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The heavy arsed steel MTB thread

Old 09-10-19, 03:24 AM
  #1  
sumgy
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The heavy arsed steel MTB thread

Who else is riding steel?
My Nordest Bardino (150mm)



My On-One Inbred (100mm)

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Old 09-10-19, 10:20 AM
  #2  
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The Heavy A$$ed Steel MTB Thread.

AKA: “Show Us Your Surly Thread”
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Old 09-10-19, 10:44 AM
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My Karate Monkey alternated between rigid and HT, 1x9, 1x5, and SS. All heavy.



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Old 09-10-19, 09:29 PM
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Steel baby!!
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Old 09-11-19, 01:28 PM
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good looking builds, but why they all so squeaky clean except the Monkey?
@Dr.Lou, how you like those Gems?
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Old 09-11-19, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by qclabrat
good looking builds, but why they all so squeaky clean except the Monkey?
@Dr.Lou, how you like those Gems?
Well, my first KM pic was right after I built it. It has never been that clean since.

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Old 09-11-19, 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by qclabrat
good looking builds, but why they all so squeaky clean except the Monkey?
@Dr.Lou, how you like those Gems?

lol The bikes are in the Philippines so for 70 pesos (about a $1.75) I have my bikes washed and meticulously detailed immediately after each ride - a necessity since my bikes live with me inside my Condo.

I am merely a roadie and low speed trail rider, nothing technical or high speed. As a kid from the late 60s, I prefer the looks and ride of steel bikes. Of my eight bikes, 5 are steel, 2 CF and one Ti/CF. I really like the ride characteristics, built quality and aesthetics of both, but probably favor the Marin 27.5 +, it just has a certain je ne sais quois. Thinking about converting the Krampus to a SS and putting narrower road tires on her.
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Old 09-12-19, 11:25 AM
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Old 09-15-19, 07:33 PM
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No name Italian

Not sure of the manufacturer, got this from eBay. It came bare steel, the bottom bracket is threaded for Italian bottom brackets. I had it powder coated candy orange.

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Old 09-17-19, 07:08 AM
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A guy did the tour divide on 19 lb karate monkey..not heavy always.
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Old 09-17-19, 07:41 AM
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Originally Posted by BikeLite
A guy did the tour divide on 19 lb karate monkey..not heavy always.
Still heavy for what it was. Could easily have been several pounds lighter with a different frame.

Don’t get me wrong I love Surlys. I own two of them (Karate Monkey and Wednesday), but the frames are heavy, even for steel.
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Old 09-17-19, 08:03 AM
  #12  
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Don't have gizmos or account to post pics, but I still have my '96 framed GT Timberline-4130 chromoly with Reynolds 525 seattube. Started off as a 94-the frame was a replacement for one I cracked a weld on. Doesn't resemble the original bike much--now has 3x8 Shimano drivetrain & shifters, better hubs and rims, Manitou Axel fork (it was good in it's day-still works fine!), Avid V-brakes and levers. Wt= 30lbs. Still gets me through the woods and back, as it always has. Kind of a deep sky blue--beautiful bike-gets lots of compliments.
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Old 09-17-19, 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
Still heavy for what it was. Could easily have been several pounds lighter with a different frame.

Don’t get me wrong I love Surlys. I own two of them (Karate Monkey and Wednesday), but the frames are heavy, even for steel.
Yeah it was a single speed setup. Any recommendation for a lighter frame?
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Old 09-17-19, 08:33 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by BikeLite
Yeah it was a single speed setup. Any recommendation for a lighter frame?
I am the last guy to advise on light frames as evidenced by my collection of Surlys.
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Old 09-17-19, 08:40 AM
  #15  
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Murry Baja

1982 sticker still on it.
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Old 09-18-19, 05:57 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Jmpierce
Not sure of the manufacturer, got this from eBay. It came bare steel, the bottom bracket is threaded for Italian bottom brackets. I had it powder coated candy orange.

Do the rear drop outs have any stampings? Did you see stickers for tubeset brands
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Old 09-18-19, 06:01 AM
  #17  
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Mojo with handjob

Still a fun 26r but the ROS9 rides better in almost every way.

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Old 09-18-19, 10:38 AM
  #18  
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There are some aluminum comfort and mountian bikes that are heavy too.

Last edited by xroadcharlie; 09-18-19 at 02:21 PM.
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Old 09-18-19, 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by xroadcharlie
There is a misconception that because a bike is steel it's going to be heavy. There are plenty of new aluminum comfort and mountian bikes that weigh 30+ lbs. Which is why I wouldn't buy a bike based on the frame or fork material alone. The overall design including the geometry IMO are far more important.

Indeed, Steel might very well have an advantage in terms of compliance and toughness. Especially with entry level to average priced bikes. Which improves both comfort and speed. I'm sure we can and do build aluminum frames that are compliant too, But it may take more engineering experience and cost to manufacture.
That's all fine, but this is a thread for the steel bikes that ARE heavy.

Heavy aluminum bikes and light steel bikes can find their own thread
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Old 09-18-19, 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
That's all fine, but this is a thread for the steel bikes that ARE heavy.

Heavy aluminum bikes and light steel bikes can find their own thread
You're right!

I didn't mean derail this thread. I just wanted to point out that there are heavy aluminum bikes too.

My old steel mountain bike was 35 lbs and not very comfortable. It was a cheap Canadian Tire bike. Darn thing really didn't like to go fast...even downhill.

Last edited by xroadcharlie; 09-18-19 at 02:25 PM.
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Old 09-18-19, 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by xroadcharlie
You're right!

I didn't mean derail this thread. I just wanted to point out that there are heavy aluminum bikes too.
Thank you. My Karate Monkey has enough body image problems without seeing a bunch of anorexic steel models in the thread with it.

Heavy aluminum bikes might actually make it feel better about itself.
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Old 09-27-19, 09:33 AM
  #22  
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My heaviest steel bike, but the prettiest.
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Old 09-30-19, 10:03 PM
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Old 10-01-19, 08:28 AM
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2011 Cotic BFe
26”
28.6 pounds
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Old 10-07-19, 06:53 AM
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@eshew, I just noticed your Ritchey has very similar welding as an old RD Coyote I have. The lugged seat tube and fillet brazed headtube is a really nice touch. Only difference can see is the RD I have has lugged drop outs like the old 3Rensho bikes. Can you snap a few close ups of the BB? What an awesome looking bike!
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