bikesdirect_com

I recently saw a couple of posts about steel ATBs
seems there are always some questions about these

They can be light; but does anyone want one? Is there a market?

Here is one that is lighter than most hardtails; is reynolds 853; but who would buy it? What would be be worth?





Motobecane Fly 853 is 21.1 without pedals; so about 22bs with. Lighter than most Aluminum or CF hardtails. But does it have the 'bling' value to interest buyers?

troie

Steel is real but I dont like the design of that frame. It looks too 90's to me. Nice weight though! That wheelset must weigh 1500g total?

apclassic9

One of my son's has a 1998 Specialized HardRock steel frame bike that he absolutley refuses to part with - it's not his main bike, or even his racing bike - it's his FUN bike. He likes the ride.

zoeglassjd

I went to your site with my credit card in hand to buy the Outcast 29er. Sadly, I was mistaken. I thought it was steel. I went back to the look more at the monocog.

For me steel on a rigid bike is a very nice application.

When you turn one out drop me a line!

Thanks for checking in with the riders mike!

zoeglassjd

Further, I think 42X18 is a bad idea for stock gearing. I think going with 2:1 is the way to go stock.

celerystalksme

don't all steel frames look like that?

ad6mj

I like steel. I've been considering one of the Nashbar 853 frames.

zoeglassjd

The frame and fork should also be Disc Brake Compatible (does this add to your cost significantly?) and then offer it with the V's and offer one with BB7's for $450. I expect the disc model would sell well and create a bit higher profit margin(?).

Switch out the "copper" for a Matte brown.

Keep the eyelets.

I am getting excited about this model!

Edit: this is regarding the outcast currently on your site.

bsyptak

Too 90s? What 90s hardtail had a radically sloping top and down tube that steep to allow for a 4-5" fork? And what 90s hardtail had disc mounts? I think you're confusing skinny steel tubes with the 90s. Steel has always been skinny except for the exotic hair-thin tubes you see on some road bikes which require fat tubes.

Not sure there's much of a market though. Too bad you can't tell how many 853 frames Nashbar has sold. Personally, I doubt all that many. Niche market to be sure. How many do you have to sell to consider it worth bringing them in?

I think if a person runs high-volume tubeless tires at 28-30psi on a basic aluminum frame, that the bike will be as comfortable as steel and the frame will be cheaper and lighter to boot.

Most people in the market for a mtb (younger generation) have no memory of a steel bike, and simply consider them rusty boat anchors compared to aluminum. Fat tubes are all the rage in mtb and road bikes. They're fashionable.

All that being said, I think it's nice to have a mix of offerings and no one does that better at this point than BD. What other bicycle manufacturer sells steel, aluminum, carbon AND titanium framed bikes these days. I don't think there is anyone else. That is something to be proud of, and a distinction to be singled out for.

troie

I used the term loosely. What I should have said was "I dont like it".

Chris_F

For some reason I have "steel", "29'er", and "rigid" on the brain lately.

zoeglassjd

Thanks to this thread its back on my mind. Even though I am trying to thin out the herd. I add "economical" to your list.

Not a bad deal on MC closeout.

ghettocruiser

It's 22 lbs in spite of the frame, not because of it.

An AL or CF frame with the same build kit would typically be lighter.

I'm not sure I understand the question, if there is one.

patentcad

I'd stick with Ti and come up with a CF hard tail and dual suspension offering Mike. Steel is a niche market of retro dudes who are fading away in my view. Ti really is better in my view, although that is almost retro these days, there's still a strong market for that. Much moreso than steel.

jab1362

Nice bike, as to the bling factor Niner bike seems to sell a lot of steel frame hardtails.

mx_599

this thread is gay

of course there is a market. i am racing a steel hardtail in cross country in the series i am running now.

however, i wouldn't sell any steel frames because the only one worth buying is the Cove Handjob.

you won't sell many


mx

smd3

I LOVE my Niner (Brand) 29er!

https://www.ninerbikes.com/index.asp

Most of their bikes are Reynolds 853, I have an S.I.R.9 set up geared w/ SRAM components.

There's a market, mostly in 29ers it seems right now. It is almost as comfortable cross country as my Caddilac Rocky Mountain FS bike. But it climbs so much better!

smd3

Oh, for the weight conscious, the Steel framed SIR9 is 4.5lbs (advertised by Niner) and the Aluminum EMD9 is 3.5lbs (advertised by Niner), some of the weight is in the EBB of the SIR9.

patentcad

All of cycling is gay.

mcoine

fixed

mx_599

yeah, but i don't know what the deal is with this bikesdirectdude.com

mx

mx_599

hahahah, i was slow to catch that one! (hey, wait. i am a roadie too )

mx

patentcad

Road cycling may indeed be gay, but MTBers are gayer, muddier, and considerably more deranged. On the other hand they are friendlier and generally are generally more prepared to party.

mx_599

mx

taylor p

I think my next bike/ frame is going to be 853 or Ti or maybe even carbon