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So I'm looking for a steel frame to replace my slightly too small Boardman Road Race. I have a carbon bike for summer/racing, but inevitably in this country do at least 50% of my miles on the aluminium bike, which is noticeably less comfortable on rough roads. I'm hoping to alleviate this by moving to steel, as well as getting something a bit 'nicer'. I've been looking at the Bowman Layhams as one possible option, as well as things like the All City Macho King and the steel Mason, but I'm slightly less keen on disc brakes as it rules out swapping training wheels between race and winter bike, this would be less of a problem for the All City, but the Mason is right at the top of my budget, so new brakes/wheels would be tricky.
I guess I'm essentially asking if there are any decent/cheaper alternatives to the Bowman Layhams out there? Needs: mudguard mounts, carbon fork, steel/ti. Ideally: road (not cross) geometry, non-disc, tapered/44mm headtube, good looks (for me that means OS tubes, straight blade fork and horizontal/nearly horizontal top tube). Not opposed to custom, but while I'm fairly tall I've never had a problem fitting on normal bikes, so not that keen on the extra cost & waiting times.
Slightly biased and depends on your budget, but just taken delivery of a Condor Fratello Disc. There's a thread in my history with a pic and first impressions report.
good looks (for me that means OS tubes, straight blade fork)
That's kind of opposite to comfort when talking about steel though? You might want to consider comfortable ALU frame if you want fat tubes, as its not just the material that determines comfort.
For me I have a surly cross check with a curved steel fork, the comfort is much better than my carbon road bike. A surly pacer is a very rated steel frame/fork. Other option might be SPA Cycles or the THORN AUDAX by SJS, but again all these are small dia tubes.
Spa Audax?
A quality frame for not much cash.
Respray it whatever colour you like.
Winter bike = no cleaning, minimal upkeep for me
... so I'd get a cheap plastic frame that'll take biggish tyres - will easily out-comfy any steel "compliance" (esp if you like big tubing) and no worries about rust, even if it's only cosmetic
That's kind of opposite to comfort when talking about steel though? You might want to consider comfortable ALU frame if you want fat tubes, as its not just the material that determines comfort.
I guess I'm not talking really fat tubes here, just something a bit more modern than spindly gaspipe. The Mason in my opinion looks great and reviews suggest it hits the right balance of comfort/stiffness. The Layhams looks like it uses pretty similar tube diameters, so I guess I'm looking for something like that.
slight detour, as this got me looking at Mason bikes. Their website is awful!
I really like my genesis equilibrium. I had one, sold it to buy a kinesis gf ti, but honestly preferred the equilibrium as a winter bike, so sold the kinesis and bought another equilibrium!
[url= http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-reynolds-525-steel/#pid=30906 ]Steel Ribble[/url]
just get the Layhams, i test rode the prototype and if i didn’t already have a winter bike i would have added it to the stable. (i have a pegoretti and chesini so my reference points were not cheapo carbon or stovepipe heavy frames from yesteryear)
I also have a Genesis equilibrium you have the choice of either disk or rim brake. I use mine all year around. Not in the same price bracket as Mason but great bikes in my opinion
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/road-sportive/equlibrium/equilibrium-725-fs
Having just recommended an equilibrium, I just looked at that Bowman Layhams - looks lovely. Get that one if you can afford it and wouldn't mind getting it covered in crap every weekend 😆
Resisting looking at that layhams!
I'm quite tempted by that Layhams and building it up with etap HydroR and larger nice rolling tyres for Tuscany Road next year.
Yeah, the equilibrium fulfills all the needs, but it just doesn't really appeal for some reason. Haven't seen many that I've thought have looked good.
The Layhams is rather lovely, and having ridden Layhams Road several hundred times it has a bit of added appeal, but it is a lot to spend on a 'winter' bike, even if it does see a lot of miles.
A guy at work has the Ribble - very nice frame for the money, skinny tubes and definitely lighter than the equivalent Genesis stuff.
The Ribble seems to be sold out, at least as a frameset. Looks great for the price, but a bit weighty overall. Ideally I'd like a half way house between that and the Layhams, fairly light, decent looking, but not necessarily high-end stainless.
Aluminium can be comfortable (and Boardmans I've ridden haven't been)
Spa Audax as mentioned above.
Currently on offer at £850 built up with SRAM Apex - http://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s21p2827/SPA-CYCLES-Steel-Audax-(SRAM)
As a owner for 2 years and c. 5k miles I can confirm it's a great bike.
Light / quick / versitile / fun
Light
😆 😆 😆 😆
Wot Al said. My alloy Merckx road bike is way comfier than my Escapade. Like night and day.
The correct answer to the original question is: Whatever you have lying around, or can find in a hedge.
Buying a new steel frame to build into a winter bike is just daft.
Buying a new steel frame to build into a winter bike is just daft.
Disagree with this. Getting motivated for winter training can be tough as it is. Makes it a bit easier if you have a nice bike you want to get out and ride as opposed to some hateful piece of junk you've pulled out of a skip.
Disagree with this. Getting motivated for winter training can be tough as it is. Makes it a bit easier if you have a nice bike you want to get out and ride as opposed to some hateful piece of junk you've pulled out of a skip.
Couldn't agree more...
Hence my "winter" bike is a Ritchey Logic with my old SRAM Red 10spd stuff on it, weighs under 8kg! OK it's not practical for churning out the miles in any conditions but that's not the type of riding I do, but it does make me want to get out and ride it which is kind of the aim for me. If it's wet 9 times out of 10 I'm staying in anyway, and I'm happy enough with raceblades for other other times.
Have ridden an 11kg Tiagra equipped disced and full guards winter bike and whilst practical for solo miles, ride it in a group and I got dropped all the time where I wouldn't on my summer bike, which killed the enjoyment for me.
Yeah, the equilibrium fulfills all the needs, but it just doesn't really appeal for some reason. Haven't seen many that I've thought have looked good.
Well, today's your lucky day 😉
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Can't go wrong with a Genesis. THey're actually pretty good, but a bit heavy. They ride quite well though, although mine was probably a size too small. Fast too, my mate won a few hill climbs on his this year; beat Matt Clinton last run on it. So certainly up to the task.
+ 1 for Condor Fratello - you can build one with a good group and wheels for under £2k and rim brakes + they have a disc version now too.
Lovely bike to ride... very comfy and pretty sprightly and a very knowlegeable independent LBS
The Ribble looks dear to me when the Equilibrium 20 disc with 105 was/is only £900 in the sales. I bought one on a whim, contemplated selling it on here but have stuck it in the loft to use as my first road bike experience for a 51yr old next year. Not a bad looking bike imo.
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The correct answer to the original question is: Whatever you have lying around, or can find in a hedge.Buying a new steel frame to build into a winter bike is just daft.
What twaddle. I used my pegoretti for 4 winters then rebuilt it for summer use only and got another steel bike (modern oversize Columbus spirit tubes) SRAM Force/Zipp finishing kit etc for the winter with PDW guards fitted.
Life is too short for 105 and cheap heavy frame.