Change of bike - another steel thread

btiratsoo

Evening all

I'm looking for ideas for a new bike. I currently own a Genesis Equilibrium 753(?) that is about 5 years old, maybe more, as well as an S-Works Tarmac Disc that I built up with Dura Ace Di2 hydro when they were first released as a frame and wheel set.

Now, I love the Tarmac and realise that I was very lucky to be in a position to afford a bike like that when I bought it, BUT and this may sound ridiculous, I really enjoy riding the old Genesis more. I have the Equilibrium in a similar fit to the Tarmac, low front end, high saddle etc etc.

My question to the forum is, other than going custom - Enigma HSS springs to mind, are there any companies that build lightweight steel framed disc bikes off the shelf or that can customise one of their frames to suit the Roval Rear wheel (135 but the cassette sits 5mm in board so it would require Tarmac rear geometry).

My other thought is to sell the Tarmac and buy a Genesis Volare and kit it out with rim brake Dura Ace Di2.

My current list of frames although they seem to be a bit more relaxed than a Tarmac
Mason Resolution
Bowman Layhams

Over to you guys.

Ben

davesnothere

Rourke?

http://www.rourke.biz/custom_framesets.php

lakesluddite

I got so hacked off with the SCS system on my Roubaix disc that I decided to get rid of it, and keep the disc wheels that I had mistakenly bought without actually realising they wouldn't be fully compatible.

One of my LBS's has Mason frames and full builds on display. They are beautiful, though not cheap. I'd love one, but I have just gone for a Genesis Equilibrium disc frame to replace the Roubaix, and currently having it built up with the groupset and Sram Hydro from the Spesh (although need to wait for small part to be delivered from US, annoyingly), so the Resolution would be an N+1 too far!

I also have a Rourke, they are not off-the-shelf, but custom built to size and specification, although I suspect would still come out the same price as a Mason off-the-peg frame - mine was around the £1400 mark for frame/carbon fork/Hope headset (but you'd probably have to wait at least 6 months from your first consultation). I'd still recommend them though.

btiratsoo

Cheers gents. My biggest decision is whether to try and sell the Tarmac frame and wheels or whether to keep the wheels to fit into a new frame. This would then have to be custom because of Specialised/ Roval pairing. Mason used to do rolling chassis and I seem to remember they were around the £1800 mark but I can't see them on their website at the moment.

My only niggle with Mason is they seem to be aimed more towards the relaxed end of the scale rather than the twitchy race handling of the Tarmac. I really like the Tarmac geometry but am fed up with the brutal stiffness on the shit roads round here (southern Hampshire).

I have a feeling that to get exactly what I want it will be the custom route, short of finding the right spec 953 Volare but that would be second hand, which incidentally I'm not too bothered about.