Steel frame good? Gunnar
#1
Heft On Wheels
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
Steel frame good? Gunnar
Do Gunnar frames make a good frame? Looking to build a project bike have always wanted to do that and want a really nice frame, steel to do it with. They look good. Saw a custom job with a Gunnar frame that looked awesome. But I know there are others but Gunnar is pretty close to me and like supporting good ol American small makers if I can.
Thanks.
Thanks.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,882
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3238 Post(s)
Liked 2,086 Times
in
1,181 Posts
About as good as it gets in production steel. Never heard or read of anyone that doesn’t love their Gunnar
#4
Full Member
I sure like mine. I particularly like the touring fork, a sloping crown lugged affair with eyelets for racks and fenders. Something about the stiffness/rake/trail of the fork REALLY complements the crosshairs frame well. It is heavier than a carbon fork, but for the dialed steering and calm feeling it gives in fast descents I find it well worth it. The touring fork is also made in Wateford, WI.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,504
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 586 Post(s)
Liked 612 Times
in
447 Posts
I have a Gunnar Rockhound and love it. If you are looking for a road frame with off-road capability I would check out the Crosshairs. A bike shop owner I know rides one and can't say enough about it. High end steel welded by the folks that produce the higher end Waterfords. Go for it.
#7
Heft On Wheels
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
Thanks all, appreciat the comments. I guess I will get going on this....now the decisions
thanks, going for a all purpose road type bike. I am seriously considering the roadie, but really still undecided. Wont ever see off road but a touring bike too I have always wanted.
YES, this actually does concern me. When I get it all layed out I am going to see if A: They will send it out for a powder coat finish or B: see if they will sell me an unfinished frame set. I am guessing there is a no-go on either of these options but will see what happens.
I do like the way to do finish bikes though, looks seriously nice.
I have a Gunnar Rockhound and love it. If you are looking for a road frame with off-road capability I would check out the Crosshairs. A bike shop owner I know rides one and can't say enough about it. High end steel welded by the folks that produce the higher end Waterfords. Go for it.
I do like the way to do finish bikes though, looks seriously nice.
#8
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,543
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3674 Post(s)
Liked 5,431 Times
in
2,759 Posts
The Sport might be a better choice for "all purpose." The Roadie is limited in tire size, 25 maybe? The paint on my Sport is prone to chipping but still gets compliments 10 years along.
#9
Banned
Gunnar, and Co-Motion are both skilled building companies using Tig weld technology ..
Waterford uses somewhat different methods.. they build quality bikes too ..
Waterford/ Gunnar are in the upper midwest.. Co-Mo in Oregon..
Waterford uses somewhat different methods.. they build quality bikes too ..
Waterford/ Gunnar are in the upper midwest.. Co-Mo in Oregon..
#12
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,543
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3674 Post(s)
Liked 5,431 Times
in
2,759 Posts
The Black Mountain Road frames are well reviewed and half the price of Gunnar. Not so many choices of color and probably the tubing is not as special and they aren't MUSA. I wouldn't hesitate to try one. Road Frames - Black Mountain Cycles
#13
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,515
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2747 Post(s)
Liked 3,395 Times
in
2,056 Posts
#15
Senior Member
I have a Crosshairs. I really like it, comfortable on long rides, very stable at speed. I have the steel fork and like a previous poster said it really enhances the ride. No complaints whatsoever. The paint is holding up well and I ordered a dark blue pearl. Somewhere in my previous posts there are pictures of the bike. You will not be disappointed. A few of my friends have Gunnars and they all like them. They can actually be built pretty light if you want.
#16
buy my bikes
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,800
Bikes: my very own customized GUNNAR CrossHairs
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 519 Post(s)
Liked 428 Times
in
249 Posts
gunar rockhound, circa 2001 - re-coated - rides great - love it.
When I emailed in the serial number to Gunnar I got an email back from Richard Schwinn. - yep - that Schwinn family.
When I emailed in the serial number to Gunnar I got an email back from Richard Schwinn. - yep - that Schwinn family.
#18
Senior Member
This is my Crosshairs with Reynolds 853. Sweet bike, I used it as an all-rounder, not for cross. Sold it because the fit wasn't quite right for me. From about the year 2000, paint and decals were just OK, but the rest of the bike was solid.
#19
Full Member
I think the comments about paint issues reflect issues from the years past My paint was sprayed on in 2017, but it's durable and very nice looking.
#20
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,543
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3674 Post(s)
Liked 5,431 Times
in
2,759 Posts
Wow, good looking bike, needs it's own thread with more pics!
#22
Full Member
Tried to put a FB link into the message, failed at that, so here's some attached:
#23
Senior Member
Waterford also made the classic Schwinn Paramounts of yesteryear. They are a good example of a great company that nobody has heard of.
#24
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,543
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3674 Post(s)
Liked 5,431 Times
in
2,759 Posts
The fork on the purple bike is so classy! The new graphics are much nicer too, IMO. Beautiful bike!
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: DFW
Posts: 4,126
Bikes: Steel 1x's
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 632 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
The Black Mountain Road frames are well reviewed and half the price of Gunnar. Not so many choices of color and probably the tubing is not as special and they aren't MUSA. I wouldn't hesitate to try one. Road Frames - Black Mountain Cycles
Don't get fooled by tubing marketing, the BMC bikes are as nice as any steel bike I've ever owned.