Looking at some steel frames. Opinions needed please

[tbike4]

I own a Serotta Atlanta with a steel fork. I love it and it gets the most saddle time. I own a couple lesser steel bikes and 1 carbon bike. A Cannondale Supersix Evo Hi_mod which is actually pretty compliant, IMO. I love the way the Serotta rides with just enough spring and the right amount of stiffness. I want another steel ride and a few possibilities are: 1. Tommasini Prestige- mid to late 80's with Columbus SL. 2. De Rosa Neo Primato. 3. Tommasini Tecno Extra, lugged and tigged. 4. A Tommasini with multi shape tubes. The Tommy MS is a good deal but the color is not so great and has a uni crown fork.

I am 6 feet, 175 lanky pounds so not a big masher. I don't want a steel bike with fat tubes that is too stiff for me so the older Tommy is included with newer frames.

Anyone have any of these or have riding experience? TIA.

[Elefantino]

If this one (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=154626) fits, buy it. You will smile lots.

[AngryScientist]

any thought about getting a builder to whip up a modern steel bike built just for you to suit your weight and riding desires?

[thirdgenbird]

That Tommasini fork is probably their EL fork. It's light, rides great and I think they charged a decent premium for it. For what it's worth, I'm similar size and weight and my older tecno rides beautifully.

[tbike4]

If this one (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=154626) fits, buy it. You will smile lots.

I saw that today. CSI should be on my want list as well. It's 1 size too small. I ride a 58-60cm, 57.5 to 58cm top tube.

[tbike4]

This is the MS tubed bike. I don't know if I could live with this paint.

[thirdgenbird]

Wow. I've never seen that one. The fork doesn't appear to the the one I referenced either. Is it the original paint?

[inkandsilver]

I was thinking that paint was so ugly it's great... but I think on further review it's just so ugly.

OP, you might be interested in this Primato:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=36363624&cat=409&lpid=1&search=&ad_cid=9

Not mine, but I checked it out. Original fork is gone but there are no signs of a crash (he said it was too flexy for him). Small dent in top tube. It sounds like you're looking more upscale, but it seems to be your size if you wanted a bargain, FWIW.

[tbike4]

Wow. I've never seen that one. The fork doesn't appear to the the one I referenced either. Is it the original paint?

IDK if it's original paint. It looks a bit clunky in the fade area.

[thirdgenbird]

IDK if it's original paint. It looks a bit clunky in the fade area.

My thoughts too.

[gomango]

This is the MS tubed bike. I don't know if I could live with this paint.

I've seen quite a few Tommasinis in my day, but never that scheme.

[thirdgenbird]

I've seen quite a few Tommasinis in my day, but never that scheme.

Lots of things seem atypical

[Ciavete]

Perhaps consider Doriano De Rosa's newest steel frame - Prima. Mine will arrive in about 2 weeks - will post pics!

[weisan]

This is as good as it gets.. And right here at our doorstep

Kirk Terraplane
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=165748

Maybe of lesser fit but if you can make it work, can only imagine it being a phenomenal ride...
Hampsten MAX
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=173759

[dcama5]

any thought about getting a builder to whip up a modern steel bike built just for you to suit your weight and riding desires?

This seems like the best advice to me. I'd add that there are many excellent builders right now and you can probably find some fairly close to you in So Cal. That makes it easier to maintain a close relationship if anything needs attention in the future.

[VTCaraco]

If your fit is fairly off-the-shelf, you can get SOOO much bike for the $ on the second hand market.
Those two that Weisan posted are prime examples of opportunities at substantial savings if the fit works.

[velomonkey]

If your fit is fairly off-the-shelf, you can get SOOO much bike for the $ on the second hand market.
Those two that Weisan posted are prime examples of opportunities at substantial savings if the fit works.


Yup, that Hampsten is baller.

[thirdgenbird]

I saw that today. CSI should be on my want list as well. It's 1 size too small. I ride a 58-60cm, 57.5 to 58cm top tube.

What size stem are you using with those?

I've got a 130mm salsa and a 140mm ITM eclype. One is likely to go up for sale. Both are low milage. I actually still have the packaging for each.

[jr59]

This is as good as it gets.. And right here at our doorstep

Kirk Terraplane
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=165748



Weisan-pal, I don't think this would work. This was SamIam's and that's normally a bit bigger than the OP says he rides. Yes I know the numbers look ok, but Dave's # are a bit different.

but it is 1 heck of a steel

[tbike4]

What size stem are you using with those?

I've got a 130mm salsa and a 140mm ITM eclype. One is likely to go up for sale. Both are low milage. I actually still have the packaging for each.

I use a 100mm stem on a 58cm TT, 110mm stem on a shorter TT. I have tried a TT with 58.5cm and less than 57cm. Neither is a good fit.

[jlwdm]

The Kirk is beautiful.

Jeff

[Ken Robb]

What do you want a new steel bike to provide that your Atlanta does not?

[tbike4]

What do you want a new steel bike to provide that your Atlanta does not?

Yes the Kirk is very nice indeed. What I need in a new steel frame is a new steel frame to ride. Just a N+1 situation and want something that is slightly different.

[makoti]

any thought about getting a builder to whip up a modern steel bike built just for you to suit your weight and riding desires?

+1. So worth it.

[thirdgenbird]

I use a 100mm stem on a 58cm TT, 110mm stem on a shorter TT. I have tried a TT with 58.5cm and less than 57cm. Neither is a good fit.

It's all preference. Im a similar height and perfer a 57 with a 130. Other fit parameters could be different though.

[Mr. Pink]

http://www.strongframes.com

[rnhood]

If you want a steel bike just to ride and kick around, you might want to consider a new Torelli. They are not overpriced and seem to be liked by their owners. Buying a used custom bike is a bit risky since it was made for someone else.

I believe someone is currently listing a used "custom" Ottrott in the classified forum that he bought, only to find out it doesn't fit properly. To make matters worse, the seller will not take it back.

If you want a custom then my recommendation is to buy it new.

[tbike4]

I found out that purple and orange Tommasini is a powder coat. Hmmm. Anybody ridden a Neo Primato?

[cnighbor1]

FS 59 new paint 1982 Ceuvas frame $525
Charles

[thirdgenbird]

Nashbar has 20% off. You can get a new Guerciotti Record for $700.

[SoCalSteve]

Find a CSI, second best steel bike I've ever ridden. First is my Kirk Terraplane.

[Steelman]

I found out that purple and orange Tommasini is a powder coat. Hmmm. Anybody ridden a Neo Primato?

Had a Neo Primato Genius with unicrown steel fork from 96 or so. It road and handled nice, but the paint and chrome was not great at that time. Perhaps this has improved since then.

This is my fav. paint job and fork:


http://www.theoldbikeshop.com/de-rosa-neo-primato-55cm-red

It looks as though that Tommasini has been refinished, they normally chrome the chainstays and seat stays much more than that, especially in that vintage.

Had a Tommasini Tecno EL/OS with Genius fork. Preferred the ride/handling of the DeRosa. The paint/graphics/chrome of the Tommasini were decent, but "over-the-top" in today's terms.

[VTCaraco]

Across the hall...
horse wishboner max (http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/f3/fs-horse-wishboner-max-road-frameset-hs-59-5stx57tt-41122.html)

Looks like an interesting rig that is surely different than your other rides...
https://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_me7lynoyHc1rrnk8uo2_1280.jpg

[na3s]

Find a quality frame in the 2nd hand market and have a local framebuilder modify anything you may wish to change. Great way to get exactly what you want without the cost of a full custom.

[tbike4]

Some really nice ideas and examples posted here. I am most likely not looking for a new frame just new to me. That Torelli "The Il 30ｰ" is very nice if stainless is your thing. The rear dropouts are pretty cool.

http://www.torelli.com/frames/torelli/steel/il30.html

[Ken Robb]

You might have fun with a bike that lets you ride 30+mm tires for a real change from what you already own. My Strada Bianca and Rivendell Rambouillet and Allrounder give me lots of flexibility in tire selection.

[molly47]

Check out 44 bikes he is in Nh I just purchased a Huntsman from him i Love it,amazing ride.

[harrison]

can't go wrong with sl

[tbike4]

Find a CSI, second best steel bike I've ever ridden. First is my Kirk Terraplane.

I would like to find a CSI in my size but they seem to be hard to come by. My Atlanta will have to do. It's going to be this Tommasini Tecno Extra for now. I put some parts on it but will most likely get a 6800 group.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz87/Tbike4/Tommasini%20Tecno%20extra/Side%20rear_zpstwbgeya6.jpg (http://s816.photobucket.com/user/Tbike4/media/Tommasini%20Tecno%20extra/Side%20rear_zpstwbgeya6.jpg.html)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz87/Tbike4/Tommasini%20Tecno%20extra/Seat%20lugs_zpstdmbjvpo.jpg (http://s816.photobucket.com/user/Tbike4/media/Tommasini%20Tecno%20extra/Seat%20lugs_zpstdmbjvpo.jpg.html)

[buldogge]

^^^Columbus Genius? Nice...I've never owned a Tommasini, but never hear anything but praise for them and would love to try a Genius tubed frame.

Cool.

-Mark in St. Louis

[nicrump]

This is the MS tubed bike. I don't know if I could live with this paint.

That may have an MS tubing sticker on it but it is not MS. the MS stood for MultiShape. the MS down tube was a reverse teardrop while the chinastays were asymmetrical in a an odd shape.

i own an MS track bike, 650 front funny bike to be exact.

went and looked closer, is that a reverse teardrop?

[tbike4]

That may have an MS tubing sticker on it but it is not MS. the MS stood for MultiShape. the MS down tube was a reverse teardrop while the chinastays were asymmetrical in a an odd shape.

i own an MS track bike, 650 front funny bike to be exact.

went and looked closer, is that a reverse teardrop?

If you are referring to the orange and purple frame IDK. I never looked at it just had the photo from the seller and went by what he told me.

[cnighbor1]

My 59cm new paint Cuevas is FS $525
would that work?