Steel winter options?

jonny_trousers
jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
edited August 2011 in Commuting chat
I'm going to pop into Tokyo Fixed later today to have a look at their Wide Open (a frame/fork I really like the sound of), but before I commit to buying one (should I like it) I was just wondering if there were any other steel, mudguard-friendly frames I ought to look into. There's the Genesis Equilibrium (a frame I would still be tempted to buy should the 2012 colour scheme option come out soon), the Condor Fratello (the frame I already own - in the wrong size - which I think is overpriced for what it is and that the geometry is far too relaxed for my tastes) and beyond that I am stumped. I looked at Bob Jackson, but they are actually a little too retro looking for me and there is a waiting list. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Comments

  • sketchley
    sketchley Posts: 4,238
    http://www.burls.co.uk

    &

    http://www.burls.co.uk/prices.php
    --
    Chris

    Genesis Equilibrium - FCN 3/4/5
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    what size Fratello do you have?

    This doesnt take mudguards but still very nice and a great price.

    http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRG ... d-frameset
    Dolan Mythos
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    Thanks guys,

    The Burls frames - gorgeous though they may be - are a little pricey for what I'm after (commuter/winter trainer) and I've struggled to find much positive said about the Guerciotti (apart from anything, I want to match it up with a carbon fork, which would bump the price up).

    My Fratello is a Condor 58. When I bought it second-hand I was assured it was a 55 (yeah, I should have known better from the test ride). Once I've got the new frame and fork sorted I'll be selling the frame on.
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    Can you keep me in mind with the Fratello frame. I have a Fratello in 61 and really I could do with a 58. Thanks.
    Dolan Mythos
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    I was looking at this and have been though exactly the same process as you. The Equilibrium was by far and away the best option I could find short of going custom.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    I suppose something like this could do as a steel winter bike?

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12796168
    Dolan Mythos
  • woodford2barbican
    woodford2barbican Posts: 1,505
    clarkey cat wrote:
    I suppose something like this could do as a steel winter bike?

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12796168

    But no eyelets for mudguards from what I can see.....
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    True - doubt its got clearance for some Marathon Pluses either.
    Dolan Mythos
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    clarkey cat wrote:
    Can you keep me in mind with the Fratello frame. I have a Fratello in 61 and really I could do with a 58. Thanks.

    Absolutely! I'll give you a shout when it's time to sell it on. The previous owner left a couple of bad scratches on it, but nothing that's gone down to bare metal and it's all structurally sound.
    Asprilla wrote:
    I was looking at this and have been though exactly the same process as you. The Equilibrium was by far and away the best option I could find short of going custom.

    Yep, for excellent value off-the-peg, the Equilibrium really does sound like a great frame. I know it's wrong to worry too much about aesthetics, but I just don't like the 'cherry red' that it is only available in as a frameset. I guess the 2012s will be out soon and they will almost certainly have another colour scheme.

    I came across Tokyo Fixed's Wide Open through August's Cycling Plus where it scored 4 out of 5 stars to Condor Acciaio's 3 out of 5. The write-up made it sound like a great bike despite it being made from Colubus’s entry level Thron tubing. I’m going to nip into their shop in a couple of hours time and will see about booking a test ride.
    clarkey cat wrote:
    I suppose something like this could do as a steel winter bike?

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12796168

    The Betty Leeds is a gorgeous looking frame, but it’s pretty expensive to buy new. There are a couple of stores who have obviously bought up a load of 2010 stock, which finds its way onto eBay every now and then. There was one on recently and so I did a little research into it and the general consensus seemed to be that it didn’t give the kind of ride you would want from steel. All the same, I would have bid up to 300 quid for it, but it went for over £500.
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    well out of price range but just thought I'd put it up anyway... just for winter commuting though obviously.

    http://www.ifbikes.com/OurBikes/Road/Steel_Club_Racer_/
    Dolan Mythos
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    clarkey cat wrote:
    well out of price range but just thought I'd put it up anyway... just for winter commuting though obviously.

    http://www.ifbikes.com/OurBikes/Road/Steel_Club_Racer_/

    You've got to love Independant Fabrication. Enigma doe some very pretty steel frames, but again, way too pricey for the commute.
  • Torvid
    Torvid Posts: 449
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    clarkey cat wrote:
    well out of price range but just thought I'd put it up anyway... just for winter commuting though obviously.

    http://www.ifbikes.com/OurBikes/Road/Steel_Club_Racer_/

    You've got to love Independant Fabrication. Enigma doe some very pretty steel frames, but again, way too pricey for the commute.

    Yet I can't help but keep going back for a look and telling myself it's still cheaper than a car and can I get a colour matched cover to put over it in the shed at work.
    Commuter: Forme Vision Red/Black FCN 4
    Weekender: White/Black - Cube Agree GTC pro FCN 3
  • Torvid
    Torvid Posts: 449
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    [Yep, for excellent value off-the-peg, the Equilibrium really does sound like a great frame. I know it's wrong to worry too much about aesthetics, but I just don't like the 'cherry red' that it is only available in as a frameset. I guess the 2012s will be out soon and they will almost certainly have another colour scheme.

    Yeah it's like a neon sign and way to flashy, if you could get it in the light grey it would be great.
    Commuter: Forme Vision Red/Black FCN 4
    Weekender: White/Black - Cube Agree GTC pro FCN 3
  • frankieh
    frankieh Posts: 85
    Why is steel a good option? I mean, I like the look of them, I'll probably replace my carbon fiber road bike with a steel frame next but I dont want to ride it in the winter as the salt will corrode it worse than alu?
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    Before buying my Fratello I came quite close to getting this. Feel like I'd need to be wearing tweed with it though... not that that is a problem.

    http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/pr ... Red-17%22/
    Dolan Mythos
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    Torvid wrote:
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    [Yep, for excellent value off-the-peg, the Equilibrium really does sound like a great frame. I know it's wrong to worry too much about aesthetics, but I just don't like the 'cherry red' that it is only available in as a frameset. I guess the 2012s will be out soon and they will almost certainly have another colour scheme.

    Yeah it's like a neon sign and way to flashy, if you could get it in the light grey it would be great.

    For me it just looks cheap - which, of course it is.

    There's a lad here who built up a really sexy Equilibrium up with the '10's black frame and fork, and having seen it, I contacted several dealers to see if they could get hold of a frameset in black for me, but alas, they could not.
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    FrankieH wrote:
    Why is steel a good option? I mean, I like the look of them, I'll probably replace my carbon fiber road bike with a steel frame next but I dont want to ride it in the winter as the salt will corrode it worse than alu?

    For me it's just that steel rides much nicer on rutted, pot-holed London Roads. If I was after a winter trainer only then I'd have less of a problem with aluminium, but having commuted on two aluminium bikes in the past (one at a time, I hasten to add), I swore I would never do so again. There is probably a certain amount of trendy bollox attached to the 'steel-is-real' sentiment, but in my experience, it does give a much more comfortable, responsive and lively ride.

    As for riding steel in winter, I'd be surprised if a small amount of salt would do much harm, but a quick wash down is not so hard.
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    real men ride steel

    real men ride with heavy wheels

    real men ride with leather saddles

    real men get to work late after spending 10 minutes getting up Dark Hill with a 18kg bike
    Dolan Mythos
  • scottgarrett
    scottgarrett Posts: 5
    I commute on a Condor Pista with RoadRacer mudguards. £500 frame & carbon fork. Works just fine and rides great. But I really really really want this: http://spotbrand.com/bikes/product-page/mod-ss/

    £2850 all-up from UK importer Sideways Cycles. Too much for commuting? Reluctantly I have to admit that it is...
    Le Club Velo des Moutons Noirs
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    clarkey cat wrote:
    Before buying my Fratello I came quite close to getting this. Feel like I'd need to be wearing tweed with it though... not that that is a problem.

    http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/pr ... Red-17%22/

    Yeah, there are quite a few 'sensible' steel options out there, which really don't appeal. I'm after a steel road bike really and certainly not a tourer or audax machine. I would even forgo mudguard eyelets for the right bike.
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    has to have gears?

    I also have one of these (with upgraded wheels) and its great for the commute.

    http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/triton
    Dolan Mythos
  • txom
    txom Posts: 31
    Surly Pacer?
    http://www.surlybikes.com/frames/pacer_frame/
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    clarkey cat wrote:
    has to have gears?

    I also have one of these (with upgraded wheels) and its great for the commute.

    http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/triton

    Yep, I already have a fun, steel SS.
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    txom wrote:
    Surly Pacer?
    http://www.surlybikes.com/frames/pacer_frame/

    Good call, but too relaxed for my tastes.

    So I went to Tokyo Fixed and the Wide Open is a lovely looking frame. Sadly the smallest top tube they're offering for the next few months measures 56.5, which is too long for me.

    Fingers crossed that the 2012 paint schemed Equilibrium comes out soon!
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Singular Cycles do some lovely looking bicycles...
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    DesWeller wrote:
    Singular Cycles do some lovely looking bicycles...

    Thanks, and no offence, but yuck!
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    DesWeller wrote:
    Singular Cycles do some lovely looking bicycles...

    Thanks, and no offence, but yuck!

    Having re-read your OP, I can see that, if Bob Jackson isn't your thing then neither is Singular!
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • Origamist
    Origamist Posts: 807
    Are you wedded to the idea of getting a new frame/fork - if not, I'd have a look at Hilary Stone, Retrobike, LFGSS classifieds etc as they often have some excellent steel frames, in vgc for considerably less than you can get in a shop.
    Folders
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    Origamist wrote:
    Are you wedded to the idea of getting a new frame/fork - if not, I'd have a look at Hilary Stone, Retrobike, LFGSS classifieds etc as they often have some excellent steel frames, in vgc for considerably less than you can get in a shop.

    I totally get what you are saying, and you're right, but as the present Condor Fratello is the third bike I have bought second hand that has turned out to be too big for me, I think I ought to learn my lesson and go for new.
  • Flogger
    Flogger Posts: 23
    I love my Surly Cross-Check. Mudguards, panniers (front and rear), semi-horizontal dropouts, all the tyre clearance you'll ever need. Oh and the ride is superb as well. It's the best 'do it all' bike that I know of.

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