Affordable brands making lugged steel frames
01-18-22, 08:30 PM
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Affordable brands making lugged steel frames
Is there any brand (not custom) still manufacturing lugged steel frames at an affordable price?
So far, I found some great bikes, but outside of my price range.
Wilier Superleggera
Colnago Arabesque
Thanks
So far, I found some great bikes, but outside of my price range.
Wilier Superleggera
Colnago Arabesque
Thanks
01-18-22, 09:25 PM
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Three questions:
1) What is your price range?
2) Why don't you want a used bike?
3) What is your intended purpose for such a bike, once you obtain one?
1) What is your price range?
2) Why don't you want a used bike?
3) What is your intended purpose for such a bike, once you obtain one?
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Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
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01-18-22, 09:44 PM
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lots of companies are making tig welded steel, few are doing lugged
Rivendell has a roadini frame (out of stock) at $1000 https://www.rivbike.com/products/roadini
Rivendell has a roadini frame (out of stock) at $1000 https://www.rivbike.com/products/roadini
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
01-18-22, 09:47 PM
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01-19-22, 12:29 AM
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One of the great things about mid-80's road frames is that the industry had already started to standardize around many of the same dimensions that are in use today, so even modern groupsets are available that would fit old frames. With an older bike, you get excellent materials and geometry, and often the only thing you need to change to get it ready for those upgrades is to spread the rear dropouts (provided it's steel) a couple of mm's (and even that is up for debate).
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01-19-22, 01:01 AM
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Another thing not mentioned is that there are lots and lots of nearly zero mileage, lugged, steel frames out there with great workmanship, and unlike many things you can buy, an extremely low mileage steel frame is just as good the day it was new.
You've walked into a bar full of vintage bike addicts. Nowadays the price of a new lugged frame is not cheap. I have no idea what affordable means to you, but you'd be paying dimes on the dollar for the same quality if you go vintage. The "affordable" steel frames are TIG welded nowadays.
Answer @scarlson's 3 questions, let us know your size, and we'll gladly tell you how to spend your money!
You've walked into a bar full of vintage bike addicts. Nowadays the price of a new lugged frame is not cheap. I have no idea what affordable means to you, but you'd be paying dimes on the dollar for the same quality if you go vintage. The "affordable" steel frames are TIG welded nowadays.
Answer @scarlson's 3 questions, let us know your size, and we'll gladly tell you how to spend your money!
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01-19-22, 07:37 AM
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It costs a lot more to build a lugged frame versus a TiG welded frame. And no performance benefit. Those seeking lugged steel frame either go with one of the new ones at high pricing, or buy used.
A Chicago Paramount in most markets will cost about the same as the lowest priced LBS aluminum road bike new. And a Chicago Paramount is at a higher price than most nice steel vintage road bikes. A nice Schwinn Tempo is available in my. market right now, for $100. I saw a Schwinn Super Sport from the late 1980s yesterday, Shimano 600 components, Tenax frame, $50.......... Crankset alone is worth more than that.
I rarely buy new. My wife just got her first new car since 1978.... She had a lot of nice, used cars over the years.
A Chicago Paramount in most markets will cost about the same as the lowest priced LBS aluminum road bike new. And a Chicago Paramount is at a higher price than most nice steel vintage road bikes. A nice Schwinn Tempo is available in my. market right now, for $100. I saw a Schwinn Super Sport from the late 1980s yesterday, Shimano 600 components, Tenax frame, $50.......... Crankset alone is worth more than that.
I rarely buy new. My wife just got her first new car since 1978.... She had a lot of nice, used cars over the years.
Last edited by wrk101; 01-19-22 at 06:09 PM.
01-19-22, 09:48 AM
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Another thing not mentioned is that there are lots and lots of nearly zero mileage, lugged, steel frames out there with great workmanship, and unlike many things you can buy, an extremely low mileage steel frame is just as good the day it was new.
You've walked into a bar full of vintage bike addicts. Nowadays the price of a new lugged frame is not cheap. I have no idea what affordable means to you, but you'd be paying dimes on the dollar for the same quality if you go vintage. The "affordable" steel frames are TIG welded nowadays.
Answer @scarlson's 3 questions, let us know your size, and we'll gladly tell you how to spend your money!
You've walked into a bar full of vintage bike addicts. Nowadays the price of a new lugged frame is not cheap. I have no idea what affordable means to you, but you'd be paying dimes on the dollar for the same quality if you go vintage. The "affordable" steel frames are TIG welded nowadays.
Answer @scarlson's 3 questions, let us know your size, and we'll gladly tell you how to spend your money!
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
01-19-22, 12:54 PM
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Not much in the budget range. The cheapest recent production lugged frame I can recall is the Soma Stanyan and that was discontinued sometime around 2019. Maybe you could find a deadstock frame at one of their dealers somewhere. You could also keep an eye out for NOS or mint frames on ebay.
Other high end options:
Cinelli Supercorsa Supercorsa Frame Set - Cinelli USA (cinelli-usa.com)
Ciocc San Cristobal ||||||| ZAR International - ciöcc: san cristobal ||||||| (zarbikes.com)
Ciocc Replica ||||||| ZAR International - ciöcc: replica ||||||| (zarbikes.com)
Just to pile on the used bike dog pile, but you could even buy a top of the line frame with a ratty finish, have it repainted and you would still be less than the cost of an Arabesque. Powdercoat would be way way less than the cost of an Arabesque. It all keeps coming back to the question @Stand , why new?
Other high end options:
Cinelli Supercorsa Supercorsa Frame Set - Cinelli USA (cinelli-usa.com)
Ciocc San Cristobal ||||||| ZAR International - ciöcc: san cristobal ||||||| (zarbikes.com)
Ciocc Replica ||||||| ZAR International - ciöcc: replica ||||||| (zarbikes.com)
Just to pile on the used bike dog pile, but you could even buy a top of the line frame with a ratty finish, have it repainted and you would still be less than the cost of an Arabesque. Powdercoat would be way way less than the cost of an Arabesque. It all keeps coming back to the question @Stand , why new?
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01-19-22, 01:36 PM
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Check out this very recent thread for an example of an old frame being reborn with modern components. The OP didn't even start with an easy frame, given the claw derailleur hanger and obsolete sizes/dimensions, but it worked out really well (at least as appearances go, but likely functionally as well). https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...to-gravel.html
01-19-22, 02:09 PM
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I posted a nearly new old stock vintage bike recently on the Craigslist/Ebay thread that resides elsewhere. Depending on size, sometimes you can find new old stock frames.
Another to add to the modern lugged... Faggin
Another to add to the modern lugged... Faggin
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
01-19-22, 02:14 PM
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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01-19-22, 03:53 PM
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BikesDirct.com had some Motobecanes a while back. There were some Asian contract manufacturers making lugged steel frames. They can maybe be found on the www. Hunt around on alibaba.
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01-19-22, 04:08 PM
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WRK101
If there is a Tempo for $100 and a late 80s Super Sport for $50 you should be on your way
Even though I have about 6 to 8 bikes that I will be selling in the Spring, and have little room for more bikes......I would be on my way to buy BOTH of these bikes !!
Given the condition is good.
These are GREAT riding bikes....GREAT !!!!!!
Wish these were closer
.......in a way...glad they are not...the cellar is quite full ....BUT I would still buy them. !
If there is a Tempo for $100 and a late 80s Super Sport for $50 you should be on your way
Even though I have about 6 to 8 bikes that I will be selling in the Spring, and have little room for more bikes......I would be on my way to buy BOTH of these bikes !!
Given the condition is good.
These are GREAT riding bikes....GREAT !!!!!!
Wish these were closer
.......in a way...glad they are not...the cellar is quite full ....BUT I would still buy them. !
01-19-22, 04:21 PM
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Marinoni
Marinoni in Quebec lists an SL framest at $1400 CDN. This is the 2021 price from their website. Yes, this is a premium to a used framest from the same company.
01-19-22, 05:20 PM
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Here it is. Been on the market for about a month. 1987 Super Sport for $50 is sold.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...8-8b0292bd17e4
Last edited by wrk101; 01-19-22 at 05:31 PM.
01-19-22, 05:44 PM
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Another vote for the old lugged steel frame/modern components route. My frames range in date of manufacture between the mid-1960s and the early 1980s, and I have yet to encounter a threading standards issue. I've had the rear drop outs on most of them spread to 130mm (I like Campy 10sp triple drivetrains), but that is not a big deal. Some folks here do that themselves, but I prefer to let someone with the right tools and plenty of experience (I have neither) dot eh job.
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01-19-22, 06:16 PM
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I am still open to suggestions of course.
01-20-22, 10:46 AM
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Colnago. Modern steel lugged frame, not "affordable"-
Serotta. "Modern" steel lugged frame (just as good as the Colnago) and totally "affordable".
Get a used or NOS frameset would be my recommendation.
01-20-22, 11:15 AM
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