Cycling UK Forum

PH wrote:

The utility cyclist wrote:You could also buy a Reynolds 525 frameset for a lesser amount too, Steve Goff apparently still does a R531 ST frameset for the same price £350 http://www.steve-goff-frames.co.uk/frames.shtml

I followed the link, but alas when things look too good to be true they usually are. £350 frame only, + £100 for a fork.
Still not a bad price and I've liked the look of the couple I've seen, though they had a few extras and I don't know how much they cost.

The £100 was for a special fork, from reading the rest of the blurb I thought a fork is included it's a little ambiguous, probably worth a phone call though.
It was this bit in the 'touring' section that made me think the fork was included.

Touring frame specification
531 Super tourist tubing
Medium to heavy touring
The cost for a Classic frame includes the following:
cast bottom bracket
heavy duty semi-sloping fork crown
tack-on seat-stays (to provide clearance for wide tires and mudguards)
conical brake bridge
adjustable road ends with one or two eyes
531ST fork blades with generous fork rake
choice of lugs (long, short point, cut outs or fancy)
etc

bohrsatom wrote:
The TdF is the frame I was intending to buy, but I need an XL and they are now completely out of stock everywhere... very upsetting! I really wish I'd started this whole process earlier
The CdF has a 425mm chainstay, similar to the Cross Check, and I'll get heelstrike with my size 12s

Evans have the Tour de Fer in an XL and it's reduced to £339 and you can still get the 3% topcashback bonus too if you sign up to them.
https://www.evanscycles.com/genesis-tou ... ign=126026
And also here at £399 https://www.urbancyclery.co.uk/products ... 5-frameset

The utility cyclist wrote:

bohrsatom wrote:
The TdF is the frame I was intending to buy, but I need an XL and they are now completely out of stock everywhere... very upsetting! I really wish I'd started this whole process earlier
The CdF has a 425mm chainstay, similar to the Cross Check, and I'll get heelstrike with my size 12s

Evans have the Tour de Fer in an XL and it's reduced to £339 and you can still get the 3% topcashback bonus too if you sign up to them.
https://www.evanscycles.com/genesis-tou ... ign=126026
And also here at £399 https://www.urbancyclery.co.uk/products ... 5-frameset

Thanks for researching. Evans are definitely out of stock even if it says online that they do have them - my LBS tried to buy one from them and the order eventually got cancelled. I assume they didn't hold them in stock in their own warehouse but order from the distributor who is definitely all sold out. Will get in touch with Urban Cyclery but I'm not convinced their stock is accurate as they are listing the fully built TdF 20s in stock in all sizes and they have been unavailable for months

So after much deliberation I have narrowed my choice down to three bikes - the VSF Fahrrad Manufaktur T-500, a flat-bar Spa Steel Tourer and (outside choice) a discounted Specialized Sirrus (i.e. different model of the same bike I have now).

I am waiting for a full quote from Spa for a slightly modified spec on the Steel Tourer, and will be heading to Bikefix next week to check out the VSF bikes. Unfortunately I can't test ride either model before buying, and the geometry published by VSF is missing a load of measurements which is frustrating.

The Sirrus ticks a surprising number of boxes - it has a triple chainset, long chainstay, is lightweight and has rim brakes so I can reuse my handbuilt wheels which have been fantastic for loaded touring. It can carry 14kg on the back and 14kg on the front, although I have definitely exceeded the 14kg rear loading on my current bike without any issues. Plus it only costs £425 which is less than half of the Spa and almost 1/3 of the VSF. I have even had a test ride.

However the frame is aluminium and it uses lower quality components, mostly Altus/Acera. Over time I could upgrade to Deore (for £200-250) and if I decide to go for a more full-on touring bike in the future then I can just transfer the components across...

Thanks for all the recommendations and advice!

My Steel Tourer arrived yesterday and got its first outing this afternoon. First impressions are good, it's a comfortable ride, shifting is slick with a Deore drivetrain and it appears to be the right size for me (57cm). Just need to get the saddle angle correct!

That looks really nice, not dissimilar to the way I currently have my Hewitt set up, I'm a fan of the Ergon grips, have them on two bikes and they're the comfiest bars I've used.
On an aesthetic level, for me it has to be black or sliver components, mixing them always looks a bodge. I think your bike would look even better if the stem, bars and seatpost were in silver. None of which effects the ride of course, enjoy it.

PH wrote:On an aesthetic level, for me it has to be black or sliver components, mixing them always looks a bodge.

I was aiming for a silver and green combo but unfortunately a couple of components showed up in black. Not a big problem for me as I don't notice it whilst riding but will probably switch stuff out for silver later on

and black mudguards

bohrsatom wrote:

My Steel Tourer arrived yesterday and got its first outing this afternoon. First impressions are good, it's a comfortable ride, shifting is slick with a Deore drivetrain and it appears to be the right size for me (57cm). Just need to get the saddle angle correct!

Looks nice, but sorry, have I missed something - what is it?

Sweep wrote:Looks nice, but sorry, have I missed something - what is it?

It's a bicycle!

(sorry, I also may have missed something, but not sure why you are confused?)

yes, i realise it is a bicycle, bike, push bike.

Which one?

Sweep wrote:yes, i realise it is a bicycle, bike, push bike.

Which one?

Well, I wouldn't know, but it says Spa Cycles Touring on the frame

interesting how more bikes are going for the long steerer and seat pins?

There is a lot of steerer coming out those forks.
Good thing is a solid steel one, there will be a lot of flex otherwise

Gattonero wrote:There is a lot of steerer coming out those forks.
Good thing is a solid steel one, there will be a lot of flex otherwise

Flex, you mean if it were made of carbon fibre or aluminium, what makes you say that or do you have some evidence that suggest those materials are generally flexy for such?
From a personal POV I ride bikes with aluminium alloy and CF steerers and neither are flexy, far from it and not just slammed to the headtube. I'm no feeble 75kg rake either.

Whilst the bike looks nice, it's what twice the price of the Sirrus, possibly 2.5x, it also looks to be too small a frame given the extremely long steerer but each to their own requirements.
happy riding