Monkey Face

Hello ladies and gentlemen.

I'm a fit 56 year-old (57 if you're reading this mid-May) that's had a string of nice performance road bikes over the last 10 years (mtb before that), yet never raced or even ridden close to the potential of my bikes. Truth is, apart from those irresistible sprints to catch the guy in front, I always quite liked trundling along, enjoying the view, listening to the dickie birds and generally riding carefree, as I did when I was a boy.

To that end (and not without a nod to nostalgia), I want to ditch my carbon road bike for the comfort of bigger tyres (or tires!) and the traditional/classic geometry of a steel bike - one that has a modicum of performance (in terms of handling, rather than outright speed... that being down to the engine), but also allows me to do a bit of long distance credit card touring, and one that I can ride year-round (UK weather permitting).

I want to build the bike myself (I've done a few before), so my frameset shortlist is down to:

• Velo Orange Campeur (looks gorgeous, relatively short wheelbase, and I like quill stems, but please don't let's have a debate about it)
• Surly Cross Check (a compromise between above and below and 30% cheaper than above)
• Surly Long Haul Trucker 26" - for the goofyness of it - or the 700c version (is it a long wheelbase boat anchor if I'm not doing heavy-duty touring?)
• Soma 'something' (the frames are hard to get in the UK)
• Pashley Clubman Country (looks nice, but I wonder if I'm paying too much for the name)
• Rivendell - out of my price bracket, but I love 'em.

I'm sure any one of them would fit my wish-list. The Velo Orange is favourite right now, but I'd welcome any opinions or guidance from more experienced cyclists - especially those who ride longer distances on steel - on what would suit me best. (I'm 5'10" and 32.5" inside leg, if that makes any difference.)

Thanks,
Kevin.

OldTryGuy

Haven't a clue to help you, but want to say....good luck, have fun with the build and keep us posted with pictures.

CliffordK

Don't forget E-Bay, and whatever your local classifieds system is.

A slightly used frame can be considerably cheaper than a new one. Or... if you want something like a Surly Long Haul Trucker, find someone in the USA to ship one to you.

I've done most of my riding on steel on an Italian ex-racer. I do think it has a little extra flex in the frame (or wheels) when heavily loaded, but so far it has lasted me for eons.

Also consider Titanium if you find the right frame for the right price. I just built up a Titanium Litespeed that I've been enjoying a lot. The old steel bike just seems a bit plain And, Titanium won't rust in what we call "liquid sunshine".

Gerryattrick

As you're in the UK, a steel framed British bike that I've read nothing but good reviews about is the Genesis Equilibrium:

Equilibrium 20 | Genesis Bikes

I've borrowed one and liked it so much that I bought a frame to build my own.

There must be a bike shop near Chester/Liverpool/Manchester that stocks Genesis so that you could try one out.

All the bikes you mentioned will have their good points, but this is just to give you another option to consider - or perhaps to confuse you even more.

badger1

U.K. designed, for exactly the kind of applications you are describing?? No quill stem, but available as frame/fork kit, or complete bike.

https://www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/Thorn_Audax_Mk3.pdf

qcpmsame 

Sounds like some good, solid planning for a steel dream bicycle, to me. I agree with Gerry about the Genesis frame sets, they are very interesting for a build like you are looking into. Make sure you are looking at the good, U.K. Genesis bikes, and not the knock off that WalMart has, here in the states. Those are poorly specced, and built, BSO. If it doesn't have to be a build that you do, Bianchi is releasing a line of steel classicly oriented bicycles with steel frames, and bosses for racks and fenders, too. Best of luck on choosing your frame and components, pictures here will be mandatory, of course. Cheers.

Bill

dannwilliams

A frame you may want to consider is Salsa Colossal. I purchased a complete bike last year and find it a truly great, comfortable , all day riding bike. Steel frame, disc brakes. Would work great set up backpacking style as it does not have braze-ons for racks. I plan to get out for a couple overnighters with this setup carrying camping gear. And it will do a great job!

trainsktg

I use my aluminum Giant Defy for winter training and whatnot, but for summer cruising I often resort to my 45# steel Big Dummy. The longest distance I've gone with it so far in one day has been 56 miles, but I intend to use it for the 204 mile Seattle to Portland bike ride later this summer. Big tires and steel make for a really comfortable ride.



Keith

Monkey Face

Thanks guys. Lots of suggestions there. (First of all I've moved to Cheltenham... must update my profile... not that that changes anything.)

Should probably have said that I want a horizontal (ie. NOT sloping) top tube, so I've never been keen on Genesis geometry (or graphics) but I'll take another look, ditto Giant Defy (had one once - it was a very nice bike), ditto most Thorn bikes... and all without quill stems (the Surly's make my list on top tube preference and a 26" wheel option).

I'm after Old School aesthetics for the frame - should also mention that I'm a designer, so I'm cursed with things having to look nice (to my eye anyway... I know we're all different).

Should also say that my wife is the same height as me, so I might end up building two bikes, one for me and another for me... whoops, I meant 'another for her'!!!


PS. No disc brakes, thanks! Sorry, I'm obviously something of a difficult-to-please Luddite.

Monkey Face

Hmmm... who suggested Genesis... gotta say, the Equilibrium frameset looks super-nice.

https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/img/bi...m-frameset.jpg

John E

You are on the right track. If I could own just one bicycle, it would have a steel frame, traditional road sport touring geometry, and 700Cx32 tires.

Cassave

Don't forget Mercian. Traditional geometry, venerable UK brand.....

Mercian Cycles - Custom Cycle Frames & Cycle Shop

Monkey Face

Mercian - one of many UK frame builders, not unreasonably priced compared to some custom builders, but at around £850.00 for their cheapest frame, twice what I really want to pay.

I think someone mentioned buying an older frame, but once you've had it re-sprayed, there's the added cost and the time spent not actually riding it, so I'd rather buy new at around the £450.00 / $675.00 mark and crack on with building it.

JohnJ80

The Gunnar Sport sounds exactly like the kind of frame you are looking for and would be the frame I'd pick before any of the Surly ones.

That all said, it should be pretty easy to find a custom frame maker nearby with whom you can work closely to get exactly the characteristics of frame that you are seeking.

I just did this here, working with Anderson Custom Cycles, to build a custom steel frame to accommodate my longish legs and torso and my short arms. I've never had a bike fit me so well and with which the miles just seem to slide on by. Dave Anderson dropped by BB a bit, lengthened the chain stays a touch - it's what he called a similar geometry to what stage racers used to use. It's lively, a great performer and super comfortable. Built up, it comes in at about 16.5lbs. I had it build to take up to 28c (a chubby 28c) tire. Doesn't have rack braze-ons (didn't want to disturb the lines of the bike) but I can put either an Arkel rack (which is nothing short of brilliant) on the seat post and seat or a bikepacking seat bag. Both solutions are ideal for long day rides or credit card/supported touring.

So, I think you're idea is a good one and I think it will be fun.

J.

Gerryattrick

What I said about Chester also applies to Cheltenham. I believe Leisure Lakes Bikes & Cheltenham Cycles sell Genesis bikes. Have a look - you may be impressed, or not, but at least you can make an informed choice.

Mercian make great classic bikes that I would be happy to own, but they are more than twice the price.

Monkey Face

I've been checking out the suggestions guys, but I keep coming back to the Campeur - I think this illustrates why:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eccent...n/photostream/


There are also long-term reviews by a guy who seems to know his stuff, here, if anyone's interested:

https://gypsybytrade.wordpress.com/t...range-campeur/

Gerryattrick

That looks like a nice frame, are they available in the UK? I get the feeling that that's the one you'll go for in the end.

If you after a touring frame there are good deals around for used tourers. I picked up this used Raleigh Randonneur very cheaply a couple of months back, with hardly a mark on it.

osco53

Its time,, your ready Monkey Face,,,
BUT do you have the courage to change ? be different ? Walk a new path ?

So many don't, so many feel the need to fit in. This I do not understand..

The path to Nirvana is a,,, 'Recumbent'

I present to you my Rolls Royce



Look at that seat and Imagine the comfort.



When I stop for a sec to drink water or catch my breath during a spirited ride I rest In the saddle with no need to get off and stretch.
This I swear Is true

Monkey Face

Haha... you're not so far off there osco... I was looking at a recumbent a few weeks ago, but the price for a nice one is pretty off-putting. I promise you I'll add one to the stable one day.

Bandera

I was seriously considering importing a Thorn Audax from the UK myself before I found my Soma.
Recommended by an irascible Welshman w/ long experience in Audax riding that I worked on projects with for years, knows his hardware and puts in the long/wet/mountainous miles to test it.

-Bandera

Doug64

You might think about a Bianchi Volpe. While you can not purchase just the frame, it seems to meet a lot of your criteria. I also have a Long Haul Trucker, and it is an anchor used only for loaded touring.

The Volpe is a cyclocross bike, but I use it for my everyday riding to the gym, post office etc; and everything in between including fully loaded touring.
]

JohnJ80

That's a straight out long haul touring bike. Why would you want that for credit card touring? "Performance" is not a label one would attach to that bike. For sure, try one first.

For the bike tours I've done, I've always preferred to lean to the performance side of the equation. I've done 6 week unsupported tours with full camping gear with 25 lbs on the bike. This bike is more touring oriented than I would have chosen for that tour.

It's really hard trying to select a bike and change the application. I have a tendency to let the pendulum swing too far in the direction I want to go. This sort of feels like that to me from what you have described you wanted.

J.

Monkey Face

Interesting that you're concluding that the VO is an out-and-out touring bike... that's not what I've read, or what I read into the specs. Definitely not the conclusion of the reviewer, linked above: "Unlike many touring bikes, it features lively steering that is inspiring to ride unloaded."

Strikes me as a nice do-it-all bike that fits pretty much all my intended applications.

Anyway, it MUST be pretty good... I'm defending a bike I don't even own yet...

JohnJ80

Credit card touring is going to very different from this bike. That's what I was reacting to.

I just recently had a bike made from a custom frame I had built that is a bit relaxed from the full on race geometry I've been riding for the last 7 years (short chain stays, 67mm BB drop, very short trail etc...). New geometry is 80mm BB drop, 1cm longer chain stays, slightly relaxed angles. That makes the bike very predictable in it's handling, very easy to ride no handed but it still will perform well but it takes a whole lot less rider input. I guess my point is that some small differences in geometry made a big difference in the ride. This will be very big differences from where you were at before and my caution is to not overshoot and get too much of what you thinking you needed just a little of. You sort of going from the complete one end of the spectrum to the other instead of turning it down a notch or notches.


Because of that, I'd make sure and ride one and not rely so much on reviews. It's a too much money to get it wrong.

J.

Monkey Face

I don't know what's happening here with my posts... did I send that bit above as a PM John??? Confused.

Anyway, I take your point, thanks. Apologies if our posts are crossing and that I'm repeating myself... must be getting senile.