shelbyfv

Bummer that you missed out on the Breezers

Jarrett2

Yeah, that would have been a good get for her, I think.

I found a Soma Double Cross on CL yesterday and emailed the guy. He wrote back that he decided to keep the bike and took the ad down. Ah well.

Still on the hunt.

52telecaster

Great bike. My son has one. Really excellent for a heavy load.

Jarrett2

Now I'm kicking around built bikes for her to save some cost. Any cool steel bikes out there?

The Kona Tonk looks cool.

bgraham111

Soma, VO, or All City would be my interesting frames of choice.

agmetal

One that I haven't seen mentioned but has my attention for a possible future project is the new Soma Pescadero frame...it's basically the Smoothie ES, but with even more tire/fender clearance.

quicktrigger

Got my Soma from Western Bike Works. Got a good deal on it too. Frame didnt need any prep like facing. Just took my time building and built the bike I wanted instead of settling for gearing, brakes, bottom bracket or something else I really didnt like.

Jarrett2

That sounds like a great frame set. I have a set of long reach caliper brakes in a box, so I was kind of leaning towards that style of frame, but I really like my linear pull brakes as well and might want to get her into that kind of thing as well. Either would be fine as this will be her first road bike and she doesn't have a preference.

My thought is to get her a "do all" bike for her first one. So if she likes road, it does road. If gravel, it does gravel. If touring, it does touring. The Soma Pescadero, Double Cross and Black Mountain Cycles MonsterCross framesets all meet that.

bruce19

Adrenaline Bikes

On sale for $449.

Steve B.

That's a steal for steel, so to speak and it's a great frame.

Trouble is, the Adrenaline site states "Available only in size 55.5 ", yet the Soma archive on this frame doesn't list any 55.5 of anything, so I've no clue what size frame this is and if being considered, best to call Adrenaline to verify. They are a nice company to deal with as BTW.

Jarrett2

She really needs a 52-53, I think.

curbowman

Try "The Light Blue" frames. They are all steel, incredibly lightweight, and their finishes and options are excellent.
Frames | The Light Blue Sport

noglider 

Someone here on BF recently recounted his story of getting a Bob Jackson frame custom made and built up. The frame was shockingly inexpensive, especially since they built it just for him.

ColonelSanders

I like the sound of that approach.


Have you done a thread on this where you provide pictures and details of what components you chose?

johnnyace 

Thanks for this. I had never heard of this company. Looking at their complete bikes, I also discovered a components manufacturer I'd never heard of: Genetic. Anyone have any experience with their products?

quicktrigger

No thread. I actually had the components for about 6 weeks before I started to build. Had a buddy who were here visiting for several weeks. He and his gf are bike people, and I wanted to have everything in case weather went crappy and needed an inside project i.e. build a bike. That didn't happen, so I built it over a a few weeks when they left. Mostly couple hours at a time kind of deal and irregular. Had a few mis-steps that resulted in new orders. For instance, wrong size seatpost clamp and hunting and finding the correct one in the color I wanted, and then finding something else I wanted to make the order worthwhile.

Here is some highlights on components for you though.
Soma Fog Cutter frame with carbon fiber fork and BSA bottom bracket. Bought colored headset at the same time.
Shimano 3 x 10 SLX mountain bike groupset. 42-30-22 Chainring and 11-36 cassette. Used
Shimano SLX I.S. standard hydraulic brakes which came in configured right hand front brake instead of the left hand front brake I ordered. So had to switch that (to match my other bikes), and changed the hose to color match. Had to bleed one brake 4 times to finally get it working properly.
Shimano RX cyclocross wheels (don't remember the model off top of my head) since it was to be a gravel bike. Needed to be able to take abuse. Centerlock disc brake, with shimano disc rotor.
700x35 Clement Xplor tires.
Flatbar handle bars, as I want to be sitting up to view scenery.
GF bought some nice platform pedals that I don't remember the brand and name of at the moment.
Then misc small items like color matched jockey wheels for the rear derailleur, color matched skewers, and head tube spacers etc.

There were various issues along the way that had to be resolved. Like the mentioned clamp, the handlebar issues, hoses, shifting issue due to mis-aligned hanger (probable my fault). But all part of the learning curve. You have to expect those, and not get frustrated.

Have not cut headtube as of yet until I ride it enough that I decide what height I want, plus the cables are a bit long. Final weight with cages etc was 24.6 pounds.

Here are a couple pics.

ColonelSanders

The pics don't show in this thread, but by right clicking on them and opening them in a new tab, I was able to see them.

Wow, that Fogcutter is both a beautiful colour and design.

What's the biggest tyre you think you could run on it?

Also I am keen to get your impressions on how comfortable the bike is(i.e. in absorbing road buzz due to steel frame and carbon fork) and if it is plenty stiff enough around the bottom bracket.

With the various issues you had putting that baby together, it would have made for a great standalone thread for is to follow along your progress.

The final pay off certainly makes it all look worthwhile.

veganbikes

I have a privateer that I built up into a 1X7 hybrid with some parts bin stuff (XT RD, Ritchey ForceLite bars, Tiagra Hollowtech Cranks, Specialized Carbon Fork...) It is actually quite a decent bike, it rides well even with the skinny 28s that I happen to have laying about, they will be replaced with something wider.

I bought the frame because it was really cheap but I gotta say I love the bike and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone.

Mr IGH

For years I've said I'll buy a new road frame when I can get a steel disc frame with lightweight tubing and sport geometry that runs at least 32mm tyres like the Soma ES. I just ordered a Fog Cutter frame and matching CF fork.

bruce19

After following this thread I am so happy I bought my Guru Sidero from a friend for $1200 about 3 yrs ago. It came with lower level SRAM but I've added Red crankset and derailleurs. It had Ksyrium Elites and I kept those. Ready to ride with GPS unit, Blinkie light, pump, tool bag, etc. it weighs about 18 1/2 lbs. Love this thing.

bruce19

Here's a pic. My friend had ridden it 3 times and found it too big for her.

bruce19

I would love to have this one. De Rosa Age Steel Fillet Brazed Road Bike Frameset

Click to enlarge. A classic beauty. Not cheap.

mstateglfr 

Forgot about Traitor. I came across them a year or so ago and just stumbled over the name last night.

Seamless double butted chromoly. It does have 135mm rear spacing though.
Traitor Crusade Frameset & Fork 2016 | evo outlet
$300 for frame and fork. Not the correct, size, but just linked it as an example.


::T R A I T O R C Y C L E S:: their corporate site. The EVO.com site is where the company's framesets and built bikes are sold. Might find a good match in your daughter's size.

Jarrett2

I ended up picking her up a used Surly Cross Check yesterday. The owner had done a little bit of customizing to the bike with Dura Ace shifters and front DR, Chris King headset, Thomson stem, etc.

I feel like this will be a good bike for her to get started riding on. Thanks for all the help.

martianone

+1 - sorry I waited so long to do a custom steel frame.
Gunnar with custom geometry is a good deal.
Best riding bike I've ever had.