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Hi All,

I'm looking for a good quality steel frame that will fit me (5'8.5"). It needs to have the ability to have a rack in the rear - so Audax setup would be great. Ideally high quality components and in good condition. I'm located in Islington and can view anytime.

Regards

Hi looking for suggestions for LBS' that sell steel bikes. Looking to buy an audax bike and get a bike fit before buying. I know about Mosquito any others? I'm looking to spend around £1-£1.5k and I'd like a full bike not just the frame. Thx

Hi all - unfortunately i'll have to undibs - I need the ability to have a rack on the back of the bike. Cheers all - lovely bike glws

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.

Good point re audax - I think this would be a better option instead of a tourer as I'm looking for one bike rather than having a stable of bikes (just don't have the room).

Max touring I'm going to be doing is with a set of Ortileb 40L panniers in the rear, a small bag on the headset or top or the rack and a tent along the top tube. Though it will mostly be used for weekend rides and commuting.

Any Audax recommendations? I'm thinking about the Lynskey Viale - looks like this suits, just a tad on the expensive side! and not steel... it's Ti.

Dibs pending photos. I've been looking for something like this for months now in the wanted section!

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.

I had a look round a little while ago and the majority of UK builders (for 853 or equivalent) are at the £1,300 mark or above.

What sort of touring are you thinking of here- heavily laden Alpine pass hunting, or tootling around the UK between Youth Hostels with a couple of changes of clothes?

Thanks all for the responses. Dammnit to answer your questions it's more light touring. Going to mix it w commuting. Need a rear rack but don't for see a front rack. Just needs to be quality as I want this frame for a while

Regarding the condor suggestion I'll check them out again. 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!

£1-1.5k for everything all in incl an ultegra groupset and decent wheelset

54cm or something that fits me 5'8"

Thanks was thinking about Bob Jackson. Do any of these manufacturers take my measurements and put a bike together? Eg with this groupset, wheelset etc or only just frames? Do I need to go to an LBS for that?

Not keen on oak if it takes a year!

Hi all

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

Is like the frame to be:

• thin tubes not wide as light as possible (being steel)
  
• must have eyelets for rack and mudguards
  
• relaxed geometry comfort over speed but I don't want to be a snail either!
  
• handmade in England or at least not mass produced very reputable
  
• built to last - basically I just want one frame for life
  
  

I'm wondering what brands and models I should be looking for?

Ideally something used but can't seem to find anything my size (I'm 5'8") in good condition. Otherwise new but hopefully accessible in London.

Cheers in advance

Hi all I'm looking for a quality steel touring bike. Something which has high quality steel. Better is it's been painted all black or silver. Ideally no logos. Pls let me know cheers

Hi all. Looking for a steel bike that's good looking eg not ratty. Would like a good component set on it. Needs to have eyelets for a rack for touring. Thanks in advance!

Looking for a Lynskey Ti bike size Medium or Medium/Large. Keen to use for touring so only interested in frames with rack mounts. Viale or Sportive frames would be great!

Bump

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Edwardes in Camberwell have got a small red racer with 650c wheels on their wall at the moment - saw it the other day but didn't take note of spec or price. Probably over budget, but might be worth giving them a call.

Decathlon are knocking out remaining stock of the red Triban 3 for £250 - smallest sizes have 650c wheels and would probably work. Several friends have one - great value for a new bike at that price and a good ride, though obviously s/h will give you a better spec.

Two small tourers in YACF classifieds recently for about £200, one Orbit and one Roberts, both good spec and bargains at that price. Orbit is flat bar, can't remember about Roberts. (If interested, you need to register to see ads.)

Great suggestion re decathlon, the Triban 3 would be perfect!! Just asked the other half and she said she wants it in White. ugh... search continues. They have the upgraded model on the decathlon site as well, in white, however, does not come in the smaller sizes.

Good shout on YACF, I'll register and look at the classifieds. thanks

Islabikes make bikes for small people.

Also put a request up on ctc if you're after a bargain. Almost everything sold there is a bargain IME.

Thanks for the suggestion on islabikes, looks good but out of my price range.
What is CTC?

how about this?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51987088@N04/sets/72157626953207248/

Thanks, what size is that?

Bump ... Anyone?

Cheers but that's worth more than the bike! Anyone else with a cheaper lock?

Does anyone know where I can find a similar frame to this - 51-54cm - anyone?

Bump - could be a 54cm as well - and just the frame is fine - anyone?

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Hi Looking for a lock for a pub bike doesn't need to be a fancy nyc lock, but needs to be secure enough as don't want the chavs stealing another bike! Somewhere near East London preferred. Cheers