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Recommend me a STEEL frame?

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Old 10-14-12, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by vettracer
Noooooooo! It rides like crap. I have one of those 853 Pro Team frames and it is by far the worst riding of my 4 steel bikes. The rear triangle is so laterally flexible that the first time I rode it, I stopped several times to check for a flat rear tire. it steers nice, but in the middle of a fast corner, it always feels like it has a hinge in the middle.
That's good to know, I've been very tempted a couple times now with these.
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Old 10-14-12, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by cruiserhead
Best deal is the Fuji Connoisseur from nashbar. $499!!
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0052_549652_-1

Reynolds 725 and really pretty. I really like the crowned straight blade fork and colors.
I would buy it but I have too many bikes.
Still, it's tempting!
You have a ton $ left over in your budget if you want to upgrade components and still be way under any comparable bike.
It's 1" and I just don't trust it being of quality at that price point. A few reviews said BB needed faced, filing of rear drops, etc.
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Old 10-14-12, 07:10 PM
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somewhat left field option- but I've heard nothing but pleasant surprise about the BD motobecane ti frames (run about $1000).
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Old 10-14-12, 07:20 PM
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When the Toronto bike expo was on last month my favorite bike of the show was the Masi Gran Criterium. The MSRP on the 2013 frame is $900.

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Old 10-14-12, 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Crappymonkey
When the Toronto bike expo was on last month my favorite bike of the show was the Masi Gran Criterium. The MSRP on the 2013 frame is $900.
Any idea where? Or, who? is building these?
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Old 10-14-12, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by bigfred
Any idea where? Or, who? is building these?
Sorry but no. This is all the info from the Masi site...

As a modern tribute to this icon, the Gran Criterium incorporates classic lugged joints with Reynolds 525 tubing to deliver lively and dynamic ride qualities unlike any other modern bike. Equipped with traditional downtube shifter mounts option, classic geometry and a timeless green and silver paint scheme, the legend is reborn.
  • Fully lugged Reynolds 525 double butted chromoly steel
  • Sizes: 49, 51, 53, 56, 58, 60
MSRP: $900*
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Old 10-14-12, 08:05 PM
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Steelman Cycles
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Old 10-14-12, 08:53 PM
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Co-Motion Nor-wester is a steel with relaxed geometry, but it is a little over your target price. About $1750 for a frameset, and about $3050 for a 105 equipped bike.

Also check out Raleigh, they have a few steel bikes, but don't show prices on their website. I have been looking at the Raleigh Roper. A steel cross bike, complete at around $1500.00
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Old 10-14-12, 08:57 PM
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Old 10-14-12, 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by RiPHRaPH
Steelman Cycles
Cheapest one is $3k.. and looks like they most average over $4k.

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Old 10-14-12, 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Marlin
Co-Motion Nor-wester is a steel with relaxed geometry, but it is a little over your target price. About $1750 for a frameset
Might be a contender though.. 52 looks like it would fit really well.
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Old 10-14-12, 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Crappymonkey
When the Toronto bike expo was on last month my favorite bike of the show was the Masi Gran Criterium. The MSRP on the 2013 frame is $900.

Love the Masi's. I had a Speciale Ltd (Reynolds 525) that got stolen...loved that bike
Masi are avail everywhere
https://www.masibikes.com/dealer/

Don't poo poo the Fuji, it's a worthy frame. Just because they are blowing it out doesn't mean it's not good.
I would pull the trigger on it but I'm already deep in bikes! lol
couple nice ones I found



Of the two bikes, I would take the Fuji. Reynolds 725 vs Masi 525.
But the lugs are cool on the Masi.
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Old 10-14-12, 09:45 PM
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I saw the one with record and it does look nice.. but i'd either have to buy a 1" threadless carbon fork (does this exist? lol), use an adapter to run threadless, or live with the threaded setup which is the least desirable of the three.

edit: I'd also have to buy adapters / cable stops for DT.. AND get rid of all the stock parts it comes with.

If I didn't have a SS 29er I'd buy the fuji just for a foul weather/beater bike in a heart beat though.
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Old 10-14-12, 09:55 PM
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I understand about going threadless, but 1" forks are not that hard to find. Carbon or steel and usually not that pricey at all- more common in the fixed or old school bikes.
Sorry I don't mean to push that bike, but it's a screaming good deal with a top notch tubeset... I'm just wishing I had room for it LOL

The Masi's are nice, they are pretty and ride nice.
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Old 10-14-12, 10:55 PM
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Rodriguez (R+E Cycles) is a well respected frame builder. They've been around since the early 70s. Their frames are widely known in the Northwest and are highly regarded by the cycling community there. After considering several builders, I decided to go with them earlier this year for a custom build. My experience was positive and HIGHLY recommend them. Quality build 100% with high level of attention to detail. They also work really well with long-distance customers. Which of their models are you considering? If you have specific questions about my experience with them, PM me.
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Old 10-14-12, 11:34 PM
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If you're certain that you only want the frame, then Soma makes some of the best chromoly steel frames west of the Mississippi.

Just checkout their website:

www.somafab.com/frames

PS.

Why spend more money for approximately the same identical ride?

I like the Smoothie!

Last edited by SlimRider; 10-14-12 at 11:38 PM.
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Old 10-14-12, 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Chris Pringle
Rodriguez (R+E Cycles) is a well respected frame builder. They've been around since the early 70s. Their frames are widely known in the Northwest and are highly regarded by the cycling community there. After considering several builders, I decided to go with them earlier this year for a custom build. My experience was positive and HIGHLY recommend them. Quality build 100% with high level of attention to detail. They also work really well with long-distance customers. Which of their models are you considering? If you have specific questions about my experience with them, PM me.
That's exactly my experience. I had them build me a tandem this Spring after they repaired my old one last Fall. It's been perfect, which is no easy feat considering it was built to have a 5'6" 130 lb captain and a 6'2" 190 lb stoker. Dan Towle (the owner) was great with all the necessary communication that happens over long distance custom builds and the details that I left to him were handled perfectly. I highly recommend R+E.
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Old 10-15-12, 09:35 AM
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Look at Lighthouse near Santa Barbara https://www.lighthousecycles.com/

Someone above mentioned DeSalvo, also very nice frames.

You should also scan the inventory of GVH Bicycles in Oregon, they carry lots of very good steel bikes and great prices. These guys are very good to work with, https://www.gvhbikes.com/inventory.html
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Old 10-15-12, 10:12 AM
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Bikes Direct has a fantastic steel lugged bike called the Motobecane Gran Premio Pro with Reynolds 725 instead of lower grade steel found on steel bikes in this price range, and Ultegra components. They are sold out currently and are waiting for 2013 shipment, you could e-mail them and find out when or even if they'll be restocked which I think they will be because they sold a lot of them. See: https://bikesdirect.com/products/moto...premio_pro.htm

Also Soma makes a nice looking steel lugged frame bikes called the Stanyan, or the San Marcos that will cost you about $800 for the San Marcos, and the Stanyan is a bit less at under $625; these are prices as frame and fork only. They both use Tange Prestige tubing which is very good steel, the San Marcos was designed by Grant Peterson of Rivendell and is a touring frame while the San Marcos is a road and light touring bike.
See the Stanyan: https://www.bikemania.biz/frames/soma...rame-and-fork/
And the San Marcos: https://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup....FQqZ4AodfFMAkg
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Old 10-15-12, 10:21 AM
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It's out of your budget but I would strongly recommend Eric Estlund, who runs www.winterbicycles.com. Beautiful bikes, and I have one on order so not recommending someone I don't know. A little cheaper is Bill Davidson who makes great steel bikes in your budget.

For your dreams, you should check out Dario's frames. www.pegoretticicli.com. They are well north of your budget, but still, worth the price to get the legend.
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Old 10-15-12, 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by SlimRider
If you're certain that you only want the frame, then Soma makes some of the best chromoly steel frames west of the Mississippi.

Just checkout their website:

www.somafab.com/frames

PS.

Why spend more money for approximately the same identical ride?

I like the Smoothie!
If by "west of the Mississippi" you mean "Taiwan", then yes.
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Old 10-15-12, 03:34 PM
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Waterford can put you on a custom Gunnar Roadie frame (TrueTemper OS2) for $1250 (stock size is $900).
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Old 10-15-12, 05:55 PM
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+1 on the Soma. I built up an ES last year, really like it. ES is more relaxed/upright geometry than Smoothie. Frame and fork together were ~$550.

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Old 10-16-12, 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by BmoreDrew
I'd love a De Rosa! I think if I spent that much though I'd probably spend a little more and go custom Ti from like Eriksson or ... (insert xyz colorado builder here).

Did just find this.. https://allcitycycles.com/bikes/mr_pink

bb30 so I can use my force cranks.. not sure where Columbus Zona tubing lies though in terms of overall quality and stiffness?

Weird geo on the Mr Pink too.. The 52 is almost as big as my 54 which is more like a 55 honestly.
+1 on the Mr. Pink. I love mine. It's a fast bike, but also comfortable for the long rides.
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Old 10-16-12, 12:28 PM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by BmoreDrew
It's 1" and I just don't trust it being of quality at that price point. A few reviews said BB needed faced, filing of rear drops, etc.
I bought a Connoisseur last year for around $325. Built it up with no quality issues. Only thing is you need a longer reach front brake on that fork. I built it with a mix of Campy, started with DT shifters, migrated to 8-speed Ergo. It's a comfortable, stable ride. I've put probably 2K miles on it.
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