Anyone racing on a metal frame?

jamie4759

Hello all. I am currently considering a metal frame (Titanium, stainless, steel) for crit racing (Cat 4/3), which will also be used for chain gangs and the usual summer shenanigans. I am thinking of changing my Condor Leggero carbon frame and having a custom frame made up. I know the carbon brigade will leap on me from a huge height but I like the ride of high end steel and Ti. I currently have a Ti winter bike from Seven which is sublime and I know that the top builders can make a frame suitable for the jobs in hand. I am considering Independent Fabrication, Moots, Seven, Rourke, (plus any others recommended) and would like any feedback from riders that have used bikes from these builders for racing etc. I would like to hear other riders views on stainless steel and whether they have used that for racing too. I have all of the components already so I can spend a bit more than usual on the frame. All views very welcome. Let the debate begin.....

napoleond

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19687162#p19687162]JAMIE4759[/url] wrote:

Hello all. I am currently considering a metal frame (Titanium, stainless, steel) for crit racing (Cat 4/3), which will also be used for chain gangs and the usual summer shenanigans. I am thinking of changing my Condor Leggero carbon frame and having a custom frame made up. I know the carbon brigade will leap on me from a huge height but I like the ride of high end steel and Ti. I currently have a Ti winter bike from Seven which is sublime and I know that the top builders can make a frame suitable for the jobs in hand. I am considering Independent Fabrication, Moots, Seven, Rourke, (plus any others recommended) and would like any feedback from riders that have used bikes from these builders for racing etc. I would like to hear other riders views on stainless steel and whether they have used that for racing too. I have all of the components already so I can spend a bit more than usual on the frame. All views very welcome. Let the debate begin.....

How about getting a condor super acciaio, see how you get on, then if you still want to race on steel then get custom. Personally, for road racing, I'd stick with something at the cheaper end of the market. You don't want to get your new pride and joy smashed up due to some chopper dive bombing in to a corner.(If I road race it has been/will be on my Ribble winter bike with the mudguards and rack taken off!)

fenix

+1 on the cheaper steel options. I'd not spend mega bucks on an ever lasting stainless or ti frame to see it totalled in its first season.

Save on the bike and spend on training !

timothyw

I'm surprised you haven't mentioned it in your post, the stainless steel Genesis Volare is raced by the Madison Genesis pro team, and it's primarily designed for criterium racing. You can get some pretty good deals on the 2015 Volare line up now if you're quick.

I also read recently that specialized have just produced a new aluminium frame with a new bottom bracket design to make it extra stiff, totally focussed on crit racing (to the point that it doesn't have a front dérailleur mount).

Also, as NapoleonD has hinted at, the rough and tumble of crit racing means that a lot of people don't want to risk their good bikes taking part, so I doubt you'd be the only one there on a metal bike at the average event.

So in short, if it's what you want, go for it.

JesseD

Agree with the above, I am building a crit bike for next year and it will be aluminium, relatively cheap and functional, as the saying goes race what you can afford to replace (especially is a Cat 3/4 race).

If I was in your shoes I would be looking at the following as a race bike and then get something fancy that floats your boat for long Sunday rides etc.

Bowman Palace
Specialized Allez E5 Smartweld
Cannondale Caad 10
Racelight Aithein
Cannondale System Six (second-hand, if you can find one, the do have a carbon front end but is possible the best crit bike you will ever ride (if you can find one))

+ there must be a couple of others, I haven't mentioned.

napoleond

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19687211#p19687211]JesseD[/url] wrote:

Agree with the above, I am building a crit bike for next year and it will be aluminium, relatively cheap and functional, as the saying goes race what you can afford to replace (especially is a Cat 3/4 race).

If I was in your shoes I would be looking at the following as a race bike and then get something fancy that floats your boat for long Sunday rides etc.

Bowman Palace
Specialized Allez E5 Smartweld
Cannondale Caad 10
Racelight Aithein
Cannondale System Six (second-hand, if you can find one, the do have a carbon front end but is possible the best crit bike you will ever ride (if you can find one))

+ there must be a couple of others, I haven't mentioned.

One of these bad boys!

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/frames-frames-road-ribble-7005-ultralite-racing-frame/ribbfrar275

Grill

Don't forget the Ritchey Road Logic. Cheap as chips with an amazing fork and racey geometry.