50mph

I'm looking to buy a commuter. I want steel frame with no suspension under $1000. Aluminum will not be considered.

I'm looking at the Jamis Coda, and Bianchi Volpe. Are there any others I should test ride as well?

hubcap

One has a straight bar and one has drops. That's a pretty significant difference in bike styles, probably more so than steel and suspension preferences. Is there one handlebar style you are leaning towards?

50mph

I'm leaning towards a flat bar for sure, definitely leaning towards the Jamis.

hubcap

That really, really narrows down the list. Most flatbar road bikes like the Coda have aluminum frames. I have seen a number of crosschecks with flatbars, but that's not typical. Not all is lost though, because you could certainly do worse than a fine bike like the Jamis Coda.

old and new

not unless you'd want to downgrade, you've tried the best choices(oppinion) as far as other steel,unless you find a time machine to buy a new one or check a used Trek or Giant... NO choice. Few make steel.

hubcap

Also - Motobecane has a couple of flatbar road bikes with steel frames.

old and new

OK not a bad Idea, that's right, the other lessr priced bike ads. we see here on site seem OK, you may not be able to test-ride. Other than saving $$,not much point anyway. Jamis are tuff to beat, Bianchis too, New York, many more choices than most places. Good thing about NY, Chicago,LA,Boston etc.CHOICE

M_S

jamis makes a good steel frame. Which Coda are you looking at? For an all steel flatbar roadbike, the Coda comp is the best deal I've seen. You get a bit higher components and a carbon fork on the Coda Comp, which makes for a lighter bike, and closer in price range to the Volpe but you also get a bike less suited to off road, and no option for a front rack. Components can always be upgraded down the line, but first identify the type of frame best suited to your purpose. If you're sure you want all steel and a flat bar, then the coda sport is the best bike I can think of.

Nicodemus

Don't beat around the bush

martianone

build up a cross check frame?
1x9 gearing is highly effective for commuting,
a chainring disk helps keep your pant cuff clean & neat,
try an on one mary or origin 8 space bar handle bar,
with X.7 or LX level components the build is about $1000.
this makes a comfortalbe pragmatic all steel ride.

BigMacFU

go used, ebay can be useful, though you'll overpay for certain "vintage" type steel bikes. I payed 150 for mint condition '81 or so Fuji LTD-12sp

mlh122

+1 go used. my dad got a ~'96 cromoly Specialized Hardrock and a Specialized Streetstomper (discontinued comfort bike) for $5 each. both of them work great.

both are non-aluminum and rigid

lima_bean

check out this years binachi castro valley.

it has a volpe frame, with flat bars. it comes with fenders, and a headlight too! its a great bike.


Everything before this year has road drops.

ontheroadid

I don't have any experience with it, but Novara's Randonee gets decent reviews from folks who do touring.

https://www.rei.com/product/744804

A number of touring models go with steel, but most keep the drop bars.

Brian Sorrell

+1. I like the looks of that Castro Valley, if you're going flat. But I vote Volpe overall. I would have bought one if I didn't get such a smokin' deal on my Fuji Touring.

Artkansas 

I got an early '90s Hard Rock for free. Barely used. I love it.

CBBaron

Build up a CrossCheck exactly as you want. Its what I did.
Ofcourse I won't consider any flat bar bikes as I find the bars very uncomfortable.
Craig

Bottomfeeder

I'm another Crosscheck fan. Mine has mustache bars and a 1x8 drive train. I also have a single speed rear wheel I can swap on and toss the derailleur and twist shifter.

DanO