What's best out of lugged Italian steel?
#27
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,699
Likes: 10,236
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
both bob jackson and mercian will build the frames out of whatever material i want. supposedly.
so the material question in kinda moot. and all steel have the same e-module as raw iron so stiffness of the material is kinda moot too. then we have diameters and angles. and then (with only those 2 parameters) its gets too complicated for any human to compute. so i have to go by recommendations. this one ride harsh and this one rides comfy etc etc etc....
so the material question in kinda moot. and all steel have the same e-module as raw iron so stiffness of the material is kinda moot too. then we have diameters and angles. and then (with only those 2 parameters) its gets too complicated for any human to compute. so i have to go by recommendations. this one ride harsh and this one rides comfy etc etc etc....
you chose some 1" quill fork frames. So to speak generally, since you didnt provide specs and its unreasonable to think we would all google each of those frames in detail, the quill stem frames will feel flexible compared to modern aluminum or carbon road bikes. You make like this or hate it- none of us would have a clue.
As already mentioned, find out the frame specs- what are the tubing diameters? What are the tubing butted thicknesses? How long are they? What are the frame angles in your size and do they match they style of riding you want to do?
you claim stiffness of the material is kinda moot due to all steel having the same e modulus as iron. I have no idea if thats accurate or not, but ...i couldn't disagree more with it being moot. Higher levels of tubing are able to be lighter while retaining strength. Larger diameter tubing is also able to be thinner while maintaining stiffness.
Maybe i am misunderstanding you?...
#28
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,158
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From: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Bikes: Canyon Aeroad, CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX, Guru steel & Guru Photon
I ride a Guru Sidero made with Colombus Spirit. With SRAM Red it's around 17 lb 14 oz with just pedals. You'd have to find one used but you won't be disappointed. Also Indy Fab and Ritchey are nice
#29
I've owned the first three on your list, the Cinelli, Colnago, and DeRosa, all are superb bikes.
For myself, I like the Gios Compact Pro. The ride is a touch firmer than the Super Corsa, but about the same as the Master and Neo Primato. What I prefer about the Gios is the movable rear dropouts, which allow you to to change the wheel base distance, I've never ridden a sharper-handling bike. For the price, it's a very good frame.
For myself, I like the Gios Compact Pro. The ride is a touch firmer than the Super Corsa, but about the same as the Master and Neo Primato. What I prefer about the Gios is the movable rear dropouts, which allow you to to change the wheel base distance, I've never ridden a sharper-handling bike. For the price, it's a very good frame.
#30
Senior Member




Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,290
Likes: 9,801
From: Utah
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Or the Pegoretti design on cheap.
Giordana
I love all my steel lugged bikes but there's just something special about the feel of my Giordana XL when it's out on the road under me....magic!
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
#31
Senior Member




Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,290
Likes: 9,801
From: Utah
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Or the Pegoretti design on cheap.
Giordana
I love all my steel lugged bikes but there's just something special about the feel of my Giordana XL Super when it's out on the road under me....magic!
Giordana
I love all my steel lugged bikes but there's just something special about the feel of my Giordana XL Super when it's out on the road under me....magic!
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
#32
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 78
From: Madison, Wi.
Bikes: Jamis Quest Elite; Fuji Sagres; Trek Fuel EX 8
I'd ask in the Classic and Vintage forum, and see what responses you'd get there. If anyone knows their Italian steel frames, it's those folks.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/
#33
I'd seriously recommend considering the latter - it's not as big a deal as some imagine. Casati have an interesting lugged steel model: Casati Campionissimo Page. There are a few dealers. Maybe someone somewhere has one in stock, but if you don't want to do a LOT of digging, or consider the possibility of getting it shipped from overseas, you'll have to just take what you can get and forget about what brand or model anyone might suggest. You're really better off just ordering one from the factory. But if you want Italian, you better hurry and place your order, so you don't have to tack an extra month (August shut-down) on your wait time.
#34
.


Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 12,769
Likes: 38
From: Rocket City, No'ala
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
kbarch is right; while the companies may advertise their classic steel frames, actually finding one can be difficult. On the other hand, custom and semi-custom brands can deliver just what you want.
Torelli is a company making TIG welded and lugged steel frames using new Columbus tubing. You can pick your size, paint color, fork, etc. Worth a look
https://torelli.com
Torelli is a company making TIG welded and lugged steel frames using new Columbus tubing. You can pick your size, paint color, fork, etc. Worth a look
https://torelli.com
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#37
Port




Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Boston
Bikes: 2022 Soma Fog Cutter, 2021 Calfee Draqonfly 44, 1984 Peter Mooney, 2017 Soma Stanyan, 1990 Fuji Ace, 1990 Bridgestone RB-1, 1995 Independent Fabrications Track, 2003 Calfee Dragonfly Pro
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#38
Port




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#39
Likewise, the shop I used to go to had a steel Bianchi. But that was a couple of years ago. My current shop has one, I think.
#40
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 75
Likes: 4
I agree with James here--Giordana made some pretty amazing frames. I'm currently riding a ton on this Giordana that was purchased as a team deal in the mid 1990s when I was racing. In two weeks I will be doing our State Games road race, masters category, on this bike. It's definitely a work in progress . . .
#42
Senior Member




Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,290
Likes: 9,801
From: Utah
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
I agree with James here--Giordana made some pretty amazing frames. I'm currently riding a ton on this Giordana that was purchased as a team deal in the mid 1990s when I was racing. In two weeks I will be doing our State Games road race, masters category, on this bike. It's definitely a work in progress . . . 

I took both of mine out for really nice rides this past week. Reminded me just how good they are compared to many of my other rides.

25 fun-filled miles on this 1989 Antares.

A little over 50 smooth fast miles on this one too. Never have nailed down the year but should be 96-97.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
#44
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 514
Likes: 24
From: the danger zone!
Bikes: steel is real. and so is Ti...
And as some of you may or may not have noticed i bought a lugged steel italian frame. A colnago master.
I got a master because of the simple fact that none and i mean NONE of the of the other brands were in stock anywhere in europe except cinelli and those were only in stock in colors i didnt want (wanted red).
all other makers and retailers had a 40-120 day delivery period.
F that S imo. But colango was available in my size and color right away. so a colnago it was! colnago obviously know a bit more about doing biz than the rest of the the bunch, and therefore have distributors with stock at hand for immediate delivery.
"you cant sell from an empty cart."
and thats how it works.

#46
I'm in northeren europe.
And as some of you may or may not have noticed i bought a lugged steel italian frame. A colnago master.
I got a master because of the simple fact that none and i mean NONE of the of the other brands were in stock anywhere in europe except cinelli and those were only in stock in colors i didnt want (wanted red).
all other makers and retailers had a 40-120 day delivery period.
F that S imo. But colango was available in my size and color right away. so a colnago it was! colnago obviously know a bit more about doing biz than the rest of the the bunch, and therefore have distributors with stock at hand for immediate delivery.
edit add: I just saw that R&A has the same design/color in stock in size 54
"you cant sell from an empty cart."
and thats how it works.
And as some of you may or may not have noticed i bought a lugged steel italian frame. A colnago master.
I got a master because of the simple fact that none and i mean NONE of the of the other brands were in stock anywhere in europe except cinelli and those were only in stock in colors i didnt want (wanted red).
all other makers and retailers had a 40-120 day delivery period.
F that S imo. But colango was available in my size and color right away. so a colnago it was! colnago obviously know a bit more about doing biz than the rest of the the bunch, and therefore have distributors with stock at hand for immediate delivery.
edit add: I just saw that R&A has the same design/color in stock in size 54

"you cant sell from an empty cart."
and thats how it works.
p.s. Just noticed that R&A has the same frame, same color in stock in size 54.
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