Best steel road frame? (currently available)
Comments
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axiom was a consideration but went for the vacanza since i want to use it for touring holiday next year.dangerous jules.0
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Just had a look at the vacanza and have to say that is absolutely lovely! Any pics at all, and how is it to ride?
Did you get it through Sigma Sports or did you/can you get them direct from Seven?0 -
portuguese mike wrote:giant mancp wrote:portuguese mike wrote:Waterford (R33). i've had mine for about 3 months and its perfect. Amazing ride; very responsive; fast; and it's very light for a steel frame - 3.1lbs (1400g) - my whole bile weighs 16.5lbs incl pedals. They're custom built to your spec and the build quality is excellent.
I really like the look of these Waterfords have to say. The lug work is just exquisite! Can you tell me who you got yours through Mike and do you have any piccies?
The R33 isnn't lugged (apart from at the chainstay/seatpost interface) but the welds are top notch, click on these links for piccies:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =669347517
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =669347517
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =669347517
I used to work with a Steve Da Nobrega - no relation?
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
SecretSam wrote:portuguese mike wrote:giant mancp wrote:portuguese mike wrote:Waterford (R33). i've had mine for about 3 months and its perfect. Amazing ride; very responsive; fast; and it's very light for a steel frame - 3.1lbs (1400g) - my whole bile weighs 16.5lbs incl pedals. They're custom built to your spec and the build quality is excellent.
I really like the look of these Waterfords have to say. The lug work is just exquisite! Can you tell me who you got yours through Mike and do you have any piccies?
The R33 isnn't lugged (apart from at the chainstay/seatpost interface) but the welds are top notch, click on these links for piccies:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =669347517
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =669347517
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =669347517
I used to work with a Steve Da Nobrega - no relation?
Not at far as i know but then i do have about 20 cousins i've never met so who knows (actually probably my mum - she knows everything about the family, maybe i'll ask her)pm0 -
A blatant plug but if anyone is after a beautiful lugged steel frame I've currently got one for sale on ebay;
http://tinyurl.com/37zuwn0 -
Not sure how you define "best" steel frame, but i've just been built a marvellous TT frame by Justin Burls http://www.burls.co.uk/index.htm
Buying a frame that fits you properly and suits the purpose for which it is intended is key, so I wouldn't worry so much about what steel (or materials in general) as it's the knowledge and experience of the framebuilder that you are paying for, plus the quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail. There's also something about pride of ownership with something that has been custom made for you, which really isn't affordable in anything else. Yes, a custom steel frame may seem expensive, but is actually a lot cheaper than other stuff people spend their money on (like cars, clothes and furniture).
I own several frames - all steel:
Burls TT - very comfortable, fast (beat 30 year old pb for 10, despite being old and fat) and looks fantastic!
Roberts Compact Road - also very comfortable, quality craftsmanship and look.
Condor Acciao - factory built stock frame, but despite being very busy the shop really takes time to ensure a proper fit. Very diffrent ride quality to the Roberts, this is the bike I'd use for Crits if I every rode them. Lovely Italian finish.
On-one - pompino
One-one - Inbred MTB
Both stock frames, so you have to know your fit before you order. Not the most expensive steels or finish but great bikes and excellent vfm.
For anyone who hasn't ridden steel in a few years, frames are much lighter and stiffer but also as comfortable as ever.0 -
I have a 1991 Chas Roberts which is still my favourite bike (and weighs 50% more than the one I race on). The thing is, it was an off-the-peg, and fits me better than the 10 other frames I have owned or still own now, including custom-made.
Roberts really do have something about them, both in design and execution.0 -
I like the Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel - beautifully made and amazing paint jobs.
Would have had the Ti version if Sigma hadn't offered me £800 off a Seven Axiom0 -
Burls gets my vote - checkout the steel tandem on his site. www.burls.co.uk
mathers also - although doesn't really tick the racing box for me.
I'm suprised about some of the other posts... all the stuff about italian bikes!? up to you but I wouldn't
Having been to the bike show I wasn't impressed with witcomb's offering & the price.... £1750 for a 531 frame & forks... it wasn't even finished nicely with paint flaking off by the lug on the top tube.
You don't need to go 953 to get a steel frame sub 1500g0 -
I am absolutely loving this thread!! My commuting bike (Tricross Comp) was written off the other week by a car and I'm out of action for a few months injured, so have plenty of time to plan a replacement. Being tall and 14 stone, frame weight is not overly critical for me and a steel bike would seem to be ideal. Also, I just love the classic paint-jobs and lugging that the framebuilders apply to these bikes.
My favourite whilst trawling through available frames is the following in PR08 colour:
http://www.colnago.com/en/catalogo2008/master.php
Not a practical commuter, but I'm sure my road bike frame is in need of upgrading.0 -
I've just built an 853 touring frame on Dave Yates' course - one of the best things I've ever done in my life. 853 is the most exotic tubing you can work with on the course. Stuff like 953 is for experts only.
So if i wanted the Ultimate Steel Road Race frame I would get it custom built by Dave. He works with any tubing you like, and helped Reynolds develop 953. In other words, he is a master. I never did ask him what the ultimate tubeset is - would you like me to? He has no bias.
Dave paints frames in basic colour schemes only. So for the ultimate paint job I would go to Stuart Hughes http://www.bikeart.co.uk/. You can see his Titanium Flamecycle hanging up at Cyclefit. That paint job cost £800, which is a bargain considering the number of hours it took. Stuart is going to paint my new tourer.
P.S. I would also get hand cut lugs to my own design. I'm sure it wouldn't cost too much.<hr>
<h6>What\'s the point of going out? We\'re just going to end up back here anyway</h6>0 -
SecretSam wrote:
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I can't get at those pics for some reason. Could you post them here in the thread? It's turning into a very interesting one!
Here are my favourite lugs, by the way:
P.S. For more lugs check out the Ceeway catalogue: http://www.framebuilding.com/
Most British framebuilders seem to buy from Ceeway. There are also some very nice lugs available in the US. Here are some tasty ones: http://www.bikelugs.com/
But as I said in another post, I would get my own one-off custom lugs made. The waiting list for a custom frame is usually 6 months+, so you'd have plenty of time to get it done.<hr>
<h6>What\'s the point of going out? We\'re just going to end up back here anyway</h6>0 -
Shame to let this thread die...<hr>
<h6>What\'s the point of going out? We\'re just going to end up back here anyway</h6>0 -
You might consider a used frame too perhaps. Some of the earlier Brit frames are really excellent quality You would also have the character and history with it. Someone on these boards was lucky enough to recently buy a Stan Pike 753 race frameset on ebay . What a find. His shop was just down the road to me and I remember meeting him in his Crewkerne shop as a poor student trying to scrounge some second hand bits and bobs.
:oops:
Heres a real beauty from Lee Coopers collection
gorgeous0 -
yes i saw that stainless lugged Coopers when i was on the site last week, very nice! You can't beat a nice set of fancy lugs IMO0