steel options....

ianbar

i had been looking at titanium the price making it more and more realistic that i cant afford one, so now looking at steel, what options are there? i know about kinesis and genesis.i think i would like a bike that i can fit full mudguards too and keep my current bike as back up, cheers.

LegendLust

Get something custom built - Bob Jackson, Feather Cycles, http://www.fieldcycles.com/

you can then have what you want!

lc1981

I suspect that if titanium is proving too expensive, then a custom build might be too! I haven nothing but good things to say about my Genesis Equilibrium 20, which I got this summer. It takes full guards. Genesis also have a Reynolds 953 frame coming out, called the Volare, although I think it's going to be what their new pro team will ride, so it might be pricey.

lotus49

I'm curious as to why you are choosing steel as a second choice to titanium.

I don't doubt you have your reasons but I would have thought aluminium or carbon would be a more obvious alternative so what is the appeal of a steel frame?

mjbennett

Modern steels are an excellent material to build a frame from. Columbus' xcr 'stainless' or reynolds maraging (953), in my opinion, are as good as carbon or Titanium. Bear in mind though, the shape of the tubing (box, ovalised, oversized etc), frame design and geometry all contribute to the overall ride (stiffness, damping etc), so it's not solely about the material.
Even the steels lower down the product lines are excellent, but corrosion can be an issue, especially in the UK.

passout

I'd look towards Genesis myself...

bmxboy10

Charge bikes heavily discoiunted at wiggle if you are looking for somthing differnet.

Regarding Ti give Fat Birds Dont Fly a call they should be able to build a Ti Ventus or Mistral (if you can still get one) with a cheaper groupset for around £1300.

ianbar

currently i have a caad8 and in a way its more about the look and style that i like about both steel and ti frames.i understand there are many many variables to every material to which makes a bike feel and ride like it does. as a general rule i am looking for a comfy ride to make longer rides more comfortable.cetainly a frame which would take wear and tear would be good too. as for fat birds, i do keep an eye on the website, the only real problem with the mistral mentioned earlier is thats a sram build which i am not keen on, looking more for a 105 i think.

on-yer-bike

mjbennett wrote:

Even the steels lower down the product lines are excellent, but corrosion can be an issue, especially in the UK.

There are lots of steel bikes in the UK that have been running for decades. Heat treated steel is possibly a better ride than stainless.

bmxboy10

ianbar wrote:

currently i have a caad8 and in a way its more about the look and style that i like about both steel and ti frames.i understand there are many many variables to every material to which makes a bike feel and ride like it does. as a general rule i am looking for a comfy ride to make longer rides more comfortable.cetainly a frame which would take wear and tear would be good too. as for fat birds, i do keep an eye on the website, the only real problem with the mistral mentioned earlier is thats a sram build which i am not keen on, looking more for a 105 i think.

Forget the website you need to call them. i bought mine with full 105 at a great price two years ago. they will builld you what you want. if budget is an issue you could maybe go tiagra or veloce its all about the frame if you ask me and whilst the vn is a cheaper frame with less fancy details than some others its ride is faultless. mine still looks as good as new two years on.

waterford123

Buy a Waterford R-33. You won't regret it.

passout

Always this if you want discs - great value. The frame itself is much liked although I've never ridden it. http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... force_disc

All City bikes from the USA do some really interesting stuff too http://allcitycycles.com/bikes/mr_pink
You can buy at triton cycles I think.

pauldog

I have just put an order in for a condor acciaio which I take delivery of next week.
the shop on the grays inn road is heaven and the staff are extremely helpful and far from the judgemental roadie pro shops I have been to in the past.
I would give them a call and have a chat. If your seriously interested I will post an update once I get it on the road

giant_man

mjbennett wrote:

Modern steels are an excellent material to build a frame from. Columbus' xcr 'stainless' or reynolds maraging (953), in my opinion, are as good as carbon or Titanium. Bear in mind though, the shape of the tubing (box, ovalised, oversized etc), frame design and geometry all contribute to the overall ride (stiffness, damping etc), so it's not solely about the material.
Even the steels lower down the product lines are excellent, but corrosion can be an issue, especially in the UK.

No you're wrong. XCr is waaaay better than titanium imo. You can't really compare it to carbon, cos as we know, carbon does vary vastly in feel and handling. If the OP really wants a ti bike, a test ride would confirm it. I wouldn't choose a different material on a blind buy imo.