Which steel road frames / steel bikes?

105 views and no replies? Someone out there must know something!? ;)

Rusher

Pretty sure there was a massive merckx in classifieds recently. Have you tried using the search?

https://www.lfgss.com/thread126051.html#post4202870

https://www.lfgss.com/thread121948.html#post4196067

Yeh spotted that, thanks but too big I'm afraid! I am guessing that if it wasnt safe to ride in that size they would not make them in that tubing, but would they take into account a body weight above that of your average pro racing rider?

Ive got a Pinarello Montello, in SLX, 60cm if you're interested...

Sorry mate, it's gotta be a Merckx ;)

Out of interest have you riden the SLX frame yourself? How did you find it?

I've got a Merckx SLX 55cm. I like it. Apparently the larger Merckx frames ride better too. The SLX tubing is meant to be stiffer (and a touch heavier) than the SL due to internal rifling of the tubes. Can't say I notice any real flex in the frame and I'm 6ft and 76kg.

There's also TSX tubing to consider which is apparently more suited to longer distance riding...

http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/columbus/columbuschart.htm

That's probably not enough. Custom built frames start at about £600 for a basic 631 (or equivalent). By the time you've added various touring bits to your specifications, you're looking at £800-1000 for the frame alone. Frame weight isn't the main consideration for touring.

Custom frame builders will not only take your measurements, they will also have a discussion with you about how you will use the bike and advise on components. Take their advice.

I suspect that small single person operations e.g. Dave Yates will not be that keen to build the bike up for you but would if pushed (paid). The larger businesses such as Bob Jackson or Mercian who also have shops would be quite happy to do it for you, at a price.

Agree about decent wheels. Consider discs.

Ultegra isn't really a groupset designed for touring. Many touring bikes use mountain bike components to get low enough gears.

PS Longstaff is dead (unless someone else has bought the brand and is building frames using the name)

Thanks for the heads up - appreciate touring bikes are usually mountain bike components. I'm keen to stick with road cycling components as I'd like to use this bike as a commuter as well - hence why i'm also concerned about weight. This is really going to be a bike for life so want to just buy one bike and stick with it - just want to have it quality and fit perfectly.

Might want to invest in a bit of Columbus Max, it's perfect for this.

Lee Cooper - Builds for 18bike co, Hobo

http://www.hobobicycles.co.uk/WeirdyBeardy.html they've a tourer frame 875 for 631, 1025 for 853.

http://customcycleframes.blogspot.co.uk/ for Lee custom work. I've a Thorn Audax from him, lovely fillet brazed road buzz soaking hours of comfort enjoyment.

An audax would fit your needs perhaps? Road parts + carry stuff + front fork loading for extra I haz tourer points.

Thorn cycles + spa cycles do good frames/bikes if you decide not to go custom. Old school touring places. Spa does a TI one too. Both UK companies run by a small group of enthusiasts.

I had an SLX Corsa Extra. Was nice enough, but SLX is quite harsh, without actually being all that stiff. That's old bikes for you though.

Yeh spotted that, thanks but too big I'm afraid!

Too big when you want a 60cm frame? what's your idea top tube length?

I'm looking to get a quality steel frame for touring. Something** light but strong**.

Choose one, you can't have both if your intention was to get a proper touring frame that's designed to be ridden fully laden.

JWestland got it rigjht, audax bike fit better, you don't need a heavy duty touring bike all the time, just a normal road bike that's designed for mudguard and panniers.

I priced out their flagship steel model w an ultegra groupset and it was £2k ouch. Might as well get a titanium bike for that!

Maybe get 105? you be hard pressed to feel the difference between 105 and Ultegra (5700/6700 or 5800/6800), especially if your main intention is for commuting.

Out of interest have you riden the SLX frame yourself? How did you find it?

Yeah it's good, very responsive, it just goes, but that might be more to do with the geometry - very aggressive, the wheel's tighter into the seattube than on my track frame

That's bollocks Ed, you can build a light and strong bike from steel.

Your Penguin is more of an audax than a tourer to be frank.

Which has got nothing to do with your statement that you can have a strong frame, or a light frame, but not both.

I interpret that as strong = fully loaded tourer, rather than surviving a few ding when locking the bike up.

But if you don't spell out the interpretation which you've applied to a situation, and then make sweeping statements in a thread where someone is asking advice can you see how your behaviour is counter-productive?

i.e. you are spreading misinformation

In that case, fixed it.

Well...my XTC can carry about 20KG and weighs 12.5 KG (that's with rack + not trying to save weight anywhere)

A tourer than can take 35-40KG easily pushes into 14 KG.

An audax on the other hand...there's Crabon Fibre forks for touring. An example is thorn cycles:

See below review:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-thorn-cycles-audax-mk3-11-32143/ That one was £1600

10.1 KG with their carbon fork it's 9.5...and you can shave even more off. They do do used/shop ones on a regular basis, if you're lucky there's one in your size and it'll shave £££ off. They also do a return warranty if you buy in shop and don't like it.

It's just an example as I've experience with Thorns, others will have experience with Spa Cycles/Frame builders.

I think ed is right.

Unless you go for oversize tubes a bike for touring is going to be 631 isn't it? You don't want thin walled tubes.

Too big when you want a 60cm frame? what's your idea top tube length?

58 to be honest. I ride 22 1/2" and I also ride 23 1/2" frames, the 23 1/2" (60cm) is definately what I'm after, any more is gonna be too much of a stretch.