Who makes cheap steel road frames?
 

Hi, im going to build a bike for a friend, and shes pretty short so instead of trying to find a used frame online. I would like to just get her new one. Id prefer lugged steel, but welded or brazed steel would also work. Im sorta going for a classic look, which is why i want to do steel.

Anybody know where i should look brands, websites, ebay finds ? Performance isnt a big concern it just needs to be cheap perferably less than 250$.

Get an older schwinn paramount... those were nice.

19 in. Trek 660. Look on eBay

Soma Fabrications

Old Schwinns -- Traveler, Sport, World Sport, Le Tour, etc. They're dime-a-dozen and steel tanks.

yea i just found a sweet one on ebay that might work. heres the link. hopefully it wont go for too much

couldnt find it, do you have a link?

this might work if i cant find what i need used. A little above what i want to spend, but i think theyre worth it.

Khs?

Sorry. Couldn't find a steel Trek in a small size on the Bay right now. Keep looking though. They occasionally pop up.

+1 on soma!
http://store.somafab.com/sosmtaprrora.html

don't hold your breath -- Paramounts typically draw a hefty price.

Look for a used Curtlo too.

I love my Bridgestone

pake makes a cheap steel frame. no lugs though. if you want lugs, look for a used, older bike. i just sold a an 83 guerciotti for a shade over that. it might have even fit her as it was small at size 52cm. i'd stick to ebay and craigslist for what you're looking for.

http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?i...sc04599km4.jpg

Think Japanese.

Panasonic, Bridgestone, Fuji, Nishiki, Centurion, Miyata, Kuwahara, etc., all make some really nice lugged steel frames. You have to be selective, though, since most also have low end stuff made with straight gauge carbon steel tubes.

Too bad your not close by, I've got three 49 cms, two are steel Treks (nuff said) and an old 50 cm U-08.

$250 is hard to come by, if you want any level of high quality/lower weight in one unit.

Reparto Corse used to have the Ciocc COM 12.5 on sale for $400. I'm sure they'll run the sale again this fall. A little above your budget, but all reviews on quality/weight were very good for the money.

Why not buy a complete used steel bike. There are plenty of vintage bicycles with Shimano 600 or Pre Ultegra parts at reasonable costs.

Keep your eyes open. A new frame with a pretty paint job is a complete waste. The Surly models come to mind. They are fine frames but those frames can be found at your local waste recycler.

They are not Surly branded or freshly painted but they are often of higher grade tubing.

looks like ill be sticking to ebay/cl then.

thanks for the help so far

when i find something, ill make another post.

I don't know how you would go about sourcing one, but Maxway, a large OEM frame manufacturer out of Taiwan, makes a classic lugged steel frame. I suspect that without major branding, it should be fairly cheap.

Kona ***** Tonk: $349 new with fork. No lugs though.

Its worth noting that Kona is selling this as a complete bike this year for $999. Downtube shifting on a 2009 bike :love:

Pretty sure they made many of the Jamis steel frame road frames. Good stuff, but how are you going to buy one frame?

Pick up the phone? I'm sure if your bike shop called, they could arrange for a one-off frame to be ordered.

Surly, Soma, Pake, KHS are all pretty good value, if you are looking for a new frame. You might be able to find a nice DeBernardi Thron or Olmo Criterium frame too. You could try repartocorse or smart cycles for those.

This isn't quite what your looking for because they are MTN frames and not road but they do look like nice new steel frames for a very good price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-MTB-Columbus...6.c0.m14.l1318

Regards, Anthony