Steel Bikes I should consider
#1
Beer >> Sanity
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,449
Bikes: 2014 Evo DA2, 2010 Caad9-4, 2011 Synapse-4, 2013 CaadX-disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Steel Bikes I should consider
I have a race oriented bike I use for daily training/fitness/fun rides and I'm thinking I'd like to start biking to work a few days a week. My current bike isn't really suited to this as I have no way to attach a rack and I need an excuse to buy another bike.
I'd like to find a nice steel commuting/touring type bike. So far I only looked at a 2010 Jamis Aurora Elite and while I was impressed at first the various random web comments I've read give me pause. I did some googling but this isn't something I know much about so all the names were mostly Greek to me.
What are the "worthy of consideration" steel bikes I should look into? I'm thinking in the less than $1500 range and ideally would buy something on sale to get the most bang for the buck.
Thanks.
I'd like to find a nice steel commuting/touring type bike. So far I only looked at a 2010 Jamis Aurora Elite and while I was impressed at first the various random web comments I've read give me pause. I did some googling but this isn't something I know much about so all the names were mostly Greek to me.
What are the "worthy of consideration" steel bikes I should look into? I'm thinking in the less than $1500 range and ideally would buy something on sale to get the most bang for the buck.
Thanks.
#2
of Clan Nrubso
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Kitsap
Posts: 376
Bikes: Cannondale F400, Surly LHT,Motobecane Le Champion Ti, Novara Veloce
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
SOMA ES, Surly LHT. Both available as full builds withing your price range.
FWIW, although it's a bit heavyish, I do love riding my LHT .
FWIW, although it's a bit heavyish, I do love riding my LHT .
#3
Zoom!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 56
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Collegiate
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Salsa Casseroll or Vaya.
Masi has a few steel bikes that would work for commuting like the Speciale Randonneur and the Speciale CX.
Masi has a few steel bikes that would work for commuting like the Speciale Randonneur and the Speciale CX.
#4
Velocommuter Commando
#5
MUP Pup
Could always poke around for a Trek 520 or Jamis Aurora (not elite).
Also the older Jamis Sputnik (steel) or Jamis Nova (I'm not a fan of carbon forks anymore but still a good bike) also come to mind.
Beyond that there's a plethora of old Japanese touring bikes available used & cheap that'd do the trick. fresh chain, fresh tires & brake pads & there ya go.
Also the older Jamis Sputnik (steel) or Jamis Nova (I'm not a fan of carbon forks anymore but still a good bike) also come to mind.
Beyond that there's a plethora of old Japanese touring bikes available used & cheap that'd do the trick. fresh chain, fresh tires & brake pads & there ya go.
#7
Senior Member
I love the Soma Buena Vista I built. The mixte design protects your valuables from top tube abuse during frequent stops in traffic.It's light, sporty and fun to ride. It can easily be built up within your price range, but does not come built up.
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...and-mixte.html
Marc
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...and-mixte.html
Marc
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 8,896
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Salsa Casseroll
The Jamis Aurora is a great option. Also consider the Salsa Casseroll, Soma ES, or Gunnar Sport. I got a Casseroll in early April and it has become my regular commuter and favorite bike to ride in general. Very nice riding frame and extremely versatile with mounts for fenders and racks, clearance for larger tires, canti brakes.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Soma Double Cross. Not available as a complete AFAIK, but it could be built up nicely for $1500 or so especially if you're willing to buy used parts. Dunno how comfortable you'd be building it up though.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 251
Bikes: Gunnar, Surly
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Civia Kingfield $1425
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Dayton, Oh
Posts: 516
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Specialized Roubaix Team Saxo, Fisher HiFi29er
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Salsa Vaya! Without a doubt the most comfortable and versatile bike I have ever owned...Sold my Pake C'Mute and my Cross Check and got the Vaya and couldn't be happier with a bike. I have run 28c Gatorskins all the way up to 42c Tour Rides and the bike is just killer.
#12
Banned
Rene Herse, now Hand Built in Colorado, custom..
and Boulder Bikes , another product line , same company ..
Co Motion , in Oregon, I have a Bike friday , also made in Eugene, Of Steel.
and Boulder Bikes , another product line , same company ..
Co Motion , in Oregon, I have a Bike friday , also made in Eugene, Of Steel.
Last edited by fietsbob; 07-25-11 at 11:26 AM.
#14
Banned.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,325
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a Novarra 2010 Radonee, which is very much like the LHT, but with regular brifters. I am very happy with it and it has a major virtue for a commute. It was pretty cheap, about half of your budget.
Expensive bikes have a purpose (and only individual financial status can dictate what is expensive), but I would suggest not commuting on any bike that you would be traumatized if it was stolen or broken in an accident.
Expensive bikes have a purpose (and only individual financial status can dictate what is expensive), but I would suggest not commuting on any bike that you would be traumatized if it was stolen or broken in an accident.
#17
Beer >> Sanity
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,449
Bikes: 2014 Evo DA2, 2010 Caad9-4, 2011 Synapse-4, 2013 CaadX-disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I think I like the overall specs of the Vaya and will head over to my LBS (luckily I have a local dealer) to check one out. However, I'm not enamored with the current orange color scheme. What year is your black one?
I think I like the overall specs of the Vaya and will head over to my LBS (luckily I have a local dealer) to check one out. However, I'm not enamored with the current orange color scheme. What year is your black one?
#18
Beer >> Sanity
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,449
Bikes: 2014 Evo DA2, 2010 Caad9-4, 2011 Synapse-4, 2013 CaadX-disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
Novarra Randonee for 2011 looks like it's more of a commuting bike that a touring bike to me (needs lower gears to pull full loads up mountains).
Fuji Touring is my normal commuter, but not too easy to find. Of course, neither are any of the other suggested "touring" bikes.
Fuji Touring is my normal commuter, but not too easy to find. Of course, neither are any of the other suggested "touring" bikes.
#20
stringbreaker
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: wa. State
Posts: 4,463
Bikes: specialized crossroads hybrid 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2 1971 Schwinn Varsity, 1972 Schwinn Continental, 1977 Schwinn Volare (frame)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Novarra Randonee for 2011 looks like it's more of a commuting bike that a touring bike to me (needs lower gears to pull full loads up mountains).
Fuji Touring is my normal commuter, but not too easy to find. Of course, neither are any of the other suggested "touring" bikes.
Fuji Touring is my normal commuter, but not too easy to find. Of course, neither are any of the other suggested "touring" bikes.
__________________
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
#21
Born Again Pagan
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 2,241
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Redline Conquest Classic
Raleigh Clubman, Sojourn, or Port Townsend
Brodie Elan
Kona ***** Inc
Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30
Masi Speciale Randonneur
Torker Interurban (a lot of bike for the $$$)
Raleigh Clubman, Sojourn, or Port Townsend
Brodie Elan
Kona ***** Inc
Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30
Masi Speciale Randonneur
Torker Interurban (a lot of bike for the $$$)
#22
Beer >> Sanity
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,449
Bikes: 2014 Evo DA2, 2010 Caad9-4, 2011 Synapse-4, 2013 CaadX-disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looked at a Salsa Vaya today and have to say it's a pretty sweet ride. It's more than I like to pay but really seems to have all the required features for the commuter and casual touring. Not an LHT but then that's not really what I need. The Vaya is pretty sweet. I can take or leave the disc brakes but I guess it's nice to have. Plenty of rack options, takes skinny or wide tires, like the 48/34 crank and the mountain cassette, has road brifters which I like, and the shallow drop bar is pretty nice too. I can't really see anything "wrong" with the bike other than maybe the price.
Can anyone rate this bike agains the Jamis Aurora or Aurora Elite? I initially liked the Elite but in retrospect it comes with too much crap (great if it's the right crap) which I guess saves money but not sure it's set up the way I'd want. Aside from that, how does the Jamis stack up against the Salsa? Should I be concerned by the chromoly vs reynolds steel or is that mostly marketing? Thanks again.
Can anyone rate this bike agains the Jamis Aurora or Aurora Elite? I initially liked the Elite but in retrospect it comes with too much crap (great if it's the right crap) which I guess saves money but not sure it's set up the way I'd want. Aside from that, how does the Jamis stack up against the Salsa? Should I be concerned by the chromoly vs reynolds steel or is that mostly marketing? Thanks again.
#23
Senior Member
I'm a Salsa fan so this reply is gonna be a little biased so take it for what it's worth...
Can't speak on the Jamis, never seen one online or in the flesh. As far as the steel tubing, the steel frame tubing that Salsa uses (Classico/Kung Fu/whatever) is on par with Reynolds 753/853. I thought I read somewhere that it was sourced from Sanko of Japan. No need to worry about the quality of the frame. My two year old El Mariachi is made from True Temper tubing and my newer Ala Carte is built on Kung Fu/Sanko tubing. The ride quality is similar-nice lively steel feel. The complete bike comes in the orange, frame only is the dark charcoal color. I'm a bit partial on the latter color.
Can't speak on the Jamis, never seen one online or in the flesh. As far as the steel tubing, the steel frame tubing that Salsa uses (Classico/Kung Fu/whatever) is on par with Reynolds 753/853. I thought I read somewhere that it was sourced from Sanko of Japan. No need to worry about the quality of the frame. My two year old El Mariachi is made from True Temper tubing and my newer Ala Carte is built on Kung Fu/Sanko tubing. The ride quality is similar-nice lively steel feel. The complete bike comes in the orange, frame only is the dark charcoal color. I'm a bit partial on the latter color.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Dayton, Oh
Posts: 516
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Specialized Roubaix Team Saxo, Fisher HiFi29er
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I thought the orange was pretty cool. Mine is the 2011charcoal color. It's pretty dark, but sparkles like crazy in the sun. I heard that orange bikes were completes and frame sets came in charcoal, but I'm not sure that is true. I built mine up myself with a triple 105/ultegra
#25
CRIKEY!!!!!!!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: all the way down under
Posts: 4,276
Bikes: several
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1589 Post(s)
Liked 687 Times
in
365 Posts
My Surly LHT in her various incarnations over the years...
The best bike I've ever had. If the house burnt down and I could only rescue one bike it would be this one.
The best bike I've ever had. If the house burnt down and I could only rescue one bike it would be this one.
__________________
"Surely one can love his own country without becoming hopelessly lost in an all-consuming flame of narrow-minded nationalism" - Fred Birchmore
"Surely one can love his own country without becoming hopelessly lost in an all-consuming flame of narrow-minded nationalism" - Fred Birchmore