (13+ years). Current ride is a Litespeed compact. No comparison in price, but absolutely no comparison in quality.

Just remember that components is the last place to spend your dollars - get the best frame/fork first.
Have you looked at the Litespeed Firenze?

CC has it for $2K

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=30917&CGRFNBR=735&CRPCGNBR=735&CI=1,263,701,735&TextMode=0

And I found it at BikeSmart.com

http://www.bikesmart.com/index.cfm?menu=browse&cid=ROAD&ssid=PAOHADGENINKOKAG&ap=2099.99&StartRow=1

for $1789.

Best.




Thanks - I am riding a couple of Litespeed bikes tomorrow. The Firenze is one of them. That Bikesmart price is great.

For a quality road bike you could do a lot worse than to
buy an older used Bridgestone XO-1 or RB-1 no matter how
much money you want to throw at a bike.

I ride both now and constantly amazed at how smoooooooth they
are on the road. These bikes are made with steel lugged
frames with good compenents. Do you really believe that it
takes $2000 to buy a premium bike????? I don't.....as my
experence with the Bridgestone's bear out.


Ahem...guess I should have said $2000 maximum.

Thanks for the info.

I'll second the Gunnar Roadie, but make sure you get teh Waterford paint job. It's worth the extra $$. You should be able to get this bike in under your budget.

Colnago Classic
Lemond Maillot Jaune Classic
Lemond Maillot Juane or Zurich "spine design" (combo steel + carbon)
Gunnar Roadie
Any steel Serotta
Vanilla (custom)
Any Waterford

Just a start...

55/Rad

I second the above comments. I have a Bridgestone RB-1 and it is a smooth ride. I just got a LeMond Zurich (for the triple, yeah, that's the ticket...) and it is smooth AND light, with the carbon/steel design. It seems to be the best of both worlds, for me. Give it a try if at all possible. I brought it home and did 35 miles and didn't want to stop. LeMond's big issue is that comfortable, fresh riders finish first.

I don't know much about steel bikes, but the colnago classic is a beautiful bike.

If money were no object, then how about these two Italian steelies:

- DeRosa Corum
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&PRODUCT.ID=17

- Pinarello Opera
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&PRODUCT.ID=42

I would be a little embarrased to be seen as a "poser" with my fat butt on one of these, but they are sooo easy on the eyes. :)

Have fun shopping!

Try looking at a Viner Nemo steel bike from Gary at http://www.gvhbikes.com/
This guy is great to work with and has some excellent deals. I seem to be the only one in my area to have a Viner, but several riders have told me that they are mentioned in Bicycling Magazine. Mind you. I'm not trying to force anything on anybody, but this one is worth checking out. Especially if you are tired of seeing a world full of Treks, Giants and Specialized. Mine is set up for climbing with DA triple and has around 12,000 miles on it. No problems yet. Good luck in your search.

Fuji Roubaix Pro,that Jamis someone said is nice. Both of these are under 1500.

To all.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Off for some test rides.

Phredd

Bianchi Vigorelli 'nuff said.

i had the same desire... a new road bike, quality steel, best components/wheels i could buy, only my budget was $1000. ended up with a columbus genius steel custom bike with campy chorus/record and campy proton wheels, ritchey wcs stem/bars/post, profile ac cabron fork. and yes, for $995. i test rode in every bike store in seattle and portland, and this bike beat them all... it is a dream. only issue is the length/reach... just a tad long... so i put on a cinelli alter stem and voila.

really... make sure you know your fit/size, and then search the classifieds in your paper, craigslist, roadbikereview, cyber cyclery, etc...

there's the cervelo super prodigy to consider. $1800 http://www.cervelo.com/bikes/SPG.html