Looking for new Touring/Commuter steel frame
03-07-23, 03:16 PM
#1
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Looking for new Touring/Commuter steel frame
Heya,
my commuter has finally given up (some cheapo aluminium frame) and I am on the lookout for a new vintage/used steel frame, hoping you lot can help me out.
My (somewhat) must haves:
My budget for a frame would be ~200-300 USD/EUR since it's gonna be a beater, and i don't want to worry too much about scratches or theft.
What bike frames/brands would i be looking for?
Thanks!
my commuter has finally given up (some cheapo aluminium frame) and I am on the lookout for a new vintage/used steel frame, hoping you lot can help me out.
My (somewhat) must haves:
- 130 mm rear/100 mm front spacing (126 rear would be doable)
- brazed on RD-hanger (I specify this, because I've come across quite a few bikes which have those axle-bolt on RDs or need an RD adapter)
- eyelets for rear rack & mudgards (front & rear)
- lugged frame and fork (brazed frame would be ok, but I don't want a unicrown fork)
- tire clearance for 700Cx30mm (i can make 28 mm work..but don't want to)
- bottle mounts
- braze on's for centerpulls (mafac racer, etc..)
- eyelets for a front rack
- vertical rear drop-out
- threadless headset
My budget for a frame would be ~200-300 USD/EUR since it's gonna be a beater, and i don't want to worry too much about scratches or theft.
What bike frames/brands would i be looking for?
Thanks!
03-07-23, 03:23 PM
#2
Lost
If you look for a bike that was spec'd for 27' wheels, you can use mid reach brakes and 700c wheels and obtain gobs of clearance. This is an old Ishiwata tubed trek that I got for a song complete, stripped it and bebuilt around 700c wheels and mid reach brakes. Clears a 35mm tire.
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03-07-23, 03:23 PM
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Dang man, it's like you went into a Chinese restaurant and asked for the lasagna
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03-07-23, 03:42 PM
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Well you have not specified any size requirements so it has me wondering. If 55-56cm would work, I have a Pinarello repaint here that is priced at $300 color is a silver metalic. Pics were in the for sale thread about six months ago. If interested send me a PM. Smiles, MH
03-07-23, 03:48 PM
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Well you have not specified any size requirements so it has me wondering. If 55-56cm would work, I have a Pinarello repaint here that is priced at $300 color is a silver metalic. Pics were in the for sale thread about six months ago. If interested send me a PM. Smiles, MH
Nice offer, but I am located in Europe, so I am afraid shipping cost would be a rough affair.
03-07-23, 05:04 PM
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You might want to post a few bikes available locally with prices to get some feedback. It's hard to talk about which bike you might look for since we don't live in your country and have little idea of what might be available until we do. Also you have a long check list for your commuter and you may want to simplify it.
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03-07-23, 05:38 PM
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New
Lugged Steel
100-200 Euros, not sourced in the US.
You're dreaming.
Lugged Steel
100-200 Euros, not sourced in the US.
You're dreaming.
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03-07-23, 06:03 PM
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03-07-23, 06:05 PM
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03-07-23, 08:38 PM
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When I want to make myself feel bad, I pull up leboncoin.fr (French Craigslist) and look at all the great old randonneur/touring bikes that Gitane, Peugeot, et al never bothered importing to the US.
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03-08-23, 11:37 AM
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You might want to post a few bikes available locally with prices to get some feedback. It's hard to talk about which bike you might look for since we don't live in your country and have little idea of what might be available until we do. Also you have a long check list for your commuter and you may want to simplify it.
Peugot with Shimano 600 (apparently) on offer for 250 €
Random bike: Asking price 25 €
Commuter Puch (Austro-Daimler) for 50 €
Not necessarily any bikes I would consider, but this maybe gives you an idea about the used market.
Puch (Austro-Daimler), Peugots and the like are widespread. I am not terribly familiar with frame brands, so that's where I was hoping you guys could be helpful.
Not really wanna simplify any further. I don't do single speed/fixed gear - too hilly - and i want some range for carrying groceries. And i don't see my requirements not to be that complicated. I didn't want hydraulic disc brakes or thru axles
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03-08-23, 11:57 AM
#13
Pedal to the medal
Centurion Pro Tour!
one my phone so please excuse any typos.
based on your criteria, i highly recommend early centurion pro tours. i have a late 70’s model and very comfortable yet responsive for commuting. i recommend this make/ model specifically as it had vertical dropouts and brazed on centerpull mounts. the rear spacing will be less than what you’re seeking but that’s easily corrected. If you find one stock, the OEM parts are top notch, suntour cyclone and sugino compact cranks. they’re also fully chromed under the paint.
based on your criteria, i highly recommend early centurion pro tours. i have a late 70’s model and very comfortable yet responsive for commuting. i recommend this make/ model specifically as it had vertical dropouts and brazed on centerpull mounts. the rear spacing will be less than what you’re seeking but that’s easily corrected. If you find one stock, the OEM parts are top notch, suntour cyclone and sugino compact cranks. they’re also fully chromed under the paint.
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03-08-23, 12:05 PM
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one my phone so please excuse any typos.
based on your criteria, i highly recommend early centurion pro tours. i have a late 70’s model and very comfortable yet responsive for commuting. i recommend this make/ model specifically as it had vertical dropouts and brazed on centerpull mounts. the rear spacing will be less than what you’re seeking but that’s easily corrected. If you find one stock, the OEM parts are top notch, suntour cyclone and sugino compact cranks. they’re also fully chromed under the paint.
based on your criteria, i highly recommend early centurion pro tours. i have a late 70’s model and very comfortable yet responsive for commuting. i recommend this make/ model specifically as it had vertical dropouts and brazed on centerpull mounts. the rear spacing will be less than what you’re seeking but that’s easily corrected. If you find one stock, the OEM parts are top notch, suntour cyclone and sugino compact cranks. they’re also fully chromed under the paint.
03-08-23, 12:12 PM
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Used, vintage mountain bikes that have a rigid fork tend to be the best deal around for a commuter. They are sturdy bikes. That said, they are typically not lugged and do have unicrown forks which apparently is a deal breaker for the OP. Otherwise an older lugged road bike that has eyelets should work nicely but they will typically be set at 126 OLD which may be a deal breaker.
The Peugeot is low end and over priced. I'd keep looking.
The Peugeot is low end and over priced. I'd keep looking.
03-08-23, 12:23 PM
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If you were in the US, I would advise looking for mid-80's Japanese, like Miyata or Univega. Wouldn't Miyata have had a strong presence in Europe in the 80's?
None of the bikes you posted above look like they would meet your stated needs without headaches. The first one has no derailleur hanger, the second one is a 26" wheel bike, the third has outdated Austrian standards you'd have to contend with.
None of the bikes you posted above look like they would meet your stated needs without headaches. The first one has no derailleur hanger, the second one is a 26" wheel bike, the third has outdated Austrian standards you'd have to contend with.
03-08-23, 01:07 PM
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Bianchi Volpe - or similar. I'm thinking the 1980's would be the timeframe that would be most fruitful for all the requirements presented. Earlier, and the dropouts won't be wide enough and less likely to have bottle bosses. Later, and less likely to have lugs.
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03-08-23, 05:34 PM
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What I got was the best burger I'd had up to that point and up to now. Big patty, gobs of bacon, american cheese. A burger to die for.
Lasagna indeed.
Last edited by Schweinhund; 03-08-23 at 05:38 PM.
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03-08-23, 09:53 PM
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Motobecane.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/sports_hobbies/2091368570.htm
“Nice to haves” need to be added later as those thing are rare or modern.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/sports_hobbies/2091368570.htm
“Nice to haves” need to be added later as those thing are rare or modern.
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03-08-23, 10:55 PM
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You could not go wrong with a koga-miyata if you can find one in size and price range
Maybe non-fixie has some ideas,
Maybe non-fixie has some ideas,
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(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)
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03-09-23, 12:24 AM
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Yea, i was considering a koga-miyata, or motobecane. they would be right up my alley, but none in my price-range/size. The leboncoin offering looks very good thought.
03-09-23, 02:15 AM
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If you look for a bike that was spec'd for 27' wheels, you can use mid reach brakes and 700c wheels and obtain gobs of clearance. This is an old Ishiwata tubed trek that I got for a song complete, stripped it and bebuilt around 700c wheels and mid reach brakes. Clears a 35mm tire.
03-09-23, 04:57 PM
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Motobecane.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/sports_hobbies/2091368570.htm
“Nice to haves” need to be added later as those thing are rare or modern.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/sports_hobbies/2091368570.htm
“Nice to haves” need to be added later as those thing are rare or modern.
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03-09-23, 05:26 PM
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What are you saying, that he won't be able to find what he's looking for? I don't know if that's true - I bet there will be a lot of good recommendations. There's a lot of bikes that would probably make him very happy.
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03-09-23, 05:36 PM
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Would a Trek Multitrack work for you? I have a 750 (with drop bars) and it seems to tick most of your boxes. The 750 and 790 are hard to come by, but the 700 and 730 are cheap and plentiful, here. I don't know how well they fit fenders though.
Is it fair to assume you want 130mm and 700c, so that you can reuse your existing wheels? If not, why are you limiting yourself to those size dropouts and wheels?
How much in a hurry are you? What do you mean that your current bike has "given up"? Asking because if you can take your time and look at your saved searches every day, something you're looking for WILL come up. It's just a matter of time and patience, vs. whether you need a new bike in a hurry.
There are a lot of bikes that could potentially work well for you. Just start looking online at the bikes available in your area. Something will catch your eye. You're going to be happy with steel.
Is it fair to assume you want 130mm and 700c, so that you can reuse your existing wheels? If not, why are you limiting yourself to those size dropouts and wheels?
How much in a hurry are you? What do you mean that your current bike has "given up"? Asking because if you can take your time and look at your saved searches every day, something you're looking for WILL come up. It's just a matter of time and patience, vs. whether you need a new bike in a hurry.
There are a lot of bikes that could potentially work well for you. Just start looking online at the bikes available in your area. Something will catch your eye. You're going to be happy with steel.
Last edited by Jeff Neese; 03-09-23 at 05:49 PM.