Donhou Signature Steel, anyone?

jonny_trousers
jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
edited December 2014 in Road buying advice
Anyone else like the idea of this bike? It's not a cheap frameset, sure, but it does tick an awful lot of boxes. I may see about a test ride in the New Year.
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Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    You probably need to wait 2 years for a Donhou these days
    left the forum March 2023
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    You probably need to wait 2 years for a Donhou these days

    Apparently not for the Signature Steel.
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    You probably need to wait 2 years for a Donhou these days


    The Signature Steel are not bespoke, lead times are relatively short.

    Full custom is def over a year, I waited 16 mths for mine (wasn't a problem me waiting as I was recovering from injury, but for other that's going to be a show-stopper).
  • flintlock
    flintlock Posts: 105
    Check out this months Cyclist magazine. Its stock paint / sizing and if I recall correctly, depending on what size is in stock or batch being built then lead time should be no longer than 3 months.
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    Flintlock wrote:
    Check out this months Cyclist magazine. Its stock paint / sizing and if I recall correctly, depending on what size is in stock or batch being built then lead time should be no longer than 3 months.

    Yeah, I read the review. Sounds really interesting.
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    Flintlock wrote:
    Check out this months Cyclist magazine. Its stock paint / sizing and if I recall correctly, depending on what size is in stock or batch being built then lead time should be no longer than 3 months.

    Yeah, I read the review. Sounds really interesting.


    Get in touch with Tom if you are interested.

    Can't fault his workmanship, and he is a great guy too which helps !!!
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    Kingstonian wrote:
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    Flintlock wrote:
    Check out this months Cyclist magazine. Its stock paint / sizing and if I recall correctly, depending on what size is in stock or batch being built then lead time should be no longer than 3 months.

    Yeah, I read the review. Sounds really interesting.


    Get in touch with Tom if you are interested.

    Can't fault his workmanship, and he is a great guy too which helps !!!

    That's good to hear. I may very well do that early in the New Year.
  • Dippydog3
    Dippydog3 Posts: 414
    It's steel.
    It's pretty.
    The wait is too long.
  • gavbarron
    gavbarron Posts: 824
    If you can visit him and see his work in the flesh then do. His attention to details and ideas he has are mind blowing, he's a genius as far as I am concerned. You then leave there wanting something bespoke and won't mind waiting for it
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    Looks similar to a Pegoretti.
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    gavbarron wrote:
    His attention to details and ideas he has are mind blowing, he's a genius as far as I am concerned.

    He's a fine artisan you mean? There is no genius in making minuscule modifications to a design that is been around for over 100 years and joining lengths of steel tubings together, trust me... :wink:
    left the forum March 2023
  • gavbarron
    gavbarron Posts: 824
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    gavbarron wrote:
    His attention to details and ideas he has are mind blowing, he's a genius as far as I am concerned.

    He's a fine artisan you mean? There is no genius in making minuscule modifications to a design that is been around for over 100 years and joining lengths of steel tubings together, trust me... :wink:

    I do love a pedant :roll:
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    I had a look at it: Beside the beautiful photos and lovely paint scheme, it is in essence a welded 853 frame, same as many you will find in the Genesis range for around 700 quid for the frame set. The Enve fork upgrade would bring the price to just over a grand.
    The bike comes at 4.2 grand and I don't think there are 3 grand worth of components and finishing kit to be honest.

    So, yes for the paint scheme etc, but if you are looking for value for money, then of course you can save a grand or more by going elsewhere.

    If you want British made, the guys at Shand in Scotland offer some reasonably priced 853 framed bikes in standard sizes that can be customised (braze ons, etc). This for example is 2.5 grand, maybe just under 3K with a top end carbon fork

    http://www.shandcycles.com/bikes/stoater/

    It's a CX frame of course, but having ridden CX frames for the best part of 5 years, I can see no drawbacks, only advantages
    left the forum March 2023
  • LegendLust
    LegendLust Posts: 1,022
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    I had a look at it: Beside the beautiful photos and lovely paint scheme, it is in essence a welded 853 frame, same as many you will find in the Genesis range for around 700 quid for the frame set. The Enve fork upgrade would bring the price to just over a grand.
    The bike comes at 4.2 grand and I don't think there are 3 grand worth of components and finishing kit to be honest.

    So, yes for the paint scheme etc, but if you are looking for value for money, then of course you can save a grand or more by going elsewhere.

    If you want British made, the guys at Shand in Scotland offer some reasonably priced 853 framed bikes in standard sizes that can be customised (braze ons, etc). This for example is 2.5 grand, maybe just under 3K with a top end carbon fork

    http://www.shandcycles.com/bikes/stoater/

    It's a CX frame of course, but having ridden CX frames for the best part of 5 years, I can see no drawbacks, only advantages

    You can get British made 853 frames for a lot less than that as well. Bob Jackson for instance. Hell you can even get an equivalent Italian made frame for that cash - from an artisan that's been doing it for Donkeys years
    Selling my Legend frame
    http://owningalegend.wordpress.com/2014 ... ced-price/
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    edited December 2014
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    I had a look at it: Beside the beautiful photos and lovely paint scheme, it is in essence a welded 853 frame, same as many you will find in the Genesis range for around 700 quid for the frame set. The Enve fork upgrade would bring the price to just over a grand.
    The bike comes at 4.2 grand and I don't think there are 3 grand worth of components and finishing kit to be honest.

    So, yes for the paint scheme etc, but if you are looking for value for money, then of course you can save a grand or more by going elsewhere.

    If you want British made, the guys at Shand in Scotland offer some reasonably priced 853 framed bikes in standard sizes that can be customised (braze ons, etc). This for example is 2.5 grand, maybe just under 3K with a top end carbon fork

    http://www.shandcycles.com/bikes/stoater/

    It's a CX frame of course, but having ridden CX frames for the best part of 5 years, I can see no drawbacks, only advantages

    I do agree that the Donhou full build is a bit pricey, but I don't think the frameset is outrageous, comparatively speaking.

    I'm certainly in no panic to buy a new bike. It's mostly dreaming at the moment, but I will be in a position to treat myself soon and I fancy something a bit classier than your average off-the-peg. Styling wise I do find it hard to love that Donhou.
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Doesn't look any more inspiring than a Genesis or a Condor tbh.
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • gavbarron
    gavbarron Posts: 824
    NapoleonD wrote:
    Doesn't look any more inspiring than a Genesis or a Condor tbh.

    It's not, it's just an off the peg bike, that's why you're better going bespoke and getting what you want and only you will have
  • bikes`n`guns
    bikes`n`guns Posts: 959
    Meh ,, it`s nice, but it`s not exactly a Shand or anything.


    Now they are braw ! I so want a Stoater ! :D
    Trek,,,, too cool for school ,, apparently
  • cubedean
    cubedean Posts: 670
    I'd take a full custom 853 Rourke over the donhou for similar/less money.
    Transition Bottlerocket
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    LegendLust wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    I had a look at it: Beside the beautiful photos and lovely paint scheme, it is in essence a welded 853 frame, same as many you will find in the Genesis range for around 700 quid for the frame set. The Enve fork upgrade would bring the price to just over a grand.
    The bike comes at 4.2 grand and I don't think there are 3 grand worth of components and finishing kit to be honest.

    So, yes for the paint scheme etc, but if you are looking for value for money, then of course you can save a grand or more by going elsewhere.

    If you want British made, the guys at Shand in Scotland offer some reasonably priced 853 framed bikes in standard sizes that can be customised (braze ons, etc). This for example is 2.5 grand, maybe just under 3K with a top end carbon fork

    http://www.shandcycles.com/bikes/stoater/

    It's a CX frame of course, but having ridden CX frames for the best part of 5 years, I can see no drawbacks, only advantages

    You can get British made 853 frames for a lot less than that as well. Bob Jackson for instance. Hell you can even get an equivalent Italian made frame for that cash - from an artisan that's been doing it for Donkeys years

    That's the price of the bike, not the frame.
    But yes, they are not the cheapest either.
    left the forum March 2023
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    You can get a genesis 953 for 1200 quid with Enve fork at the moment.
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • src1
    src1 Posts: 301
    edited December 2014
    I bought the Genesis 953, lovely frame. Also tempted by the 853 fugio, f+f available for £500 at the moment. If only they'd put mudguard eyes on it :(
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    How much!!!!!!! Dear God. Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc, Archetypes, SRAM Force, that would be, what, £2k? Leaving you £2k for a Ritchey Road Logic built up as well.

    I like the Donhou overall but have always hated that fat head tube.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • meesterbond
    meesterbond Posts: 1,240
    Considering the Indy Fab I've got on order, fully custom at a pretty equivalent spec for less I'd agree, it's a little pricey.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    bendertherobot wrote:
    How much!!!!!!! Dear God. Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc, Archetypes, SRAM Force, that would be, what, £2k? Leaving you £2k for a Ritchey Road Logic built up as well.

    I like the Donhou overall but have always hated that fat head tube.

    If the swiss cross disc was red like the non disc one, I'd probably but 4 of them... mind you, Johnny Trousers is a black fanatic... he even got a beautiful Genesis Equilibrium in red resprayed black... :wink:
    left the forum March 2023
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    How much!!!!!!! Dear God. Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc, Archetypes, SRAM Force, that would be, what, £2k? Leaving you £2k for a Ritchey Road Logic built up as well.

    I like the Donhou overall but have always hated that fat head tube.

    If the swiss cross disc was red like the non disc one, I'd probably but 4 of them... mind you, Johnny Trousers is a black fanatic... he even got a beautiful Genesis Equilibrium in red resprayed black... :wink:

    Yeah, I wondered why they'd changed colours. I'd even be tempted to stay canti just for the red.....
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Gives me an excuse to post pics anyway.
    http://www.ironcycles.com/wp-content/up ... oss-30.jpg
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Gives me an excuse to post pics anyway.
    http://www.ironcycles.com/wp-content/up ... oss-30.jpg

    It's a beautiful beautiful frame...
    It's so beautiful it even looks good with 4 inches of spacers... :shock:
    left the forum March 2023
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    How much!!!!!!! Dear God. Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc, Archetypes, SRAM Force, that would be, what, £2k? Leaving you £2k for a Ritchey Road Logic built up as well.

    I like the Donhou overall but have always hated that fat head tube.

    If the swiss cross disc was red like the non disc one, I'd probably but 4 of them... mind you, Johnny Trousers is a black fanatic... he even got a beautiful Genesis Equilibrium in red resprayed black... :wink:

    My Equilibrium was meant to be turquoise with white panels, but I got so sick of the idiot at colour tech's delay delays that I said, just paint the damn thing black. I do like black, though.

    That Ritchey looks amazing, Bender! I had no idea it existed.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    That Ritchey looks amazing, Bender! I had no idea it existed.

    Yeah, myself and Bender have been secretly drooling over the red Swiss Cross for a while now... the red one is really just a CX bike with canti, totally unsuitable for road use given how bad cantis can be, but the disc one can be a valid alternative... shame it's not red... :evil:
    left the forum March 2023

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