[brad nicholson]

Anyone riding a newer steel frame outthere like the lemond? i'm curious to know what the thoughts are i am loooking at buying one. i know khs used to have a sub 20 pound steel bike, any others out there that are in the realm of affordability? thanks.

 

[collectorvelo]

i think

i think you can find sub 20 lb steel bikes - if you go ultegra or better

and the best place to look is probably ebay
normally lots of selection there
both new and used

 

[twrecks]

I ride a '03 Specialized Allez cro-mo, not sure of the weight but it's not too heavy. Rides great. Beautiful blue/white paint job. Ran around $1800 new. I see them on ebay occasionally.

 

[mprevost]

Check out the..

Salsa La Raza. Beautiful frame. You might also look at a Gunnar or a custom Curtlo.

Mike

 

[slide]

Lemonds are great bikes, my brother and father both ride one and I used to ride one. Awesome steel bikes for price, you just can't beat them IMO. I currently ride a Gunnar Roadie that I absolutely love. The fit is just perfect for me and the ride is wondefull. It's a sub 19lb steel bike too which I really like. They aren't too expensive either, though not quite the killer deal that the Lemonds are.

 

[tubafreak]

I'm riding an '04 Bianchi Imola right now. It's just under 20 lbs (w/o full water bottles) and it's a buttery-smooth steel bike with 105 components. I got it from a friend of mine for $800 but they retail for ~$1500 and I've been nothing but elated with it.

 

[SDizzle]

Anyone riding a newer steel frame outthere like the lemond? i'm curious to know what the thoughts are i am loooking at buying one. i know khs used to have a sub 20 pound steel bike, any others out there that are in the realm of affordability? thanks.

If you're going steel, go custom. I've got a nice, super-OS lugged steel frame in the works, and I anticipate it to be lighter than my current Ti frame. ...But it's going to have a matching steel fork, and that's going to throw things off for sure.

To answer your question, you can't really go wrong with any of the new steels. Steel is getting much, much better, and very light, depending on how much you want to spend. Life, S3, etc, will all go a long way to building a 3.2-3.6 lb frame, depending on your size, maybe even lighter. Good luck - S.

 

[DaveG]

under 20lbs

Anyone riding a newer steel frame outthere like the lemond? i'm curious to know what the thoughts are i am loooking at buying one. i know khs used to have a sub 20 pound steel bike, any others out there that are in the realm of affordability? thanks.

I don't think its too hard to get under 20 lbs if you are in the smaller sizes even without going to super-hi-end steel or going stupid-light on the componnets

 

[steel515]

If you're going steel, go custom. I've got a nice, super-OS lugged steel frame in the works, and I anticipate it to be lighter than my current Ti frame. ...But it's going to have a matching steel fork, and that's going to throw things off for sure.

To answer your question, you can't really go wrong with any of the new steels. Steel is getting much, much better, and very light, depending on how much you want to spend. Life, S3, etc, will all go a long way to building a 3.2-3.6 lb frame, depending on your size, maybe even lighter. Good luck - S.

You have a titanium (light) frame and you chose steel? What are the benefits over titanium?

 

[HeronTodd]

I don't think its too hard to get under 20 lbs if you are in the smaller sizes even without going to super-hi-end steel or going stupid-light on the componnets

As an exercise, I built up a Heron Road with fairly normal parts (nothing I would call stupid-light) to see how light I could go. It was just over 17 pounds with pedals. This is a lugged, steel frame with fairly stout tubing. No trick lightweight tubes or anything. It did, however, have a carbon fork rather than the stock steel fork.

Look at it this way, if the pros ride 15-pound bikes that have 2-pound frames, you can put the same parts on a 4-pound steel frame and get a 17-pound bike.

 

[MR_GRUMPY]

But, for a 180 pound rider, those two pounds will make you so much faster..............
(I know some people who actually believe that)
.
If I have nice light "race wheels" on, I'll take a 20 pound steel bike over a 15 pound "wonder bike", anyday.

 

[MShaw]

Put some Ritchey wheels on my Crosshairs and rode it in to work today.

The S-Works is about to go up for sale...

The Crosshairs is not quite as light (with XTR) as the S-Works, but except for a different feel standing and sprinting, it rides VERY nicely. I may go to 42cm bars (from 44) and D/A shifters (from Ultegra) but that's about it. I'm gonna go to a 50t ring (from 44-46t) for the racing I'm hoping to be doing before 'cross season starts.

I really like the way a good steel bike rides. Nothing quite like it.

M

 

[Spinfinity]

Yup, me too. I

There is probably no basis in physics, but I find riding an ultra-light bike feels a lot like trying to throw a ping-pong ball a long distance. I can get the bike up to speed quickly and easily, but just don't feel like I can keep it there.

 

[JWRB]

I'm a bit partial to the Salsa La Raza, built up it is under 20lbs now.

 

[brad nicholson]

i can't tell what you have it built with. what gruppo/parts are you using? swee looking ride. i am leaning heavily towards this frame.

 

[JWRB]

Full ultegra build kit (pulled off a Leader frame)
Velomax Circuit Wheels
Gommitalia Calypso K tires
Bontrager Handlebars
Salsa CroMo stem
Leader carbon seatpost (soon to be replaced)
Specialized Avatar Saddle (replaced with Selle Italia Flite)

 

[JWRB]

Looked at your profile and I see you also ride a Jamis Nova CX bike as a commuter. If you like the ride of the 631 then you will love the OX Platinum. Here is my Nova turned commuter...

 

[brad nicholson]

sounds sweet. hopefully i'll pick a frame up in the next few weeks.

 

[brad nicholson]

i really liked the jamis. i just sold it via ebay. it was a great commuter and a good tourer. i bought a trek 520 because i wanted a more dedicated touring bike.

 

[4ster]

Serotta Fierte Steel

Here's another option that is built less than 20 lbs. Rides super smooth! I believe the current frames are going for a little over $1,000.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=59489