Does anybody make a good, cheap steel frameset anymore?

Rinkydink

Hi All,

I'm thinking about getting a new frameset that will be used for the occasional commute, 50-100 mile rides and maybe a sportive or two. I know that there are loads of nice alloy/carbon frame/fork combo's about, but I would quite like something in steel. The Salsa La Raza looks great, but I can't help thinking that it probably isn't £350 better than a cheap Ribble frame and fork deal.

Does anybody know of a nice steel frame/fork that comes in below £300 that's worth considering? Or should I just find something Aluminium or second-hand?

Thanks in advance,

Rinkydink

giant_man

Looks good for a commuting frame to me:

http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/audaxmk3.html

ride_whenever

I'm pretty sure the pompino will come in under that.

iga

Byercycles do a Reynolds 631 frame for £310, I think its made by Hewitt http://www.byercycles.co.uk/bikeprice%2 ... 8/02B.html. This is about as cheap as you can get whilst still being good quality as far as I know. Next step up is Bob Jackson at about £380 I think.

redddraggon

Personally I like alloy for a commuting frame

broachboy

Hi RinkyDink I ride a steel Daccordi ( Columbus EL), and used to commute on a plain gauge Reynolds 531 winter hack, I have recently changed my commute to a alloy hardtail, which is more relaxed and doubles up as a bike to ride with the family aswell. IMHO cheap steel doesn't ride like the more expensive steels - correct me if i'm wrong. I recently saw this frame at chain reaction....

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=24249

It is within your budget has a carbon back end to soften the commute and good rider reviews. It is definately worth a second look, and I know I have got 1 down as a purchase to make into a training bike

caw35slr

Surly of course!

Available from Brixton Cycles and other dealers in the UK.

Rinkydink

Thanks guys, there's a few nice ones in there that I wouldn't have found myself, the Thorn and the Aravis definately seem worth a look. I've had a Surly 1x1 in the past that was a great bike, but a bit heavy, and the stickers tend to fall off as they're not laquered over, and though the Pacer/long haul trucker are on my list, I'd be keen to try a compact style frame . Broachboy, that looks bargainous

I have considered a Pompino, but they're SS only aren't they? and I'd like to run caliper brakes, not canti

Reddragon, I've just built one of those Ribble frames for the wife, £130 for ally frame, carbon fork and headset was just too good to miss! I've ridden it to work a few time myself and I can't find anything wrong with it at all. I know that they're not the last word in bling, but I thought that the fit and finish were every bit as good as some big name bikes. Hence why I'm trying to justify a steel bike at twice the cost

Thanks again for the suggestions so far, very helpful I'll keep looking, Oh, If anyone sees/has something nice second-hand in a std 56cm or medium compact, I'm all ears :twisted:

alfablue

I think the Kaffenback is a version of the Pompino for geared bikes.

Rinkydink

I think you're right Alfablue, but IIRC it too runs Canti's

meagain

Sorry to jump in, but what about CHEAP frames? I'm looking for a sloping t/t frame for 700s with 'grd clearance etc to build a hub geared for winter. Preferably alu. But steel would do. I'm coming to conclusion that best route is to buy a new 700c bike for a 100 quid and just use the f'set! Or rebuild the wheels as 26"ers and get a cheap mtb.

Any other options?

passout

Salsa bikes - Casserole

meagain

passout wrote:

Salsa bikes - Casserole

Nice indeed. But, altho' I can't find a listed UK price, from $s looks to be about 350 quids - and that's not what I call "cheap"!