Production Steel Frames with Long/Mid Reach Brakes options?

[NYCfixie]

The WoundUp fork sale thread (https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=257010) got me thinking about production steel frames made for mid-reach caliper brakes.

These are all gone forever so what else is out there (new and not used):
-All City Mr. Pink
-Black Mountain Cycles Road
-Soma ES
-Surly Pacer

[ColonelJLloyd]

Gunnar Sport

[Big Dan]

Milwaukee Road

[AngryScientist]

Oh man; is that true that the Mr Pink is gone from the all city line up? That’s too bad; that was a really solid bike for the money.

[eddief]

still available.

[NYCfixie]

Oh man; is that true that the Mr Pink is gone from the all city line up? That’s too bad; that was a really solid bike for the money.

still available.

As far as I can tell it is listed under archive (as-in no longer available):
https://allcitycycles.com/bikes/archive

[NYCfixie]

Gunnar Sport
If I am going to spend that much ($1150 stock geo or $1500 custom), I am going IF. But then if you go IF (or even Seven if they are still building steel), then do you just go titanium...and I already have one of those (mid-reach Axiom SL). Maybe Honey Bikes (Seven's stock size brand) but I did not see steel listed on their site anymore either.

Milwaukee Road
For $865, and a $250 discounted WoundUp fork, does one just choose IF full custom for $2395...but again, see above.

I have not looked in a few years and thought you could still get a Soma ES or Surly Pacer for $500 which would have been great with a discounted WoundUp fork. But once you break that $1000 mark this project may not makes sense.

Any other production (not custom) options?

[BobbyJones]

Not that I need another, but bummed to see the Smoothie ES gone.

I really like mine. I bet they'll be floating around as NOS if you look in the right places.

[NYCfixie]

Not that I need another, but bummed to see the Smoothie ES gone.

I really like mine. I bet they'll be floating around as NOS if you look in the right places.

Do tell...

[Big Dan]

Tried to get a Mr Pink a couple of times and they were not an easy find.

[ERK55]

Mike Desalvo will build you a full custom steel frame for $1750 providing you have the fork. Earlier this year the wait was about 6 months.

[colker]

If I am going to spend that much ($1150 stock geo or $1500 custom), I am going IF. But then if you go IF (or even Seven if they are still building steel), then do you just go titanium...and I already have one of those (mid-reach Axiom SL). Maybe Honey Bikes (Seven's stock size brand) but I did not see steel listed on their site anymore either.


For $865, and a $250 discounted WoundUp fork, does one just choose IF full custom for $2395...but again, see above.

I have not looked in a few years and thought you could still get a Soma ES or Surly Pacer for $500 which would have been great with a discounted WoundUp fork. But once you break that $1000 mark this project may not makes sense.

Any other production (not custom) options?

A gunnar is the same handmade in the US quality of IF. Waterford is good stuff. HIgh end steel done right is better than budget titanium.

[prototoast]

If I am going to spend that much ($1150 stock geo or $1500 custom), I am going IF. But then if you go IF (or even Seven if they are still building steel), then do you just go titanium...and I already have one of those (mid-reach Axiom SL). Maybe Honey Bikes (Seven's stock size brand) but I did not see steel listed on their site anymore either.


For $865, and a $250 discounted WoundUp fork, does one just choose IF full custom for $2395...but again, see above.

I have not looked in a few years and thought you could still get a Soma ES or Surly Pacer for $500 which would have been great with a discounted WoundUp fork. But once you break that $1000 mark this project may not makes sense.

Any other production (not custom) options?

"If I'm going to spend $1100, I might as well spend $2400" is probably not a common consumer sentiment.

[NYCfixie]

Mike Desalvo will build you a full custom steel frame for $1750 providing you have the fork. Earlier this year the wait was about 6 months.

I'll check it out. But again, might be more than I want to spend for this (need).

A gunnar is the same handmade in the US quality of IF. Waterford is good stuff. HIgh end steel done right is better than budget titanium.

I know. Gunner is basically "Tig'ed Waterford".

"If I'm going to spend $1100, I might as well spend $2400" is probably not a common consumer sentiment.

We all think different (apologies to Steve Jobs and the grammar police).


*****
The main point was to get something not too expensive that could be a backup bike and I could install my Ultegra 6800 group and boyd wheels on when I upgrade my Seven Axiom SL mid-reach. Once it goes past $500-700 for frame/fork it becomes something else.

The Surly Pacer and Some Smoothie ES were great options that unfortunately are no longer available.

[Vientomas]

https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes?categories=Framesets~Road~Equilibrium

[robt57]

https://blackmtncycles.com/frames/road-frames/

https://blackmtncycles.com/wpblackmtn/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/DSC01122-200x200.jpghttps://blackmtncycles.com/wpblackmtn/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/DSC01120-200x200.jpg

[jtbadge]

https://blackmtncycles.com/frames/road-frames/

https://blackmtncycles.com/wpblackmtn/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/DSC01122-200x200.jpghttps://blackmtncycles.com/wpblackmtn/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/DSC01120-200x200.jpg

Also sold out and out of production indefinitely.

[PSC]

Milwaukee Road is also built by Waterford. Really like mine.

[robt57]

Also sold out and out of production indefinitely.

I see them around built barely used, but that is kind of a shame really. One of those with BR-650 brakes and some 32-36 tires...

[lookout2015]

I have not looked in a few years and thought you could still get a Soma ES or Surly Pacer for $500 which would have been great with a discounted WoundUp fork. But once you break that $1000 mark this project may not makes sense.

Any other production (not custom) options?

Surly Pacer has been discontinued for a couple years now

[BobbyJones]

Do tell...

A quick Google search.... I didn’t dig too deep but it looks like they’re out there in limited sizes.

[StanleySteamer]

Check out the Marinoni Sportivo. Ticks all the boxes and fits your budget.

[scho74]

There's 1 56cm Soma Smoothie left if that's your size:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=98741&category=2753

Also a few Surly Midnight Specials:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=100186&category=3106

Slim pickings though.

[NYCfixie]

Check out the Marinoni Sportivo. Ticks all the boxes and fits your budget.

It looks good but those head tubes are very short.

There's 1 56cm Soma Smoothie left if that's your size:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=98741&category=2753

Also a few Surly Midnight Specials:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=100186&category=3106

Slim pickings though.

53-54 and thanks for checking.

BikeTiresDirect has a Soma ES but it's a 49 so the TT is too short.

[tctyres]

I
53-54 and thanks for checking.

BikeTiresDirect has a Soma ES but it's a 49 so the TT is too short.

You might email Omar and see what the max tire size is on his handmade frames: https://www.ebay.com/itm/223960069232

He's clearing out a few to get them on the road.

[phishrabbi]

High end steel done right is better than budget titanium.

Would you be willing to go farther in defining "done right?" Also, where's the line between "budget" and "high end" ti?

I'd put my Habanero up against any steel frame in terms of performance.

In terms of looks or coolness in other ways? That's another question entirely, one which is entirely subjective. Clearly a budget ti frame like mine isn't as beautiful as the higher end ti frames.

Maybe I'm becoming a fan boy, but a hab cx/gravel/touring frame is in production, long/mid, and less than a grand.

Why not ti at that price?

[oldmill]

Honey Bikes appears to offer steel as an option

[Ed-B]

The Genesis Equilibrium is an option.

https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bike/equilibrium-725-fs-2020-alt

You can buy it here:

https://www.totalcycling.com/en/Genesis-Equilibrium-725-Steel-Frame-and-Steel-Fork---Red/m-24368.aspx

[edward12]

If you end up going custom, Rock Lobster is an excellent choice in the $2050 - $2200 range (depending if you go with a custom steel fork or carbon fork). I have two frames from Paul (road and gravel/touring) and I couldn't be happier with them.

http://www.rocklobstercycles.com/frames/road/

[bikinchris]

A gunnar is the same handmade in the US quality of IF. Waterford is good stuff. HIgh end steel done right is better than budget titanium.

Those are my two favorite bike builders. I sold custom IF and Waterford bikes for several years.

[NYCfixie]

Honey Bikes appears to offer steel as an option

If you end up going custom, Rock Lobster is an excellent choice in the $2050 - $2200 range (depending if you go with a custom steel fork or carbon fork). I have two frames from Paul (road and gravel/touring) and I couldn't be happier with them.

http://www.rocklobstercycles.com/frames/road/



From my earlier post on page 1 of this thread:



The main point was to get something not too expensive that could be a backup bike and I could install my Ultegra 6800 group and boyd wheels on when I upgrade my Seven Axiom SL mid-reach. Once it goes past $500-700 for frame/fork it becomes something else.

The Surly Pacer and Some Smoothie ES were great options that unfortunately are no longer available.

[AngryScientist]

why not just keep the Seven midreach as the backup bike then?

[NYCfixie]

why not just keep the Seven midreach as the backup bike then?

The Seven is currently n=1 and I have wanted something else for some time.

I am going to assume that you mean go get an Evergreen type bike which is significantly different rather than try to recreate what I have at a lower cost as a backup bike.



I am about to deal with an engine-out Subaru Outback head gasket replacement with a side of timing belt, water pump, ball joints, and maybe some suspension bushings so I don't want to drop $5-7,000 on a bike right now.

[mhespenheide]

For modern and new, go with the Genesis Equilibrium.

For vintage, go with something in the late 70's to early 80's.

For other suggestions of recent frames, you could check the thread I started here: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=210386.

And always put up a Wanted: in the classifieds. Lots of great stuff out there that people might be looking to move along. If you rode 59-62cm, I'd have some options for you myself...

[ColonelJLloyd]

Haha. Holy moving goal posts, Batman. Why not disclose what it is you actually want in the original post?

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/WeeGloriousFrog-size_restricted.gif

[mistermo]

I am about to deal with an engine-out Subaru Outback head gasket replacement with a side of timing belt, water pump, ball joints, and maybe some suspension bushings so I don't want to drop $5-7,000 on a bike right now.

Thread drift: I dealt with one of those too, which was the end of my Subaru love. They seem to be common, despite all the accolades by CR, and the rest.

I once had a Salsa Cassaroll, 57mm brakes which was a fantastic bike. Also had an IF Club Racer (57mm brakes) and a custom 57mm braked bike from a builder mentioned in this thread. My experience, and view of the bikes, was inversely correlated to price paid.

[Clancy]

Honey Bikes appears to offer steel as an option

Boy if they do they sure make ‘em hard to find

[NYCfixie]

Haha. Holy moving goal posts, Batman. Why not disclose what it is you actually want in the original post?

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/WeeGloriousFrog-size_restricted.gif

I think I was rather clear in my OP.

The WoundUp fork sale thread (https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=257010) got me thinking about production steel frames made for mid-reach caliper brakes.

These are all gone forever so what else is out there (new and not used):
-All City Mr. Pink
-Black Mountain Cycles Road
-Soma ES
-Surly Pacer


Others kept offering up more expensive and/or custom options and I few times I tried to bring it back to the original question but finally gave up because while not the original intent, I did appreciate all the information.

[edsteck]

Grant Peterson must offer something at Rivendell.

[tctyres]

Or just order a Bob Jackson off the peg. With no frills, it will come in around $700.

[dancinkozmo]

the fork and brake bridge are drilled on the surly cross check. also the canti studs are removeable. maybe you can get calipers to work

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1608/6187/products/fm0447-02-20190801_11c85caf-2a4b-417f-b42f-bdd2465c5857_1400x.jpg?v=1592510326.

https://images.qbp.com/imageservice/image/8f18b0a9d7dd/prodxl/FM2564-01.jpg