Best Steel Bikes

[Err]

ON a bit of a steel lust rollercoaster at the minute.

Wondering if we could make a bit of a list of good steel bikes. 531, flexy. Not sure about 525, 631 731. 853, pretty great, 953 super, but hard to weld.

I am also interested in getting the steel types. I know a little about reynolds.

A little less about tange. I believe prestige is ok, but ultimate is better?

I know zip about dedaccai and their steels.

Also very little about true temper.

So


De Kerf
Team Sl

Jamis
Dragon team

Kona
1Kona hot
2Explosif
3Lower end Kona's

Jamis
Dragon team

De Kerf
Team Sl

Saw a park pre on ebay the other day in reynolds.

I have a specialized rockhopper from the late 90's. Not sure what steel it is.

So can anyone help me with my list, and help me order it.

 

[Agency_Scum]

Don't forget to factor in build quality and design. On-ones are made from basic 4130 cromoly but " ride " very light ( like Bontragers ). Older Marins had ( like today ) superb build quality and Italian steel ( gorgeous Dedaccia tubing ) but, for me at least, rode like barges.
Good post dude.

 

[Err]

Unfortunately funds and partner won't allow me to buy and try them all :twisted:

Kona's get talked up a lot.

As for on-one's i had heard they were heavy.

Should add Cotic Soul

I have a bit of a desire to get something in higher end steel. I've got a 4130 GT as well as my steel rockhopper.

Been looking at some older kona's, but i suppose i really want something less mass produced. Been thinking of Roberts d.o.g.s.b.o.l.x also. Ideally something british, or carefully made anywhere in the world rather than banged out.

 

[Err]

Of course there are steel orange's and (i think) pace's but i don't know much about them, edumacate me.

 

[REKIBorter]

Saw a park pre on ebay the other day in reynolds.

Nah. Parkpre used Tange Steel tubesets - Tange Ultimate superlight on the Pro 825 and Tange Ultimate ultralight on the Team 925. Also lower end Tange double butted on the cheaper steel models.

 

[Err]

Aye, you're quite right i was think of this one on the ebay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/rare-retro-PARKPR ... dZViewItem

Found that doing a search for tange. But the worry remains that some inconsiderate sellers are not putting the steel type in their listings!

 

[Agency_Scum]

Good steel;

Reynolds-UK

Tange-Taiwan ( excellent nonetheless )

Fuji-Japan

True Temper-US

Columbus-Italy

 

[messiah]

There are so many variables...

Tube-sets is only one of many,
butting (single, double, triple, Moron, chainstays, seatstays, main tubes only)
tube diameters (oversized, shaped - ie columbus OR, skiny - road tubes)
Method of joining - welded, brazed, lugged, glued
headtube - size, length, reinforced
seat-tube - for seatpost size, stick up, slot direction, clamp or braise on
geometry,
cable routing
wishbone or straight/curved/modular/etc rear stays
fork length, designed for suspension or rigid.
Probably many more...

The best one is whichever floats your boat the highest for whatever reason and personal justification.

Some lovely frames are very underated and can be picked up cheap whilst some poorer frames are overhyped and hence overpriced.

Parkpre, KHS, Jamis, Fuji, Sunn can be picked up cheap sometimes while Kona, Voodoo, Marin do go for more. Of the uk super frames like Yates, Roberts etc the odd bargain does appear but some have odd geometry at the behest of the original buyer.

A good steel frame is a true thing of beauty tho , and I reckon well worth hunting for. Second hand sellers descriptions vary and if in doubt ask lots of questions and be prepared to walk away from bargains if they are the wrong size or have issues (corrosion etc). Be prepared for disapointment...... you may have to kiss a few frogs to find your princess.

If your looking at new... your a lucky bu**er and I'm jealous... one day I well commission a new steel hardtail frame.

 

[scant]

 

[Pickle]

My Penine road bike is Reynolds 753.
Very sharp and tight, no flex, beautiful for sprinting and climbing, just lovely

Shame I dont ride it anymore as I'm all MTB's now