Better then "entry level" frames for commuting?
 

Hey guys/gals. Looking for a little more information here.

I am looking into picking up a good steel frame for general riding around town and going out on photo runs (semi-pro photographer, need to be able to get to shoots and such).
I know about the Kilo and some other "entry level" bikes. I am looking for something, that's higher on the quality scale.

Ideally I'm looking for a good quality frame, steel, that's going to last me for a while that is on par with some of my other components (good quality, reliable). What I need help with is figuring out what frames are one step up from the "entry level" arena.

I've researched this a bit but would appreciate some input from all the experts in this area, thanks! ^^

Have you considered the Kilo WT? Sure it's from bikesdirect but it's quality control is better than the TT's. Did the snafu with wrong sized seatposts being supplied that I heard of get fixed?

The IRO Angus is currently on sale for $399 complete and is made with Reynolds 631.

The Wabi Classic is around $700 complete and is made with Reynolds 725.

Both are available as frame sets, too. Another nice frame is the Leader 722TS. Hydroformed steel = c00l.

Have not considered the kilo WT. Didn't actually know it existed! (searching now!)

As for the iro, I was under the impression that their frames were on par with the kilos? Will have to look into the wabi and the leader (semi-bad experiences with them though)

As I still need to look into those frames (no clue what the geo is on them) I am looking for something that is a little more relaxed (like road in a sense) for commuting and something that I could toss fenders on. ^^

You could convert a decent older steel frame and get the geo and fender/rack mounts you want for less than a new frame.

This is true, but I wanted to avoid a conversion. heh.

I've never ridden any of the listed bikes. leader and kilo seem to have some funky geo. that's on paper though, they might ride fine.

angus and wabi seem to have similar, road style geo. could be decent.

did just try an old style pake today. rode similar to my friend's windsor clockwork. both felt dull and unresponsive to me, but this could be the cheap tires. I threw my wheels/tires on my friend's clockwork and that bike really brightened up and felt much more responsive and fun.

i liked another friend's dolan pre-cursa. that's considered entry, but still around 500 for a frameset. I liked the felt TK2 also, pista concept was okay, not completely worth the markup.

if you can find one, i love my continuum. for the day-to-day i prefer it over my peloton.

Surly Cross Check- my next commuter frame.

Surly Crosscheck, Salsa Casseroll, Kona ***** Tonk, maybe Jamis Beatnik.

Have all been around for a number of years and run through the gauntlet by commuters and the like. They are good options for you.

I was going to recommend the All-City nature boy looks nice (though it inexplicably lacks fender mounts).

The Raleigh One-way has some nice features. I love my IRO. On-one Pompino?

None of these are really "better" than a Kilo, it all depends on what you want. They have nicer parts and better than the (godawful) BD quality control, but those are just issues at the start. It really depends what you want and how much you want to spend.

+1 for surly cross-check or wabi :D
and i wouldnt say the tt was on par with IRO bikes.
it is a little hard to compare I owned both and they're just different bikes, ride wise. I would much rather use an IRO for commuting .

The Crosscheck is a good choice Im sure, but I vote for what I know: Surly Steamroller.

all city nature boy, or big block even

Surly steamroller gets my vote.

Thanks all for the replies! Will have to do some research on these suggestions. I'm planning on just picking up a frame and building it up from that. ^^

OP - FWIW, here are my Kilo WT and Salsa Casseroll. The Kilo WT is fixed and The Casseroll is free. Both bikes have ample room for wide tires and fenders.

All City. Have yet to find a bad review of those bikes ... and therefore really want to ride one.

None of the All City frames have fender or rack mounts.

It seems like you're using this for your job, which means maybe you can't bail every time the roads are damp. This means fenders will be desirable.

It also seems like you're hauling equipment around, which means maybe you'll want to throw something on a rack that is heavier than you'd like to have in your bag... portable lighting or tripods or whatever. This means racks will be desirable.



If you don't need to stay dry or haul stuff, though, and are instead looking for more of a bar-hopper, then the All City bikes look very well made.

Hey guys, thanks for the further replies! (and the photos!)

I do all of my carrying/lifting in a bag. So I'm not horribly worried about racks, though in the future you never know. I won't need horribly wide tires, but again the option is wonderful and one I'm keeping in mind. I basically just need a frame for general "getting around" as well as commuting.

Fenders would be nice, nothing super heavy though. Was thinking about doing blades or something, but I've not really looked into the market. I don't need a super packhorse, but something that can be a toolin' around with friends on a whim bike as well as a commuter, all in one would be awesome.

The surlys look nice. Plus they seem to look like one of the few with spots to to mouth fender/brakes. Yes I want to run brakes! So it seems like I need to look into surly a bit more...

with the price of photo equipment i'd be tentative to put any of it on racks. in a backpack or whatever you get a bit of suspension to ease the blow of potholes or rail crossings

i wouldn't worry too much about fender mounts. i have some clip on full coverage fenders on my 29er. i'm sure planet bike makes a skinnier version that aren't half coverage like raceblades

i'd take another look at the kilo wt. that looks like fun to me. and for the price it's no problem to replace the bb, pedals, tires, and saddle.

All of the frames I listed have mounts for front/back fenders as well as brakes and cable routing.



Your use of "photo equipment" is a little too non-specific. I'm not saying strap your fanciest glass to the rear rack and hit the cobbles.

Things like reflectors, stands, and tripods are akward to put in a bag, and will be fine with a little road chatter if you strap them to a rack.

Better steel doesn't mean it will last longer.