I'm 76 yrs. old and have never ridden a more comfortable bike than my 1973 steel Schwinn Paramount. I also have 2 carbon Treks and a steel Raleigh Super Course.
I have ridden my steel bikes on all surfaces, including dirt roads in the mountains east of Fresno , California where I live. My carbon Trek 5.9, from 2006, is the one I use for club, training , or sport rides. My Paramount and Super Course are all steel, to answer your questions, Arnold Amado.
I still ride a 70s Follis steel bike with mayfac racer brakes . Have 5 steel , 2 aluminum and 2 carbon. I only ride metal now. Gravel roads. . No more carbon here.8 broken frames no crashes
I still have my steel frame Pinarello with “Campy” Daytona. The frame is is from the early 80s and was professionally repainted about 30 years ago. It still looks brand new!
Steel is still real, I have a blue 2016 Ritchey Road Logic with DT Swiss PR 1400 dicut Oxic wheels, Campagnolo Chorus group set, Ritchey cockpit & I love it!
I don't think we've tested that model Ritchey but we are currently testing the Ritchey Outback but the initial feedback from one of the people to have ridden it is really positive 👍
Owned 2 bikes on this list, with one being my current fast ride. Yep, fast ride. The Genesis was alright, but the Condor Fretello is the best bike I have ever ridden. It's such a wonderful ride. Full DI2, disc brakes, Brooks all-weather saddle, hand-built wheelset, 32mm tires, it is a joy to ride. I have also gained some speed on this since upgrading from my Genesis!
I agree,I ride a 1990 MASI Team 3 V, I bought a carbon bike then I couldnt get rid of it. 4 years later it finally sold due to covid bike shortages. That Roubaix expert about knocked my spine out of place. Like riding a board.
brad sanders Beautiful Italian machine . Actually I would like to ride 1990 ,s steel bikes and see who's performs , I guess is a good balance between stiffness compliant and lightness.
My Giovanni Pellizoli-handcrafted Aeta Columbus XCr (2011) still serves me well and doesn't beat me up. My next one will probably be a Casati XCr-tubed Espresso..Custom is worth it, IMO.
We never said steel went away, it's always been a good choice, but there are definitely more and interesting options available compared to a few years ago, and some exciting advances in terms of tube design and construction
Resurgence does not mean it 'went away' or disappeared but that new domestic builders have entered the market to make frames. I think there is a lot going for it too in that it's a domestic product and will surely last a lifetime. Very nice to see new life being breathed into steel and carbon. Note to road.cc - Perhaps you'll consider a guide to types of steel used.
Haven't owned anything but steel. The price is right Its comfortable ride and the steel frame looks amazing Oh yeah and don't forget when you are an amateur you don't need the lightest stiffest bike ever
After many years of riding carbon bikes, I picked up a steel Niner RLT9 last year and just built up a steel Fairdale Goodship this past month. The Fairdale has pretty much gone to the top of my list of favorite bikes I've owned and/or ridden. It's funny how things go....first road and mountain bike I used to ride (back in the late 1980's) were steel....then I had aluminum/carbon, all aluminum, all carbon, etc.....and now back to steel. Haven't tried titanium yet, but the Fairdale will be my go-to bike for awhile. Still love my Ridley Fenix SL (although with SRAM eTap on the Goodship and Dura Ace mechanical on the Ridley, I find myself hating mechanical shifting all of a sudden), but like all carbon bikes, feels "numb".
I have a 1986 Zullo with serial number: 33 made by Tiziano Zullo w/ Campy Record and Shamal wheels still being used today.Also have carbon fiber road bike.
I regularly ring the neck off my State 4130 Allroad. Be it on gravel, mil munching on blacktop or a errant run down rocky MTB trails, it takes it all in stride and never wimpers!
Here's my pick of production models - Cinelli XCR - Colnago Master - De Rosa Corum or Neo Primato - Ritchey Road Logic - Cinelli Nemo Tig (2018 version will finally have a threaded BB I think) - All city mr pink . . . If we take the custom route then the list would be endless. Steel is something else
Of those we've only tested the All City and the Cinelli, both of which did well when reviewed. Your list got a ringing endorsement from our Davey Arthur so I assume he agrees with you
I know this is a old comment but the gios steel frames and the independent fabrication crown jewel are some awesome ones, as well as nearly any speedvagen or one of the field frames 🤤
I started riding in 1974. I remember when aluminum frames came in. The word was, they were 'whippy' - not stiff. Liking stiff, I bought a Serotta with the down and seat tubes that tapered from the BB to the seat/head lugs. Love that same frame still - it's in the garage and is still ridden.
At that time the aluminum tubes were made at the same diameters as the steel tubes. When they discovered going to oversize tubes created more stiffness the manufacturing changed.
My custom Buchanan was made to fit me, and only me. Smooth with Clement Criterium Seta Extra tires, the frame soaks-up high-frequency vibrations, and flies up hills. Never ridden a bike like it, and probably never will.
Would love to see a test of Fairdale's Goodship/Rocketship/Spaceship bikes, and other US brands like Indy Fab or All-City. For UK brands, Feather and Shand would be nice to see.
I have an All City Mr. Pink, with a steel fork. Because that's how god meant it to be. Great bike and I love it. Not light, but not the point. I'm just not sold on the steel frame carbon fork mash up. Makes the front pretty stiff, and that's where a lot of the flex in a frameset comes from. I also have a Guerciotti, a very sublime ride from the SL tubing. Some guy had converted it to single speed. I paid $200 for the fame and fork on eBay, sold off the wheels and bits, so frame was free. AC is bit stiffer, maybe from the oversize Zona. Both bikes can keep pace with wankers on carbon. Do you self a favor and get a steel something or other. Lots of good value in older Italian frames. They will still accept 9-10-or 11 speed groups, campy, shimano, or sram, so I build them up with stuff in the parts bin or from eBay parts. Last one I did was a Centurion with Tange 1 tubing. Great bike with a newish 105/Tiagra group. Cost me around $300 to do it, and thats including getting the frame and fork powder coated. Some guy was giving the frame away on gumtree. Someone else's trash was my treasure.
That's not so true anymore. Steel tubing for bikes can be impossible to repair depending on where it's bent or broken, and can even be more expensive than carbon.
Nice bikes, but too expensive for most of us. I wish somebody made a reasonably-priced, mass-produced steel frame. I also miss the look of the horizontal top tubes. They're much prettier than the arse-dragging modern bikes.
Thanks for the info, very useful, but I really don't understand this rim-brake fanaticism going round, and this is coming from a person that hasn't even tried disc brakes on a bicycle. There are several disadvantages to rim brakes, the two most obvious being rim wear, especially when wet, and rainy-weather performance. The advantage is a few grams of weight, but if I were a weight weenie, I would go for a carbon frame, not a steel one. Isn't it great that we have the choice, and rim-brake people can have their rim brakes and disc-brake people can have their discs? Once again, thanks for the info on frames.
Guercotti Record ER, or buy elder roadbikes 80s, sometimes you can get a scoop, swap all parts with new tech and you can decide by your wallet and philosophy: Steel last a lifetime, and for modern racing its all Carbon anyway.
I'll be losing my S plates in about a month and a half. Having an 853 frame with 631 (I think) forks built up. Ultegra setup and most of the components are reasonably lightweight, so hoping to get it all in around 10kg. Can't wait :)
I have ridden every material in every configuration since 1985 and by far my favorite material has been Titanium. Multi shape tubes, light weight, corrosion’s resistance and beautiful organic finishes abound these steeds under my ass. Steel is real but I personally prefer Ti as the ultimate go to every day material. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have a Columbus Max frame from the late 80’s or a Colnago Master from the same era.....🙃
I agree. Steel is real but Ti is fly. I have two Ti bikes, two carbon, one Reynolds 853, a Tange Prestige, four 4130 framesets, a True Temper GTX steel frameset, and a bunch of Aluminum bikes.. I adore the Ti bikes and the steel is a close second. Don't care for the CF bikes and the aluminum frames are too stiff. I also have a Kinesis frameset that rides quite nice. I don't give a crap about weight or speed. Just ride your damn bike.
SO many still have no idea as to the superior exceptionalism of steel - preferably lugged and of classic design/geometry. A good number of years ago I competed, principally in track, to a lesser extent road. Just on the latter......., II still have a few roads bikes from the '80's (all Italian), each with over 60,000 miles, one with over 100k miles and they ARE still like new. Wheels, too......, Ambrosia Nemesis or Mavic SSC (grey), 32x3X 2.0/1.8, brass nipples and no spoke breakage, each with over 70k miles. Go figure carbon myopes............................... In this ridiculous and no reverence day and age, at my age I SO get a kick out of dropping most riders on their squeaky, noisy, harsh riding, lifeless plastic fantastic bikes and witnessing the rider have endless IED's and apoplexy.................
okantichrist he was under no obligation to. We talked for a while. I don’t remember every word. That part just stuck out. I remember telling him I’ve ridden across the USA 4 times. He said “I have no desire to ride across the USA..” I said “yeah a whole lot of corn.”
We are aware of them and have done a couple of pieces about them on road.cc but with the company being based in Oregon and only doing custom frames it makes it really difficult for us to test one of the bikes. Certainly an eye catching bike though 👍
I have a 22yr old steel Specialized and a 5 yr Aluminum Felt. Which way should I go next>steel or aluminum. The steel bike is 2 kilos heavier but stability vs light and fast is the question--your thoughts
umm im perfectly fine with my frame lasting 5-10 years. let alone 20y...... Carbon fibre is fine. but price performance for non-competitive riders makes it often not worth it
I beg to differ. Show Me a steel bike half as beautiful as the likes of the Bastion bikes (any current model), the Métier Velo (any current model), the Accent Feral, the Genesis Datum, the Norco Search [XR], the Salsa WarBird 2019 and many more... No, steel is the poor man's titanium. Besides, I doubt if a rust-prone bike is any more reliable than any other. Never mind, a kilo to two heavier frame than a carbon equivalent. Steel and titanium are a bit like luxury cars. Carbon is a super sport car equivalent. The most beautiful bikes are either carbon - or finest craftsmanship carbon and titanium combination. Not only is steel heavy; it also lacks the beautiful oblique aerodynamic flowing forms of a carbon bike. I wonder if it even can be hydroformed, like aluminium. Boutique steel bikes can be - and often are - quite beautiful, but still not quite a match to carbon counterparts.
@@LeoInterHyenaem As always beautiness is in the eye of the observer. I e.g. haven't seen any carbon bike yet as beautiful as a classic Italian steal frame bike made by the likes of De Rosa, Benotto, Colnago, etc... in the '80s. It is simply not possible to produce a bottom bracket housing in carbon as skinny and elegant as it is possible using steel, at least if you want it to last longer than 5 minutes. I also don't see steal as being the poor mans titanium. I buy my steal frame bikes because I want one (or 2 or more), not because I wouldn't be able to effort a titanium frame. Regarding reliability I am perfectly happy to still ride my 1983 Benotto racer or my 1993 Nishiki Randonneur. I wouldn't dare to ride a 25 year old carbon frame bike without a very careful check for structural integrity before.
I just bought Pinarello Treviso at a jackpot price. What is the best upgrade for it? Im still thinking bout upgrading to 11 speed cassete with carbon rims....
Have a look at Mercian Cycles. They have been going since 1946. Their frames are exquisite. I have a King of Mercia which I'v had for over 30 years. Its wonderful to ride and still looks cool.
My 40mm wide [Industrial size] alloy mtb rims are cracking at the spoke holes after just 20,000 miles. My steel Marin frame will not suffer the same fate and could last forever. Steel is real. Believe it.
Someone asked about American builders. Be aware that some "American Brands" actually farm out the frame to Taiwanese firms. So, really one is getting a massed produced frame with decent components. If that makes you happy, and it probably should as far as the bike goes then get one! Just don't fool yourself into thinking that a Yankee craftsman actually sweated out the work. My steel bikes, one French the other a Wisconsin built LeMond, well they do the job! I love steel, great feel, durable, repairable, a bike for life! My PX-10 still rocks after 40 years, my LeMond, even lighter. None of them would get a second look at a grand fondo or event ride, but, I at least keep up with the guys my age!
Our sister site off-road.cc is currently testing the Verenti Substance II Apex 1 off.road.cc/content/news/first-look-verenti-substance-ii-apex1-840 but I've no idea how it's performing because they're currently off playing in the mud so I can't ask them 🚵🏻♀️ 🚵🏻
Joseph Farrugia I've got a verenti substance and a giant defy absolutely love the verenti so comfy and great off road/gravel/towpath/light single track .Don't really notice the weight brilliant bike . Hope this helps .
When you get steel you expect realiability and you are not a weight weenie for 300 gram more in modern disc brake systems, disc brakes are reliable, for touring and all weather riding disc brakes only make sense for a steel bike, if you want lightness go carbon.
I have a steel gravel bike. I love riding it. I also have a carbon hardtail mtb that is half the weight of my steel gravel. Honestly I enjoy riding the steel gravel bike more on light trails.
Unfortunately we haven't had the chance to test many American steel bikes, hence they didn't make the list but it's something we can look at getting into the office
Ellis, Bedford, Kirk, Crumpton and Sachs, among others, make some of the finest steel bikes in the world. The Americans are best practice framebuilders.
My brother has his custom steel and titanium bikes made by Leonard Zinn in Colorado. He loves them and Leonard understands the needs of the very tall 6'8" (203 cm) rider.
So what we need to do is go on a massive road trip across America taking in all these bikes and testing them along the way 🤔 If you guys make enough fuss then maybe we (me) will be able to do it 😉
I ride steel after 30 yrs and 8 broken carbon frames. None in a crash. My steel classics from 70 to 90 still work fine. Newer Richey Road Logic has that wonderful ride. My carbon Madone is on a trainer. Never want to hear carbon break again. Plus I don't like their looks. Last 3 bikes were steel
Yeah, we reviewed the frameset back in 2014 and it could have easily made the list but we only have so many spaces available. No doubt we will revisit steel bikes though!
Steel is often too flexible for a fork and if you try to make a steel fork less flexible then it becomes quite heavy. Carbon just happens to be a much better material for forks
@@pixiedixie3682 In my experience they survive crashes better and the tubing can be thicker. I've since given up and just gone with carbon. Its stiff and comfortable where you need it and can something be fixed after crashes. Plus it's way lighter. My steel crit bike (Reynolds 520) is stiff but really harsh on the hands and body and weighs 19 to 20lbs with Red and Ultegra parts.
Aaron ___ I got to steel and aluminium CAAD 10 for racing , I'm telling you is tougher as nails really, There is a video trying to trash a caad 10.,,, But as everything .... everybody has different taste. You can build an 1980,s or 90,s frame like Eddie Merckx, Condor , Colnago , Bob Jackson Woodrup , There are vintage bike websites recommending bikes for every discipline . Good luck
Nice bikes. Except for the Equilibrium's fork. That the company that produces a bike as beautiful as the Genesis Datum, should supply their steel bike with such an ugly, 1970-ies -type fork...
I'm so glad to see England is real with steel. Those guys at GCN are always bad mouthing vintage bikes and they paint an ugly picture of the British cyclists.
If you're suggesting that brands pay to be featured in this video, then you're wrong. The last Cotic we tested was back in 2014 and it simply didn't make this list
So much great historical steel out there to be had. Ok so the modern has disc and better tire clearance but I would wager no better performance. I'm love and am keeping my Lemond 853 Maillot Jaune and Merckx MXLeader. But the truth is my RCA carbon leaves both steel frames fading back into history on serious climbs
Great bike , rides smooth ruclips.net/user/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L I added a bigger spring loaded seat to it . Takes a bit of adjusting cables to get brakes and shifting to perfect . I've owned quite a few bikes in the past that were absolutely uncomfortable to ride and they always ended up as garage wall decor . I'm not seeing that with this one. It's pretty light I've only ridden it a few miles but I like it . As for the pedals falling off in the other reviews , the pedal arms are aluminum along with the pedal studs look to be also . I would not overtighten them. I can see it would be very easy to overtighten them and strip the threads right off . All in all I think it's pretty good quality besides the aluminum pedal thing
Jakob W My relatively inexpensive Old Trek 750 has 2 sets of rims. One set has 25mm and one set has 38mm tires. So I can get more versatile use out if the frame.
Yes, it is. However, if you want a nice strong frame, high tension steel is the way to go. Going on year 12 with the same single speed and it's still as stiff as a board. Just the way I like it.
I'm 76 yrs. old and have never ridden a more comfortable bike than my 1973 steel Schwinn Paramount. I also have 2 carbon Treks and a steel Raleigh Super Course.
I have ridden my steel bikes on all surfaces, including dirt roads in the mountains east of Fresno , California where I live. My carbon Trek 5.9, from 2006, is the one I use for club, training , or sport rides. My Paramount and Super Course are all steel, to answer your questions, Arnold Amado.
I got my 1970 Bob Jackson with Dura Ace 1rst gen group set in metallic sky blue Oh! Yeah , that is a cool bike!
Steel is real!
'71 Schwinns. Super sport and Sports Tourer. Hand made 4130 hand brazed frames. Both Sierra Brown. They are very nice and comfy to ride!!
I still ride a 70s Follis steel bike with mayfac racer brakes . Have 5 steel , 2 aluminum and 2 carbon. I only ride metal now. Gravel roads. . No more carbon here.8 broken frames no crashes
just bought a new Soma Smoothie - building up as we speak! Can't wait to ride it.
I still have my steel frame Pinarello with “Campy” Daytona. The frame is is from the early 80s and was professionally repainted about 30 years ago. It still looks brand new!
Sounds like a beauty! Times like this I wish RUclips would allow commenters to post images
ladweeb
Ooooooh! Oooooooh!
Any pics?
I still have my 1983 Gios Torino Campy SR
Steel is still real, I have a blue 2016 Ritchey Road Logic with DT Swiss PR 1400 dicut Oxic wheels, Campagnolo Chorus group set, Ritchey cockpit & I love it!
I don't think we've tested that model Ritchey but we are currently testing the Ritchey Outback but the initial feedback from one of the people to have ridden it is really positive 👍
Bruce Tumblin Jr
Oh! Yeah! Sweet machine!
Daniel Alcantarilla thanks Dan
I'm using swiss cross disc, the cyclocloss, not the stiffest but never let me down on a long ride.
Owned 2 bikes on this list, with one being my current fast ride. Yep, fast ride. The Genesis was alright, but the Condor Fretello is the best bike I have ever ridden. It's such a wonderful ride. Full DI2, disc brakes, Brooks all-weather saddle, hand-built wheelset, 32mm tires, it is a joy to ride. I have also gained some speed on this since upgrading from my Genesis!
My 1970 Bob Jackson with Dura Ace 1st gen groupset and cinelli stem an handlebars , oh my god, how much I love this Bike!
I agree,I ride a 1990 MASI Team 3 V, I bought a carbon bike then I couldnt get rid of it. 4 years later it finally sold due to covid bike shortages. That Roubaix expert about knocked my spine out of place. Like riding a board.
brad sanders
Beautiful Italian machine .
Actually I would like to ride 1990 ,s steel bikes and see who's performs , I guess is a good balance between stiffness compliant and lightness.
My Giovanni Pellizoli-handcrafted Aeta Columbus XCr (2011) still serves me well and doesn't beat me up. My next one will probably be a Casati XCr-tubed Espresso..Custom is worth it, IMO.
Kona Rove ST owner here. Love at first ride.
Marinoni Piuma. C'est magnifique!
Resurgence in recent years?! It never went away.
We never said steel went away, it's always been a good choice, but there are definitely more and interesting options available compared to a few years ago, and some exciting advances in terms of tube design and construction
Resurgence does not mean it 'went away' or disappeared but that new domestic builders have entered the market to make frames. I think there is a lot going for it too in that it's a domestic product and will surely last a lifetime. Very nice to see new life being breathed into steel and carbon.
Note to road.cc - Perhaps you'll consider a guide to types of steel used.
road.cc mm
Haven't owned anything but steel. The price is right
Its comfortable ride and the steel frame looks amazing
Oh yeah and don't forget when you are an amateur you don't need the lightest stiffest bike ever
After many years of riding carbon bikes, I picked up a steel Niner RLT9 last year and just built up a steel Fairdale Goodship this past month. The Fairdale has pretty much gone to the top of my list of favorite bikes I've owned and/or ridden. It's funny how things go....first road and mountain bike I used to ride (back in the late 1980's) were steel....then I had aluminum/carbon, all aluminum, all carbon, etc.....and now back to steel. Haven't tried titanium yet, but the Fairdale will be my go-to bike for awhile. Still love my Ridley Fenix SL (although with SRAM eTap on the Goodship and Dura Ace mechanical on the Ridley, I find myself hating mechanical shifting all of a sudden), but like all carbon bikes, feels "numb".
I have a Bendixen (Freiburg Germany) steel road bike. With campa chorus and chris king parts as usual. And it is the dream on wheels!
I have a 1980 steel olmo with modern ultegra and carbon wheel ...ride beautiful
I have a 1986 Zullo with serial number: 33 made by Tiziano Zullo w/ Campy Record and Shamal wheels still being used today.Also have carbon fiber road bike.
I regularly ring the neck off my State 4130 Allroad. Be it on gravel, mil munching on blacktop or a errant run down rocky MTB trails, it takes it all in stride and never wimpers!
Here's my pick of production models
- Cinelli XCR
- Colnago Master
- De Rosa Corum or Neo Primato
- Ritchey Road Logic
- Cinelli Nemo Tig (2018 version will finally have a threaded BB I think)
- All city mr pink
.
.
.
If we take the custom route then the list would be endless. Steel is something else
Of those we've only tested the All City and the Cinelli, both of which did well when reviewed. Your list got a ringing endorsement from our Davey Arthur so I assume he agrees with you
drifter
Eddie Merckx Super Corsa ,
I know this is a old comment but the gios steel frames and the independent fabrication crown jewel are some awesome ones, as well as nearly any speedvagen or one of the field frames 🤤
Cinelli Vigorelli Road
Beauty in simplicity.
I started riding in 1974. I remember when aluminum frames came in. The word was, they were 'whippy' - not stiff. Liking stiff, I bought a Serotta with the down and seat tubes that tapered from the BB to the seat/head lugs. Love that same frame still - it's in the garage and is still ridden.
At that time the aluminum tubes were made at the same diameters as the steel tubes. When they discovered going to oversize tubes created more stiffness the manufacturing changed.
I got the niner rlt9 love this machine gravel bike and road comfortably bike
Love all of them amazing steel for ever!!!!
My custom Buchanan was made to fit me, and only me. Smooth with Clement Criterium Seta Extra tires, the frame soaks-up high-frequency vibrations, and flies up hills. Never ridden a bike like it, and probably never will.
Colnago master xlight or Pegoretti due development? I’m lucky enough to own both and there the best bikes I ever have or will own.
my 1986 trek 400- reynolds 531 tubing and Shimano ultegra 9 speed is pretty real.
Marinoni Foco Megatube Piuma with Record 10 speed. Carbon what?
Mondia with Reynolds 351 or 351SL . I bought it in 1989 used from a racer. In the mean time I've changed out everything starting with the sew-ups.
When you say let us say in the comments why we are wrong its refreshing to see that modesty.
At the end of the day, a list like this is opinion based and everyone has an opinion
Would love to see a test of Fairdale's Goodship/Rocketship/Spaceship bikes, and other US brands like Indy Fab or All-City. For UK brands, Feather and Shand would be nice to see.
We haven't had many US brands in but the All-City Mr Pink did well when we tested that. We might be able to get our hands on a Shand
I have an All City Mr. Pink, with a steel fork. Because that's how god meant it to be. Great bike and I love it. Not light, but not the point. I'm just not sold on the steel frame carbon fork mash up. Makes the front pretty stiff, and that's where a lot of the flex in a frameset comes from. I also have a Guerciotti, a very sublime ride from the SL tubing. Some guy had converted it to single speed. I paid $200 for the fame and fork on eBay, sold off the wheels and bits, so frame was free.
AC is bit stiffer, maybe from the oversize Zona. Both bikes can keep pace with wankers on carbon.
Do you self a favor and get a steel something or other. Lots of good value in older Italian frames. They will still accept 9-10-or 11 speed groups, campy, shimano, or sram, so I build them up with stuff in the parts bin or from eBay parts. Last one I did was a Centurion with Tange 1 tubing. Great bike with a newish 105/Tiagra group. Cost me around $300 to do it, and thats including getting the frame and fork powder coated. Some guy was giving the frame away on gumtree. Someone else's trash was my treasure.
I've got a Strael with hydraulic brakes and 28mm tyres, it's a gorgeous thing to ride.
Have you seen the new Secan? I tried a Strael last year and really liked it but wanted something with wider tyre capability.
Steel looks the best. And absorbs bumbs so is most comfortable to ride. Also easist to repair.
That's not so true anymore. Steel tubing for bikes can be impossible to repair depending on where it's bent or broken, and can even be more expensive than carbon.
Nice bikes, but too expensive for most of us. I wish somebody made a reasonably-priced, mass-produced steel frame. I also miss the look of the horizontal top tubes. They're much prettier than the arse-dragging modern bikes.
Try Surly, All City or Soma. Decect bikes, decent prices in the US. And you can still get rim brakes, which is as it should be. Disc for road?? Bah.
Thanks for the info, very useful, but I really don't understand this rim-brake fanaticism going round, and this is coming from a person that hasn't even tried disc brakes on a bicycle. There are several disadvantages to rim brakes, the two most obvious being rim wear, especially when wet, and rainy-weather performance. The advantage is a few grams of weight, but if I were a weight weenie, I would go for a carbon frame, not a steel one. Isn't it great that we have the choice, and rim-brake people can have their rim brakes and disc-brake people can have their discs?
Once again, thanks for the info on frames.
Guercotti Record ER, or buy elder roadbikes 80s, sometimes you can get a scoop, swap all parts with new tech and you can decide by your wallet and philosophy: Steel last a lifetime, and for modern racing its all Carbon anyway.
Absolutely. What we all grew up with right. Nice steel frames that we couldn't break.
Cinelli Vigorelli Road
saffron and spoon customs is missing and I felt the video is biased towards disk brakes a lot, rim brakes have their advantages too.
Calliope Georgousi I agree
I hate the look is disk brakes on a road bike! So Uncool
Nothing better than my Colnago Master Light with electronic groupset!, those are cool bikes tho.
I'll be losing my S plates in about a month and a half. Having an 853 frame with 631 (I think) forks built up. Ultegra setup and most of the components are reasonably lightweight, so hoping to get it all in around 10kg. Can't wait :)
Exciting times! 🎉let us know how you get on
road.cc Cheers will do :)
Surly Cross-Check owner. I love this bike! I’m coming from the aluminum bike club and I’ll never go back.
Propper steel road race bikes please !!!
I have ridden every material in every configuration since 1985 and by far my favorite material has been Titanium. Multi shape tubes, light weight, corrosion’s resistance and beautiful organic finishes abound these steeds under my ass. Steel is real but I personally prefer Ti as the ultimate go to every day material. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have a Columbus Max frame from the late 80’s or a Colnago Master from the same era.....🙃
I had a Max frame and a MS frame as well. Both hand made. Preferred the MS frame though. Phil Anderson used to use a Max frame for reliability.
I agree. Steel is real but Ti is fly. I have two Ti bikes, two carbon, one Reynolds 853, a Tange Prestige, four 4130 framesets, a True Temper GTX steel frameset, and a bunch of Aluminum bikes.. I adore the Ti bikes and the steel is a close second. Don't care for the CF bikes and the aluminum frames are too stiff. I also have a Kinesis frameset that rides quite nice. I don't give a crap about weight or speed. Just ride your damn bike.
Colnago Master how can you have that in the list? Review it pls!
SO many still have no idea as to the superior exceptionalism of steel - preferably lugged and of classic design/geometry.
A good number of years ago I competed, principally in track, to a lesser extent road. Just on the latter......., II still have a few roads bikes from the '80's (all Italian), each with over 60,000 miles, one with over 100k miles and they ARE still like new. Wheels, too......, Ambrosia Nemesis or Mavic SSC (grey), 32x3X 2.0/1.8, brass nipples and no spoke breakage, each with over 70k miles. Go figure carbon myopes...............................
In this ridiculous and no reverence day and age, at my age I SO get a kick out of dropping most riders on their squeaky, noisy, harsh riding, lifeless plastic fantastic bikes and witnessing the rider have endless IED's and apoplexy.................
These bikes are gorgeous. This is total bike porn for me. My next bike is def. a steel.
I remember asking Tom Ritchey why he builds with steel?
He said “people don’t understand steel.”
And he walked away.
Him Bike So he didn’t answer the question 🥴
okantichrist he was under no obligation to.
We talked for a while. I don’t remember every word. That part just stuck out.
I remember telling him I’ve ridden across the USA 4 times. He said
“I have no desire to ride across the USA..”
I said “yeah a whole lot of corn.”
Does it cost more if they call it a "bespoke" bike?
Gator Roadie yes because they are made to fit you personally
That reminds me of this modern lingo 'woke.'
As in... 'I be woke so I bought a bespoke bike.'
No Shand Cycles (Stoater, Stooshie)?
All these are fine options but have you seen English Cycles tt bikes? those are beauties.
We are aware of them and have done a couple of pieces about them on road.cc but with the company being based in Oregon and only doing custom frames it makes it really difficult for us to test one of the bikes. Certainly an eye catching bike though 👍
All his bikes are beautiful
From a ride quality perspective, not much can be better than a Pegoretti
It's not a brand that we've ever tested here but if the rest of the comments are anything to go by then they're quality bikes
DARIO.......,
Not as cool as Carbon Fiber? Are you mad? Steel is the coolest. CF is for ppl who dont mind chucking their frame within 20 yrs.
Carbon is probably chucked by 10 years ild
I have a 22yr old steel Specialized and a 5 yr Aluminum Felt. Which way should I go next>steel or aluminum.
The steel bike is 2 kilos heavier but stability vs light and fast is the question--your thoughts
umm im perfectly fine with my frame lasting 5-10 years. let alone 20y...... Carbon fibre is fine. but price performance for non-competitive riders makes it often not worth it
I beg to differ. Show Me a steel bike half as beautiful as the likes of the Bastion bikes (any current model), the Métier Velo (any current model), the Accent Feral, the Genesis Datum, the Norco Search [XR], the Salsa WarBird 2019 and many more...
No, steel is the poor man's titanium. Besides, I doubt if a rust-prone bike is any more reliable than any other. Never mind, a kilo to two heavier frame than a carbon equivalent.
Steel and titanium are a bit like luxury cars. Carbon is a super sport car equivalent. The most beautiful bikes are either carbon - or finest craftsmanship carbon and titanium combination. Not only is steel heavy; it also lacks the beautiful oblique aerodynamic flowing forms of a carbon bike. I wonder if it even can be hydroformed, like aluminium. Boutique steel bikes can be - and often are - quite beautiful, but still not quite a match to carbon counterparts.
@@LeoInterHyenaem As always beautiness is in the eye of the observer. I e.g. haven't seen any carbon bike yet as beautiful as a classic Italian steal frame bike made by the likes of De Rosa, Benotto, Colnago, etc... in the '80s. It is simply not possible to produce a bottom bracket housing in carbon as skinny and elegant as it is possible using steel, at least if you want it to last longer than 5 minutes. I also don't see steal as being the poor mans titanium. I buy my steal frame bikes because I want one (or 2 or more), not because I wouldn't be able to effort a titanium frame. Regarding reliability I am perfectly happy to still ride my 1983 Benotto racer or my 1993 Nishiki Randonneur. I wouldn't dare to ride a 25 year old carbon frame bike without a very careful check for structural integrity before.
Hey guys how about some old steel?
I have a Bianchi 2005 Pinella boron Steel bike with Campagnolo Chorus and proton Wheels
Steel road bikes updated??? Especially the endurance ones with 32mm tyre clearance or more.
I have a Gunnar Roadie 52cm and the frame weighs under 3.5 lbs. It's only 1100 usd. True temper OX platinum.
Not as cool as carbon? High-end custom steel and ti are considered WAY cooler than carbon.
I more meant carbon fibre is all the rage at the minute but you get my point. Surprised not to get more comments like this 😉
Beautiful bikes!
If these are just British bikes great, but I would argue the ones without a curved steel fork are steel hybrids.
94 MX Leader. Deutsche Telekom. Campy Chorus 11. And Mavic Tubs.
953, at the UCI weight limit, adorned with high end Campy, that's the next steel for me boyz.
I just bought Pinarello Treviso at a jackpot price. What is the best upgrade for it? Im still thinking bout upgrading to 11 speed cassete with carbon rims....
Have a look at Mercian Cycles. They have been going since 1946. Their frames are exquisite. I have a King of Mercia which I'v had for over 30 years. Its wonderful to ride and still looks cool.
I don't think we've tested any of their bikes but the King of Mercia has got that really nice retro look
Has there ever been a cooler looking road bike than the Bianchi Eroica?
I have a Bianchi Tipo Corsa. Love it.
Have you reviewed or tested the FAIRDALE Rockitship?
We haven't, it's been about 5 or 6 years since we've had anything from Fairdale
me:How much for that bike, sir?
Vendor: That will be 10,000 dollars.
:(
eBay about $4000
which of these bikes is the lightest?
is there a bike frame brand that is for the budgeted person?
New Albion
@@jarrodspeed532 can you give more?
is the Bianchi Vigorelli still made?
It was part of their 2017 range but it's not a bike that we've had in to test
Informative video. I plan to purchase a Cinelli Vigorelli steel road frame. Hard to find any reviews about it. Maybe you can help me? Thanks a lot.
Unfortunately we can't help you either as we haven't reviewed it nor has anyone ridden one. Sorry 😕
I like the bikes, of course, but the narrator is a poet!
My 40mm wide [Industrial size] alloy mtb rims are cracking at the spoke holes after just 20,000 miles. My steel Marin frame will not suffer the same fate and could last forever. Steel is real. Believe it.
Someone asked about American builders. Be aware that some "American Brands" actually farm out the frame to Taiwanese firms. So, really one is getting a massed produced frame with decent components. If that makes you happy, and it probably should as far as the bike goes then get one! Just don't fool yourself into thinking that a Yankee craftsman actually sweated out the work. My steel bikes, one French the other a Wisconsin built LeMond, well they do the job! I love steel, great feel, durable, repairable, a bike for life! My PX-10 still rocks after 40 years, my LeMond, even lighter. None of them would get a second look at a grand fondo or event ride, but, I at least keep up with the guys my age!
Not to mention, stiffer. I want a bike that when I ride it, it doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart at the back end. No flex please.
Ritchey logic road?
Love the steel frames does it has none disc as well?
How about the affordable Verenti Substance 105? Is it any good? Seems a tad heavy at over 11kgs though.
Our sister site off-road.cc is currently testing the Verenti Substance II Apex 1 off.road.cc/content/news/first-look-verenti-substance-ii-apex1-840 but I've no idea how it's performing because they're currently off playing in the mud so I can't ask them 🚵🏻♀️ 🚵🏻
Joseph Farrugia I've got a verenti substance and a giant defy absolutely love the verenti so comfy and great off road/gravel/towpath/light single track .Don't really notice the weight brilliant bike . Hope this helps .
why do they all have discs? nothing like adding 1.5+lb to a steel frame
They have discs because that's the way things seem to be going but it wasn't a conscious decision at our end to only include disc braked bikes
When you get steel you expect realiability and you are not a weight weenie for 300 gram more in modern disc brake systems, disc brakes are reliable, for touring and all weather riding disc brakes only make sense for a steel bike, if you want lightness go carbon.
I have a steel gravel bike. I love riding it. I also have a carbon hardtail mtb that is half the weight of my steel gravel. Honestly I enjoy riding the steel gravel bike more on light trails.
Good question. I want conventional brakes on my steel.
Too many people that are ordinary riders go on about weight. Efficiency is more important.
Any opinions on American steel bikes like Independant Fabrication and others?
aikidragonpiper71 they are pretty good, also Speedvagen, Stinner, Seven Cycles, & Stoemper to name a few
Unfortunately we haven't had the chance to test many American steel bikes, hence they didn't make the list but it's something we can look at getting into the office
Ellis, Bedford, Kirk, Crumpton and Sachs, among others, make some of the finest steel bikes in the world. The Americans are best practice framebuilders.
My brother has his custom steel and titanium bikes made by Leonard Zinn in Colorado. He loves them and Leonard understands the needs of the very tall 6'8" (203 cm) rider.
So what we need to do is go on a massive road trip across America taking in all these bikes and testing them along the way 🤔 If you guys make enough fuss then maybe we (me) will be able to do it 😉
I will stick with my 80's Treks.
You do that
I ride steel after 30 yrs and 8 broken carbon frames. None in a crash. My steel classics from 70 to 90 still work fine. Newer Richey Road Logic has that wonderful ride. My carbon Madone is on a trainer. Never want to hear carbon break again. Plus I don't like their looks. Last 3 bikes were steel
Disc really screwed up the good look of the bicycles.
Couldn't agree more, I will go to the grave on a rim bike, they look so much better.
Enigma HSS?! I'm pretty sure you reviewed it.
Yeah, we reviewed the frameset back in 2014 and it could have easily made the list but we only have so many spaces available. No doubt we will revisit steel bikes though!
there steel but there welded not brazed lugs which is the best
4:55 Which one would be the Roundhouse?
The only all steel offering here as I can see is the Genesis....why are carbon forks specified on the others?....what is wrong with all steel?
Steel is often too flexible for a fork and if you try to make a steel fork less flexible then it becomes quite heavy. Carbon just happens to be a much better material for forks
and for frames?@@roadcc
Hi anyone know if the Tiger quantum 4 is good I recently got one after deciding to get rid of my Diamondback MTB
Road House looks nice but doubled in price!
Mercian??
@ 3:19 it says UK designed...... are you sure its not UK designed and CRAFTED in Italy?
is steel frame from Pinarello good?
WATERFORD PRECISION CYCLES
I need a steel crit racing frame, what should I check out?
Aaron ___
Why not aluminium ? Stiffer and lighter .....
@@pixiedixie3682 In my experience they survive crashes better and the tubing can be thicker. I've since given up and just gone with carbon. Its stiff and comfortable where you need it and can something be fixed after crashes. Plus it's way lighter. My steel crit bike (Reynolds 520) is stiff but really harsh on the hands and body and weighs 19 to 20lbs with Red and Ultegra parts.
Aaron ___
I got to steel and aluminium
CAAD 10 for racing , I'm telling you is tougher as nails really,
There is a video trying to trash a caad 10.,,,
But as everything .... everybody has different taste.
You can build an 1980,s or 90,s frame like Eddie Merckx, Condor , Colnago , Bob Jackson Woodrup ,
There are vintage bike websites recommending bikes for every discipline .
Good luck
@@pixiedixie3682 I had a CAAD 10, but replaced it with a super smooth Super Six.
Aaron ___
Enjoy it!
I love my Ritchey
Nice bikes. Except for the Equilibrium's fork. That the company that produces a bike as beautiful as the Genesis Datum, should supply their steel bike with such an ugly, 1970-ies -type fork...
What's folks opinion on the Raleigh grand vintesse?
I absolutely love my Raleigh Grand Vitesse .
Rides great and is beautiful.
I'm so glad to see England is real with steel. Those guys at GCN are always bad mouthing vintage bikes and they paint an ugly picture of the British cyclists.
Anyone have an opinion about the jamis quest elite
no Cotic?
If you're suggesting that brands pay to be featured in this video, then you're wrong. The last Cotic we tested was back in 2014 and it simply didn't make this list
So much great historical steel out there to be had. Ok so the modern has disc and better tire clearance but I would wager no better performance. I'm love and am keeping my Lemond 853 Maillot Jaune and Merckx MXLeader. But the truth is my RCA carbon leaves both steel frames fading back into history on serious climbs
I have a Schwinn world sport steel 10 speed👍😊👌☝😀👆.
Great bike , rides smooth ruclips.net/user/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L I added a bigger spring loaded seat to it . Takes a bit of adjusting cables to get brakes and shifting to perfect . I've owned quite a few bikes in the past that were absolutely uncomfortable to ride and they always ended up as garage wall decor . I'm not seeing that with this one. It's pretty light I've only ridden it a few miles but I like it . As for the pedals falling off in the other reviews , the pedal arms are aluminum along with the pedal studs look to be also . I would not overtighten them. I can see it would be very easy to overtighten them and strip the threads right off . All in all I think it's pretty good quality besides the aluminum pedal thing
What are the DIFFERENCES between some steel frames: several HUNDRED vs a few THOUSAND $?
Jakob W
I agree. I have a 86 year Trek 750 Multi-Track that is a AVR chro-molly American built frame.
Jakob W
My relatively inexpensive Old Trek 750 has 2 sets of rims. One set has 25mm and one set has 38mm tires. So I can get more versatile use out if the frame.
So what are you saying here: that MORE or LESS expensive is worth it?
Good for touring. Surly FTW.
Nice selection...
i have recommendation cheap steel bike for poor people like me, Police toronto road bike...
is 4130 chromo good?? PLZZ answer
Yes, it is. However, if you want a nice strong frame, high tension steel is the way to go. Going on year 12 with the same single speed and it's still as stiff as a board. Just the way I like it.