Steel all rounder, frameset advice

jameses

It's been 18 months since I built up my last bike and I can feel n+1 fever setting in :twisted: . Having assembled a reasonably lightweight carbon summer bike last time, I was thinking of a steel framed all rounder to compliment it. It will be used for winter/wet weather duties primarily, commuting (if I move further than my current 5 minutes walk from work) and the occasional light tour (10-12 days max, maybe an occasional weekend camping).

As such, mudguard and rack mounts are required, and clearance for 28c tyres and guards. Disc brakes would be nice, but not essential. Planning to build it up with the new Shimano 105, although I might give Rival and Veloce a try first to see how I get on with those. Probably going handbuilt for the wheels, thinking 28/32 spokes on Archetype H plus son rims. Finishing kit will be taken from my current winter bike (3T ergonova bars, specialized pave 27.2 seatpost, selle italia saddle). I'm hoping to keep the build around 9-10kg (before guards/rack), although not sure how realistic that is with mid-level componentry.

At the moment, the frames I have been looking at are:

Raleigh Clubman http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/touringaudax-bikes/raleigh-clubman - really like the look of it, but seems to be a lower grade of steel and possibly a bit weighty? Also doesn't seem to be available as a frameset. Reviews all seem positive.

Spa Cycles steel audax http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b17s143p2828 Again, comes well reviewed and a reasonable weight for a steel frame. Very good value frameset, although some people have said they look a bit agricultural in the flesh.

Condor Fratello http://www.condorcycles.com/Audax-Commute-Touring/9457-Condor-Fratello-2011/flypage.tpl.html Lacking in disc mounts, but otherwise pretty much what I'm after. Quite expensive, though, and I'm not too keen on the current colour options so would probably end up going for the extra £100 custom paint job, bringing it to over twice the price of the other framesets :?

Genesis Croix de Fer http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/multi-sport/croix-de-fer Seems to tick all the boxes and more affordable than the condor, although the geometry is possibly a bit racy? Don't really want to end up with a stack of spacers beneath the bars.

If anyone has some experience of the above frames, I would appreciate your opinions. Are there any others I should be considering?

marcusjb

All but the Raleigh are very common on the Audax circuit (with the Fratello being the most popular). The Spa frame is becoming pretty popular as well - it's not terribly exciting to look at, but I am led to believe it rides very well.

Can't go wrong with the Condor - a really lovely frameset. I've done tens of thousands of km on mine without issue. Extremely comfortable and really does do everything you want. I have no inside knowledge, but it wouldn't surprise me to see a disc version of the frame at some point (though I really don't know, some companies have a major issue with discs (Thorn!)).

I've just ordered a matching Tempo frameset, so I must like it.

rolf_f

You can get a properly hand made in Yorkshire frameset from Bob Jackson for a measly £500. It will be unique and you can specify whatever braze-on's you like though this one has what you want already.

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/produ ... ucts_id=45

Don't know if they do disc brake versions yet.....

timothyw

Might be worth a look at the Kaffenback, sounds a lot like what you're describing.

alan_sherman

The 2015 genesis equilibrium. Disc or caliper options.

letap73

The Croix de fer is excellent for what you want - Cycle clinic (on this forum) sells the Croix de fer in his shop as well as builds wheelsets so he would be worth contacting. The Croix de fer by the way is not particularly an aggressive fitting bike.

menthel

Condor did mention on the bike show podcast that a disc fratello was coming...

jameses

Thanks for the input. Kaffenback seems like good value and the coffee coloured frame is a bit different to the norm. Don't really have the chance to get on one before purchasing, though :? . Same problem with the Bob Jackson - they look nice, but finding the time to get up to Yorkshire to talk through a build is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Seems like the Clubman has been discontinued so that's off the table, unless I happen to meet someone local with one I can try.

Does the Equilibrium have rack mounts? Could be a solid contender if it does. The disc Fratello also ticks all the boxes, might wait a bit longer until I have the cash to spare though!

LegendLust

JamesEs wrote:

Thanks for the input. Kaffenback seems like good value and the coffee coloured frame is a bit different to the norm. Don't really have the chance to get on one before purchasing, though :? . Same problem with the Bob Jackson - they look nice, but finding the time to get up to Yorkshire to talk through a build is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Seems like the Clubman has been discontinued so that's off the table, unless I happen to meet someone local with one I can try.

Does the Equilibrium have rack mounts? Could be a solid contender if it does. The disc Fratello also ticks all the boxes, might wait a bit longer until I have the cash to spare though!

Where are you based? There maybe a good framebuilder near to you who could build you exactly what you want

holiver

Cotic Escapade is another disc option.

jameses

Hadn't really considered custom, figured that woud end up being a pretty expensive option given there are off the peg frames that would do the job well enough. However, if you know of a decent, not overly expensive builder in the South West (I'm currently living in Taunton), then I would definitely give them a look

Holiver - that Cotic also looks like it's worth investigating. Not sure about the thru-axles, though. Would they limit wheel/hub options?

cycleclinic

I would also vote for the genesis equilibrium with disc brake or rim brakes. I intend to do some audaxing next year and I could do it on one of my current bikes but the 2015 equilibrium Ti disc or the steel version really does appeal. The 2014 version is available as a frameset as well and it has a steel fork so it will likely end up over 10kg.

Thru axles should be the standard. Many MTB hubs shimano XT for example come with thru axle 15mm front and 142x12mm rear. DT Swiss do these too as do Hope e.t.c but it will likely mean a custom wheelset.

holiver

I know one of the guys in the Your Road Bike sub forum used some Superstar hubs on his Escapade. There are plenty about to choose from, as Malcolm alludes to.

mikenetic

Surly Cross Check or Straggler are also worth looking at. Straggler runs discs, although for me I think the rear caliper should sit between the chain and seat stays for greatest practicality.

Surleypacer

or a Pacer?

LegendLust

JamesEs wrote:

Hadn't really considered custom, figured that woud end up being a pretty expensive option given there are off the peg frames that would do the job well enough. However, if you know of a decent, not overly expensive builder in the South West (I'm currently living in Taunton), then I would definitely give them a look

Holiver - that Cotic also looks like it's worth investigating. Not sure about the thru-axles, though. Would they limit wheel/hub options?

OK there aren't many builders in the SW but if you're prepared to travel a little these are a couple of builders I saw at the Bespoked Show who are nearer to you. Nice work but don't know prices

http://libertinebicycles.co.uk/

http://www.svencycles.com/