Steel frames, who is still making them?
10-31-08, 09:24 AM
#26
Gilpin County Wheelman
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+1.8956 on the Waterford. Beautiful bikes and made by the folks who brought us schwinn. Been thinking my next bike just might be a Waterford.
Steel and under 17 pounds complete.
Steel and under 17 pounds complete.
10-31-08, 10:49 AM
#27
Junior Member
+1000 on the Waterford. I ride with a bigger guy who is on his second. Beautiful bike, he's 62 years old and whips my butt and carbon fiber bike every time we ride. Loves the steel bike and wouldn't think of going to carbon.
10-31-08, 11:05 AM
#28
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somehow these have been skipped:
Johnny Cycles
ANT
Sycip
I hope steel makes a comeback, but I fear it will stay high end. Plastic and aluminum are so much cheaper than steel.
Johnny Cycles
ANT
Sycip
I hope steel makes a comeback, but I fear it will stay high end. Plastic and aluminum are so much cheaper than steel.
10-31-08, 03:33 PM
#29
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Richard Schwinn is just a few keystrokes away and responds almost immediately. Can't beat the knowledge and customer service!
10-31-08, 04:39 PM
#30
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10-31-08, 05:21 PM
#31
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The details of the frameset are:
Seat Tube - 59.5 (c-c)
Sachs Issimo lugs & crown, Everest shell
Other details - pump peg, chain hanger,fender mounts, & f/d braze-on
Seat Angle - 72.75
Top Tube - 58 (c-c)
Top Tube Slope - 0
Head Angle - 73
Fork Rake - 4.3
Trail - 5.9
Bottom Bracket Drop - 8
Chainstay Length - 42
Build details:
headset - FSA Orbit X (silver)
stem - Nitto UI-5GX (120)
handlebar - Nitto Mod. 176 (44)
handlebar tape - Cork (white)
front derailleur - SRAM Rival (silver)
rear derailleur - SRAM Rival (silver)
brake/shift levers - SRAM Rival (silver)
brakes - SRAM Rival (silver)
crank - SRAM Rival, 50/34 (175, silver)
bottom bracket - SRAM Rival GXP
chain - Shimano 6600
cassette - Shimano 6600
wheelset - Shimano R600
tires - Continental Grand Prix 4000 (25c)
pedals - Shimano M520 (silver)
seatpost - Nitto Dynamic 65 (silver)
saddle - Selle San Marco Regal (black)
cages -King Iris (silver)
Seat Tube - 59.5 (c-c)
Sachs Issimo lugs & crown, Everest shell
Other details - pump peg, chain hanger,fender mounts, & f/d braze-on
Seat Angle - 72.75
Top Tube - 58 (c-c)
Top Tube Slope - 0
Head Angle - 73
Fork Rake - 4.3
Trail - 5.9
Bottom Bracket Drop - 8
Chainstay Length - 42
Build details:
headset - FSA Orbit X (silver)
stem - Nitto UI-5GX (120)
handlebar - Nitto Mod. 176 (44)
handlebar tape - Cork (white)
front derailleur - SRAM Rival (silver)
rear derailleur - SRAM Rival (silver)
brake/shift levers - SRAM Rival (silver)
brakes - SRAM Rival (silver)
crank - SRAM Rival, 50/34 (175, silver)
bottom bracket - SRAM Rival GXP
chain - Shimano 6600
cassette - Shimano 6600
wheelset - Shimano R600
tires - Continental Grand Prix 4000 (25c)
pedals - Shimano M520 (silver)
seatpost - Nitto Dynamic 65 (silver)
saddle - Selle San Marco Regal (black)
cages -King Iris (silver)
10-31-08, 06:25 PM
#32
Senior Member
If you buy their off-the-peg sizes and colors they're 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of a full-blown Waterford.
They also deliver in 4-5 weeks, which is a lot faster than most custom builders.
Last edited by schnee; 10-31-08 at 06:37 PM.
10-31-08, 06:53 PM
#33
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no bike shop really stocks steel because there is no demand for it. it would collect dust in the shop.
10-31-08, 07:19 PM
#34
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I beg to differ. That hasn't been my experience in the Cincinnati area. Even the high end shops with $10K carbon will have a few steel bikes in inventory. There will always be a demand for steel or none of the custom makers would offer it.
10-31-08, 07:25 PM
#35
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I build frames myself and my material of choice is steel. Why? its cheap, easy to work with and rides really nice. While you can't really make a 15lb steel bike (w/o it being like a wet noodle), you can get them down to 17-18lbs depending on component choice.
10-31-08, 07:48 PM
#36
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10-31-08, 07:49 PM
#37
Peloton Shelter Dog
Why does anyone bother? I mean, go figure.
10-31-08, 08:02 PM
#39
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Zanconato is not making frames right now (back in 2009?) but I have been looking at his for a while. Has a lot of Richard Sachs influence.
10-31-08, 08:02 PM
#40
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https://www.bikyle.com/RoadFramesBikes.htm
https://gvhbikes.com/
They both have a nice selection in stock.
https://gvhbikes.com/
They both have a nice selection in stock.
10-31-08, 08:12 PM
#42
Senior Member
Same in Seattle. All of the shops that I frequent here have steel on the floor (Bianchi Volpe, Salsa Casseroll, Masi, Surly LHT or Crosscheck).
And we have two custom builders locally who do a lot in steel:
Davidson Handbuilt Bicycles. www.davidsonbicycles.com
Rodriguez. www.rodcycle.com.
There are too many steel builders in Portland to name, like Vendetta....
https://www.vendettacycles.com/vendettacycles/road.htm
Last edited by BengeBoy; 10-31-08 at 08:17 PM.
11-02-08, 06:50 PM
#43
Mountain Goat
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Torelli makes great steel frames. My new one just came in for a fixed-gear that I am building.
11-02-08, 06:58 PM
#44
dia por dia
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Landshark. Worth it for the paint alone, but they really do make quality frames. My buddy rides one, and I am very impressed with the workmanship. Probably gonna be my next purchase after my wife gets over the 2 KTMs I bought last year . . . 
11-02-08, 07:09 PM
#45
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Rich Adams is another affordable custom frame builder.
https://bicycleframes.com/pricing/
as is Caletti.
https://caletticycles.com/bikes.htm
Better yet, the majority of the exhibitors at NAHBS work in steel. Here is the list and there are links to all the builders' websites.
https://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/n...09/Build01.htm
https://bicycleframes.com/pricing/
as is Caletti.
https://caletticycles.com/bikes.htm
Better yet, the majority of the exhibitors at NAHBS work in steel. Here is the list and there are links to all the builders' websites.
https://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/n...09/Build01.htm
Last edited by dekindy; 11-02-08 at 07:17 PM.
11-02-08, 09:07 PM
#46
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Flame away, but 853 steel with ultegra for $1299...pretty decent deal.
https://bikesdirect.com/products/merc..._serpensIX.htm
https://bikesdirect.com/products/merc..._serpensIX.htm
11-02-08, 09:19 PM
#47
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Another +1. great bikes,a nd very solid people. They stand behind their product. I really want a Waterford built 953 frame.
11-03-08, 12:40 PM
#48
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Thanks for the help everyone. Truly, a custom frame is probably out of my budget in the immediate future so I was looking for production frames and it seems like Gunnar, Soma, Bianchi, and Jamis are probably my best bets. I had no idea Bianchi still made steel frames but I looked at the website and they seem to have a great collection. I wish Surly made a road frame rather than just a Cross. I have a Surly LHT and really love it.
11-03-08, 12:48 PM
#49
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