Originally Posted by Poguemahone
Frame, frame, frame. Lugged, double-butted steel always prefered. Cro-moly over Hi-ten. Reynolds 531 a sure bet. My size vastly prefered. Give any frame a good once over for cracks and dents.
After that, components.
I'd agree with this post 110%. When you compare the quality of even cheap lugged frames
to todays aluminum frames the steel will win in durablity and ride everytime. It's entirely
possible to buy a sleeper lugged frame and with the right components (or add them)and
have a bike that is at least as good , or better, than many of todays custom lugged frames
at less than a 1/3 of the cost of the custom.