USA made production lugged frame. Any still out there?

[nervexpro55]

Im wondering if there is any production built lugged frame bikes still available that are made in the USA? I remember a company called Heron that did production but i cant seem to find any info on them anymore. Anybody know of one?

[Louis]

Im wondering if there is any production built lugged frame bikes still available that are made in the USA? I remember a company called Heron that did production but i cant seem to find any info on them anymore. Anybody know of one?

Waterford.

[thendenjeck]

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/international-11/

not made in usa, but

[nervexpro55]

Waterford.
I should have stated a reasonbly priced production frame. In the $1000-1500 price range. Waterford lugged frames start at $2150 with fork.

[djg21]

I should have stated a reasonbly priced production frame. In the $1000-1500 price range. Waterford lugged frames start at $2150 with fork.

http://www.mezzatestacustomcycles.com/id4.html

[krhea]

You can get a full on custom built steel, lugged frame for your budget, is that an option or does it have to be a "production" bike.

KRhea

[Wilkinson4]

Rivendell, Soma... Does Gunnar or Salsa make a lugged frame?

mIKE

[oldpotatoe]

I should have stated a reasonbly priced production frame. In the $1000-1500 price range. Waterford lugged frames start at $2150 with fork.

$1800 for the frame and custom, BTW. Use any appropriate fork.

No Gunnar lugged frame. Soma made 'offshore' as is Salsa.

[merckxing]

your timing might be good to try Mr. B. -- http://www.bringheli.com/

his bread-and-butter is building jigs, as you may know, but if you've got time, he might be willing to work something out. Last time I spoke with him, the rates were right about your range, even on the low side depending upon what you want.

[eddief]

the lugged bikes Waterford makes for Rivendell and I think only some Sam's fit in that category; as some come out of the East...and Riv just raised the price almost out of your range.

[DRietz]

I think if you ask nicely, Kent Eriksen might make you a custom steel frame. Although, I have no idea.

I ride a Soma Smoothie Road Race - they're company out of San Francisco, but all frames are made overseas. It's a quality frame and I love it.

[Ken Robb]

Herons were made by Waterford for a design/marketing company that went out of the business. Search "Tulio's" for more info.

[DRietz]

Oh, and there are also custom steel frame builders throughout the USA. But I guess that doesn't fit the "production" criteria.

[phcollard]

Hampsten Team Pro?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jtred23/sets/72157624192618436/with/4664553237/

http://cycleexif.exifmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hampsten-team-pro-10.jpg

[DRietz]

That bike looks really classy with those fenders, and the lug cutouts are also really nice.

That's production? Whoa.

[97CSI]

I should have stated a reasonbly priced production frame. In the $1000-1500 price range. Waterford lugged frames start at $2150 with fork.Contact Harry Havnoonian in Media, PA (Google his LBS, Cycle Sport, for contact info). He might make one for you. Think he also has a website under Havnoonian Racing Group.

[nervexpro55]

You can get a full on custom built steel, lugged frame for your budget, is that an option or does it have to be a "production" bike.

KRhea
Have not seen any custom frames with fork for $1000-1500. Any idea who makes them.

[nervexpro55]

your timing might be good to try Mr. B. -- http://www.bringheli.com/

his bread-and-butter is building jigs, as you may know, but if you've got time, he might be willing to work something out. Last time I spoke with him, the rates were right about your range, even on the low side depending upon what you want.
I have talked with Joe B when i orderd a dozen old school bb cup tools and meet him at a bike show but i never knew he made frames. Anybody out there have one of his frames?

[eddief]

but doug curlo OX tigged frame is $990 and add a fork.

and Meech is doing fillets with fork for $1200 or so. He's just learning, but he could do me one on his learning curve for that price:

http://meechcustombikes.blogspot.com/

I like his seattube top lug treatment more than many I have seen.

[krhea]

Have not seen any custom frames with fork for $1000-1500. Any idea who makes them.

Here's my newest custom build. It did not include the fork but frame/paint/delivery was under your budget. I wanted a specific fork so I supplied my own, however, Allan does build forks as well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Wanta%20frame/P1010019.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Wanta%20frame/P1010027.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Wanta%20frame/P1010007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Wanta%20frame/P1010001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Wanta%20frame/P1010014-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Wanta%20frame/P1010012.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Wanta%20frame/IMG_1482.jpg

[Fixed]

nice bike like the attention to detail nice paint color too
imho cheers
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anyone know about these ?

http://www.wabicycles.com/Special-unpainted-photos.html

[DRietz]

Krhea, that bike is absolutely beautiful! Congrats!

[nahtnoj]

I should have stated a reasonbly priced production frame. In the $1000-1500 price range. Waterford lugged frames start at $2150 with fork.

The Waterford is reasonably priced. You are being unreasonable for thinking that it is possible for a company to make a profit on a US made frame/fork for $1000-1500. IMO.

[Aaron O]

Contact Harry Havnoonian in Media, PA (Google his LBS, Cycle Sport, for contact info). He might make one for you. Think he also has a website under Havnoonian Racing Group.

Havnoonian is my least favorite PA builder...I am not at all impressed with his bikes or the reversed rear brake. I think his work is very substandard personally. Bilenky has a couple production models that come in just a hair over your 1,000 - 1,500 number. We have a newer builder named Chris Wright who will do a lugged custom for 1200ish.

Another interesting option is Hetchins. Obviously not US made, but a lugged brand new Hetchins runs around 1200-1600 depending on options. They also seem to keep their value. I came very close to pulling the trigger on one.

I could be mistaken, but I do not believe the Waterford built rivs are under 2,000.

[Aaron O]

Have not seen any custom frames with fork for $1000-1500. Any idea who makes them.

Hetchins for one...at least they came in at that number with last year's exchange rate. An online friend recs Capricorn, who I think is in that area...and Chris Wright, locally, is around there.

The Waterford is reasonably priced. You are being unreasonable for thinking that it is possible for a company to make a profit on a US made frame/fork for $1000-1500. IMO.

I agree. These guys aren't getting rich and they have to charge money to stay in business. I'd rather give 2,200 to Waterford than Specialized.

[Scott Shire]

Affinity 212 (http://affinitycycles.com/frames/bk212/)

Traitor Cycles Exile (http://www.traitorcycles.com/Bikes_Exile.cfm)

Soma Speedster (http://store.somafab.com/sosprospfrse.html)
^Still made in USA? not sure.

[eddief]

That is a new to me company. Appears they do the design but have them built in Asia. Also they have some decent looking, very inexpensive steel forks available separately.

http://www.traitorcycles.com/NotBikes.cfm

[Charles M]

Is there a bike that isn't "Produced"?

loads of choices at loads of prices and lead times...

[CaptStash]

Bill Davidson in Seattle still builds lugged frames. His stock price is $1,599 (fraME ONLY). He seems to be pretty well known nationally and is legendary locally. Plus he's a cool cat.

Davidson bikes: http://davidsonbicycles.com/pricelist.html

CaptStash....

[Plum Hill]

Ken Robb was close on Heron Cycles. Built by Waterford, they were sold by Tulio's Big Dog Cycles, a brick and mortar bike shop in LaSalle, Il. Tulio's was one of the last shops around that specialized in touring gear.

The shop was closed to the public a few years ago, leaning towards being a distributor. Apparently they have completely folded.

There was at least one titanium Heron produced, a very nice bike as I recall.

For current Heron production try this: http://www.heronbicycles.com/ .

[fogrider]

try della santa...his website is pretty basic, but he can build a sweet, light, lugged steel bike for a good price! a friend has one and its pretty sweet www.dellasanta.com

[Walter]

Della Santa made a lugged steel frame for me a couple of years ago. Short wait, easy to work with, friendly price...and best of all...a very nice ride.

[Mikej]

I should have stated a reasonbly priced production frame. In the $1000-1500 price range. Waterford lugged frames start at $2150 with fork.
$2150 IS A STEEL!!! HA HA

[forrestw]

I've got a friend who's in the process of tooling up to build lugged bikes in the Bay area, can drop you a note when he's operational.

[buck-50]

If yer not stuck on lugs, there's the Box Dog Pelican- tig welded Rando frame and fork built in Wisconsin by the same guy who built my fillet brazed custom.

[Ramjm_2000]

Ted Wojcik: Great guy welded frames are eye candy as well.

http://www.tedwojcikcustombicycles.com/road-bikes.aspx

[fiamme red]

I should have stated a reasonbly priced production frame. In the $1000-1500 price range. Waterford lugged frames start at $2150 with fork.Jeff Lyon lugged L'avecaise frame and fork: $1,450.

http://www.lyonsport.com/frames.html

[Fixed]

Affinity 212 (http://affinitycycles.com/frames/bk212/)

Traitor Cycles Exile (http://www.traitorcycles.com/Bikes_Exile.cfm)

Soma Speedster (http://store.somafab.com/sosprospfrse.html)
^Still made in USA? not sure.
thanks scott
cheers

[19wisconsin64]

Hi,
First, you can go online or go in person to see the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. This year it's in Austin. You can check out all the folks there who build frames now. http://www.2011.handmadebicycleshow.com/

Also, here's a website link to lots of past and current USA builders of lugged frames http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/USA.htm

My third and final suggestion....buy a used Serotta or other lugged high-end made in America frame. Can I even say "Sachs"?? For the price range you are in you may be able to get a used one. Maybe.

Other amazing used American frames go for short money (in my humble opinion)....well under your budget.

Cheers from NYC

[Aaron O]

Hi,
First, you can go online or go in person to see the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. This year it's in Austin. You can check out all the folks there who build frames now. http://www.2011.handmadebicycleshow.com/

Also, here's a website link to lots of past and current USA builders of lugged frames http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/USA.htm

My third and final suggestion....buy a used Serotta or other lugged high-end made in America frame. Can I even say "Sachs"?? For the price range you are in you may be able to get a used one. Maybe.

Other amazing used American frames go for short money (in my humble opinion)....well under your budget.

Cheers from NYC

I think this is an excellent suggestion...and I bought my Sachs for this price range (used obviously). For $500 you can easily get a used, nice condition lugged top end steel bike.

[dbh]

I've seen lots of mention of custom frame builders, high-end production outfits (Waterford, etc), and cheaper overseas lugged production frames, but no affordable production frames built in the U.S. Yes, there are some pretty affordable custom shops like Curtlo, but no one selling off the peg affordable lugged frames like Bob Jackson in the U.K. for around the $1,000 mark.

[fogrider]

I've seen lots of mention of custom frame builders, high-end production outfits (Waterford, etc), and cheaper overseas lugged production frames, but no affordable production frames built in the U.S. Yes, there are some pretty affordable custom shops like Curtlo, but no one selling off the peg affordable lugged frames like Bob Jackson in the U.K. for around the $1,000 mark.
so why do you want a production steel frame built in the us? what is wrong with custom if its in your price range. part of the attraction of steel is that the frame is built for the rider taking account their riding style, weight, preference, etc.

here is a long list of manufacturers...some of the links are outdated...

http://www.bikesutra.com/manatoi.html

[BengeBoy]

Bill Davidson in Seattle still builds lugged frames. His stock price is $1,599 (fraME ONLY). He seems to be pretty well known nationally and is legendary locally. Plus he's a cool cat.

Davidson bikes: http://davidsonbicycles.com/pricelist.html

CaptStash....

Bill Davidson and his partner, Bob Freeman, are great people to work with.

I have never been a fan of the way they put their website together, though, and I don't think the photos there really give a great idea of what they can do. Luckily, Bob has a public account at Flickr and often some really nice new lugged Davidson show up.

I just spotted this the other day - a pretty amazing lugged rando bike:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8379107@N03/sets/72157625503419206/

And this recent touring bike:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8379107@N03/sets/72157625494928725/

A new Davidson built up with vintage Suntour Superbe parts:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8379107@N03/sets/72157624667544325/

...etc.

[Beeb]

Anthony Mezzatesta seems to do great work at a reasonable price as well. His frames start at $1400, $1700 w/ fork.

http://www.mezzatestacustomcycles.com/id4.html

[Bob Ross]

Have not seen any custom frames with fork for $1000-1500. Any idea who makes them.

It's been a while since I checked their prices but istr Tom Oswald and Richard Moon could both hit that $1500 pricepoint for a custom lugged steel frame.