Which steel frame? Equilibrium or?

styxd
styxd Posts: 3,234
edited March 2012 in Road buying advice
Fancy a steel frame, summat fairly cheap. The equilibrium looks decent enough, what are they like? Are they fexy? Is it possible to run a rack on the rear? (using the mud guard mounts)

Anything else around the same price that I should consider?

Comments

  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Does anyone have an opinion?
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    styxd wrote:
    Does anyone have an opinion?

    Use the search for 'Equilibrium' :?:
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    The equilibrium is excellent...
    left the forum March 2023
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    The equilibrium is excellent...

    Thats good enough for me

    How do you go about fitting a rear rack? Any recommendations for one? Im assuming I can use the mudguard eyelets and some form of clips or similar?
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    styxd wrote:
    The equilibrium is excellent...

    Thats good enough for me

    How do you go about fitting a rear rack? Any recommendations for one? Im assuming I can use the mudguard eyelets and some form of clips or similar?

    Yes, that seems the sensible option. I don't have one, but I have tried one... loved it, loved it... it's not only a great bike to ride, but also looks great
    left the forum March 2023
  • thegibdog
    thegibdog Posts: 2,106
    styxd wrote:
    How do you go about fitting a rear rack? Any recommendations for one? Im assuming I can use the mudguard eyelets and some form of clips or similar?
    Either p-clips, a seatpost clamp with a rack mount or a 3 point rack attached to the brake bridge. I think Genesis mentioned something about recommening a 3 point rack for the Equilibrium, maybe contact them and see what they suggest.

    'Tis a good bike, but then I would say that because I have one! I don't find it too flexy but it does seem to smooth out the road buzz quite a bit compared to aluminium bikes I've ridden. Bit of a write up here if you're interested:

    http://alangibsonlejog.blogspot.co.uk/2 ... bikes.html
    https://gibworth.mypixieset.com
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Thanks, that clears that up. I'll probably order one some point this week.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    Yes, go for it...

    It's a stiff enough yet compliant frame... these days everyone is obsessed with stiffness, as if they had to sprint for the line at the Milan Sanremo or as if they actually had any power in their legs... most guys in the club can barely put 250 aerobic watts in their pedals and complain about a bike not being stiff enough...
    For the every day cyclist compliance is way more important, espcially in view of the terrible tarmac which is used in the UK... the mixture is much rougher than that used in France, Italy or Spain and that has to be taken into account.

    The equilibrium seems to get the best of both worlds... a beautiful bike that doesn't break the bank, perfectly suited for UK roads... not sure the wheels it comes with are any good... but you can always upgrade at some point
    left the forum March 2023
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Or you could buy the frame and forks then build up the bike with components of your choice!
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Thats what Im going to do. The full build looks wank to be honest. Im going to get the frame, some carbon forks and it'll be fitted with a SRAM rival groupset and some velocity/hope wheels and ritchey finishing kit, so all up weight should be fairly decent.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    styxd wrote:
    Thats what Im going to do. The full build looks wank to be honest. Im going to get the frame, some carbon forks and it'll be fitted with a SRAM rival groupset and some velocity/hope wheels and ritchey finishing kit, so all up weight should be fairly decent.

    Hope is good, but very pricey... Novatec + Ambrosio Excellight? Cheaper, similar quality and the rims look more in tune with a steel bike...
    Velocity have a good reputation, but I really don't like rims with no eyelets
    left the forum March 2023
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    I already have the wheels and groupset, its just the frame and forks Ill be changing. Im not buying new wheels, I like the ones I have!
  • LangerDan
    LangerDan Posts: 6,132
    Also have an Equilibrium and would agree with the positive comments. I would point out a few things:

    1) For a bike designed to be fitted with mudguards, the wheelbase is a little short - certainly in comparison with bikes like the Ribble winter trainer. On the Genesis, I get a small degree of toe - overlap with the front mudguard but its not an issue in normal, day-to-day use.

    2) The cowled / "Breezer-type" rear dropouts look nice but make the bike almost impossible to mount in most turbo trainers without at least damaging the paintwork, as there is insufficient clearance for the "cup" of the turbo axle-support to fit in the gap between the Q/R "nut" but under the cowling.

    3) The paint seems quite prone to scuffing (or maybe thats just me) - would suggest a coat (or two) of something like a resin polish before use to protect the paintwork.

    None of the above is a deal-breaker, though. Its a smashing frame.
    'This week I 'ave been mostly been climbing like Basso - Shirley Basso.'
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    A short wheelbase sounds good (although I guess if I use panniers I may have an issue but Im really not bothered)

    I never use a turbo trainer

    Paint doesnt bother me to much, to be fair I really dont like the red colour so I'll try my best to scratch it all off.

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