Looking for a light production steel road bike for friend
10-31-22, 05:45 AM
#26
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Colnago Master, Colnago Arabesque. Marinoni Piuma and Piuma SL, Basso Viper, Standert Kreissage…those can be had off-the-shelf.
10-31-22, 06:31 AM
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10-31-22, 07:24 AM
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520, not 853. I am not a metallurgist.
But these might be worth a look on the used market. If somebody is selling one, go over, test ride, see what it weighs
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...emio_elite.htm
Plus others on BD
But these might be worth a look on the used market. If somebody is selling one, go over, test ride, see what it weighs
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...emio_elite.htm
Plus others on BD
10-31-22, 07:35 AM
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https://www.rodbikes.com/profiles/pr...php?tag=single
10-31-22, 09:27 AM
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You should throw in the steel road bike or frameset offerings (Liege 75, Corsa, Strada) from Eddy Merckx for consideration. The only problem is trying to find them domestically since they were produced a couple years ago. About two months ago, I found and bought my EM Strada 853 frameset from a shop in the UK.
The only carbon pieces on this build are the fork and 3T Superleggera handlebar. The bidon itself with everything I need for any road emergency repairs already weights about 1.2 lbs. Otherwise, the build as pictured, weights in at 19.4 lbs.
The only carbon pieces on this build are the fork and 3T Superleggera handlebar. The bidon itself with everything I need for any road emergency repairs already weights about 1.2 lbs. Otherwise, the build as pictured, weights in at 19.4 lbs.
10-31-22, 09:37 AM
#31
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10-31-22, 10:04 AM
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10-31-22, 10:22 AM
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The OP said: "Friend not in a position to get a custom made frame. Trying to find something that would be as light as an 853 frame in a production bike. It this even a thing anymore?"
To the OP, what is your price point? Even a Ritchey is ~$1700 for the frame. And given the limited stock for most frames, you might be better off just going custom for the time it would take you to get a bike.
To the OP, what is your price point? Even a Ritchey is ~$1700 for the frame. And given the limited stock for most frames, you might be better off just going custom for the time it would take you to get a bike.
Last edited by vespasianus; 10-31-22 at 10:37 AM.
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10-31-22, 12:06 PM
#34
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Don't buy a Niner if you want lightweight. That's an oxymoron.
Ritchey road frame has been mentioned and its a good option as its one of the only production steel road frames to still use a smaller head tube and a 1 1/8 steerer. This makes the bike lighter in weight and feel.
A Fairlight Strael 3.0 is what I would buy if I were getting a new frame right now. I have a Fairlight Secan for my gravel frame and that brand is incredible when it comes to details and design thought.
All City Zigzag is cool. Not the lightest, from what I've read, but always cool paint.
New production frames need to pass resting which inherently makes the frames heavier than what is ideal. Custom frames don't go thru the testing and weight noticeably less since they don't need to comply with the testing certification.
Again, don't go Niner. It's 853, but heavy 853 due to design/intended use.
Ritchey road frame has been mentioned and its a good option as its one of the only production steel road frames to still use a smaller head tube and a 1 1/8 steerer. This makes the bike lighter in weight and feel.
A Fairlight Strael 3.0 is what I would buy if I were getting a new frame right now. I have a Fairlight Secan for my gravel frame and that brand is incredible when it comes to details and design thought.
All City Zigzag is cool. Not the lightest, from what I've read, but always cool paint.
New production frames need to pass resting which inherently makes the frames heavier than what is ideal. Custom frames don't go thru the testing and weight noticeably less since they don't need to comply with the testing certification.
Again, don't go Niner. It's 853, but heavy 853 due to design/intended use.
Last edited by amazinmets73; 11-01-22 at 08:04 AM.
10-31-22, 01:09 PM
#36
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If Mike still sold the Black Mountain Road frame I would agree. Slap a 1 1/8 carbon fork on it and you could easily get a bike under 20#. Keep the steel fork and itd be 19-21# depending on wheels and group.
...but he stopped that model a couple years ago. Also, the Road+ Disc frame doesnt exist anymore. Come April 2023, he hopes to have a new frame called Mod Zero to sell. It replaces the Road+ and MCD by combining them into a single offering.
Its a small brand so I understand the limited volume of model offerings, but man I wish he had a wider selection. As one with an older Monstercross frame that has been built up 3 different ways thru the years, he designs some really solid and versatile frames.
...but he stopped that model a couple years ago. Also, the Road+ Disc frame doesnt exist anymore. Come April 2023, he hopes to have a new frame called Mod Zero to sell. It replaces the Road+ and MCD by combining them into a single offering.
Its a small brand so I understand the limited volume of model offerings, but man I wish he had a wider selection. As one with an older Monstercross frame that has been built up 3 different ways thru the years, he designs some really solid and versatile frames.
10-31-22, 02:32 PM
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Is there a frame building class at a local college where one could be built? Might be fun.
10-31-22, 02:50 PM
#38
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Does the frame have to be new? If not what size are we looking for?
Wraith Frabrications made some good bikes that had some racing success before the person started doing something else.
Wraith Frabrications made some good bikes that had some racing success before the person started doing something else.
10-31-22, 11:52 PM
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one option for a great affordable steel frame :
early 90's Schwinn Paramount - lugged steel
Tange Prestige tubing - investment cast lugs - silver brazed
complete bike for $400 in Portland Craigslist :
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/...536828092.html
.
early 90's Schwinn Paramount - lugged steel
Tange Prestige tubing - investment cast lugs - silver brazed
complete bike for $400 in Portland Craigslist :
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/...536828092.html
.
11-01-22, 12:21 AM
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I have an 85 Centurion Prestige. Under 20lbs with no modifications. Start replacing some of the components with carbon on a used bike like that and you can get it on down there.
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11-01-22, 01:49 AM
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Up in Bellingham (WA), there's a pre-owned Niner RLT 53cm for sale, with Reynolds 853 steel frame, Ultegra Di2 Hydro, Niner carbon fork.
https://bellingham.craigslist.org/bi...539560193.html
11-02-22, 02:56 PM
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I don't think Surly was mentioned yet. They offer a model or two that could work if your friend would consider a (gravel) road bike, and if your definition of "light" is pretty loose. They are more budget friendly than a lot of the other suggestions.
11-02-22, 08:03 PM
#43
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520, not 853. I am not a metallurgist.
But these might be worth a look on the used market. If somebody is selling one, go over, test ride, see what it weighs
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...emio_elite.htm
Plus others on BD
But these might be worth a look on the used market. If somebody is selling one, go over, test ride, see what it weighs
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...emio_elite.htm
Plus others on BD
11-02-22, 11:33 PM
#45
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520 is also identical to 525, only it's made in Taiwan instead of England.
And Reynolds declares it to be similar to 531 within their lineup.
https://www.reynoldstechnology.biz/m...s/steel/s-525/
Keep in mind that 853 can be light or it can be a tank. My gravel frame uses 853 and the downtube is a DZB tube that's 1.1/.9/.6/.9 for its profile. The thing is a tank, and it's common on steel production gravel frames because they have to pass an absurd fatigue rest.
Meanwhile, look at this tubing spec sheet for details on 525(which is 520). You can see how there are multiple butting profiles for the tubes. It's worthless to say "520 is heavy" or "520 is low end" when the tubing comes in .8/.6/.8 down to .7/.4/.7 main tubes and has seat stats that are .9 down to .6 since those tubes will all give bikes totally different feels when used.
https://www.torchandfile.com/assets/...IST%202018.pdf
A .8/.6/.8 tube of 520 is no heavier than the same tube in 631 or 853 with that butting profile.
