Modern Steel Road Bike Appreciation Thread
#27
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This thread is on the fast road to Suxville.
Would anyone care to take a stab at distinguishing the modifier "modern," as in modern steel bike, from "new" and "recent"?
It's a critical element (to an interesting conversation, anyway) that's blowin' right o'er some heads.
Would anyone care to take a stab at distinguishing the modifier "modern," as in modern steel bike, from "new" and "recent"?
It's a critical element (to an interesting conversation, anyway) that's blowin' right o'er some heads.
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This thread is on the fast road to Suxville.
Would anyone care to take a stab at distinguishing the modifier "modern," as in modern steel bike, from "new" and "recent"?
It's a critical element (to an interesting conversation, anyway) that's blowin' right o'er some heads.
Would anyone care to take a stab at distinguishing the modifier "modern," as in modern steel bike, from "new" and "recent"?
It's a critical element (to an interesting conversation, anyway) that's blowin' right o'er some heads.
IMO, non-horizontal dropouts and thread-less headset is modern. Horizontal and threaded is old school.
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#31
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This thread is on the fast road to Suxville.
Would anyone care to take a stab at distinguishing the modifier "modern," as in modern steel bike, from "new" and "recent"?
It's a critical element (to an interesting conversation, anyway) that's blowin' right o'er some heads.
Would anyone care to take a stab at distinguishing the modifier "modern," as in modern steel bike, from "new" and "recent"?
It's a critical element (to an interesting conversation, anyway) that's blowin' right o'er some heads.
But most modern steel bikes have some modern features.
#32
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You could buy a new bike designed to look pretty much like an old steel bike. The bianchi eroica comes to mind, https://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/all-road/eroica/
But most modern steel bikes have some modern features.
But most modern steel bikes have some modern features.
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My favorite bike:
Favorite feature of favorite bike:
It's a Casati Laser La Speciale, built up about a year and a half ago. Not as pretty as it was on it's first ride (photo above) - now it has a green SMP Composit saddle, gold bar tape, black pedals, and black grabby plastic bottle cages, and the stays are beat up, but it still gets plenty of enthusiastic compliments. Originally it had a standard crank, but I switched that out in favor of a more recreational compact - this is the all-day, fun-time, hill-climbing, century bike, not the race bike.
Made with Dedacciai's lightest steel tubes, which helped keep it well under 20 lbs ready to roll without even trying. It was made to measure, and selections of components were color- and finish-driven, so it's very much my own bike and I'm more attached to it than I would be to something off-the-rack. But the ride, feel, and even sound of it are unmistakably pleasing.
Favorite feature of favorite bike:
It's a Casati Laser La Speciale, built up about a year and a half ago. Not as pretty as it was on it's first ride (photo above) - now it has a green SMP Composit saddle, gold bar tape, black pedals, and black grabby plastic bottle cages, and the stays are beat up, but it still gets plenty of enthusiastic compliments. Originally it had a standard crank, but I switched that out in favor of a more recreational compact - this is the all-day, fun-time, hill-climbing, century bike, not the race bike.
Made with Dedacciai's lightest steel tubes, which helped keep it well under 20 lbs ready to roll without even trying. It was made to measure, and selections of components were color- and finish-driven, so it's very much my own bike and I'm more attached to it than I would be to something off-the-rack. But the ride, feel, and even sound of it are unmistakably pleasing.
Last edited by kbarch; 09-29-18 at 01:27 PM.
#34
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I appreciate my new (6 months old) Moulton TSR very much. It is, in fact, a steel bike, and while not the most modern design Moulton offers, it's still updated in a number of respects from its APB forefather. Clearly though, it has a pretty different ride from regular (essentially traditional) steel road bike (which I also enjoy, but two of those that I have are are vintage machines, not new).
Last edited by Steamer; 01-19-16 at 07:54 PM.
#35
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Test rode a Dogma with Record 11 speed, not that I could afford it. I liked the way my '92 Merckx Century rode better. It has a soul; the Dogma seemed to lack a soul. When I stood it was just there, with no feedback.
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here's a good place to check some really amazing steel frames Cycle EXIF | Custom and classic bicycles
#37
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I just ordered one of the new De Rosa Nuovo Classicos. That blue chrome I could not resist:
Don't know why all the American and other sites were charging so much for it ($3500!!!!). I found a dealer in Sweden who is getting it for me $1300 shipped. I'm going to build up the same as De Rosa shows, with Campagnolo Athena and Deda seat post, stem, and bars, probably look pedals, and I don't know what wheel set yet but something to compliment it.
Here's a source that I hope some others may find helpful. It's a spreadsheet I made for when I was searching for modern vintage, as I referred to it as. Basically, new frames that are made of steel with lugs. I would love to add to this list if you have any other companies, frames, and other info you want me to put on it.
Don't know why all the American and other sites were charging so much for it ($3500!!!!). I found a dealer in Sweden who is getting it for me $1300 shipped. I'm going to build up the same as De Rosa shows, with Campagnolo Athena and Deda seat post, stem, and bars, probably look pedals, and I don't know what wheel set yet but something to compliment it.
Here's a source that I hope some others may find helpful. It's a spreadsheet I made for when I was searching for modern vintage, as I referred to it as. Basically, new frames that are made of steel with lugs. I would love to add to this list if you have any other companies, frames, and other info you want me to put on it.
#38
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Thank you but the bar/stem angle is not quite that unique. The fork just needs to be cut down a bit; I just haven't gotten around to it because I have quite decided on the final set up for the bike. I guess I could just flip the stem and call it a day. I still need to install a pair of brifters I have lying around. I've just been too busy with other bike projects.
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Well age has something to do with it, . Bandera is an old time roadie as well.
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I'll start with the one I am confident is modern steel.....2015 Gunnar Sport. Impulse buy at River City Bicycles in Portland after daughter graduated from U of O. A reward if you will.
Now for a couple which may not qualify.
1993 Steelman Stage Race with 2015 Athena
1991 Ed Litton with 7400 DuraAce and a threadless headset.
Everything else for the road is older at the moment. Though a 2007 Lemond Poprad and 2013 Ritchey Breakaway Ti Cross wait in the wings.
Now for a couple which may not qualify.
1993 Steelman Stage Race with 2015 Athena
1991 Ed Litton with 7400 DuraAce and a threadless headset.
Everything else for the road is older at the moment. Though a 2007 Lemond Poprad and 2013 Ritchey Breakaway Ti Cross wait in the wings.
Last edited by PeregrineA1; 01-19-16 at 09:08 PM. Reason: content
#41
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No steel yet for me, just Ti...but this Amaro (steel) is stunning so I gotta share:
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I think this custom Fitz qualifies a contemporary, with brakes and rack that were introduced during the fabrication process, a mix of SRAM red, XX, and Force yaw components, TSA cranks, and lots of Compass bits. The rear wheel has no dish, with an A23 OC rim and offset stays. The riding position is aggressive for a rando bike, but what it does best is sustain a strong pace for hours on end. Something I never managed to do on skinny tired bikes.
#45
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Gunnar Crosshairs in commuter mode.
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How about "modernized"? Does that count?
Only traditional aspects are the horizontal top tube, tube diameters, and 531 tubing. Everything else has been brought up to date. About 17 lb as shown.
Only traditional aspects are the horizontal top tube, tube diameters, and 531 tubing. Everything else has been brought up to date. About 17 lb as shown.
Last edited by rpenmanparker; 01-20-16 at 06:08 AM.
#47
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Not quite as high-level as most of these, but I'm really enjoying my 2015 Jamis Quest Comp (Reynolds 520 tubing, Carbon fork, Sora equipped) that I got last fall. It's my only bicycle right now, and it's been great for both commuting and for group rides. I like that it's different than all the carbon and aluminum bikes the others ride on. Ended up getting it new for about $150 off MSRP.
Here it is when I first got it, before I put on my own pedals, bottle cage, and saddle bag (that one came with the bike).
Here it is when I first got it, before I put on my own pedals, bottle cage, and saddle bag (that one came with the bike).
#48
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My take on modern steel. Breezer Venturi.
#50
~>~
PS: Drop is still 3cm instead of "normal" 6.5cm , not at or above saddle height.
-Bandera
Last edited by Bandera; 01-20-16 at 08:09 AM.