Modern steel road bike under $2K for fast commuting?
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Modern steel road bike under $2K for fast commuting?
I like to run 28's with a rear rack and trunk bag to carry my lunch/clothes. I use a clip-on front fender in the winter. It's 24 miles round-trip in sunny San Diego with some coastal hills. I like to go fast and want to go faster. I'm currently riding a Masi CX with 105 drive train.
Suggestions?
Suggestions?
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I like your Masi, it's a pretty much perfect bike for commuting. Might I ask, what is it that you lack in it?
#3
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The Soma ES and Surly Pacer can definitely run 28s with fenders. Soma Smoothie might run 28s. Colossi makes a bunch that could work, can't speak to their quality though. I have a Traitor Exile that I love (also running 28s with fenders); Traitor stopped making those (or rather stopped contracting for them to be made), but Colossi appears to have a 100% identical version in their lineup, down to the oddball 1" steerer. A local framebuilder told me the Traitor is made w/ a standard set of lugs that Colossi seems to also be tapped into.
For any of these you might need a rack that connects to the brake bridge rather than to eyelets on the seatstays.
For any of these you might need a rack that connects to the brake bridge rather than to eyelets on the seatstays.
Last edited by HardyWeinberg; 07-19-15 at 01:51 PM.
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I'm on a Bianchi Volpe that runs 28s and could go wider. It it steel, has a Tiagra triple, and will take racks and fenders. It was $1300. You can get the disc brake version for $1600. I've also looked at the Soma Double Cross (or DC disc), which is similar to the Bianchi. I think built up it costs around $1800.
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The Fairdale Weekender Drop equipped with disc brakes at $1249.99 comes with Continental 37 c tires, and front and rear rack and fender mounts. Its made of double-butted cromoly steel:
Another view:
You're getting a lot of value in a steel bike priced under $1300 that's pretty much a do-anything bike.
Another view:
You're getting a lot of value in a steel bike priced under $1300 that's pretty much a do-anything bike.
Last edited by NormanF; 07-19-15 at 03:11 PM.
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I like to run 28's with a rear rack and trunk bag to carry my lunch/clothes. I use a clip-on front fender in the winter. It's 24 miles round-trip in sunny San Diego with some coastal hills. I like to go fast and want to go faster. I'm currently riding a Masi CX with 105 drive train.
Suggestions?
Suggestions?
#8
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I've built a couple Bianchi Vigorelli's and they're pretty sweet. My friend has an older model that he loves. I've also built a couple All City Mr Pinks. They're all steel,and will take 32's if you don't run fenders. Both are around $1.5k. The Bianchi has a Shimano drivetrain and the All City is SRAM,if that makes any difference to you. The All City also has full ED coating for the frameset,so you don't have to worry about having to apply Framesaver or linseed oil.
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Charge Bikes' Plug Range available at Performance Bicycle.
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Raleigh has some steel bikes in their heritage line. The Clubman Disc looks quite awesome to me
Raleigh Bicycles - Clubman Disc
The Record Ace is also quite nice and under 2k (and made with Reynolds
Raleigh Bicycles - Record Ace
Pretty sure Bianchi also makes some steel bikes.
Raleigh Bicycles - Clubman Disc
The Record Ace is also quite nice and under 2k (and made with Reynolds
Raleigh Bicycles - Record Ace
Pretty sure Bianchi also makes some steel bikes.
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The Fairdale Weekender Drop equipped with disc brakes at $1249.99 comes with Continental 37 c tires, and front and rear rack and fender mounts. Its made of double-butted cromoly steel:
Another view:
You're getting a lot of value in a steel bike priced under $1300 that's pretty much a do-anything bike.
Another view:
You're getting a lot of value in a steel bike priced under $1300 that's pretty much a do-anything bike.
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[h=5]COLOSSAL 2[/h][h=5]
- Salsa Classico double-butted CroMoly frame
- Salsa Colossal carbon fork with 1-1/8” to 1-1/4" taper for ride quality and vibration dampening
- SRAM Apex drivetrain
- Hidden fender-mounting system
- Tire clearance for 700c x 28mm with fenders or 30mm without
- U.S. MSRP $1,999
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@idle_american, what exactly isn't the Masi doing for you?
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I'm also curious as to what is "wrong" with the Masi - what with the 105 and all.
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I am fond of the Jamis road-sport bikes - their steel models are the 'Quest' line.
I am with those posters above, however, that are skeptical that you will realize much benefit from the change.
I am with those posters above, however, that are skeptical that you will realize much benefit from the change.
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The front is a 42 and the largest on the rear is 36, low, but for my needs I like even lower. I have lots of big hills and carry weight. I'd rather spin. Still, I am salivating over the Weekender Drop, beautiful bike.
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Small chainring though.
Ahh, here it is:
2015 Weekender Drop | Fairdale Bikes
Chainring: 42T
Cassette: 11-36, 10S
I think I would choose a higher top end. However, a lot of people like close to 1:1 gearing for hills, so one may be forced to add the 42Tx36T config.
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#24
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The Fairdale Weekender Drop equipped with disc brakes at $1249.99 comes with Continental 37 c tires, and front and rear rack and fender mounts. Its made of double-butted cromoly steel:
Another view:
You're getting a lot of value in a steel bike priced under $1300 that's pretty much a do-anything bike.
Another view:
You're getting a lot of value in a steel bike priced under $1300 that's pretty much a do-anything bike.
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You can go double chainring. Or swap the chainring out to go even lower. I've acquired the Fairdale Weekender Archer, same bike with upswept bars, has an 11-34 cassette.