Cycling Equipment · Public discussion

Mass produced steel road frames??

Started by Phill P · · Last activity · 5 posts · 1,558 views

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Cycling Equipment
Published
12 July 2006
Last activity
13 July 2006
Original author
Phill P
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5
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Public discussion
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Topics
Steel framesFrame cracks

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  1. Original post
    Phill P
    Archived post
    #1

    Why don't more brands produce reasonable quality mass produced steel frames anymore??

    From te sounds of another thread here there are plenty who are passionate about steel, but have to shell out megabucks just for "entry level"

    Hell the Maxway factory have been producing steel frames for decades. Why isn't somebody using them to produce a line of 531 and 853 frames?? I know Jamis has/had good success with their 531 bike, but I tihnk its been dropped for 06 (will have to check that)

    I'm going to be challenging a few local Australian brands who use asian factories to consider a 853 frame kitted with ultegra and 105 kits. I tihnk people would buy them as cheaper training and high milage bikes and save thier fancy race bikes for the weekend.

    Whos with me?????? We can bombard this brand I'm thinking of with emails to show there is demand!

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  2. geo8rge
    Archived post
    #2

    My guess is that they are heavier than Al but cost about the same to make.

    "I'm going to be challenging a few local Australian brands who use asian factories to consider a 853 frame "

    You are a wuss, if you feel that strongly about it, start your own damn company. Ok, I'm being mean but if you really think it is a good idea start your own brand, I wish you all the success in the world with your new venture.

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  3. 531Aussie
    Archived post
    #3

    do Fuji still make an 853?

    ACR and Ivanhoe Cycles (Melb) were stocking a cheap, Asian 853 frame called 'Sonic', but they didn't sell quick enough.

    How much would the Bianchi 631 be out here? It should be cheap.
    I don't think it's even in the Australasian line.

    I don't think there's enough demand for steel -- probably even less so here than in the US. Cervelo dropped their steel models at the end of 2004.

    I have a theory that most people looking for just a frame are in the high-end market, and will spend well over $1500-$2000, but the people in the market for cheaper stuff are the kind of people who want a complete bike.

    People like you and me who would like the odd $500 steel frame every few years are in a small minority 🙁

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  4. strummer_fan
    Archived post
    #4
    531Aussie said:

    do Fuji still make an 853?

    ACR and Ivanhoe Cycles (Melb) were stocking a cheap, Asian 853 frame called 'Sonic', but they didn't sell quick enough.

    How much would the Bianchi 631 be out here? It should be cheap.
    I don't think it's even in the Australasian line.

    I don't think there's enough demand for steel -- probably even less so here than in the US. Cervelo dropped their steel models at the end of 2004.

    I have a theory that most people looking for just a frame are in the high-end market, and will spend well over $1500-$2000, but the people in the market for cheaper stuff are the kind of people who want a complete bike.

    People like you and me who would like the odd $500 steel frame every few years are in a small minority 🙁

    Bianchi have a slew of 531 frames, Eros, Veloce, Vigorelli, etc.

    SOMA Fabrications do as well: http://www.somafab.com

    Gunnar Cycles (A divison of Waterford) has an entire steel line, as does
    Surly http://www.surlybikes.com

    LeMond makes mass produced 853 and other Steel bikes: http://www.lemondbikes.com

    As do Jamis, Fuji, and others.

    They are out there.
    Happy Hunting!

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  5. mikesbytes
    Archived post
    #5

    There isn't a huge difference between the various materials so it does boil down to personal choice, however as Phil is asking, the steel frame should be of reasonable quality. I had constant problems with my steel frame cracking and the problem was that it wasn't of sufficient quality for the demands I had on the bike. I now use an alloy/carbon bike as my main bike, however my spare bike is a quality steel frame from probably the early 80's, its got a dent just behind the chain ring, but its still going good.

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