Kyle in Maine

When I took up biking in college I was, for lack of a better word, cheap. I had to be. With no real income and bills to pay, most of my bikes were yard sale/ CL finds (at best) and fixer uppers/ side of the road finds (at worst). This habit has been hard to break.

It happened though. I'm pretty sick of piecing together bikes out of part from other bikes. It's a fine hobby, but no way to live. Every spring I scramble to get my bike put back together so I can ride, never finishing everything I want to. Well, now that I have a proper job (albeit a low paying one) I have decided to invest in a proper bike. One I won't have to disassamble each winter unless I want to. One I willl have to lock up when I leave it unattended.

I began searching for my new ride. Here is what I have in mind:
steel
comfortable geometry (I won't be racing this thing, just riding for fun, health, and transport)
drop bars
room for fenders?
$1000-ish

I know Bianchi makes steel bikes, but it seems the other large manufacturers all have abandoned Cro-Mo. And there's Surly, whom I don't think I care for very much (but am willing to listen to anyone with a different position). All my old bikes have been steel (with the excpetion of the one mountain bike I owned and hated, even though it was the most expensive bike I had purchased). I feel I need to stick with a mass produced bike, as the $1000 ceiling eliminates anything else.

I probably forgot something. I am very excited I have finally decided to take the plunge and buy a new bike, so I am typing as fast as I can think. Any ideas from anyone out there are greatly appreciated.

Have an awesome day!

-Kyle

maxknee

surly cross check has everything you just asked for including price

michaelmc

Surly Long Haul Trucker, too.

Additionally, Jamis makes a few steel production bikes, the Quest (MSRP $1375) and the Satellite (MSRP $775). The Quest is a bit over your price limit, but is probably worth the extra for the better drivetrain.

My girlfriend has an older Bianchi Veloce, which she completely loves, but of which they've criminally ceased production. The new Eros (MSRP $1300) gets you Campy Mirage, the 2007 incarnation of which I've heard very good things about (10-speed, as good as last-gen Veloce).

If you're industrious, I've regularly seen a ton of steel Bianchi road frames on eBay in the last couple of years. You could build one up from scratch, if you feel so inclined.

Kyle in Maine

Yeah, I know I need to face facts that Surly is pretty much exactly what I am looking for. There's a Surly dealer down the street from my house, maybe I'll go talk to him this weekend.

Mainly, I was just trying to find some other manufacturers of steel bikes. Jamis was a great recommendation. The Satellite and the Aurora are both within the budget, and the model names are a plus too due to my fascination with astronomy. The Bianchis I was thinking of are the Brava and the Volpe. As far from building one up...the jury is still out on that. When I get home I will eBay a bit (can't eBay from work) and see what I can find.

So far on the steel rides list:
Surly
Bianchi
Jamis

Thanks maxknee and michaelmc!

Any others people?

-Kyle

maxknee

why the surly hate?

Kyle in Maine

I see a lot of dudes my age rolling on a Surly these days. They really have nailed that punk rock/ hipster cyclist market. Although I know the bikes they make fit my criteria, and they may be fine bikes, I don't want to feel as though I am buying into the image more than the product. It's more a moral thing that a problem with their bikes.

It's a hard idea to explain I guess, but it comes down to they present themselves as something they are not. I can elaborate more if you want, I feel I may be being a little unclear.

-Kyle

Revtor

Maybe they are what they present themselves to be..? Anyway, they wouldn't have been so sucessful if their bikes sucked. You're buying a steel contraption, not an image try and scrub that hate out of your brain. I could see some real hate if a company was known for shady business or eco-terrorism etc.. but a punk rock image that you dont agree with shouldnt keep you from considering their fine products. (that admittedly fit your needs almost to a tee)

anyway, not trying to play mom here... sorry.

You might keep on the look out for a used cross bike as well. good deals are out there, and you could still get a reeally nice machine, save a few bucks while your at it. try posting in the wanted section, you might get a few nibbles..

Im building a bike this summer too, I feel the excitement - have fun with your new ride!

Kyle in Maine

No it is the false punk rock image I don't agree with. The are owned by QBP, they are not an indie outfit. For lack of a more mature term, they are poseurs.

I do realize, and am fully ready to admit that, I am being sort of ridiculous on this whole Surly thing. Like I said earlier though, it is moral (and pehaps philosophical) problem.

Moving on...I have considered a used cross bike (I dig bar end shifters and they tend to have what I want) or even a used touring bike maybe (any thoughts on touring bikes people?). I am gonna stop a few places before I go home and see what they've got.

Revtor, what are you building?

- Kyle

ridethecliche

BD steel bike. You'd be a great candidate for one since you know how to work on and repair bikes. Use some of the money left over from the bike for a better set of wheels (neuvations are on sale now) to put on the bike one the stocks die.
Bikesdirect.com
Just a thought...

rxda90

You might want to check out Jamis. https://www.jamisbikes.com

They have several steel bikes in the price range you specify. The Satellite and Aurora seem to meet your criteria. The Coda lineup is a flat bar hybrid. I have a Coda Sport and really enjoy it.

maxknee

i have a surly cross check that i love to death, sometiems i run it geared and sometimes i run it fixed/singlespeed. salsa has something similar but doesnt have the tire clearance that the cross check does.

i also have a karate monkey too. good solid cheap frames

roadwarrior

I know a bunch of guys that commute on them and they are bulletproof. Good bikes, especially in bad weather and they seem to last forever.

Kyle in Maine

Ugh...I give...

The Surly's (Surlies?) are the front runners...everyone has had positive stuff to say about them...I am debating the between the Long Haul Trucker and the Cross Check, pros and cons of either? I like that the Cross Check has horizontal drop-outs, but the Long Haul has the triple front.

I could still be swayed to the Bianchi Brava or Volpe. Jamis might not be an option as I don't know anywhere within an hour that sells them and I have a store that sells Bianchis on my street and a store that sells Surly a block or two away.

Still keeping my eye on used stuff too. Options are a good thing.

- Kyle

marqueemoon

You are in the wrong place

I ride a Cross Check I built up singlespeed (because I am a fake punk rocker). My girlfriend commutes on a Jamis Aurora. She looked at the Volpe and decided she liked the ride and the setup a little better.

The Salsa (also QBP) Casseroll would also make a pretty awesome general purpose road bike but you would have to build it up from the frame as it's not available as a complete bike.

v1k1ng1001

'06 Lemond Croix de Fer which has a great steel frame. It's been discontinued for '07 but I've seen them around for $900-$1000 last. You should be able to pick up the model up, which is a Lemond Sarthe, for around $1400. The '06 Versailles is a steel/carbon hybrid and I've seen it go for just under $1000.

If you're coming around to the idea of buying a Surly, you might want to check out Soma's frames. They make the smoothie and smoothieES.

oilman_15106

Check with your Jamis dealer. There are some great deals on 2006 Jamis right now. Even some older Jamis Eclipse 853 steel bikes can be had well within your budget.

Kyle in Maine

The order has been placed. I went with a Surly. I'll probably lose the decals, keep the headbadge. Here's the highlights...

LHT in Utility Blue
Thomson Elite stem
On One Midge Bars
105 STI levers
Deore XT hubs with Salsa Delgado rims
Ultegra Double Crankset
9 gear cluster (still figuring out the range, thinking 11-32)
Michelin Transworld City 700x32

everything else is, well, budget. I sort of spent a bit more than I originally intended, but that's pretty much par for the course, right? Has anyone used STI with the Midge bars (or WTB Mountain Drops for that matter)? I'm having second thoughts about them but figure I will wait and see how they feel.

First upgrades I'll be doing once I have the funds are fenders painted to match, Brooks saddle, Chris King headset, and upgrade derailleurs (Dura Ace 9 spd in front, XT or XTR in the rear). I'm not the only one who thinks about upgrades before the bike is built, am I?

I'll keep posting as the build progresses.

- Kyle