Has the "golden age" of custom steel bikes passed?
#51
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I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, I also know it defies several tenants in several facets of what we do.
But as I have said, it works great for me, rides like a dream and turned out just how I wanted.
I guess this far down the road "custom" can mean very different things to different people.
#52
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Whats important is that it fits and works great for the user.
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But how many of the current generation of steel frame builders have had the opportunity to work closely with professional/olympic-class racers and have had their designs tested in races, as the "old guard" did? Does that affect the quality of the design and the skill of the builder?
#54
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I do follow. But the IG algorithm sucks and so few of the builders I follow show up. I hate the way the feed decides what to display. I purposely follow brands and such and those posts never show up.
#55
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Agreed, several folks asked why we didn't make the frame bigger in general, there were many reasons and constraints for the parts, pieces, tubing and fit here, now and way down the line, it wasn't easy and this is the result of being 6ft tall with a 38in inseam/PBH.
#56
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I know a guy who's been builidng wonderful steel frames (complete with lugs) for many years, and says that in the last few years, intrrest (and sales) in his bikes has gone way down...and he thinks it's carbon frames.
#57
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Cicli Barco XCr custom stainless steel
Here is a real light stainless steel bike at 18.875 lbs including pedals for a 58.5 cm frame using Columbus XCr tubes, and it even has a stainless steel fork.:
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#58
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You need to line up your valves ideally at 12 o-clock, big ring at the front and the smallest cog at the back and line up the cranks at 3 o-clock (though in some circles people line it up with the chain stays).
Beyond that you have the makings of a pretty slick bike. Re-take the shot and you have gold.
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Yes -- very very nice bike he has built up, but its an enthusiasts bike. You'll rarely see such boutique-y parts on a high end "sponsored pro"
race bike ----
Im curious just how much of the pro cycling market is owned by Specialized -- just buy an S-Works Tarmac or Venge --- lace some tubular rims to it, and go racing
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steel frames
IF you ask about steel, bet you're not a racer. Bikes are developed for use, racing bikes for racers. Racing development can make a bike worse for nonracers (google Grant Peterson, Jan Heine, etc, racers can be too stiff, low, aero etc. )
Steel bikes are developed for comfort and distance, common on PBParis (steel may be best unless your body is developed for TdF)
And R&E makes a 15lb steel bike
Steel bikes are developed for comfort and distance, common on PBParis (steel may be best unless your body is developed for TdF)
And R&E makes a 15lb steel bike
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Those old frame builders were working with racers to build the best no-holds-barred racing bikes possible, because racing bikes were steel. That space has been taken over by CF, and generally "off the peg" CF at that. Steel frame builders are now building bespoke cruisers for the well-heeled "civilian" cyclist - not saying that these aren't lightweight, well-handling bikes, often rolling works of art, but they're not balls-to-the-wall racing bikes, so input from actual racers is irrelevant. Racers aren't interested in pretty steel bikes, they want light, bordering-on-disposible, plastic bikes.
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No, you just need to spend more money!
Tim
Tim
#64
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What about Ritchey. I thought he built pretty nice bikes.
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IF you ask about steel, bet you're not a racer. Bikes are developed for use, racing bikes for racers. Racing development can make a bike worse for nonracers (google Grant Peterson, Jan Heine, etc, racers can be too stiff, low, aero etc. )
Steel bikes are developed for comfort and distance, common on PBParis (steel may be best unless your body is developed for TdF)
And R&E makes a 15lb steel bike
Steel bikes are developed for comfort and distance, common on PBParis (steel may be best unless your body is developed for TdF)
And R&E makes a 15lb steel bike
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#68
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In fairness to them, that photo is from when they were still located on State Street, which was seven years ago, in addition to the fact that their website photos are probably even much older than that.
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But how many of the current generation of steel frame builders have had the opportunity to work closely with professional/olympic-class racers and have had their designs tested in races, as the "old guard" did? Does that affect the quality of the design and the skill of the builder?
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Last edited by satrain18; 08-09-20 at 02:15 PM.
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Sound like you got hosed, considering that a carbon fiber road bike with Shimano ultegra di2 electronic shifting AND disc brakes can be had for under $3,000. https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-r872-disc/
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#75
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$3,600 for just the framset is not a bargin, considering that a carbon fiber road bike with Shimano ultegra di2 electronic shifting AND disc brakes can be had for under $3,000. https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-r872-disc/