Nice SS frames? (Vanilla, Rivendell, etc...)
 

I'm looking into buying a nice SS frame for commuting. Something with more relax geometry, place for bigger tires, steel. It would be my ultimate build with Paul components and etc.

Might sell my fixed gear and geared Benotto to raise some money for this project. Looking at Vanilla, Rivendell and the likes, but also open to IRO and "cheaper" alternatives.

Also considering getting a local builder to set me up with something nice for a good price.

Any other ideas?

looking at vanilla and rivendell, also maybe an IRO.....

wow.


get a surly cross check. perfect commuter. ss or gears.

Salsa casseroll

karate monkey!

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/i...-monkey600.jpg

Vanilla is a no go unless you want to wait a decade.

Sounds like you have money. Try Rivendell.

on one il pompino!

http://i13.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/de/42/262d_1.JPG

You could get a crosscheck, strip it and bling it out with a nicer paint job. that would make for a functional and fly looking commuter. There is a repainted cream coloured crosscheck on velospace that makes me want to do mine up.

+1. The Quickbeam is a beautiful bike. Or you could go for a classic restore. A local guy owns this rebuilt Motobecane and it's a thing of beauty.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/...6fffce.jpg?v=0

Shapelike has some more pics at http://flickr.com/photos/shapelike/2238341112/

http://www.vanillabicycles.com/frame...r/5/lrg/10.jpg
http://www.speedvagen.com/images/v/3Qtr1.jpg

Yeah, Vanilla, I'd go with Vanilla.

http://www.speedvagen.com/images/v/3QtrRearDetail6.jpg

Ooh forgot about this one:


Singular Peregrine
http://www.singularcycles.com/images...uild_1_002.jpg
Apparently the new ones have a lugged-crown disc fork. Sex!

That is the one that started my obsession.

Gunnar Street Dog, it is a Waterford in disguise. Kinda like a transformer but different.

you can look at vanilla all you want, actually getting one between your legs is a whole nother deal.
second the vote for the casseroll.

I liked the street dog a whole lot more when it came with canti bosses.

If you can afford a Gunnar, then you can afford the extra $$$ to go full custom, and just get a Crosshairs with track ends.

Oh yeah, also look at a Milwaukee frame at Ben's Bikes, as well as a Kona Paddy Wagon.

I would also consider, since you seem willing to spend a few $$, A.N.T.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/antbikemike/

I have an Indy Fab and it's a beautiful frame. About 12 weeks from order to delivery. Not so bad when compared to Vanilla's 5+ yr wait.

I'd hit eBay for older steel frames. Columbus SL or Reynolds 531 frames for less than $150 and with horizontal dropouts. Look for touring frames; relaxed geometry, room for bigger tires/fenders.

Or, maybe Rodriguez can make you that dream bike:

http://www.rodbikes.com/bigphotos/singleshot.jpg

He makes all kinds of frames, btw.

Very nice!

You mean 4 1/2 years is a long wait for a bike?

yeah most places are like a month or so, you pay your firstborn now, in 4 and a half years he calls you and you trade in the rest of the family and your house for the actual product. But damn do they look nice...

Only 1642 days until mine might be ready.

I would get a Waterford.

Go as local as possible! mariposa out of toronto is kind of close. They have some beauts in their line-up.

http://www.steelwoolbicycles.ca/frames/tweed_big.jpg


steel wool bicycles - tweed 2008

- ebb so you can run single speed without magic gears
- vertical dropout so flats are easy even with fenders
- disc compatible (+canti mounts)
- $550 CDN (might be wrong on that one)

I'm seriously thinking (pretty much 100%) of selling my fixed gear and getting something Quickbeam-esque. My knees are dissolving and riding an aggressive track bike with a brake doesn't feel right.

I really want a QB, but they're not building them currently. Anyone know when they'll be re-commencing?

Send Grant an e-mail; the site says they were expensive to produce so maybe he's shopping for a new builder. btw, you can put a standard road crank with chainrings bought to match up with a Surly Dingle cogset and turn any bike into a two-speed fixie. Or four speeds if you have a flip-flop. Or 8 speeds if you aren't too fussy about chainline.


I'm going to throw out a suggestion to the OP: get a new Bianchi San Jose. Strip the frame, send it off for new custom paintjob. Get killer new wheelset, Thomson Masterpiece seatpost, Cinelli carbon handlebars, new stem, Chris King headset, Reynolds carbon fork, Campagnolo Pista crankset, Brooks saddle, etc. Hondo hammered steel fenders, custom rack or top of the line messenger bag.

get an ahearne they make some sweet touring/porteur types of bikes

Favorite options so far:

1-Kogswell P/R - 600$ USD (+shipping to canada)
2-Steelwool Tweed - 550$ CAD (+shipping)
3-Custom 3-angles (local builder) - from 600$ (no shipping needed)