Steel Frame Mtb

[Ade Sundog]

Hello there evryone.

I am thinking/dreaming of getting a quality steel frame Mtb, when/if i ever get regular work again, and i wonder if anyone can suggest any?
The only ones i know are Surly ( but i don't fancy the rear facing drop outs) , or De Kerf (mega expensive).

Something to dream about during the long Winter nights

Thanx

Ade

[Joe.B]

You could add Thorn to the two brands already surgested. You could also look for an old (yet good) mountain bike on ebay and then have the frame blasted & sprayed before building a bike to your own spec. Think of the countless hours of fun the shed over the winter.

[iandriver]

Orange P7 and R8, are pretty classic. Kona Explosif. One one inbred (cheaper).

[peterbayliss]

Not used either but On-One make a few steel frames including the Inbred Swap-Out Frame and the Summer Season Steel Hardtail.

[james01]

Keep an eye on local small ads, Gumtree etc, it's surprising what turns up. There are still plenty of classic 531 ATBs out there from the 1980s/90s, usually well under the £100 mark eg Dawes Ranger, various Raleigh etc. They've usually got all the braze-ons for full-on touring.

[Ash28]

Kona Steely. Name says it all
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/steely-2011-mountain-bike-ec026543

Genesis Latitude
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/latitude-20-2011-mountain-bike-ec024758

Charge do some steel mountain bikes also on Evans

[iow]

rock lobster tig team 853 - reynolds 853 tubing, 4.25lbs, £299. been in production for a while now, but gets good reviews.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Frame++Forks/Frames+-+MTB/Merlin++Rock+Lobster+Frames/Rock+Lobster+Tig+Team+853+Frame_697.htm

[squeaker]

Cotic Soul?

[Valbrona]

Instead of dreaming ... buy yourself an aluminium one. Poorer ride quality, but just as strong.

[Ade Sundog]

Thanx for your replies and suggestions , i'm doing some research now

I do have an aluminium framed bike at the mo Valbrona ( GT Aggressor ) , and it is fine , i've just never had a good quality steel bike.
The reason i want an MTB frame , is that is what i'm used to riding , even though i only ride on towpaths/tracks/roads these days.

[diapason0]

If you look on Ebay - try searching '531' - you'll find dozens of decent quality steel bikes selling for peanuts. Get a good frame and upgrade as you go on. Something like a Galaxy or Claud Butler Majestic will be ideal.

[iow]

Something like a Galaxy or Claud Butler Majestic will be ideal.

not if he wants an mtb

[diapason0]

His last post said he wanted a steel frame - he said he was used to an mtb, but I didn't read that as the only thing he would consider. I was suggesting some good alternatives for him to consider.

[hufty]

How about a Ragley Blue Pig?

[Ade Sundog]

Again thanx for your replies and ideas

Looking around , now i'm not sure . There is so much info on this board!

I think i need a bike that is like an MTB ( disc brakes , same gears) but has a bit more room on the frame to hang bags off ( i'm not keen on panniers)
and is a bit more 'upright' , but can still be ridden off-road - nothing too gnarly.

And if i got an MTB frame , i could more or less swap all the parts onto it.