Who makes the lightest steel frame bikes?
#26
Passista
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20 lbs. on the nose with pump and pedals. Built by J.P. Weigle $$$$$$$
Looks like 42 mm tires.
https://www.renehersecycles.com/j-p-...s-de-machines/
Looks like 42 mm tires.
https://www.renehersecycles.com/j-p-...s-de-machines/
#27
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Otherwise its a solid option.***
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#28
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#29
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Rodriguez.
Breadwinner.
Local builder.
Its easy to get a good steel road bike under 20# in your size. With a carbon fork and some quality components, under 19# isnt tough.
The 42mm tires will make it more difficult since that incorporates disc brakes and typically heavier gauge tubing.
good luck on getting everything.
Breadwinner.
Local builder.
Its easy to get a good steel road bike under 20# in your size. With a carbon fork and some quality components, under 19# isnt tough.
The 42mm tires will make it more difficult since that incorporates disc brakes and typically heavier gauge tubing.
good luck on getting everything.
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#30
Senior Member
The other night I was perusing Rodriguez Cycles site. https://www.rodbikes.com/index.html
If you would consider a custom, they might be a good place to start.
I do not own one, and have not ridden one.
If you would consider a custom, they might be a good place to start.
I do not own one, and have not ridden one.
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#31
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Build light skinny wheels. Throw out the recommended width guide and re-live the early 90’s with 17mm, or less, wide rims.
John
John
#33
Senior Member
No idea how much a custom steel frame costs these days. If you're on a budget you could do worse than a Holdsworth Competition frameset but I don't it will take very wide tyres. Or indeed you could buy it as a complete bike. A note of caution to anyone who's interested, though. For some reason they build them with and PC1110 chain, which is utter rubbish, and a PG1130 cassette, which is not much better, instead of the matching Force level components.
Last edited by jgwilliams; 06-16-20 at 07:17 AM.
#34
Senior Member
How light can a steel frame bike get and who makes the lightest? What I would like is a 58cm steel frame road bike 700c wheels that is around 20 lbs and can accept tires from 23mm to about 42mm. Does one exist or can one be built from an older classic triple butted frame? I'm not experienced enough to know what to look for so thanks for any suggestions.
However, if you are willing to go with 650b wheels you could buy a 'vintage' lugged steel frame and be able to fit 38mm tires - maybe 42s in some cases - you could also dimple the chain stays if nec.
And, if you don't load up the bike with racks, fenders, etc. - and you buy/build light wheels and install light components - you can probably hit the low 20s in weight.
Depending upon the cost of the wheels, you could buy new, modern components and stay in the $1000 to $1500 range.
#35
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Ritchey is an option, my Swiss Cross Disc V1 weighs in at 20.25lbs with pedals but it maxes out at 38c. It's not a true weenie build so it can go down a bit with more money thrown at it. The Outback has more clearance, and is fairly priced. The Swiss Cross Disc V2 has clearance for 40s and has thru axles; might weigh a tiny bit more.
Last edited by DorkDisk; 06-16-20 at 03:45 PM.
#36
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A Ritchey Outback gravel frame would get you up to a 700c x 48mm but it might be a over you 20 lbs upper limit. When Bike Rumor tested one it came in at 23.4 lbs. A Ritchey Road Logic would easily be under 20 lbs (mine's 19.5 lbs on a build where I paid absolutely no attention to the weight) but would only accommodate 700cx 30mm tires.
#37
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This came out to 19.8 pounds without really trying. Not one single carbon part in this bike so yes, a good solid steel frame bike under 20 pounds is certainly doable. Running 25s but I have put 27s with some room left over.
Last edited by kansukee; 06-16-20 at 02:55 PM.
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#38
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#39
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#40
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It seems like there are some production gravel bikes that use 853, so they should be light enough to be under 20 pounds. It might be difficult with a steel fork.
#42
Senior Member
I dont know exactly when it was made but I bought the frameset almost two years ago from Ciclicorsa. Got it for half the price that other sites were selling theirs for...crazy how much theyll ask for a steel frameset these days.
#43
Senior Member
Old steel frames, meaning from before the super skinny tires of the 1980s, routinely took 28mm tires and many had much more room. Unlikely to find anything ‘road’ that takes more than 35. Some modern owners squeeze in 38s and do it with 1mm clearance. IMO if your 35mm tires do not have 5mm clearance all around the bike should be on 32. The eponymous 1963 Rickert took 35mm tires with more than 5mm clearance and weighed 22 pounds with zero effort put into lightness. Eddy Merckx raced steel bikes that weighed 15 pounds. Sean Kelly raced aluminum Sabliere bikes at 12 pounds.
R&E produced a number of True Temper S3 steel frames that weighed in the neighborhood of 900 to 1100 grams. Any modern steel frame weighs 1600 grams unless it is stacked with add-on features or the builder doesn’t care about weight at all. Vintage frames will only rarely be under 1800 grams. I have seen and held small vintage frames at 1350 grams, those are very hard to find. For a 58cm frame you will be lucky to find anything under 2000 grams. Any of these will easily build a sub 20 pound bike. Don’t forget the steel fork. Steel forks can be as little as 500 grams, should not be over 700 in a 58 frame, are often over 1000 because no one pays attention.
If you want clearance for 700x42 it is either old heavy utility frames or modern gravel bikes. Or full custom. Production gravel frames are not light. Disc brakes for starts, then all the myriad braze-ons the current market demands. Gravel bikes made for 42mm work fine with 32mm, which is plenty fast if on good tires. If you want custom and aren’t paying for or waiting for Rob English or Peter Weigle try fitzcyclez.com. I would be surprised if he knew what his bike weighed to any accuracy. Tell him you want to keep it simple and you want light tubes.
R&E produced a number of True Temper S3 steel frames that weighed in the neighborhood of 900 to 1100 grams. Any modern steel frame weighs 1600 grams unless it is stacked with add-on features or the builder doesn’t care about weight at all. Vintage frames will only rarely be under 1800 grams. I have seen and held small vintage frames at 1350 grams, those are very hard to find. For a 58cm frame you will be lucky to find anything under 2000 grams. Any of these will easily build a sub 20 pound bike. Don’t forget the steel fork. Steel forks can be as little as 500 grams, should not be over 700 in a 58 frame, are often over 1000 because no one pays attention.
If you want clearance for 700x42 it is either old heavy utility frames or modern gravel bikes. Or full custom. Production gravel frames are not light. Disc brakes for starts, then all the myriad braze-ons the current market demands. Gravel bikes made for 42mm work fine with 32mm, which is plenty fast if on good tires. If you want custom and aren’t paying for or waiting for Rob English or Peter Weigle try fitzcyclez.com. I would be surprised if he knew what his bike weighed to any accuracy. Tell him you want to keep it simple and you want light tubes.
#44
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The Outlaw. 13.5 pounds.
There is also the Bandito which is the disc brake version. 3 pounds heavier. I've rode both before getting my custom built. You will not be disappointed.
There is also the Bandito which is the disc brake version. 3 pounds heavier. I've rode both before getting my custom built. You will not be disappointed.
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#46
Senior Member
Yes, that's nice! My Jamis Quest Elite - which comes with carbon forks - weighs in at 19.75, but that is with new Psimet wheels, Zipp carbon bars, and a Bontrager carbon seat post.
#47
Senior Member
Vintage frame that takes 42mm tires (650b) - using dimpled chain stays
Remove all the randonneur doo-dads, get some lighter wheels and it would probably weigh in the low 20s.
https://www.renehersecycles.com/what...3-steves-frek/
Remove all the randonneur doo-dads, get some lighter wheels and it would probably weigh in the low 20s.
https://www.renehersecycles.com/what...3-steves-frek/
#48
Senior Member
As said above. Rob English
Joe's light weight 13.5lbs
https://www.englishcycles.com/custom...ght-road-bike/
Joe's light weight 13.5lbs
https://www.englishcycles.com/custom...ght-road-bike/
#49
Sunshine
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Below is fairlight's weights for their 853 Secan gravel bike.
Frame Size Weight
Secan 61T 2300 g
Secan 61R 2243 g
Secan 58T 2232 g
Secan 58R 2162 g
Secan 56T 2161 g
Secan 56R TBC
Secan 54T 2100 g
Secan 54R TBC
Secan 51T 2061 g
Secan 51R TBC
Cempa (Secan) fork: 423g
Secan accessories (6 bottle cage bolts, 5 cable clips, BB cable guide, 3D cable guide, flat mount piece, Di2 plugs): 77g
Rear axle: 50g
Front axle: 40g
#50
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Likely Rob English. Steel ~15lbs
https://www.englishcycles.com/custom...edition-build/
https://www.englishcycles.com/custom...edition-build/