<$500 steel frames for a non-racer?
02-02-07, 03:21 PM
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<$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
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
02-02-07, 03:28 PM
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+1 on the Surly
02-02-07, 03:30 PM
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<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
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
02-02-07, 03:36 PM
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$450 plus shipping for the frameset at repartocorse.com
02-02-07, 03:40 PM
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glad to hear your friend's okay.
jamis is a good brand too
jamis is a good brand too
02-02-07, 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Second Mouse
$450 plus shipping for the frameset at repartocorse.com
i have two of these. my 58 weighs less the 16lbs fully built.
fantastic frames at a fantatic price.
02-02-07, 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by redfooj
<500 is range of the workhorse frames... the Surlys and Somas... not much more
And some Gunnars start at close to 500...
And some Gunnars start at close to 500...
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02-02-07, 04:29 PM
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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!).
02-02-07, 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Moochers_Dad
Gunnar frames start at $750.
also: Salsa La Raza @ Alfred E Bike
Schwinn Paramount or Lemond Zurich on ebay
Last edited by redfooj; 02-02-07 at 04:46 PM.
02-02-07, 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by acorn_user
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!).
02-02-07, 04:42 PM
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A couple of nice frames on that GVH list for $500. You might go the eBay route too.
02-02-07, 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by acorn_user
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!).
but its not too stiff.
it rides beautifully. very forgiving yet very responsive. i was very impressed with it.
02-02-07, 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by odl21
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.
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.
02-02-07, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by redfooj
600 at Harris
Ohhhh, that's good to know.
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02-02-07, 04:51 PM
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does he want a fix or gears? gears i'd say the ciocc, fix the soma or the surly.
02-02-07, 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by odl21
i have two of these. my 58 weighs less the 16lbs fully built.
fantastic frames at a fantatic price.
fantastic frames at a fantatic price.
Originally Posted by Second Mouse
$450 plus shipping for the frameset at repartocorse.com
i already got a frame and fork
Last edited by seriouslysilly; 02-02-07 at 05:48 PM.
02-02-07, 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by the beef
Don't convert him! RSX bits are awesome. 
Thanks for the help so far, keep it coming
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...
02-02-07, 10:28 PM
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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 
doh....i just read he doesn't like Soma or Surly. my bad.
doh....i just read he doesn't like Soma or Surly. my bad.
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02-02-07, 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Second Mouse
$450 plus shipping for the frameset at repartocorse.com
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.