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More really bad advice needed!

(29 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by Smudge
  • Latest reply from Smudge
  • This topic is resolved

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  1. Smudge
    Member

    Ok, I blame Uberuce ( ;-) ) but here goes...

    I have an old Giant OCR which has been upgraded with bling wheels, 105 groupset etc etc, it remains however a bottom of the range frame and it's quite harsh. For what I do with it (the odd audax and longish distance pleasure rides) a couple of grammes saved using alloy doesn't justify the reduced comfort of a stiff alloy.

    Now I've been looking lustfully at steel frames, particularly at the Surly Pacer and the Genesis Equilibrium. They are similar(ish) money, the Genesis probably slightly more bling.
    Unfortunately the Genesis as a frameset is only available in 70's orange, sorry, "copper" and I think 1, it would look ugly with black componentry and 2, it's a fashionable colour not a stylish colour (ie. I think it's getting dated already and it's only just been released!)
    The Genesis however has actual Reynolds tubes as opposed to "4130 steel", (does this matter on a framest built in Tiawan?)

    Hmmm, help! Which frameset, or is there a better option?!? :-s

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. DaveC
    Member

    You could go for the budget Carbon from Planet Ox?

    Or Cotic does a Cyclocross frame and forks. This would allow disks in the future is you so desired? Its steel.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Instography
    Member

    What's the balance between longish distance pleasure rides and audax? If the main use is longish distance pleasure rides with only the odd audax, maybe a Long Haul Trucker would be a good option for long distance pleasure. I find mine exceptionally comfortable but still capable of a bit of speed if that's what I decide it's doing today.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Uberuce
    Member

    *whispers* Smudge has got one already.

    I couldn't find anything that competed with the Equilibrium on price. The next bikes with the steel and looks that matched were the Soma and Dawes Audax frames, which were a coupla hundred quid dearer.

    If my black bike was actually mine, I'd give you first refusal since it's going to be mothballed soon. Nothing fancy about 501 steel at all, but it'd be free, so...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. steveo
    Member

    Just what is your budget, I'm quite sure we can spend it between us...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. Smudge
    Member

    @Insto, my LHT is built for all terrain utility (26" wheels and full luggage) and I reckon it's about 3 to 5mph slower than my Giant, I'd like to keep the speed of the roadbike but add a little comfort (and looks!)

    @Steveo, up to about 400, but don't tell Mrs Smudge or I'll have to hunt you down after I get out of hospital ;-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. sallyhinch
    Member

    if it's just steel (and looks) you want, why not go for a vintage bike? 80s/90s frames are often Reynolds AND lugged and steel lasts practically forever so there are a fair few around.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. Smudge
    Member

    @Sallyhinch difficulty is finding a good quality frame which will both fit me and accept modern components (My intent is to swap the whole 105 groupset onto a new frame)
    There are far far too many bog standard frames currently way overpriced as "ideal for fixie conversion" from what I've seen looking round recently :-(

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Instography
    Member

    Oh, if you've already got one ...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. Instography
    Member

    Planet X Kaffenback at £139

    Planet X Uncle John at £175

    plus forks.

    EDIT: except Uncle John is aluminium.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. Smudge
    Member

    @insto, the lht is for watching the scenery drift by, this is the need for (relative) speed ;-)
    Will have to have a look at the kaffenbacks...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. steveo
    Member

    Although you did specify stylish.... :)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. Smudge
    Member

    Lol, true, true!

    Kaff needs cantis or disc so is probably out :-/

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. Nelly
    Member

    Smudge, cant disagree about that colour - its bogging.

    I searched for 3 months to get a 2011 Day01 SS in Scuba Yellow, as the current colour is Cherry Red - yuk.

    £200 off as well, as it is 'so last year'.

    If you have your heart set on something, give yourself a couple of months - you never know what turns up.

    p.s. Uberuce - just caught up with your thread - CdF now as well? Soooooooo jealous!!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. crowriver
    Member

    Thorn Audax frame and forks is £499 (Thorn 858 double butted seamless cro-mo). They sometimes have ex-demo ones for less. They also come up occasionally on fleaBay with light use. Or try the YACF or CTC forums classifieds sections.

    Dawes Audax frameset (631, carbon forks) about £100 more: take your pick.

    If you fancy pushing the boat out, Spa Cycles do a titanium Audax frame with carbon forks for £850.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. Instography
    Member

    That Thorn looks lovely.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. Uberuce
    Member

    Half the reason I put gears on black fruity was that it had turned out to be suboptimal for fixed gear conversion. It did turn out to be ideal for throwing an 8-speed on and having something to tide me over.

    Stop tempting the man with frames that are onnnnly £100 over budget, you cruel cruel people.

    Nelly: had a shot on the DayOne Disc as a size-test for the Croix. Wee blue floofy in drops rides pretty darn nicely, which isn't a shock, but those BB-7 anchors make me jealous. Well, made me jealous, until I ordered the Croix.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. Smudge
    Member

    The Thorn is indeed lovely, but really it's a light tourer whereas I'm more looking for a comfy road bike, steel frame road bike which will take mudguards if you will :-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  19. Uberuce
    Member

    I assume you've been trawling for last year's handsome red Equilibrium frames?

    If that was a bust, get the copper and promise yourself you'll only look at it wearing coloured shades.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. Smudge
    Member

    Yup I'd been looking at the shiny red then when I made enquiries found it's not available and only the copper seems available now (unless you buy a complete bike of course :-< grrr )
    As I don't have any flared lycra I wont be buying BL bronze and it would seem perverse to buy a new frame to then immediately respray it!

    So far the Pacer is looking closest to what I want :-/

    Posted 12 years ago #

  21. crowriver
    Member

    How's the Pacer for mudguard/less than skinny tyre clearance?

    Such a blurry line between 'light tourer' and 'steel framed road bike'.....seems to be mostly about clearances and braze-ons.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  22. Smudge
    Member

    @Crowriver, yup, putting bicycles or people into categories is fraught with danger, convenient shorthand though it sometimes is!
    (Is my LHT an mtb, a tourer, a utility bike? It has 26" mtb wheels and mtb transmission, but then it has schwalbe marathons and drop bars, but otoh it has full racks and mudguards, bell, horn light etc for utility...)

    I believe the pacer is ok for mudguards and moderate tyre widths, though shouldn't be a problem as it's 23's I've got :-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  23. Smudge
    Member

    uh-oh.... just realised that an off the shelf Bob Jackson frame is not very much more at all.... :-o

    http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=45

    Posted 12 years ago #

  24. crowriver
    Member

    Yes, that's nice.

    Maximum clearance for 25c plus guards though. You're not planning on doing a 600k I hope... ;-)

    Some surprisingly good deals on hand-built Dave Yates frames. Out of your budget range perhaps, but they look the business.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  25. Smudge
    Member

    I have Brooks ;-)
    (and no, I'm not planning a 600! :-))

    Posted 12 years ago #

  26. Smudge
    Member

    Hmm, getting dangerously close to phoning Mr Jackson :-s

    Probably for one in Royal Blue with white detailing, maybe with white headtube + downtube to brighten things up a little..

    Any opinions from the resident artist(s)? B-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  27. crowriver
    Member

    You a Rangers fan then? Or maybe Dundee/Falkirk (though the blue would need to be a dark navy).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  28. Smudge
    Member

    No I'm afraid to say I have less than no interest in commercial soccer ;-) I was brought up to follow the oval ball. Much more civilised and less overhyped!
    Just thought blue/white might look good, though with a black groupset and wheels I'm a little concerned it might look a bit too sombre :-s

    Posted 12 years ago #

  29. Smudge
    Member

    Ok, after much hand wringing and searching, I can't justify the purchase :-(
    That said, some carbon forks (which I have sat in the garage) might soften the ride a bit, and the Giant fits me, so I am now on the lookout for a cheapish slightly better spec (mine has the skinny headtube :-( ) Giant OCR frame in size small (or TCR/Defy or similar I guess)

    Posted 12 years ago #

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