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Inexpensive Steel Lugged Frames?

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Old 04-06-12 | 07:54 PM
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Inexpensive Steel Lugged Frames?

So far I've looked into a few steel lugged frames but majority of them seem to be a bit blown out of the water with their prices. I've been considering getting the frameset from the Fuji Obey/ SE Brew which is essentially a frame made by Maxway which run for roughly $200 usd. Does anyone else now of any inexpensive steel lugged frames?

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Old 04-06-12 | 07:58 PM
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Kilo TT
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1876
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Old 04-06-12 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by hairnet
this one is quite nice but with a price like that i'd bank on the maxway frame
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Old 04-06-12 | 08:37 PM
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hereyago...ignore the kilo lemmings

https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2497
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Old 04-06-12 | 08:37 PM
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Just thinking out loud here, but for around $200 you could also pick-up an older lugged steel frame and pay a kindly local frame builder to have the drops out changed.
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Old 04-06-12 | 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by markaitch
hereyago...ignore the kilo lemmings

https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2497
this is pretty much what i am banking on, maxway makes all those frames anyways. I'm basically trying to see anything that compares with this price wise
Originally Posted by Smithie
Just thinking out loud here, but for around $200 you could also pick-up an older lugged steel frame and pay a kindly local frame builder to have the drops out changed.
true but then again you still have road frame geometry which isn't quite what i had in mind. but might not be a bad idea for basic single speed commuters?
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Old 04-06-12 | 09:14 PM
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bottom bracket height is something to consider before making a decision...
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Old 04-06-12 | 09:46 PM
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i have the fuji version and love they way it rides and the geomerty. great choice, dont overthink it just get it and enjoy.
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Old 04-06-12 | 11:02 PM
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That kilo frame is way sexy in white. I'd love to do a build on one of those.
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Old 04-06-12 | 11:38 PM
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I've been looking at the maxway as a frame to strip raw, paint and ride. Still wondering about one with a higher BB height too.

This summer I want to go have fun at the velodrome for a bit. I know I'll just use their rental bikes at first but...
I am torn between something that I'll probably enjoy long term (maxway) or a welded frame that is track geometry (kilo tt)so I can ride my own at the track and on my new short commute.
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Old 04-07-12 | 02:20 AM
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Originally Posted by markaitch
hereyago...ignore the kilo lemmings

https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2497
bikesdirect/island shill!
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Old 04-07-12 | 05:31 AM
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Originally Posted by adriano
bikesdirect/island shill!
i plead temporary insanity



op...if you do find anyplace else selling maxway's lugged frame would you please let us (to be specific...me) in on it? a while back i searched everywhere & ended up with this from bikeisland, which arrived in really horrible shape, but i like the frame so much that i refurbished & am still riding it. never had a problem with the bb drop, it's same as a steamroller...

Last edited by markaitch; 04-07-12 at 05:35 AM. Reason: ooops...
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Old 04-07-12 | 04:21 PM
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SE premium brew, Kilo Team lugged frame, or any older frames. Lugged frames are getting harder and harder to find, especially for a good price. Also, the SE frame has a level TT (to the ground), but I've seen a Kilo Team build (the nickel plated style) with a weird hybrid style (sloped TT); however, I've also seen a Kilo Team frame with a level TT as well. Just a warning, if the looks are important (and with a lugged frame, it is).
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Old 04-07-12 | 04:34 PM
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Kilo Team was never available as a nickel plated version. I believe you're thinking of the frame posted above, which is just a Premium Brew with a different finish.
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Old 04-07-12 | 04:44 PM
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check out the Soma Van Ness. their retail price is kind of high, but they include the fork and they come up on ebay pretty regularly. I got mine on ebay for about $350. other than that, I second the idea of getting a lugged frame from the 80s on craigslist.

https://www.somafab.com/archives/prod...s-single-speed

Last edited by throwawayington; 04-07-12 at 04:44 PM. Reason: added link
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Old 04-07-12 | 04:44 PM
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I cant tell if you are a well crafted shill for Maxway, or you are just 100% set that you are going to buy one no matter what any one says.
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Old 04-07-12 | 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by NoWhales
this is pretty much what i am banking on, maxway makes all those frames anyways. I'm basically trying to see anything that compares with this price wise

true but then again you still have road frame geometry which isn't quite what i had in mind. but might not be a bad idea for basic single speed commuters?
The Premium Brew doesn't exactly have "track" geo. I know first hand - I had one:

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Old 04-07-12 | 05:05 PM
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Scrod, you mentioned before that the BB on the Premium Brew frame was low but did you have issues with it? Running 170 or 165 cranks?

It'd be too low to be allowed on a real track but I'm thinking I can use rentals for a good while.

Option 1 is a Premium Brew Dragon (shudder) - and strip that thing raw and clear (or repaint) for a good street ride and eyecandy lugs, but no track work
Option 2 is to get the chrome Kilo TT - have a proven geometry for fun and track
heck
Option 3 convert the beach cruiser frame to 700c with track drops....



May even end up selling the Surly Cross check for ink money
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Old 04-07-12 | 05:08 PM
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I was running 170s and the only time I've ever experienced pedal strike was on that bike. Not fun.

Again, the lugged Kilo Team is only available in black, white and orange.
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Old 04-07-12 | 05:16 PM
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thanks, seems that's pretty low then. Ill contemplate if lugs are worth 75-100 more with great geometry.
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Old 04-07-12 | 06:30 PM
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You could get any old vintage roadie for less than $200 . . .

Originally Posted by NoWhales
true but then again you still have road frame geometry which isn't quite what i had in mind. but might not be a bad idea for basic single speed commuters?
If you will not be riding the bike on a track, why would you want track geo? I think you just answered your own question?
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Old 04-07-12 | 06:41 PM
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I have logged over 75,000 miles on my 22 year old steel frame you can pick up a nice steel sl/slx frame on ebay for a few hundred dollars strip it and go to town ....so why go with new ...why look like everybody else
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Old 04-07-12 | 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by markaitch
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op...if you do find anyplace else selling maxway's lugged frame would you please let us (to be specific...me) in on it? a while back i searched everywhere & ended up with this from bikeisland, which arrived in really horrible shape, but i like the frame so much that i refurbished & am still riding it. never had a problem with the bb drop, it's same as a steamroller...
i remember some people attempting to buy individual frames from the company under the table but something made them change their mind i dunno i read it somewhere here on the forums. so is that frame you posted essentially the maxway/ fuji obey/ se brew frame? and concerning pedal strike what length are your cranks? i plan on 170's
Originally Posted by Kayce
I cant tell if you are a well crafted shill for Maxway, or you are just 100% set that you are going to buy one no matter what any one says.
lol, no i'm not a shill, just a broke college student trying to get something within a low budget. i'm not 100% but for the price it could be worth it.
Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
I was running 170s and the only time I've ever experienced pedal strike was on that bike. Not fun.

Again, the lugged Kilo Team is only available in black, white and orange.
how bad is the pedal strike? at the moment i am running a conversion frame and so far i haven't had pedal strike not to mention am running 170's?

Originally Posted by JesusBananas
You could get any old vintage roadie for less than $200 . . .


If you will not be riding the bike on a track, why would you want track geo? I think you just answered your own question?
I do plan on taking it for a spin every now and again on the track just for shiggles. And i am running a conversion frame but that's how we all start i guess, just trying to upgrade


So after reading some of the replies, The maxway/fuji obey/se brew frame has a low slung bb which ultimately leads to pedal strike? At the moment I am not too sure on the kilo team being that it costs another hundy. In a way the track geo would be nice to have but that pedal strike really concerns me?
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Old 04-07-12 | 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by NoWhales
how bad is the pedal strike? at the moment i am running a conversion frame and so far i haven't had pedal strike not to mention am running 170's?
I honestly don't have anything to compare it to - but it was ultimately bad enough for me to get rid of the frame.
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Old 04-07-12 | 11:51 PM
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The premium brew frame doesn't look too bad in those other colors. The dragon paint kills me every time.
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