Jarrett2

So I've been putting some miles on steel touring bikes lately and I'm digging the ride.

It made me wonder if its possible to get a sub 19 lb, ready to ride steel bike that is strong enough for a 275 lb. rider.

Do they make such a thing? That doesn't cost an arm and a leg to custom builder?

Or is lightweight steel just not the right bike for a 250+ lb rider?

dr_lha

My steel road bike weighs 18.5 lbs, and I'm currently 250lbs. I could easily shave another pound off that weight if I got some more expensive wheels and replaced the tires with non wire-bead (which I ordered by mistake!).

Jarrett2

That's the 2015 Ritchey Road Logic? Are they crazy expensive?

dr_lha

Depends what you mean by "crazy expensive".

The total cost of my bike is about $2200 including the wheels (which I actually recycled from another bike), but I built it myself and sourced the parts from wherever I could find them the cheapest.

I did this because (a) I wanted a lightweight steel road bike and (b) I enjoy amateur bike mechanics. I would imagine if you had a local bike shop that was a Ritchey dealer, then getting them to build my bike would be more expensive than that. For example Adrenaline bikes charge $2750 for a Ultegra build, but that doesn't get you as nice parts as I have.

jsigone

ritcheys are like a grand for the frameset. So 3k build up. I think they have a disc brake version too.

Otherwise might have to hunt the used market. that light weight demand got replaced by carbon fiber. Check out the classics forums. Columbus SL/SP tubing might hold up. SLX might be to thin. I got a 87' schwinn circuit that uses SL tubing, 700C wheels and rides really well. 21# stock (56cm frame), should be under 19# with modern parts and better wheels. Bike was a $160 find from craigslist



Why not Ti? https://www.lynskeyperformance.com/store/road.html

Jarrett2

I'm thinking around $2,000 is a decent price. Similar to a carbon/105 setup. I'd hate to pay more for steel than I could get carbon for.

I definitely would want modern groupsets on it. Threadless stem, Shimano STI shifters, etc. That typically keeps me away from vintage.

I thought TI was too expensive. Plus the one I rode (granted not the best I'm sure) felt like AL to me more than steel.

dr_lha

You can get Ti frames for a grand.

Bandera

It depends on who "they" is.

"Mercian Cycles began in Derby in 1946 and are still building bespoke lightweight steel frames, by hand, using traditional frame-building methods with one craftsman building each frame from start to finish. " Discuss your requirements with them:

Mercian Cycles - Custom Cycle Frames & Cycle Shop

-Bandera

dr_lha

I've seen Breezer Venturi frames online for as little as $500. Not sure how much they weigh, but people seem to love them.

Soma Smoothie weight about 4lbs (frame) and goes for about $400 (no fork).

EDIT: OK I found $400 for the Breezer Venturi, although according to this website it weighs 6.2lbs. Is that right? I guess it's not "lightweight steel" then.

https://www.bikewagon.com/2012-breeze...ue-white#97147

Leebo

Waterford or Rivendell bikes?

Yendor72

Hit up GVH, he may be able to get you a decent deal.

. . : : G V H : : B I K E S : : . .

Jarrett2

Would a Jamis Eclipse in Reynolds 853 be doable for a big clyde?

I have a Reynolds 520 bikes, but not sure what the difference in between 520 and 853.

Bandera

Reynolds Technology

-Bandera

dr_lha

I reckon it would be fine. I think only the most lightweight steel wouldn't be appropriate, so something like Columbus Spirit or Reynolds 953 you might want to be wary of, but anything else should be fine.

I didn't think they made the Eclipse anymore though, have you found one used?

Jarrett2

Yeah, found a used one that a guy built up with nice parts. Thinking about going to check it out.

dr_lha

Might as well go give it a test ride!

JohnJ80

You can get a Gunnar frame for about that.

Custom Bicycle Frames from Gunnar Cycles USA

Same with Rodriguez Bikes.

Steel bike frames - Handmade by Rodriguez Bicycles Company in Seattle

You could also buy a vintage frame on Craigslist (or the bike) and then just equip it with modern components. You could probably get that entire bike for a few hundred dollars and then have at it.

I took an old Basso racing bike I had (circa 1985 or so), with Shimano 600 SIS and DA cranks, stripped it back and put on Ultegra 6700, a threads stem conversion to the fork and it's a beautiful bike for my son at about $1000 total and it's a beautiful ride. It's a probably about a 20 lb bike (without pedals).

J.

Jarrett2

That's good info, thanks.

chaadster

A Venturi in the M/L size (similar to a tradtional 57cm) with a typical full Ultegra 11spd build (incl. wheels) is 20lb with pedals, and would cost about $1.8k as a complete bike.

Getting sub 19lbs, as per the OP's parameters, would take some doing. Wheels are not the place for 250lb+ riders to shave weight, and in fact, probably none of the components are recommended to go into the superlight category which would be necessary to go sub 19lbs.

Therefore, I'd say the Venturi is not a good choice for this project, because the frame is not light enough. It is, however, an excellent handling and stout frame which is great for heavier riders who want performance steel.

I'm 225lb and ride one that hits the road-- fully dressed with pedals, cages, Garmin transmitter and mount-- at 19.2lb. I've got, 1372gm wheels, Campagnolo Athena Carbon groupset, 220gm seatpost, 200gm bars, and a 265gm saddle. I could lop 75gm off the saddle easily, trim another 40gm off bar and post, crop 20gm at the tires, and maybe pull 10gm out of the stem, all without going too crazy, and which would put it sub 19lb easily.

I don't believe there's anything magical about the 19lb breakpoint, though, so making those changes are pretty low priority. I would like to try a carbon bar, for the feel, though...

I don't really get the 275lb on lightweight steel (or lightweight anything) thing, but I suspect focusing on quality and geometry will transform the ride experience from whatever touring bike the OP is on now. And by quality I mean the ride and build characteristics of not just the frame, but of the components and tires.

Just my .02¢.

bikemig 

+ 1. I think getting a quality steel frame with sensible parts makes a lot of sense. Getting it to 19 lbs given the OP's needs and requirements may not make a lot of sense and will be pretty expensive.

Gunnar bikes are pretty sweet. I'd talk to them about what you need/want and see what they say.

dr_lha

@chaadster: I'm 250lbs and ride a 18lb (with Ultegra pedals and cheapo aluminum cages) steel frame bike: Ritchey Road Logic 57cm frame with full 6800 Ultegra and mostly Ritchey WCS cockpit (apart from a Thomson elite seatpost). The most overweight thing on the bike, other than myself, are the 36h Deep-V clyde wheels (2100 grams), I could easily lose another pound there if I went lightweight, or even if I just bought some fancier wheels that had lighter weight hubs. A few 100 grams could be on some things like my $14 low end saddle.

That said, weight was not a priority for me, I wasn't really intending to build a "light" bike when I built this thing, just a nice one, hence the higher end components. I highly doubt also that I'd notice when riding the difference between my 18lb and your 19.2lb bike. I agree there's nothing magical about 19lbs, but I also don't think that a sub 19lb is out of reach of a 275lb rider.

That said, I have no idea if my frame is suitable for a 275lb person, but it sure rides great for a 250lb person like me: stiff, stable, comfortable, great in the climbs, so I expect a 275lb person would find it to be fine. Maybe it will assplode under me at some point, I hope not!

BTW I'm so sorely tempted to pick up one of those Breezer frames for $400, a huge bargain, only the threat of wifely retribution stops me.

BradH

I built up a '97 Lemond Zurich that comes in at 19 pounds. It's Reynolds 853 with a carbon fork, 105 and Ultegra drivetrain and a light set of wheels. I was 215 pounds when I built it up. I get out of the saddle regularly going up hills and it's fine. At 275 I'd say you'd beat up the Kinlin XR200 rims pretty quick. The wheelset, tubes and tires come in at 1870 grams and that's where most of the weight loss comes from. A 20 pound ride shouldn't be tough though. Switch to lighter wheels when you drop some weight. That entire build was well under a grand with but I also do all of my own work to include building wheels.

I picked up a 1988 Schwinn Circuit frame at a very reasonable price and I may do a similar build with it.

chaadster

I think you get this, but to be clear, my point was that lightening the Breezer doesn't make sense to me, primarily because the weight that's keeping it from being sub-19lbs is in the frame, as my build will attest (even though going sub-19 would be easy).

I think it's better to start with a lighter frame rather than hang a bunch of lightweight bits on a heavier one under a 275lb rider.

The Road Logic may be a better choice in that regard, provided it delivers the other attributes the OP is looking for, particularly in regards to stiffness, which it sounds like it well may.

I love the Road Logic as well, even though I've not ridden one. If I could, I'd add on to the stable immediately! I actually came down to deciding between the Ritchey and Breezer back in late '12, and decided in favor of the Breezer for a variety of reasons, including geometry, and design, but also the lower price, which was about $400-$500 at the time. Maybe after I get my first carbon bike, I'll set my sights on the Ritchey again!

chaadster

I have a Lemond B.A. from '02, which shares the same geometry and design of the Zurich, but with an 853 tubed front triangle and 525 tubed stays.

I have serious concerns that one of those would not be rigid enough under 275lb. It's not rigid enough under my 225lbs.

Relatedly, I selected the Breezer for its features that suggested it would be much stiffer and responsive than the Lemond, which it is.

Were I the OP, I'd be looking at carbon fiber for the basis of a sub 19lb bike.

wvridgerider

Not sure why you would be concerned with achieving a certain weight on a bike? I weigh 280 and have a Gunnar Crosshairs, it rides great. My buddy and I switched bikes so I could try his saddle, we ride the same size bike and pedals. He has a Trek Damone and when I lifted his bike I made the comment of how light it was but once on the road it wasnt any different than my bike. If I were you I would just make sure you dont skimp on wheels cause if you do that will give you the most headache.