kmart

I have a Schwinn prologue frame that I built up into a fixed gear about a year ago. It has Tange Prestige tubing & eyelets for a rear rack. From what I have read it is one step down from the Schwinn Paramount. That sounded pretty like this was a good frame worth holding on to (it is also semi-rare), and planted the idea in my head that I might eventually build it up into a nice road bike. It is a pretty comfortable frame, but the handling is a little sluggish in the turns (it feels like it has more inertia coming out of a turn than my aluminum framed bike).

Now I am thinking of adding some gears and shifters to it and use it for centuries and ocassional touring (I would tour fixed, but I'd like to be able to tackle hills and mountains on this). I have a Shimano 105 group and wheels I could put on it, or possibly a Campy Centaur or Chorus group. I like this frame because it is lugged steel and, from what I've read, relatively light. Even though it's for touring, I plan to mostly travel light (without a rear rack) since I like to go fast, and would prefer as light as possible a frame.

My question to you all, especially those owners of "top end" steel bikes, whether for touring or racing - is it possible to get a lugged steel frame that is significantly faster, lighter and "better" than what I have? This is the best steel frame I have owned, but I am wondering if I would notice a significant improvement if I got something with Columbus SLX or similar "light" steel tubing.

Landgolier

You'd have to spend serious cash to do better, and if you want to tour on it you might come to like the handling. You could always change the fork if you think it's too sluggish.