Steel frame bike

charlesf
charlesf Posts: 16
edited June 2009 in Commuting chat
Hi

I really enjoy reading everyone's opions about the bikes available today. At present I ride a Claud Butler Voyager which, before anyone else says it, is too heavy, too big (for me), and laden with poor quality parts. Sadly sold to me by the LBS, now closed.

After a lot of research, I have decided on a drop bar steel frame bike that can take mudguards for my commute and I have almost decided on a Cotic Roadrat.

However, does anyone have a better bike in that price range - £750?

Over to you guys!

Comments

  • Soul Boy
    Soul Boy Posts: 359
    Better than a Cotic Roadrat? Doubt it.

    Heard great things about it, would be my 1st choice of road/commuter.

    Ooops my name gives it away, a bit of a Cotic fan :oops:
  • el_presidente
    el_presidente Posts: 1,963
    Pompino is the obvious steel competitor. Quite a different style of bike though, and I doubt it is superior to the RoadRat
    <a>road</a>
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Dawes Audax Supreme? on offer at £720.

    A bit more, but lovely - Condor Fratello. Start at £899 :cry:
  • Fireblade96
    Fireblade96 Posts: 1,123
    I had a test ride on a roadrat, it was lovely. The test model was a little large for me and had flat bars rather than drops, but other than that - great fun!

    Doooooo it !
    Misguided Idealist
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Is the Roadrat only single speed?
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165

    looks lovely,
  • charlesf
    charlesf Posts: 16
    Thanks for the input, you can get the Roadrat with a hub gear, 18 Bikes have some good pics (http://www.18bikes.co.uk/content/custom_build_bike.php).

    Thanks alfabue for your suggestions, I really like the Dawes but it seems to be discontinued, but worth hunting for, and you are right the Condor is out my range - I have to stop the price creep as I started with a limit of £500![/url]
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    Well done for choosing steel! I love steel - still the best riding material I have ever tried.

    Anyhow, my steel fetish aside - here are my suggestions:

    Ridgeback Voyage:
    Reynolds 520 tubing. Sure, it is a touring bike (which, if you ask me, is a good thing) - but you could very easy "sport it up" if you wanted by removing the guards and rack and fitting a nice double chainset. In that format it would make a nice part time cross type bike - perfect to commuting.

    Also, bang on the money.

    Planet-X Kaffenback:
    I'm sure you could get a Kaffenback build bang in your price bracket. Plus you can spec the bits down to the last bolt, so you'll get exactly what you want. The Kaff got a great write-up in CP and is more "road-bike"-ish.

    Surly Cross Check (Pacer or Long Haul Trucker):
    I like Surlys. A lot. There are a few shops that sell them in Surly built up spec, but also in a custom builds. For commuting I'd take the Cross Check, but if you'd like something more road bike-ish I reckon the Pacer is a bargain.

    If you can stretch the budget:
    Condor Fratello:
    Class act. Gorgeous finish.

    Salsa Casseroll:
    As per the Fratello, just prettier IMHO.

    I do hope this helps. Otherwise, perhaps approach a local frame builder to see what you can get made up?
  • charlesf
    charlesf Posts: 16
    Hi Roastie

    Thanks for your advice, I really like the Planet X! I do have a local charity bike shop that only re-builds steel frames. Unfortunately they don't have my size (21") and I don't know how long I will have to wait for a frame to come. So I am exploring buying new as well.