Steel Frames

[stilesiii]

I'm seriously considering building a bike up myself. I think it would be both fun and rewarding. I would like to start with a steel frame in the 1.5 to 2 kg weight class, frame only. To top it off, I'd like to pay under $400.00 for the frame only.

Does such a bargain exist?

[kdelong]

You are going to have a hard time finding a new production steel frame to build up. You will probably have to check out frames from custom framebuilders and those are usually more than $400.00. If a used frame is acceptable, you can probably find a nice one on eBay closer to your target price.

[531Aussie]

^ dido.

Since every weight weeny thinks he has the have a sub-1kg carbon frame to be competitive on their Sunday ride with their mates on a flat roads, :) there a tonnes of bargains going on 2nd hand steel and aluminium.

Having said that, if you want something closer to 1600g, rather than 1800+g, $400 is probably a bit low for a 'modern' steel, like Columbus Ultrafoco, Columbus Nemo, etc, etc. You'd probably find something at that price in Reynolds 853, but that usually isn't as light as people make out.

[stilesiii]

Thanks for the input.

You would think that a side effect of the weight weeny carbon movement, the demand for quality steel would drop and so would price.

I figured I'd have to go used, but was thinking that with the chinese manufacturing, I could find a suitable frame at a good price.

[meehs]

There are still a few manufacturers offering good steel frames in your price and weight range (thankfully). The Surly Pacer and the Soma Smoothie are two that come to mind. They're not fancy but they're good steel frames that will last you a lifetime. My wife has a Surly Cross-Check and it's a nice frame!

http://www.surlybikes.com/pacer.html

http://www.somafab.com/smoothie.html

[stilesiii]

There are still a few manufacturers offering good steel frames in your price and weight range (thankfully). The Surly Pacer and the Soma Smoothie are two that come to mind. They're not fancy but they're good steel frames that will last you a lifetime. My wife has a Sury Cross-Check and it's a nice frame!

http://www.surlybikes.com/pacer.html

http://www.somafab.com/smoothie.htmlThanks. Definitely some options.

[fleshbroiler]

There are still a few manufacturers offering good steel frames in your price and weight range (thankfully). The Surly Pacer and the Soma Smoothie are two that come to mind. They're not fancy but they're good steel frames that will last you a lifetime. My wife has a Surly Cross-Check and it's a nice frame!


+1 on Surly products.

[dhk2]

+1 on Surly products.
+2 on Surly. A buddy here has the Long Haul Trucker for touring rides. It looks to be a very well-build piece at a reasonable price.

[PeterF]

Check out GVHbikes.com. They have some nice steel frames, reasonably priced too. The KHS Flite looks like a nice deal as well as the Soma Smoothie mentioned above.

[rednaxela]

Check out GVHbikes.com. They have some nice steel frames, reasonably priced too. The KHS Flite looks like a nice deal as well as the Soma Smoothie mentioned above.Also check out the Salsa La Raza. Bikeman.com is selling them for $395, and it includes a carbon fork.