I've just ridden a stainless steel Starley bike - oh my!

[Globalti]

Made in Altrincham, Cheshre. A pal has one and I jumped on it for a couple of miles. He's got 25mm tyres on it and I didn't check the pressures but the impression was of a super-smooth ride and very fast, possibly thanks to the no-name alloy rims with carbon aero shrouds he uses. It looks absolutely fabulous, really svelte and slender. The position was quite racy, which may also have helped with the speed. It was definitely smoother, faster and racier than my carbon Roubaix. Nice.

 

[raleighnut]

Made in Altrincham, Cheshre. A pal has one and I jumped on it for a couple of miles. He's got 25mm tyres on it and I didn't check the pressures but the impression was of a super-smooth ride and very fast, possibly thanks to the no-name alloy rims with carbon aero shrouds he uses. It looks absolutely fabulous, really svelte and slender. The position was quite racy, which may also have helped with the speed. It was definitely smoother, faster and racier than my carbon Roubaix. Nice.

Reynolds 953 ?

 

[Globalti]

Here: http://www.starleybikes.com/bike/ss/

 

[Hacienda71]

I have a couple of mates who ride Starley bikes. They seem to like them and it is a local business albeit their frames were carbon and made in the far east. Also met one of the owners once who seemed like a nice chap.

 

[Cycleops]

We need pics.

 

[S-Express]

Unlikely to be made in the UK - Starley frames are all sourced in the far east.

 

[Globalti]

I didn't take any pics but you'll find some on Google Images. One thing my pal mentioned and pointed out was some tiny rust spots on the frame, which looked like pockets of impurity in the material. What would a metallurgist say about this?

 

[S-Express]

What would a metallurgist say about this?

A metallurgist would probably call it pit corrosion.

 

[ianrauk]

That SS frame au naturel looks the dogs danglies

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I didn't take any pics but you'll find some on Google Images. One thing my pal mentioned and pointed out was some tiny rust spots on the frame, which looked like pockets of impurity in the material. What would a metallurgist say about this?

might have kissed some ordinary steel in the workshop at some point?

 

[Ian H]

Unlikely to be made in the UK - Starley frames are all sourced in the far east.

Though they claim otherwise on the website.

 

[S-Express]

Though they claim otherwise on the website.

I can't see the bit where it says they are made in the UK - can you put a link up?

 

[Ian H]

I can't see the bit where it says they are made in the UK - can you put a link up?

Reading it again, I think it merely contrives to give that impression. http://www.starleybikes.com/about/

 

[S-Express]

Likewise - I think if the frames truly were constructed in the UK, it would be all over the website in big, neon, flashing capital letters

 

[Pale Rider]

Reading it again, I think it merely contrives to give that impression. http://www.starleybikes.com/about/

That's how I read it, a bit cheeky but they are not the only bike company to do it.

As @ianrauk says, the steel one looks the part.

Prices look reasonable, given there's some customisation in terms of choice of frame size and finishing kit.