jnvw

I have a relatively new project that I want to build and am curious to know what is the best steel frame for the $$. For this project Name brand means nothing, but the quality does. So I am looking at other's opinion on a steel frame.

On a side note, since my idea will require a thread less headset the original 'threaded' fork will be useless for this project. Any additional ideas for the fork?

The frame will be powder coated, while the fork will be chrome.

USAZorro

If you use the equation where X = Quality/price, anything you find for free won't be beaten.

squirtdad

More details. Used vs New. Lugged steel or don't care? is Weight important? Budget? Geometry...race or touring or in between? is the focus on Best or on Value?

if you are thinking used, my best guess is late 80's early 90's Japanese/taiwanese. (I am partial to myata, but panasonic, univega, centurion, bridgestone..etc)

have fun and post pics when done

Sammyboy

If you want to know what's best for the $$, we need to know at least roughly what the $$ in question are. The answers will be very different for $50, and $800.

jnvw

Used frame is fine. I would prefer Lugged steel. Weight is somewhat important. Budget for frame only is $200. Geometry: needs to be fast, yet smooth enough to enjoy ridding it. Focus is? Don't have an reply for that one.

I own a few vintage roads, but feel somewhat cramped on them. My other 2 bikes, a 22" Diamondback Mountain and a 60cm Cannondale R800 fit perfect, and I am comfortable on both of them. That's one of my top concerns is the Geometry of the bike, hopefully not having a 'smaller' top tube then normal.

lofter

imgoing out on a limb, cause im bias to columbus tubing , anything sl or slx

Sammyboy

Well, there are lots of fabulous old 531 frames here in the UK. I posted a gorgeous Rotrax in the "ebay finds" thread today, and there are often old Claud Butlers, Freddie Grubbs etc which fit in your budget, although with shipping, they might not.

bigbossman 

If you're looking to build a SS or fixie and fit a 56cm frame, I have a Viscount fillet brazed frame that's not doing anything. The hanger and DT shifter stop was ground off by the previous owner, and the paint has been stripped.

Not sure where you'll find a threadless chrome fork, though.......

CardiacKid

There is probably a debate whether Columbus SL/SLX is better than Reynolds 531. I imagine you will have more of a selection of 531 frames in that price range, since Italian frames seem to be going for a premium. Ishiwata 022 frames are arguably equal to SL/SLX at a fraction of the price (per Sheldon Brown). Tange Prestige frames can probably be thrown in when you consider price.

USAZorro

Ask JunkYardBike about the Trek he has with Ishiwata 022.

ctavel

I only add this because I am very happy with the two that I own-- from about 86 to 89 the competition line of schwinn are pretty hard to beat. If you are able to find a Super Sport or a Peleton you've got a great starting point and can probably find a complete bike for 200 bucks.

I just finished (need to wrap my bars) an 87 Super Sport with a mix of 88 and 89 Dura Ace components that feels amazing--

just my opinion though

Old Fat Guy

The best steel frame for the $$ is dependent on how many $$ $$ equals. Are you talking $50 or $500? Or total custom $1000+?

You gets what you pay for.

Size matters.

JunkYardBike

Vintage Treks tend to have short top tubes, so you'd obviously need to measure before buying. But as stated, don't discount frames with Ishiwata 022 tubing (or higher: 021, 019, even 017 if you're a featherweight). 3Rensho utilized Ishiwata tubing. It doesn't carry the same cachet as Columbus or Reynolds, which means you can get them at bargain prices. As CardiacKid says, fans of it compare it favorably to Columbus SL/SLX. I've heard many tout it as superior to Reynolds 531 for larger frames, because it's a bit thicker, hence stiffer.

I don't have much to compare to, but the Trek 530 I have rides very nicely. Stiff frame, great climber, stable front end for a race frame geometry (still a bit too twitchy for my tastes, but I prefer very stable handling). It also has a decent top tube at 59 cm (60 cm seat tube), which is a better ratio than some vintage Treks.

For longer top tubes, but more relaxed geometry than crit or race, look at some of the older Austro-Daimlers/Puchs in Reynolds 531. They are light, and relatively quick, though not as aggressive as dedicated race geometries.

Scooper

I'd look for a late eighties high end Schwinn (Paramount and Circuit both used Columbus SL/SP or SLX on the smaller frames). The late eighties Premis and Prelude are nice, too.

JunkYardBike

With most vintage frames, I'm pretty sure the inside diameter of the headtube will require you go with a 1" threadless headset. Is that your plan?

If I'm wrong, I'm sure I'll be corrected!

Otis

An early 80's to late 90's Bianchi Italian built "Campione" level (or better) frame can be a great buy. The angles on these bikes are time tested winners and they usually ride fantastic. They are reasonably well made and lend themselves well to upgrades.

You can find non Celeste ones or ones needing paint going on ebay for bargain prices sometimes. You just need to familiarize yourself with the models so you know you are getting an upper end frame.

jnvw

Yes, my plan for the fork is to find a 1" threadless that is Steel, Hmmm. I am not sure this even exists??

I have an 1” uncut threadless fork that will work but is aluminum

Bikedued

As an owner of two Columbus steel Schwinns from the late eighties, I wholeheartedly agree. They are both undervalued and underestimated. I picked up the Prelude for $50 complete bike, and the Tempo as a box of parts type deal for $60. I can only imagine the higher up models are even better. And yes, 531 bikes are always nice.,,,,BD

Tempo



Prelude

USAZorro

Good luck finding a Peloton frame for under $150.00. Won't leave much to build up the bike.

Scooper

I thought the OP said his budget is $200 for the frame only (post #5)?

ctavel

I agree about finding a Peloton for cheap, but I was able to find a Super Sport frame for under 75 dollars (with headset and fork) and build it quite nicely (7400 and 7402 Dura Ace, pictures to come) for a "bargain" compared to some other frame only "bargains." However, I agree too about the whole "bargain" and "cheap" issue because it is totally subjective.

Charles Wahl

I'm an inveterate eBay window shopper, and in terms of "best bang for the buck" there, I'd have to say that it's going to be very hard to beat Trek as a brand name. Reynolds 531 tubing is a real plus. Negatives: unexciting (even pedestrian) lugwork visually; and I always find the logo-stamped seatstay caps and/or fork crowns to be irritating (but Trek is not the only transgressor, by a long shot -- look at some of the logo-megalomanic Italian Stallion marques). They made a lot of good steel lugged bikes, and there are plenty around, plus they don't have quite the "collector" cachet that inflate the prices for Schwinns and other more exotic brands.

Second to these would be a Japan-built frame, from any of the more well-known makers: Panasonic, Univega, Nishiki, etc. In terms of sweet ride, I don't think I've ever read words so loving as from people who've owned and ridden an 80s Nishiki Prestige. Not even Tange's best tubing, but well-built I guess, and nearly as light as a Reynolds 531C frame (I have one of each, and I've weighed them). If you can find one of those, snap it up.

luker

Yeah, I keep hoping that the world comes to its senses and realizes what fine bikes the steel treks were...I am also a closet mac fan, though.

Charles Wahl

What's that mean? You think Macs look cool, but buy Wintel? You eat at Burger King but like Mickey D's fries better? Or is there a Mac bike that I don't know about?
Owner (well, buyer -- I have kids) of 8 Macintoshes so far, no regrets. Every day at work my Wintel provides some ridiculous behavior/exhibits some perverted logic, that is a constant reminder why.

Lamplight

My Nishiki Prestige is probably the best riding bike I've personally used. It's handling isn't quite at the same level as my Bertoni, but it's more comfortable and can be mounted with racks and fenders. Plus it was cheap. My Univega touring bike is the most comfortable bike I have, but the handling is not exactly "quick". Of course, it's a touring bike so this is what I would expect. As far as all out performance, my Bertoni is definitely at a different level compared to my others. But the ride is kind of harsh because I can't fit tires any larger than 23mm. Are you looking for something you can mount a rack and/or fenders to? If not then you have a lot more options. There have been some extremely nice racing-oriented bikes throughout the years that can be found for a decent price.