Steel Conundrum

housemunkey
Posts: 237
Right so, I already have a Look 566 and there is nothing wrong with it and I don't want to get rid of it. It does my day to day riding superbly, I couldn't ask for much more.
BUT, I have a deep urge to waste some money and get something steel as well. My problem is I'm worried I'll build a bike I won't need, or one that will leave my Look unused. Basically I don't want to end up with two bikes that scratch the same itch.
My initial plan was to pick up a nice Master from fleabay and build it up with chorus and some handbuilts; going for totally modern gear on a classic steel frame with straight forks still sounds really enticing. But will this mean I won't have a clue what to ride in an evening? Also, can anyone come up with any potentially better plans for getting into the steel brigade?
Cheers guys, sorry if I'm being a bit too vague, all this is totally unfiltered rubbish straight out of my head.
BUT, I have a deep urge to waste some money and get something steel as well. My problem is I'm worried I'll build a bike I won't need, or one that will leave my Look unused. Basically I don't want to end up with two bikes that scratch the same itch.
My initial plan was to pick up a nice Master from fleabay and build it up with chorus and some handbuilts; going for totally modern gear on a classic steel frame with straight forks still sounds really enticing. But will this mean I won't have a clue what to ride in an evening? Also, can anyone come up with any potentially better plans for getting into the steel brigade?
Cheers guys, sorry if I'm being a bit too vague, all this is totally unfiltered rubbish straight out of my head.
Look 566 viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12892775&p=18015091#p18015091
Feedback viewtopic.php?f=40046&t=12899231
Feedback viewtopic.php?f=40046&t=12899231
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Comments
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fixie?0
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Yep - get a steel bike that does something your look doesn't (or you don't want it to do).
Fixie
Race Bike (eg Condor Super Acciaio/Madison Genesis Volare bike)
Tourer
Audax
Winter Bike
Cross Bike
Time Trial bike http://www.englishcycles.com/custombikes/time-trial-mk2/http://www.georgesfoundation.org
http://100hillsforgeorge.blogspot.com/
http://www.12on12in12.blogspot.co.uk/0 -
Like mroll, I'd go for something different.
As I did.
Get a steel bike as a commuter/winter bike with full guards.
Strangely, I am in the same, but opposite, position.
I often wonder about getting a Time carbon frame but realise that the Master is already all I need and a better bike than the rider.None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.0 -
I have never heard of anybody regretting having a steel bike... Master from Ebay tend to retain their value too. In case you are based in London, have a peek at Brick Lane Bikes, they have at least 100 steel frames hanging from the ceiling
Paololeft the forum March 20230 -
I have 2 steel bikes, each for a different purpose:
- old 1987 Condor 531 Pro, now with guards and lights, so this is my wet weather/night bike or if I go out with my young son
- new Rourke 953, which I now ride all the time exept if its wet or dark
So when do you ride your Look 566 and what is your other itch that you now need to scratch?WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
Find me on Strava0 -
A 'sorted' steel framed bike is still a joy to ride, although I'm less sure about their practicalities as winter bikes unless fitted with mudguards. I have a 1982 Gios that I keep solely for events like L'eroica and Retroronde, but the demand and therefore prices for old bikes has increased considerably in recent years - the days of picking up classic steel cheap on ebay is long gone - not helped by hipsters and their fixed gear conversions, particularly if you go for a Colnago, Pinarello, DeRosa, Tomassini etc. If you want the convenience of modern drivetrain, then I'd stick with a contemporary frame TBH, or maybe a fixed gear bike that would give you a completely different ride experience.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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Dont worry about buying cycling equipment you dont need. We are all doing that. I have carbon and steel and they are both equal, it just makes a change especially with 2.5 lbs difference in weight. I wouldn't say either of them are comfort bikes.Pegoretti
Colnago
Cervelo
Campagnolo0 -
If you don't want to scratch the same itch, my suggestion would be something like the Genesis Croix der Fer. Then you can clubride, commute, winter train, tour etc. But sling it down the local byeways towpaths and bridleways for a lark as well.
There is something wonderfully liberating about being able broaden the horizon of your local routes and have a right laugh at the same time. I have something similar to the Genesis and never regret using it, even laden with panniers. It makes my road bike feel so much more agile that when I return to it I enjoy it even more. A win winMud to Mudguards. The Art of framebuilding.
http://locksidebikes.co.uk/0 -
+1 for getting the cross bike. You can do anything on that and it'll stand in for your best bike if the need arises.
I cant see the point in having two summer bikes and no others.0 -
Depends on your budget I suppose. If I were you I'd either get one of these
http://www.condorcycles.com/2011-Range/ ... e.tpl.html
pack a tent and go off touring for a few weeks. Or if my budget was much more limited I'd get one of these
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuj ... e-ec041914
and just ride around town looking cool0 -
Thanks for all the input guys. I do like the do-it-all CDF or similar and I think that would be my choice if it weren't for the beauty of something like a Master. The real solution is to get both (n+1) isn't it! The Master can be the posh bike, the Look can just do all the training and eat the miles up on general riding and something like a CDF can suck up the punishment or take me to different places when I fancy a change.
Paolo I'm in London regularly so I'll have to check out that shop, thanks for the heads up.Look 566 viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12892775&p=18015091#p18015091
Feedback viewtopic.php?f=40046&t=128992310 -
Get a Surly Cross Check. You can build it up and strip it down to your heart's content.
Hub gear, derailleur, single speed, flat bar, drop bar, 23mm road tyres, 35mm knobblies. If you get bored of the colour just get it powder coated again.
Almost unmatched versatility.0 -
I have a Steel winter bike, a Genesis Equilibrium. Cost me €699 new for full bike with Tiagra 4600.
What a bike, ride it most of the time. Equivalent Mercians or Rourke with Reynolds 725 will cost a grand for frame only.
Could be a cost effective way to try steel and get a decent winter bike.0 -
Oops that was 699 STG.0
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I love the look of steel frames. Lugged steel frames in particular. I am doing a similar build with a Sannio frame built with Genius tubing. With a 10 speed record groupset, tubular wheels and deda/sella Italia bars/stem/post/seat it will be a joy to ride and look at.
Get an older steel frame, build it up and love it. My winter bike is a traitor Exile - modern lugged steel frame with full mudguards. This is comfortable ride.http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.0 -
thecycleclinic wrote:I am doing a similar build with a Sannio frame built with Genius tubing.
How many ways can you find to mis-spell SANNINO????? :evil:left the forum March 20230 -
Have the Look as your dry ride (and / or fast) road bike and the steel one (with full guards) as your wet weather bike. Either that or get a steel cross bike and do some off road too - Genesis?'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.0
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Ck101 wrote:I have a Steel winter bike, a Genesis Equilibrium. Cost me €699 new for full bike with Tiagra 4600.
What a bike, ride it most of the time. Equivalent Mercians or Rourke with Reynolds 725 will cost a grand for frame only.
Could be a cost effective way to try steel and get a decent winter bike.
But then well under £500 will get you a unique handbuilt Bob Jackson frame built in Leeds detailed to your spec. £600 or so and it will be bespoke geometry.Faster than a tent.......0