ddeadserious

Thinking about replacing my Tarmac(with Tiagra) with a steel frame. I just enjoy the ride of steel to carbon, and it I'm hoping that selling my Tarmac(either frameset alone, or complete) will put me an extra couple hundred leftover to build a decent wheelset with.

Just looking for a quality steel frame(or frameset) that is between $300-$800. I'd prefer a steel fork as well, but would consider carbon. May be interested in complete bikes as well.

I'm not really interested in a lugged frame since I'll probably be putting a black 105 group on it.

Must have a threadless 1⅛ head tube/fork.

I don't have any special sizing/geometry requirement, so I'm not interested in a custom frame unless it works in my pricepoint.

I would prefer the rear brake cable along the top tube be internally routed because I carry my bike on my shoulder up/down the stairs to my apartment, and cable bosses make that kind of painful.

Thanks for any suggestions!

ddeadserious

The only option I've found so far that fits my criteria is the All City Mr. Pink, but would like some other options.

la rosa 

Soma smoothie

Bacciagalupe

FWIW there really isn't a difference in ride feel between most steel and aluminum frames these days. I really can't tell the difference between my old steel road bike, and my new aluminum road bike.

Anyway, internal routing on low-end steel frames, afaik that doesn't happen.

Cross bikes have cables running along the top:
Surly Cross Check
Soma Double Cross
Salsa Vaya


If that's not as critical:
Surly Pacer
Soma San Marcos, or Smoothie, or ES
Salsa Colossal 2
Jamis Quest / Eclipse

Chris Pringle

For something out of the ordinary, do check out Rawland Cycles' offerings. The Nordavinden is nicely reviewed. His framesets are right in your price point and come standard with many features only available on custom frames.

capita

Torelli Corsa strada comes in close to your pricepoint @ $900 for columbus zona tubeset...another couple hundred for matching fork.

ddeadserious

Thanks, I did check it out, but have had a white frame and hated how filthy it got so easily. Just not my thing, unfortunately.

I've ridden enough aluminum to know that I don't want it. When I bought my Tarmac, I was real torn over buying that or the Allez with better components, but aluminum just doesn't ride as nice as steel. My 722 is steel and rides exactly how I want it to. Although Leader offers a 722 road frame, it's not exactly what I'm looking for.

I don't need all of the routing to be internal, I would just prefer any cables along the top tube to be internal(or at least on the side) so shoulder-carrying doesn't make me want to die.

Thank you for all of the suggestions, I'll check them all out!

They look nice, but I'm not sure his geometry will work for me. I'll look into it a little more. Thank you!

pdedes

Elephant

Torelli4

+1 Torelli

surgeonstone

This one has my vote.https://www.baumcycles.com/bikes/ristretto

sbxx1985 

Agreed.

ddeadserious

I have this strange feeling that the Baum is WAY out of my price range. I don't even think I could afford it if I sold my car too!

antimonysarah

Gunnar is just slightly above your price range (IIRC $900)? Crosshairs is their cross bike, with cables on top.

cale

Raleigh has been making steel road bikes for some time, not referring to the historical past but the last five years or so, and you can buy a International as a frame set. Not sure what sort of price but it's a beauty. https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/fram...l-frameset-13/

jovendelavega

Milwaukee Road, made by Waterford.
https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=612_2235

blacksquid

There are lots of good steel frame makers out there: Bianchi, Jamis, Soma, Gunnar, Viner, KHS, Ritchey, etc. but I think many are still a little above your price point. Internal cable routing puts the price even higher. Also note that I haven't seen a steel fork with 1-1/8" steerer tube. I'd scour eBay and Craigslist. There are some nice frame sets on eBay right now.

Here's a nice Look frame:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Steel-Lu...item2577aa7c47

Here is a nice Lemond at a very reasonable BIN price:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lemond-Zuric...item20cd6446e5

Worknomore

Surly!

https://surlybikes.com/

Bob Ross

Rather than looking for a new frame that meets all your criteria, have you considered a used frame? Second-hand Japanese steel bikes from the 1980s -- eg, Panasonic, Centurion, Bridgestone, Miyata -- are arguably the best value in a sub-$1000 steel frame. Added bonus, most of them had the rear brake cable running along the top of the toptube.

SlimRider

I think that Mr. Pink is the only way to go in your situation...

Excellent choice!

BykOfALesserGod

Gunnar or Torelli would be on top of my list if I had a budget like yours. May have to add a couple hundred bills but it will be worth it for a frame that will be with you pretty much for life.

JoelS

I would suggest that internal cable routing with a steel frame is probably not wise. It's a spot for water to enter the frame and cause rust or corrosion down the line. Aside from that, shifting is much easier/smoother with external cable routing. This will also simplify finding an appropriate frame.

ddeadserious

Thanks again for all the input, I thought this thread was dead.

I don't want internal routing for the shifting cables, just the brake cable on the top tube. I really [seriously] like that old LOOK frame, but I just can't do a threaded setup and I wouldn't want to run anything but the stock fork with a frame like that. Too bad that Lemond is too big for me.

Drag

Reynolds 520 Cro-Mo frame. Steel fork. Shimano 105. Mavic rims. Carbon seat post.

Complete bike for only $800 from Bikes Direct.



Rear brake cable routing is not as you desire, but the price is fantabulous.