steel bike: waterford, curtlo, jamis, indep fab, other
05-09-12, 06:35 PM
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steel bike: waterford, curtlo, jamis, indep fab, other
I am looking for a steel road racing bike (or at least more aggressive than say the Gunnar roadie). I have narrowed it down to (in increasing price) curtlo S3, jamis eclipse, waterford R33, and independent fab steel crown jewel. I would love to spend less if possible, so not going for some custom candy, just would like a practical steel racing bike that will last. I know the curtlo s3 is the cheapest, but would love to hear if the increase in cost for the others is worth it.
05-09-12, 06:58 PM
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try looking at schwin
05-09-12, 07:06 PM
#4
Descends like a rock
I know I sound like I work for them sometimes, but I love my Torelli Countach. Colombus Life tubing, 3.6lbs approx.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Torelli-Coun...#ht_2561wt_894
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Torelli-Coun...#ht_2561wt_894
05-09-12, 07:44 PM
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torelli
I know I sound like I work for them sometimes, but I love my Torelli Countach. Colombus Life tubing, 3.6lbs approx.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Torelli-Coun...#ht_2561wt_894
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Torelli-Coun...#ht_2561wt_894
05-09-12, 07:50 PM
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Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel
05-09-12, 08:57 PM
#9
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I don't have one but if I were going to build a steel bike I'd look at Soulcraft. I've seen several of their road and mountain bikes and the workmanship is excellent.
05-09-12, 10:20 PM
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Mercian Pro Lugless with 853 OS tubing. Your choice of geometry and colors.
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05-09-12, 11:28 PM
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05-10-12, 06:44 AM
#13
Professional Fuss-Budget
Jamis makes very good bikes, and a pretty good price point. If you have a Jamis dealer nearby, and it fits, I'd recommend it.
Masi also has a couple of steel road bikes. I'm sure you could race on a Strada, no problems ($900); the Gran Criterium has much better components, but is much more expensive ($2100).
And I know this is not what you want to hear, but...
A frame designed for racing is going to be stiff, no matter what material you use. IMO tire pressure, tire width, spoke count and saddle make the most difference in terms of comfort. Maybe things like bar gels help. I can barely tell the difference in ride feel between my 80s steel road bike, and my 2012 high-end aluminum road bike, even on chipseal.
Masi also has a couple of steel road bikes. I'm sure you could race on a Strada, no problems ($900); the Gran Criterium has much better components, but is much more expensive ($2100).
And I know this is not what you want to hear, but...
A frame designed for racing is going to be stiff, no matter what material you use. IMO tire pressure, tire width, spoke count and saddle make the most difference in terms of comfort. Maybe things like bar gels help. I can barely tell the difference in ride feel between my 80s steel road bike, and my 2012 high-end aluminum road bike, even on chipseal.
05-10-12, 06:47 AM
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While not the lightest or stiffest out there, the Soma Smoothie (race version, not the ES) rides great and is a good value with its Tange Prestige tubing. I've got mine built w/ 28h/32h IRD Cadence rims laces to White Industries H2/H3 road hubs, matching Soma steel fork, Thomson post/stem, and a Sram Force group and it weighs in at 19.5 pounds with pedals and cages. You could probably drop it down into the mid-17's with some lighter race wheels and a full-carbon fork. That's plenty light enough for most recreational racers and competitive group-riders. I absolutely love the way this bike rides.
05-10-12, 06:51 AM
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You can't beat the Jamis Quest!
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/quest/12_quest.html
That's chromoly 631.
..Light...Light...Very Light...
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/quest/12_quest.html
That's chromoly 631.
..Light...Light...Very Light...
Last edited by SlimRider; 05-10-12 at 03:43 PM.
05-10-12, 07:00 AM
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If you want custom you have a lot of manufacturers. If you want steel i would go with a used one like a colnago or a de rosa. The issue with new steel production bikes is that (IMO) are more touring bikes than racing bikes. IF are good but are more touring than nothing. Only old man with dough gets those bikes so geometry is not as racy as it used to be 20 years ago in europe.
If you want AL i would pick a de rosa planet or a merak, the old ones. Those things do everything right.
Next option a 73x74 degrees 30 mm fork rake custom made frame, unless you are lucky to find something like a somec, a De rosa or a EM or example. In racing bikes you cant beat old mid 80s bikes. New stuff like the jamis or the raleigh are just touring bikes, you cant race on them...
If you want AL i would pick a de rosa planet or a merak, the old ones. Those things do everything right.
Next option a 73x74 degrees 30 mm fork rake custom made frame, unless you are lucky to find something like a somec, a De rosa or a EM or example. In racing bikes you cant beat old mid 80s bikes. New stuff like the jamis or the raleigh are just touring bikes, you cant race on them...
05-10-12, 07:48 AM
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I'm taking a hard look at the Jamis Quest. It's 19 lbs and sells for $1800 with 105. I test rode the Satellite last month and it was pretty smooth even with lower quality components and heavier steel. I wouldn't mind finding an older Lemond steel bike though.
05-10-12, 08:00 AM
#18
Descends like a rock
No reason in particular - the Countach is just the one I own. If I had ordered mine custom, I would have looked at the Nitro Express. The Delirio is interesting, but I think the tubing is better/lighter on the Countach and Nitro.
05-10-12, 08:40 AM
#19
Tiocfáidh ár Lá
I've been tempted to get a Curlo cross bike. He's been making frames for a long time now and it seems like a great bang for the buck bike frame.
05-10-12, 09:05 AM
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05-10-12, 09:36 AM
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That's absolutely quite a royal Masterpiece of Schwinn, that few other bicycle companies could even attempt to emulate!
www.bikesdirect.com/products/schwinn/schwinn_letour_legacy_xi.htm
Last edited by SlimRider; 05-10-12 at 03:42 PM.
05-10-12, 03:36 PM
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Don't know where you are located but Rodriguez (Seattle) might also be an option.
I wrote a summary of my experience with the Curtlo process here if you are interested. There are pics of the finished bike as well.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ike&highlight=
Ride safe.
I wrote a summary of my experience with the Curtlo process here if you are interested. There are pics of the finished bike as well.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ike&highlight=
Ride safe.
05-10-12, 04:25 PM
#23
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Take a look @ Steelman Cycles , https://steelmancycles.com/ . Brent Steelman makes really lovely bikes.
05-10-12, 07:48 PM
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How about a $1200 custom Marinoni?
https://www.marinoni.qc.ca/html/PiumaXpress.html
Give them a call, ask for Julie or Simmone(Mrs. Marinoni).
https://www.marinoni.qc.ca/html/PiumaXpress.html
Give them a call, ask for Julie or Simmone(Mrs. Marinoni).
Last edited by GMM; 05-10-12 at 07:57 PM.
05-11-12, 08:08 AM
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torelli?
If you want custom you have a lot of manufacturers. If you want steel i would go with a used one like a colnago or a de rosa. The issue with new steel production bikes is that (IMO) are more touring bikes than racing bikes. IF are good but are more touring than nothing. Only old man with dough gets those bikes so geometry is not as racy as it used to be 20 years ago in europe.
If you want AL i would pick a de rosa planet or a merak, the old ones. Those things do everything right.
Next option a 73x74 degrees 30 mm fork rake custom made frame, unless you are lucky to find something like a somec, a De rosa or a EM or example. In racing bikes you cant beat old mid 80s bikes. New stuff like the jamis or the raleigh are just touring bikes, you cant race on them...
If you want AL i would pick a de rosa planet or a merak, the old ones. Those things do everything right.
Next option a 73x74 degrees 30 mm fork rake custom made frame, unless you are lucky to find something like a somec, a De rosa or a EM or example. In racing bikes you cant beat old mid 80s bikes. New stuff like the jamis or the raleigh are just touring bikes, you cant race on them...