New steel frame?

[anthonypedals]

Hi All,

After much agonising I have decided to build my own bike. I have got a very nice road bike but I want the pleasure of a self build. Basically I am after a light (ish) steel frame, unpainted that will take modern bits like the chain set, brakes etc. I have looked at commercial offers like Planet X but wondered if there was a small, reliable, quality producer that could help me out. I am not really looking, nor can I afford, the full handmade stuff and something relatively mass-produced is OK.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

Anthony

[djnotts]

Huge variation in prices here

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/175 ... road-bikes

most of which I assume available frameset only.

Shand look nice, but not cheap. Genesis probably the cheapest. Plus all the usual suspects e.g. Mercian. Not sure that the real top end are worth what you are paying for "the name".

[samsbike]

spa audax?

[anthonypedals]

Thanks for this. The Condor Fratello Disc (frameset) — £699 looks about my mark altho I may not want discs so will have to speak to them about that.

On the other hand perhaps I should get all contemporary.............

[CREPELLO]

Thanks for this. The Condor Fratello Disc (frameset) — £699 looks about my mark altho I may not want discs so will have to speak to them about that.

Condor still sell the DP brake Fratello framset.

On the other hand perhaps I should get all contemporary.............

Before spending the money, work out as to exactly what sort of bike you require, unless you forsee an infinite N+1 scenario developing . I know that it's not always easy, in which case err on the side of caution. There is a lot to read about road bikes with disc brakes, on this forum amongst other places. There are some good arguments for not going with discs on a road bike, unless it's something like an all weather commuter.

[PH]

I am not really looking, nor can I afford, the full handmade stuff .

Well you might not be looking, but stay away from the trendy end of the market and you you can have a custom bike for the Condor price, here's an example
http://www.steve-goff-frames.co.uk/index.shtml

[Samuel D]

Another example would be Lee Cooper. Can’t you even get a Bob Jackson for that sort of money?

[pete75]

Bob Jackson Audax and touring frames cost between £560 AND £650


http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/default.php?cPath=28

[landsurfer]

I have a beautiful Raleigh 531c frame for sale to a good home. Sloping crown forks and a complete restoration to as new standard by Mercian of Derby.
Never ridden since restoration, finished in Holdsworth orange with black outline "Raleigh" transfers under laquer.
24", fitted with new Stronglight headset bearings and square taper bottom bracket.
I will not use it to be honest, my daily ride is a Btwin 500 and I have a lovely alloy framed Trek for best.
Pm or just post for some pics ... it really is stunning, full build components are available with it.

[rmurphy195]

Thanks for this. The Condor Fratello Disc (frameset) — £699 looks about my mark altho I may not want discs so will have to speak to them about that.

On the other hand perhaps I should get all contemporary.............

I was going to suggest Condor untilI properly read your post - then found that you are looking in that price range anyway. There should be a non-disc version of the Fratello available - try https://www.condorcycles.com/collection ... o-frameset

As others have said, Spa cycles do have some framesets on their web site http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s143p0

PS I've seen a deep purple Fratello part-built in my LBS - its a smashing looking bike! And they do custom colours, which suggests they may have unpainted frames, unless they are painted at the factory - you can but ask

[djnotts]

If you want something different (and don't mind 2nd hand and it fits!), this looks likely to be a bargain even if you simply sell on all but the frame and forks.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272241093386? ... EBIDX%3AIT

And no it isn't mine (and thankfully too big for me).

[anthonypedals]

Thanks to all those who have responded. I have now spent most of the weekend going in circles because I realised that I want the fun of building a bike but do not want to spend huge amounts of money - but then I fall in love with some of the frames that people above have mentioned and want to put the best kit on them.

So.

I must be disciplined and find an inexpensive frame to kit out as a winter bike. Then I get the pleasure of the build, have something to ride in the winter that is not my best bike and don't end up bankrupt. It was only possible to get to this point because of those who replied. Thanks.

Cheers

Anthony

[djnotts]

With a little patience, ebay is your friend. A completely unused/never built Spa Audax frame and forks went for 122 quid yesterday!

[anthonypedals]

With a little patience, ebay is your friend. A completely unused/never built Spa Audax frame and forks went for 122 quid yesterday!

That would have done...............

best eye keep an eye open!

[53x13]

You can find some excellent Reynolds 853 frames on eBay, mostly by well respected builders for <£300. Personally I don't rate the Genesis frames, but other people might think them okay. Ones to look out for are Mercian, Lemond, Steve Goff, Dave Marsh, Brian Rourke, Thorn, Dave Lloyd and Raleigh. If you can find a second hand Lemond 853, jump on it. Not only are they extremely well made, they're the only frame builders (I know of at any rate) who used the full 853 tubeset (the most expensive option).

Mostly these frames were built with heavier 708 rear triangles or chain stays which puts about 3/4lb on the weight of the frame.

A very excellent Steve Goff 853 (one of my favorite frame builders) bang on the money at £300.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... 0&_sacat=0