Are steel road bikes still being made?

[Cyclopathic]

Are any of the more mainstream manufacturers still making steel road bikes? I've seen some that are being produced by more specialist makers almost as a sort of vintage novelty item and usually at a fair old price so I was wondering if there were any being made aimed at the more general market. When I eventually do get to treat myself to a brand new bike I think that I will want a steel one. I've never had a carbon bike and I'm a bit put off by the specialized nature of the material. I like to be able to think that the odd bend and bash to the frame is not beyond a repair or a bit of bending or whacking back into shape (and yes, I know I am a bit of a philistine). So, steelies from new. Anybody?

 

[benb]

Yep. http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road
Or if you fancy a cross bike, that is perfectly happy on the road, I ride the Croix de Fer which I love.

 

[perplexed]

Ooohh, that equilbrium is rather lovely...

 

[Pennine-Paul]

Condor still sell steel framed bikes
Plenty of frame makers still producing steel frames
Bob Jackson,Mercian etc

 

[ianrauk]

Just bought a Kona Honky Steel road bike. A lovely ride it is too.

 

[Beebo]

I was wondering if there were any being made aimed at the more general market. [/quote

Of course they are still being made, but it depends what you mean by the general market. Most buyers are being told by manufacturers that they need Alu or Carbon.

I have just bought a steel framed Kona, with a carbon fork, so a mix of old and new world which equates to a very smooth ride.

 

[velovoice]

I have 2:
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/pacer

The shopping/research exercise that led to purchase of the Pacer also revealed:
http://www.condorcycles.com/Condor-Bikes/9457-Condor-Fratello-2011/flypage.tpl.html
http://www.condorcycles.com/Condor-Bikes/9455-Condor-Classico-2011/flypage.tpl.html
http://www.gunnarbikes.co.uk/roadie.html
http://www.raleigh.co.uk/PRODUCTTYPE/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=1&pt=14&pg=8074
http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/steel/volpe/ (hard to find outside USA?)
http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/smoothie

A useful (though slightly out of date) index can be found here:
http://urbanvelo.org/steel-road-bikes/

Happy hunting!

 

[Herzog]

I think De Rosa do a couple of steel road bike frames (http://www.derosanews.com).

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Dawes - they do a pair of Reynolds 520 framed bikes with carbon forks: http://www.dawescycles.com/c-143-audax.aspx

 

[oldroadman]

If it's a repairable frame you want then steel is OK but a bit heavy. Thought about aluminium, still able to take the bashes but quite a bit lighter. Then is you really want to flash the cash ther's titanium. Litespeeds were very nice - and a nice price, for the seller!

 

[numbnuts]

Thorn

 

[screenman]

I think Carbon is easier to repair than steel. In some cases that is, embrace technology if it can survive Formula 1, and stunt airplanes then I would say it is fine for a simple bike frame.

 

[lulubel]

I'm in the process of building a Surly Cross Check as a road bike. I did consider the Pacer (which is Surly's "proper" road bike), but I wanted the flexibility to use the same bike for off-roading and light touring with minimal alterations.

 

[Fat B'stard]

If it's a repairable frame you want then steel is OK but a bit heavy. Thought about aluminium, still able to take the bashes but quite a bit lighter. Then is you really want to flash the cash ther's titanium. Litespeeds were very nice - and a nice price, for the seller!

I'd disagree about the weight difference on a like for like quality bike, although steel is heavier than aluminium per cm3 its a lot stronger so can be made into thinnner tubes therby negating the weight difference. This is what gives steel frames their "springy" forgiving feel

 

[smokeysmoo]

Oh yes, and as long as they look like this long may they continue