Torvi
mr poopmechanic
- Location
- Wellingborough
or how about trying out surly bikes, they build pretty good bikes that lasts forever 

Ive got quiteca few old racers down tube shifters etc i love these old racers ive got a 60s BSA Tour of britain rides lovely, phillips. Elswicks, etc.I've never been into biking, I only started because I got a new job that was close, I found an old 80s Bicycle in my Aunts garage and I decided to save money by selling the car. Turns out that I'm only 15 mins slower on the Bicycle than I was the car, I'm getting exercise and I'm saving thousands. So I've decided to fully commit, I need a new Bicycle as this old one has seen better days, but I cannot find one I like.
I really like this old Bicycle, it feels as light as all the modern Bicycles (I've tried Carbon and Aluminium frames) and in fact it feels lighter than the aluminium ones I've tried. The frame is a lot bigger than modern bicycles, the thing feels so good on the road, it's so comfortable, where as the aluminum ones I've tried are so horrible, THE WORST! Even the Carbon ones didn't feel as good as the one I have now. I felt guilty at the shop because I tried loads and none felt as good as the one I have today.
The problem is no one sells Steel Bicycles any more, the only ones I can find are online and cost thousands, I wouldn't be able to try them any ways. I need to change this Bicycle since it's literally falling apart...
I just feel stuck, I cannot find anything I like as much as this one.
A new Rourke 653 custom Audax starts at less than £900 for Frame and carbon forks. Not bad for a comfortable bike for life. How you then build it up is up to you, I'd rather have 8speed and decent wheels on a good frame than 11 speed 105 on cheap wheels and a second rate or poorly fitting frame ....I reckon you could get a made to measure bike in a decent grade steel like 531 from Brian Rourke, painted to your own choice with a decent carbon fork & a decent modern gear spec like 11 speed 105 for less than you imagine.
I am also sure that they occasionally have off the peg steel stuff too, having visited the web site a few times.
Genesis do nice quality bikes & have some very reasonably priced variants of steel road models.
Ribble do a steel frame & fork set in Reynolds 525 for buttons & you can choose your own spec to build up.a nice bike.
Modern geometries allow the seat post to sit higher in the tube than the old stuff & it is in no way detrimental to the ride comfort or characteristics. I am quite sure that if you had a properly fitted steel bike you would be very comfortable with the modern set up of more seat post showing.
Steve.
or how about trying out surly bikes, they build pretty good bikes that lasts forever![]()
Hurrah for Spa Cycles! Although the linked one is the tourer model, not the audax model that I have.
Yup only 3 messages on the same day as this thread was started . This was not the forum he was looking for.I think scaramoosh has done the fandango and buggered off.
But good to see folks trying to help out.
Maybe biggs682 should put a piccy up of his bikes for others to see and be tempted.