So I'm trying to find a quality steel frame and so far I've found the $1,600 Panasonic road frame which I favor heavily but there is also a much cheaper alternative in the Condor World Series Frameset:

https://www.condorcycles.com/2011-Ran...ypage.tpl.html

Thoughts?

It's significant to me that the specifications for the World Series frame say "Round profile lugged steel tubing", while the specifications for the slightly more expensive Acciaio frame states "Dedacciai Zero Replica triple-butted steel with boron"...

It doesn't clearly state whether the tubing is hi-ten, chromoly, or something else. It also doesn't indicate whether it's straight gauge or butted.

I would be skeptical and ask for more details.

There are lots of quality steel frames available for $1600 and under(used, maybe even some builders that will do one to your specs). Unless you have a specific need for a Panasonic or Condor look around on the bay, talk to local bike people, etc.

"It doesn't clearly state whether the tubing is hi-ten, chromoly, or something else. It also doesn't indicate whether it's straight gauge or butted. I would be skeptical (very!) and ask for more details."

^^ +1 ^^

good luck,

Brian