Reynolds 853

[Sakura]

Hi, I am in the process of rediscovering cycling following an absense of many years.

So much has changed. In particular the use of steel seems dead. Where's Reynolds? Columbus?

The market for sensible price-end frames and off-the peg bikes seems to be dominated by Aluminium, and Carbon Alloys.

The last road bike I had (10 years ago) was built around an 853. I adored the tubes - light, stiff, responsive. But was a wee bit dissapointed with the build quality.

Anyways, I cant seem to locate on the web any 853 frames, used or new.

Do any manufacturers use 853 anymore? If not, can you suggest an alternative.

I am ten years out of date, and havent a clue how to navigate around the sea of complex alloy frames on the market nowadays.

PS. Aluminium is out of bounds. Tried it once. Extremely light. But very weird ride. Didnt like it.

Nice to be here in this forum

 

[Smokin Joe]

853 is still available, but not from the major manufacturers who almost exclusively use alu or carbon these days, and also titanium.

Small traditional framebuilders like Bob Jackson and Woodrup still build frames made from steel. Their websites will give details.

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Welcome!
To repeat Smokin' 853 is only used by specialists. I'd add Roberts, and Thorn/SJS cycles who do nice off-the-peg 853 bikes. Good steel frames are very expensive though. Colnago do their retro Columbus Master X-lite frame with classic paint job and chromed lugs, but frame alone is a grand. There are 853 Tourers from Dawes

Don't discout Aluminium just 'cos you tried it once. There are alls sorts of aluminium tubes and bikes out there and all are different. There are Alu bikes that are better than Steel. It depends what you want. TBH, how a bike rides is often more about how the tubes are put together rather than what material they are made of.
If you're looking at 853 you are in Titanium price territory and that gives a new range of options.

Enjoy your search...but do it with an open mind!

 

[yenrod]

I heard 953 is available now ???

 

[simonali]

Yep, 953 is very nice, but very expensive too! It's a stainless tubing and so can be built into an unpainted frame like titanium. Reynolds claim it's as light as ti but most seem to think not!

 

[fossyant]

I want 953 as my next bike - very very strong, and I'd guess not as light as Ti, but will last years as it's pretty corrosion and dent resistant.

But it isn't cheap..... £1400 for frame only, excluding carbon fork. It's very oversized compared to traditional tubesets - i.e. pretty modern. 853 is still available, but handbuilt frames come in about £800 for 853, so not a cheap option.

My road bikes are 653 and Columbus SLX - still going strong !

 

[Sakura]

Thanks all, for the advice and welcomes.

Jackson is good. But pricey. I recall a Jackson 853 was £650 ten years ago. I probably would've been better in the long run with a Jackson than a Sirius/Orbit.

Sure, i'll keep an open-mind.. Just need to more clued up.. There's carbon frames and there's 'carbon' frames. You get what you pay for I guess.

 

[Disgruntled Goat]

There's always Ti. On-One are doing a Lynskey built frame for £1k

 

[mickle]

531 was developed for aeroplanes, 853 was developed as side impact protection for automotive carriages.

I hope someone found that of interest.

 

[Christopher]

I have a Dave Yates in 853. Amazing bike (it's the one in my avatar pic): supple, surefooted, fast and comfy. Frame cost about £700 in 2002 and it was made-to-measure.

 

[vbc]

Condor do the Acciaio in Dedacciai Zero Replica tubeset which looks very nice. Nearly bought one myself but went for a Salsa Primero frameset in the end.

 

[Sakura]

Thanks

I searched M. Steel / Dave Yates 853 a couple week ago, but google didnt return much.

Nice to see Dave Yates is still in business.

 

[Christopher]

http://www.daveyatescycles.co.uk/

 

[Rab]

Right, I am going to look pretty thick here

I am fairly new to this cycling malarkey (3-4 years) and I have always wondered what the different terms for the steel tubes mean i.e 653, 853, columbus etc, I presume the numbers refer to the size of the tube diameter etc

Can anyone enlighten me

Incidentally - sorry to hijack the post

 

[Chris James]

The numbers are different material specifications.

531 was the material of choice for years but has been largely replaced by weldable steels. Some steels are only available for main tubes (eg 631) so the stays and forks will be a different material.

You can read the various descriptions on the Reynolds site eg

http://www.reynoldscycles.co.uk/steel853.html