The $2,000 question

[sjbraun]

Okay friends, after selective culling of the contents of the bike shed, I have two bills to spend on a new frame and fork. I'm leaning toward steel, but what other suggestions might you have?

[Doc Austin]

There are guys here who are much more versed in this than I, but I'll pass on what little I know:

Like they say "Steel is real." I don't know what a CSI costs nowdays, or if you can even get one, but I'de go with that and a carbon fork, mainly because that's what I''ve already got and I like it nearly as well as my relatively new Legend TI.

I probably just busted you budget, but I believe Serotta makes an affordable steel frame too.

I like the CSI steel frame. It's held up extremely well. However, when I put the carbon fork on the CSI, it was like getting a brand new bike. Much, much better handling, much, much more precise steering, and the ride was alot better too. Day and night transformation.

My personal suggestion, which the others may not agree with (and most of them know more than me anyway), is carbon fork all the way, and a steel frame ain't bad either.

[sevencyclist]

Fierte Ti with the carbon rear plus the Kestrel fork that Serotta has on the Fierte webpage would give you a great ride for $1995. (Price of Fierte Ti is going up by $100 in two weeks, so get it now.)

Kirk frame with fork is $1950, throw in $250 for Terraplane can probably give you a performance similar to Ottrott at 2 lbs more.

Experience magic of Sacha White in a Vanilla frame and fork at $2100.

[vaxn8r]

.....Experience magic of Sacha White in a Vanilla frame and fork at $2100.
Ditto. If you gotta have lugs, you need to see his work.

[Climb01742]

perhaps one question is: do you want something new or would used be ok? if used is ok, then your choices open up a lot.

[William]

Kirk
Spectrum
Peter Mooney
Rock Lobster (Lobstah if your from New England) ;)


Used will certainly buy you more for your money...but there's nothing like the smell of a new bike. :rolleyes:


William

[jpw]

All alloy.

[Smiley]

Get sized up by someone thats good and buy what you want used , their are STUPID deals out there to be had. Look at that freaking 2003 Concours Ti cross bike that was just sold as a complete bike, if it was my size it would have been mine. Plenty of great deals on Pergoretti's on the classifieds too but you gotta know what size will work for you. Best of luck with your purchase within a good budget for a used good bike.

[CNote]

la Capital

[TimD]

Pegoretti Duende, with "Ivo" paint and Ouzo Pro fork.

TimD

[93legendti]

http://www.serotta.com/pages/fierte.html

[TimD]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pegoretti-Duende-58cm-RELISTED-Low-Reserve_W0QQitemZ7184222717QQcategoryZ98084QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Maybe it isn't the right size. I have no relation with the seller, BTW.

TimD

[Jeff N.]

SEVEN Axiom Steel. About 15 bills out-the-door, custom, paint included. Got one. Love it. Jeff N.

[CalfeeFly]

A Calfee Luna will come in at that figure. It will ride and handle like a Dragon Fly for over $2,000 less. It is just about 3/4 of a pound heavier but still well under 3. Great bike. Read the Calfee forum for more information.

[sg8357]

Vanilla, I think he has a nice long backorder.
E-Richie & Peter Weigle are back ordered till the next ice age.
Brian Bayliss, you need a note from the Pope.

I suggest Chris Kvale or Doug Fattic, spread the wealth
brothers & sisters.


Scott G.

[davids]

My choices are mostly steel. I don't know how I'd choose:

Independent Fabrications Crown Jewel with steel IF fork
Independent Fabrications Crown Jewel with Reynolds Ouzo Pro
Pegoretti Duende with Reynolds Ouzo Pro
Serotta Colorado III with Reynolds Ouzo Pro
Serotta Fierte Ti with Kestrel fork
Seven Steel Axiom with Reynolds Ouzo Pro

Except for the Peg, the steel bikes are completely custom. But wait - I have a Steel Axiom! I'd probably get the Fierte Ti, since it's Ti. But I'm really tempted by the idea of an IF with the Ouzo, painted all fancy-like. They've got this beautiful deep metallic orange for a $150 premium, which would take you to $2,050...