Do they still make road bikes out steel?
06-20-09, 10:37 AM
#1
Mrs. DataJunkie
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Do they still make road bikes out steel?
And if so, what are some decent brands/models that aren't crazy expensive?
In a few months I may flip my Miyata nine twelve for a new road bike (or a nine twelve in the correct size.) I really like steel but I have no idea if road bikes are still made of steel these days...
In a few months I may flip my Miyata nine twelve for a new road bike (or a nine twelve in the correct size.) I really like steel but I have no idea if road bikes are still made of steel these days...
06-20-09, 11:00 AM
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The only mfr that comes to mind is Surly, but their bikes are more CX than road. REI carries these Novara bikes that are also Cro-moly.
Good luck!
Good luck!
06-20-09, 11:04 AM
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Jamis still makes a couple of nice ones too. Surly has a few touring bikes, as well as the cross-check. And I believe there are still some steel bikes at bikesdirect.com. Mercier I believe. I dont know about the quality (it has long been a source or argument on here) but the price is decent.
06-20-09, 11:06 AM
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Rather than deciding on material now, do yourself a favor and keep an open mind. Bike geometry, fit, wheels and tires have much more to do with the ride than frame materials. I've got bikes made with steel, Ti, CF and had an Al. Except for the Al, the geometries are close and the ride differences aren't that much.
When you're thinking about a new bike, take a lot of test rides. Or start now. It's fun trying new and different bikes.
When you're thinking about a new bike, take a lot of test rides. Or start now. It's fun trying new and different bikes.
06-20-09, 11:09 AM
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06-20-09, 11:16 AM
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Good advice, Stan that way I will build my knowledge base up and be able to judge the quality of bikes a bit better.
06-20-09, 11:26 AM
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Soma, Surly, a few BikesDirect bikes, IRO Phoenix if you want an IGH, Jamis, Raleigh, Bianchi, Fuji, Waterford...
There are also several frame builders out there, like Terraferma and Kazane, just to name a couple.
Another option is finding a really nice older steel bike, like something Italian that was top of the line back then.
There are also several frame builders out there, like Terraferma and Kazane, just to name a couple.
Another option is finding a really nice older steel bike, like something Italian that was top of the line back then.
06-20-09, 11:27 AM
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Ciocc, and Torelli make nice steel frames.
You can get them at www.repartocorse.com
Also, www.gvhbikes.com has a good selection of various steel frames.
You can get them at www.repartocorse.com
Also, www.gvhbikes.com has a good selection of various steel frames.
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06-20-09, 11:30 AM
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Thanks, guys. I'm maybe not "stuck" on steel now, but I won't have $1000+ to spend so that is a deciding factor, unfortunately. I am seeing LBSes with bikes around the 700-$800 mark, I could save up for the right bike for me in that price range.
06-20-09, 11:36 AM
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+1 on getting over the material obsession. That said, blammo:
My Jamis Quest. 631 steel and 100% awesome.
Older shot with crappier tires, SPD pedals:
The Satellite would be in your price range. Lower grade steel and comes with Tiagra, but still a nice bike.
My Jamis Quest. 631 steel and 100% awesome.
Older shot with crappier tires, SPD pedals:
The Satellite would be in your price range. Lower grade steel and comes with Tiagra, but still a nice bike.
Last edited by lambo_vt; 06-20-09 at 11:41 AM.
06-20-09, 11:45 AM
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"Another option is finding a really nice older steel bike, like something Italian that was top of the line back then".
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06-20-09, 11:50 AM
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One great thing about steel is that it lasts a long time. I bought a used from from the early 1990s that had seen a lot of use, but it was still in great shape. I had it stripped and repainted, then built it up with modern 10 speed components.
There aren't that many places still making steel bikes, and although some are reasonable, like Surly's for under $500 for the frame and Gunnar for a little more, others are quite pricey, way more than a reasonable CF or Al bike.
Mind you, it did cost me a total of $2400 to build that bike (including frame), but you don't HAVE to build it wih Campy Chorus, Phil Woods bottom bracket, Chris King headset, etc.
There aren't that many places still making steel bikes, and although some are reasonable, like Surly's for under $500 for the frame and Gunnar for a little more, others are quite pricey, way more than a reasonable CF or Al bike.
Mind you, it did cost me a total of $2400 to build that bike (including frame), but you don't HAVE to build it wih Campy Chorus, Phil Woods bottom bracket, Chris King headset, etc.
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06-20-09, 11:55 AM
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06-20-09, 12:09 PM
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Expensive ($2500ish): https://www.steelmancycles.com/
In-Expensive ($1000ish): https://www.curtlo.com/
In-Expensive ($1000ish): https://www.curtlo.com/
06-20-09, 12:44 PM
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There are lots of steel bikes out there. However, the cheap ones are harsh and heavy. If you want the "steel is real" ride quality, you have to spend some money.
06-20-09, 01:22 PM
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And if so, what are some decent brands/models that aren't crazy expensive?
In a few months I may flip my Miyata nine twelve for a new road bike (or a nine twelve in the correct size.) I really like steel but I have no idea if road bikes are still made of steel these days...
In a few months I may flip my Miyata nine twelve for a new road bike (or a nine twelve in the correct size.) I really like steel but I have no idea if road bikes are still made of steel these days...
https://www.marinoni.qc.ca/
06-20-09, 01:26 PM
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I swear there was a thread posted in the last month with exactly this title. Had to go back to the OP to see if it wasn't a post bump.
I think there are going to be more production bikes made from steel as consumers realized they dumped the material a little too quickly. There are lots of uses where aluminum or CF are overkill or even somewhat inappropriate. And even for performance bikes, steel is not all that heavy, particularly if you put a carbon fork and modern components on it.
I think there are going to be more production bikes made from steel as consumers realized they dumped the material a little too quickly. There are lots of uses where aluminum or CF are overkill or even somewhat inappropriate. And even for performance bikes, steel is not all that heavy, particularly if you put a carbon fork and modern components on it.
06-20-09, 02:26 PM
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06-20-09, 02:30 PM
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The only mfr that comes to mind is Surly, but their bikes are more CX than road. REI carries these Novara bikes that are also Cro-moly.
Good luck!
Good luck!
06-20-09, 02:30 PM
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Of course there's your local mountain bike manufacturer.
Rocky Mountain also sells steel touring bikes like the Rocky Mountain Sherpa.
They're not cheap though. Vintage steel bikes like your Miyata are by far the best value if you're looking for a fairly light steel road bike.
Rocky Mountain also sells steel touring bikes like the Rocky Mountain Sherpa.
They're not cheap though. Vintage steel bikes like your Miyata are by far the best value if you're looking for a fairly light steel road bike.