<$500 steel frames for a non-racer?
 

Hi everyone,
one of my friends got collected by a distracted undergrad. Luckily, his laptop took one for the team, and he came through more or less unscathed. Sadly, his Peugeot is gone.
He is now looking for a steel frame in size 56cm (on a trad. frame; I think he would be open to a compact frame also). He would prefer a frameset I think, but a cheapish bike would probably also suit. He's seen the Bianchi Volpe and Brava, but could not get excited about them. Other than that, the other LBS's have Trek, Lemond, Specialized, Orbea, Felt and there is a Performance. Not a lot of options for steel. I don't think he is too enthusiastic about Surly and Soma frames.
Are there any other options out there? I've had a look at R+A cycles, Marinoni, RepartoCorse and GVH. He is also scanning ebay, although is a little concerned about having a failure from an old frame.

EDIT: He would like a racey geometry, although the bike will be used for commuting and recreation....

Thanks!
Dave
p.s. we plan on moving over his old RSX components, although I secretly hope to convert him to the other side ;)

Surly and Soma both sell great <$500 steel frames.

+1 on the Surly

<500 is range of the workhorse frames... the Surlys and Somas... not much more

There's Kogswell
And some Gunnars start at close to 500..

otherwise used vintage frames are best bet


edit: I highly suggest Surly, Soma, R+A Cycles, Marioni, RepartoCorse, and GVH

Check out GVH for a good listing of fairly cheap steel frames...

I'd get an old Centurion Ironman and save some $$$

https://secure3.nexternal.com/repart...m125yellow.jpg

$450 plus shipping for the frameset at repartocorse.com

glad to hear your friend's okay.

jamis is a good brand too

i have two of these. my 58 weighs less the 16lbs fully built.

fantastic frames at a fantatic price.

Gunnar frames start at $750.

The Ciocc looks like it has oversize tubing. I wonder if it is too stiff. His Peugeot was nice but not super nice, and I doubt it was super stiff. That said, my own racer has crazy 853 "millenium desgin" chainstays that are supposed to make the frame uncomfortably stiff, but I find it very comfy compared to the welded alloy frames I have ridden (I do like bonded aluminium though!).

600 at Harris


also: Salsa La Raza @ Alfred E Bike
Schwinn Paramount or Lemond Zurich on ebay

I dunno, the Ciocc uses steel tubing, so I'd think the ride would be fairly comfy, but odl21 would be in a better position to say.

the ciocc does have sligthly oversived (super thin) tubes - sort of a tear drop profile.
but its not too stiff.

it rides beautifully. very forgiving yet very responsive. i was very impressed with it.

its also got a long top tube which it sounds like he would like.

Ohhhh, that's good to know.

and knowing is half the battle

does he want a fix or gears? gears i'd say the ciocc, fix the soma or the surly.

Don't convert him! RSX bits are awesome. :)

what components are on your frame?

if i saw this a few weeks ago, i would have definitely jumped on this.
i already got a frame and fork :(

Your wish is my command! I think we will be able to rescue almost all of the group. The wheels are gone though. Might rescue the hubs. Being cautious, I think some new bars would be smart also.

Thanks for the help so far, keep it coming :D

Talking of Schwinn Paramounts; we unearthed one nearby with a nearly new 105 9-speed group. The frame is early 90's, lugged lightweight steel. What is the durability of these thin walled tubesets like? I know I would trust 531st, but does 753 et al last as well?
p.s. the complete Paramount is $850...

i just built a really nice Soma Smoothie. frame was about 350. however, i sort of ended up spending a total of prob between 2500 and 3000. i am kind of afraid to add up total :o


doh....i just read he doesn't like Soma or Surly. my bad.

+1 on Gunnars. I LOVE my Roadie. A pure pleasure to ride...

Sounds like a great value to me. Uses Dedacciai Com12.5 tubing (same as ZeroUno). Medium thin (.8/.5) with short butts. The teardrop shaped tubing is not the best thing for ride quality since the oval resists vertical flexing but the tubing is high quality so that much is good.