Steamroller alternatives
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Steamroller alternatives
Considering picking up a steamroller frame and doing a fresh fixed build. I値l likely ride the bike year round which includes snow and ice. Any other frames in the same range to consider?
#2
Clark W. Griswold
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I do like my Cinelli Mash Work a lot but I believe now they are calling it the Tutto Plus and looks like it has way more versatility which is kind of neat. I also really dig the All-City Super Professional it is also another high versatility frame. The Steamroller is a fine frame as well.
#4
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The Mercier Kilo WT is basically an exact clone of the steamroller (according to specs it actually has a bit more tire clearance). I had one for a while and was happy with it.
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+1 for All City Big Block, I was in similar boat sans snow & ice but wanted something with bigger tire clearance I could take into the dirt so true track frames wouldn't cut it (although All City's Thunderdome is indeed sexy as hell), figured if the "FG gravel" experiment didn't work then I'd still come out w a killer bike for pavement.
After a few months riding 80% gravel I can declare said experiment a success - takes anything I can throw at it (stuff I would not have been confident doing on my old Peugeot FG-conversion), quick and responsive but doesn't feel overly stiff, and the geometry has been perfect for my usual rides in the ~20mi range.
Have posted elsewhere but for the hell of it, this is the current state (will replace Zipp stem with Ride Farr "Headspace" stem whenever it gets here from Australia):
After a few months riding 80% gravel I can declare said experiment a success - takes anything I can throw at it (stuff I would not have been confident doing on my old Peugeot FG-conversion), quick and responsive but doesn't feel overly stiff, and the geometry has been perfect for my usual rides in the ~20mi range.
Have posted elsewhere but for the hell of it, this is the current state (will replace Zipp stem with Ride Farr "Headspace" stem whenever it gets here from Australia):
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#6
Full Member
Kilo wt, mash work, all city big block, squid so-ez. I had a steamroller but found the geometry and weight too sluggish. I replaced it with an Enforcer BD and it's honestly one of the best bikes I've ever owned. It's geared toward bike polo, but the combo of high bottom bracket, 40c clearance and tight geometry makes it one of the most responsive bikes I've ever ridden.
(ignore the cinelli stickers obv)
(ignore the cinelli stickers obv)
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+1 for All City Big Block, I was in similar boat sans snow & ice but wanted something with bigger tire clearance I could take into the dirt so true track frames wouldn't cut it (although All City's Thunderdome is indeed sexy as hell), figured if the "FG gravel" experiment didn't work then I'd still come out w a killer bike for pavement.
Gotta agree with that. More options considered doesn't always mean a happier end result. However if you're looking for a hardy steel-frame SS frame, you might want to keep an eye out for an FBM Sword. There's two versions ... after 2010 they changed the geometry to have a much shorter top tube.
#9
Clark W. Griswold
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Kilo wt, mash work, all city big block, squid so-ez. I had a steamroller but found the geometry and weight too sluggish. I replaced it with an Enforcer BD and it's honestly one of the best bikes I've ever owned. It's geared toward bike polo, but the combo of high bottom bracket, 40c clearance and tight geometry makes it one of the most responsive bikes I've ever ridden.
(ignore the cinelli stickers obv)
(ignore the cinelli stickers obv)
#10
Full Member
Why would someone ignore the Cinelli stickers? That seems silly if you want a Cinelli get a Cinelli. At least though it doesn't seem like Enforcer is trying to make a knock-off they are doing their own thing and I kinda like it. Their prices are quite reasonable and if actually made of Reynolds 520 is a good deal for a handmade frame. Plus it looks like they have some fun which I like "Geo-Nardo DiCaprio", good stuff and a colab with BicyclePubes is a sign of the finest taste. Plus on the BD specifically the 44mm head tube means you can put a straight or tapered steerer tube fork and with 3 wheel sizes you can have quite a bit of fun with it.
#11
Clark W. Griswold
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Very chill but curious why the Cinelli stickers if not a Cinelli? Why not be proud it is an Enforcer? If it is truly handmade in Peru that is well worth promoting and would be a bigger pride mark than a slightly more generic bike produced for Cinelli in Taiwan. Nothing against Cinelli or Taiwan or anything like that but I would be much prouder to have a brand like Enforcer which is a bit more "underground" than Cinelli on a non-Cinelli bike to make people think I might have a Cinelli when I actually kind of have something cooler. Heck at least have dreams you could have put some Bruce Gordon stickers or Albert Eisentraut and gotten more cool points
#12
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Very chill but curious why the Cinelli stickers if not a Cinelli? Why not be proud it is an Enforcer? If it is truly handmade in Peru that is well worth promoting and would be a bigger pride mark than a slightly more generic bike produced for Cinelli in Taiwan. Nothing against Cinelli or Taiwan or anything like that but I would be much prouder to have a brand like Enforcer which is a bit more "underground" than Cinelli on a non-Cinelli bike to make people think I might have a Cinelli when I actually kind of have something cooler. Heck at least have dreams you could have put some Bruce Gordon stickers or Albert Eisentraut and gotten more cool points
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#14
Clark W. Griswold
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But you are also promoting as a Cinelli, hence the Cinelli sticker on it and nothing showing Enforcer. That is what I am on about. If I am passing through the forum and see that I see a Cinelli stickered bike not an Enforcer which again cool bike worth promoting. Cinelli doesn't need fake branding they are out there and known but I had no idea about Enforcer and now am glad to know them.
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For value, durability, tire width options, a cooler fork, and easy availability, I'd just go with the Surly. It's probably a little overbuilt, but I rode the wheels off mine in all kinds of conditions.
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#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks all - I値l stick with my intuition. Stay tuned for a classic build thread where ya値l can tell
me how to build it up.
me how to build it up.
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#18
Clark W. Griswold
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