Modern steel road frames

[nammynake]

I’m contemplating a new summer bike and one option is to build up a bespoke bike using a high quality steel frame (953 for example).

Has anyone owned such a frame and would you recommend it. I’d like something fairly racy and light (ish) but appreciate steel is quite a bit heavier than carbon.

Ideal spec would be:

- Stainless steel frame, 953 or 931 (or similar)
- Disc brake and 12mm axle
- Ultegra di2
- Light carbon wheels (30-40mm rim depth)

The new Genesis Volare looks nice, but is quite pricey over £2k.



Thanks

Edited by nammynake on Thursday 28th January 13:24

[Harpoon]

How quickly do you want it? Not sure how up to date the prices are but Rourke reckon a 953 frame is £1625 - waiting list can be long though!

https://www.rourke.biz/custom_framesets.html

[nammynake]

Not in any rush. Parts are very expensive at the moment so happy to wait.

[anonymous-user]

I’d be having a word with Ricky Feather

https://www.feathercycles.com/

[Matt_N]

https://stelbel.it/en/

https://standert.de/

[z4RRSchris]

Field

but expensive, so standert

[Indoraptor]

Remember, steel is real, as is rust.

[lauda]

JPJPJP said:

I’d be having a word with Ricky Feather

https://www.feathercycles.com/

There are some fantastic looking bikes on that website. Just opening it should carry a wallet health warning.

[anonymous-user]

lauda said:

There are some fantastic looking bikes on that website. Just opening it should carry a wallet health warning.

Ricky is a good lad as well. Really knows his stuff and puts the work in.

[Barchettaman]

I’ve got a NOS Lemond Atlanta frame and a Columbus Tusk 1“ fork, also new, ready to build up for this summer (with 11-speed 105). It should be a reasonably light build and the frame was €160 I think.

Come to think of it I should get a move on as my 15-year-old wants to ride my ‘85 Merckx Corsa Extra this year, too.

[WhiskyDisco]

You could get some inspiration from Condor.

I ride a Fratello all year round. Steel frame with carbon forks. Super comportable for longer rides out. Mudguards improve any ride summer...or winter. ;-)

https://www.condorcycles.com/collections/audax-com...

[Juffled]

I have a Fairlight Strael 2 as my winter bike, I really like it.

Its not as stiff/responsive through the bottom bracket when out of the saddle compared to a carbon bike, but for when you aren't accelerating (99% of the time) its certainly more comfy (thinner diameter tubes, so more flex). Its about 800g heavier in the frame, thats a water bottle and a flapjack difference.

[gazza285]

lauda said:

JPJPJP said:

I’d be having a word with Ricky Feather

https://www.feathercycles.com/

There are some fantastic looking bikes on that website. Just opening it should carry a wallet health warning.

My mate has a Feather framed cyclocross bike, it makes me cringe watching him ride it through the mud.

[andySC]

Condor ? I’ve had a Super Acciaio since 2014. Beautiful to ride, it glides along. That’s not to say it’s a lazy slug of a thing, it’s properly stiff & responsive. Most definitely a “race bike” in feel. Although mine isn’t a disc version they now do this & there are custom paint & geometry options. Can also go for a stainless version too. The paint finish is great, it’s held up really well & looks like new. There’s a bit more mass to lug about but mine is about 7.5kg, disc version likely a bit heavier depending on spec. Well worth a look.

Edited by andySC on Thursday 28th January 21:29

[JEA1K]

JPJPJP said:

Ricky is a good lad as well. Really knows his stuff and puts the work in.

If you want steel, you have to go bespoke and it HAS to be Ricky. And yes, I am biased as he's a mate. He's one of the most creative people I know and will really help you come up with something unique.

[Sway]

JEA1K said:

JPJPJP said:

Ricky is a good lad as well. Really knows his stuff and puts the work in.

If you want steel, you have to go bespoke and it HAS to be Ricky. And yes, I am biased as he's a mate. He's one of the most creative people I know and will really help you come up with something unique.

This is good to hear... Been looking through his stuff, and love the idea of a lugged stainless "fast audax" bike with the lugs carved in a fairly modern style.

[Fastpedeller]

Rourke would be my choice - years of experience!

[WhiskyDisco]

I love the way that Car and Bike enthusiasts take a post and completely forget about the OP's suggested budget.

"at £2k is quite pricey"

I love the bikes shown on the Feather website. But "starting at £3.5k" most will be out of OP's reach.

[Sway]

WhiskyDisco said:

I love the way that Car and Bike enthusiasts take a post and completely forget about the OP's suggested budget.

"at £2k is quite pricey"

I love the bikes shown on the Feather website. But "starting at £3.5k" most will be out of OP's reach.

To be fair, that's frameset price versus full build - and I can't imagine there's many Feathers with cheap kit!

Was cheaper than I expected - comparable to my off the peg Ti bike with GRX.

[WhiskyDisco]

One more note on Condor (within the OP's budget). I learnt the painful way, that Condor sell new frames at a 25% "crash discount". I took advantage of this, and they swapped my old components onto the new frame for the 75% of the price of a new frame. I didn't even have to buy the same frame.

I am a Condor fan.