idc

I had no idea you could get a 17lb Ultegra steel bike :O nice

However, for the price I think I would just get a titanium bike. Sorry, steel fans.

SlimRider

Yes, I agree!...It should be about six or seven hundred dollars less....

- Slim

HardyWeinberg

Your current production 4# steel road frames basically include:

Soma Smoothie or ES
Surly Pacer
Salsa Casseroll
there are Jamis options listed above
Traitor Exile (new discovery for me!)
Gunnar Roadie

there are cool Mercian options, they are pricy but they could possibly get as low as the Gunnar? And then there are other builders at that lower-upper-end area

add CF fork and you're off toward a 20# bike. You're probably looking at ~$2k to get below 20#; maybe below 22#

zoro

SlimRider, please stop saying Kona INC. Everybody knows Kona is incorporated. Plus what's all the Jazz with Jamis? You affiliated with the company? And what's with that definition of mountain biking. For christ sake you're posting on a bike forum!! I think people ought to be treated as at least a little bit knowledgeable about bikes!

/Rant over...

SlimRider

Zoro says:

Kona Inc. is just the name of the specific bike model. I just love Jamis steel-framed bikes. Besides, I have a friend who owns a Jamis dealership back east. That's the full extent of my affiliation. There's a MTB forum here on the BF board. Besides, I posted correctly because there are many people who commute on their MTN bikes.

Thank you very much!

- Slim

daredevil

Zoro, the bike the OP talked about is the Kona ***** Inc. Will not deny however that the Slim man is a bit wordy.

and now I see he's quicker than me too...beat me to it.

bryane

Hey, its me again, just wanted to thank everyone for all the leads / links. I now have a good list of manufacturers to track down (at least a few more choices) and check out.

Happy riding to you all....

alan s 

It hasn't been mentioned is a couple posts, but don't forget the Jamis. They make lots of different models. Jamis. Don't forget, the Jamis.

Louman510

You should consider the Surly Pacer. I am very happy with mine. I wouldn't consider it light, but mine ways about 20 lbs which I wouldn't consider heavy either... at least as a commuter bike. It has a shimano 105 drivetrain and is also perfectly suitable as an all day touring bike. The Pacer also as the capabilities to add attachments and wider tires if you so desire.

I would say steel is an excellent choice! It absorbs vibrations and road noise so much better than aluminum. The Pacer handles very well and is reasonably priced.

Good Luck

Puget Pounder

Gunnars are VERY nice bikes. Made in the good ol' USA.

fietsbob

105 group only starts being fitted at 4 figure prices.

The lesser priced components work OK, OP said they are starting out..

remember the lighter the bike the heavier the lock you have to carry to keep it.

old's'cool

Bike + lock = 50lb

idc

I'd consider 20 lbs light if it includes pedals, fenders, etc. And ideally disc brakes.