[Ride-Fly]

That bike looks about as classy as that back yard...

Did you forget the smiley winky thingy? Otherwise, you are one harsh, mean, craggy old fart.

 

[Keski]

Slingshot Bikes........

 

[crossracer]

I think that alot of older steel bikes have been forgotten in the quest for Lightness. I now have two steel frames, one is 25 years old (refurbished) and the other is 5-6 years old and they ride fantastic. No they are not light, at 21 lbs for a 60 and 22lbs for a 62 cm frame they ride out of this world.

Alot of Kliens were really nice also, plus the paint of the nice ones was fantastic.

Bill

 

[laffeaux]

I think that alot of older steel bikes have been forgotten in the quest for Lightness. I now have two steel frames, one is 25 years old (refurbished) and the other is 5-6 years old and they ride fantastic. No they are not light, at 21 lbs for a 60 and 22lbs for a 62 cm frame they ride out of this world.

At that weight, it's not a heavy frame, it's the components that make it 21 to 22 pounds..

There are many nice steel frames out there that sell for a reasonable price. My 10 year old steel framed (Ritchey) bike came in at just under 17 pounds (58 cm). The frame cost me about $250 on eBay several years ago. I recently replaced it with a different steel frame (Carl Strong) that's only about 6 years old - it still weights about the same (lighter frame now, but slightly heavier and nicer riding fork).

If you want a steel frame, watch for used frames or bikes (that fit you) on eBay and you can find deals fairly often.

 

[paredown]

Japanese sourced Bianchis--especially the Professional. The true Italio-philes don't like them much, but they are well made Ishiwata tubed bikes.

RBR thread here

I've got one waiting for me, if I ever get back to my mom's to pick it up.

I think there are a lot of 80s steel frames out there that the wool jersey guys dismiss since they are not from the "classic era" that are good value for money--like my filet-brazed Simonetti. Tange tubing (early'90s), and classic Italian geometry, brazed by Mike Howard (ex-Masi), who Brian Baylis says is a good crafstman. Paid less than $200 and I like it a lot!

Before they were Simonetti they were Medici (mostly lugged), and I have seen several of these sell on the 'Bay for around $500

 

[Camilo]

The old steel Windsor frames from the 70s and such can be really nice and economical frames.

 

[Lotophage]

Older steel serottas can be seriously undervalued.

 

[kaliayev]

1999 Santana Stylus. Experimental limited single frame of Easton SC7000. Built here with pretty standard parts it comes in at 15.3 lbs.

 

[Dave Hickey]

I've ridden a Tange 2 tubed Shogun 800 since 2000, when I picked it up for $100. I think it's '88 or '89 by the components. There is nary a word about them online.

very nice......and in beautiful shape

 

[Nathan]

Surly pacer

 

[bent steel]

Rhygin Metax. Stainless frames before their time.

Glad to see someone beat me to it. I lusted after a Rhygin in the mid 90's and would still love one.

 

[Retro Grouch]

Yet another rare specimen:

BeYOND Be401 Beryllium MMC Road

 

[covenant]

Very subjective, but I'll play! I like the Cervelo Prodigy and Renaissance steel frames, and I'm not a steel guy. Clean, modern look with nice graphics IMO. The Prodigy was completely nickel plated, then painted, with the logos being the nickel peeking out. As aluminum was King and carbon was coming on strong circa 2000, they didn't sell well. I remember Supergo blowing them out for $300 or something, and thinking I should pick one up. I didn't.

I've always loved that frame. I remember the Supergo sale but they were sold out on my size. My LBS had one my size hanging from the ceiling around that same time but they wanted something like $700. So I passed. And have regretted it ever since. :cryin:

 

[seanharvey]

Not old by any means but definitely under appreciated...Leader Bike.

I picked up an LD-736r back around 05 and will have to say it's hands down one of the best frames I've been on...for 300 bucks, it's better than some higher end frames. Super stiff, fast and twitchy....a little weight on the inside drops and you're in and out of the corner in no time. And, it looks cool...at least I think it does.


http://www.leaderbikeusa.com/products/frames/frames.htm

 

[covenant]

Yeah, I have a 796R Leader (the full carbon frame) and love it. It's too bad Leader went all fixie/track.

 

[terbennett]

It depends how old.... Centurion Dave Scott Iron Man frames from the late 80's great bikes and usually underpriced....

A few years ago, Japanese frames were undervalued...high end Miyata, Panasonic, Bridgestone, etc...
Lately they started to really climb in value but they are still below similar Italian makes of the same vintage and quality..

+1..... Bought a Centurion Dave Scott Iron Man brand new with those crazy Gen 1 Dave Scott aerobars and Shimano PD7400 pedals. I saved up for a year (when I was in high school) to get that one after seeing a commercial on TV for it. Mine was the Expert Edition (pink and yellow color scheme... don't ask) that was fully Shimano 105 down to the BioPace cranks, brakes and hubs. There was a Masters model that was full Shimano 600. They had the high end Tange frameset and they were pleasure to ride. In fact, all of the other Japanese bikes I've owned (Bridgestone 400, Nishiki International, Nishiki Prestige and Univega Vivasport) were all great bikes that are definitely undervalued. The frame construction on those bikes were top notch and the ride was incredible.

 

[terbennett]

Does anyone remember Medici or Olmo?

 

[bigreen505]

I had a Sampson Silverton that I never should have sold. The bike did everything I asked of it.

 

[Steve B.]

Anything made by Gary Klein, in Washington

 

[prefect80]

Cycle design was on the verge or greatness...UCI....WHY?, WHY?

Money. Don't want to upset the traditional bike companies. These things were beautiful in my eyes and I enjoy classical geometry.

I am a firm beleiver in steel and beleive the carbon is one of the worst things to happen to cycling. Like big special effects in big budget movies, carbon became the fixture of making a good bicycle. Geometry and feel became a side product. Most carbon frames I have ridden are inferior to a top notch steel frame and cost several times more. On top of that, counter to the myth a good steel frame can be light. The best bike I have is a Colnago Tecnos that I picked up cheap in the early 2000s while everyone was jumping on the carbon bandwagon. I got the bike off of ebay with near mint dura ace for $1,145 US. I have picked up other bikes since but I also end up thinking "why am I riding this when I have a colnago in the garage?". I was in college when I got the bike. I sometime I wish I had a time machine so I could go back in buy a buttload of cheap quality steel frames. It saddens me that most people have no clue what a good steel frame is like. Quality steel is real.