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Whether you prefer steel for its durability, flexibility or aesthetics, there’s no doubt that it’s the preferred material for urban cycling frames. We’ve assembled this list of production road bikes for the steel frame fanatics who like drop bars and gears. And we already know this list is far from complete, so feel free to suggest any additions in the comments field below.
FRAME & FORK ONLY
Pake C’Mute – $360
Soma Smoothie – $540
Kogswell P/R – $600
Gunnar Roadie – $1075
Cinelli Supercorsa – $1900
Serotta Fierte – $2130
COMPLETE BIKES
Jamis Aurora – $1000
Bianchi Brava – $1049
Surly Long Haul Trucker – $1095
Raleigh Clubman – $1100
Fuji Touring – $1100
Masi Speciale Randonneur – $1144
KHS TR-101 – $1200
Kona Sutra – $1200
Trek 520 – $1320
Mercier Elle – $1595
Brodie Elan – $1650
Motobecane Legacy Elite – $1699
Salsa Casseroll Triple – $1705
Condor Acciaio 105 – $1875
Rivendell Sam Hillborne – $2000
Traitor Exile – $2018
Dahon Tournado – $2199
Terry Isis Sport – $2395
Salsa Pistola
Gunnar Sport
Bianchi Vigorelli, Imola, Dolomiti
Fuji Touring
Kona Kapu
Brodie Elan
Dahon Tournado
Fuji Connoisseur
Kona haole, Kapu, Honky Tonk
Don’t forget the Jamis Coda, the flat bar version of the Jamis Aurora.
Bianchi Volpe, $1,099
‘locus’, ‘Urban Jeff’ did say this was about steel frames with drop bars. Nevertheless, the brands that have these bikes usually also have a flat bvar version in their line-up.
Jamis Auroras are everywhere in Toronto, thanks to Urbane Cyclist; I want the Jamis Aurora Elite: better steel and parts than the Aurora.
I think most of the listed bikes have steel (not carbon) forks, which is important if you want to run a front rack, and not have fork failure on your mind in a 50kph decent. I have to switch the fork on my ‘06 Lemond Croix this summer. Pain in the @$$.
Kogswell P/R
I’ve recently seen a number of Colnago Master X Lights around downtown Toronto built up with Ultegra or similar components and SPDs or eggbeaters. I’m assuming these are being ridden by messengers, and while they are a little more exotic than some of the bikes listed above, they are a welcome change from all the fixies.
I love my Surly Pacer and plan on writing it up for the site one of these days. I’ve had it for about 4 years now and it’s a lovely all-day bike.
both my retro bikes are steel. I wouldnt ride anything else.
Ive actually fallen in love with the long haul. If I was to purchase a new-new bike thatd def. be in my top 3 choices, I liked the olive green previous color a bit better, but I guess creamy is ok, would go perfect with my red tights
Jamis Quest, Satellite
Bianchi Volpe — no longer made?
Another list list to be included in! Very happy to see these each time- it’s great to get a resource list together and then see the other suggestions from readers. Very cool indeed.
Don’t forget our Speciale road bike as well… it’s purdy.
http://www.masibikes.com/default.php?link=http%3A%2F%2Fcyclecollection.blogspot.com%2F2009/02/beauty-of-steel-speciale.html
(Sorry for the incredibly long link…)
Masi Speciale 105
Masi Speciale CX
Althought the CX is a cross bike, it does come with drops.
One could also add SOMA’s Buena Vista mixte frame, which would go great with drop bars.
There’s also Trek’s 520.
I haven’t mentioned any cross bikes, even if they’re spec’d with drop bars, because the post is about road bikes. But obviously there are many good steel cross production offerings as well. Material for a future post, perhaps?
Serotta also make the production Fierté steel frameset.
surly pacer
cinelli supercorsa frameset
condor strata
condor classica
gorilla ramen
traitor ruben and exile
my gunnar roadie has been goin’ strong for 5 years now. midwest reprazent! muy recommendo!
I’d like to toss the Raleigh Sojourn into this mix too. It’s a great bike that I use for a 26 mile RT commute. A little write up here, if you’d like. http://www.dartanyonrace.com/2009/04/s-is-for-bicycle/
I love Spicciola
http://orcocicli.com/ORCOBIKE/Bikes/Pagine/Spicciola.html
The best bang for the buck is a Jamis 631 Reynolds steel frame bike with Ultegra at $1400. Mine weighs 18 lbs with Neuvation (no decals!!) R28SL wheels. The Aurora is too heavy for my taste. On sale these bikes go for less. My steel Performance brand single speed frame, with custom wheels and Ritchey parts comes in at 16 lbs. I know, I know, weight weeney. But honestly heavy bikes are fine for stunts and polo. I have one for that too. But on 50 plus mile ride weight matters, at least to me. I do twenty five miles every morning on my single speed and it is a joy. Physics is physics, weight is weight.
I’d far prefer it if bike companies would specify the exact grade of steel tubing they use for each frame. It’s frustrating, and most do it, when a bike company gives a proprietary name to their steel (e.g. “Masi double-butted chromoly steel”) instead of the name of the tubing: e.g. “Tange Infinity”, “Reynolds 6251″.
A proprietary name is not good marketing. It leads me to think it is a lower grade of steel, not higher. I presume that if it is Reynolds 6251 or the like, the company would boast about it.
Masiguy, loving your Speciale, though being a UK dweller i doubt i could get my mits on one
I ride a Thorn Audax Mk3, which is doing everything at the mo – commute, club run, audax, sportive, light touring….. love it.
lemond sarthe
Rivendell Atlantis
Rivendell Betty Foy Frameset (with drops)
Swobo Del Norte (frame and fork only)
LHT’s still come in Olive.
Schwinn Madison. Got one and like it.
Soma Smoothie
Gunnar Crosshairs
Waterford RS-14, too sweet for mere mortals
Lemond Poprad
Niner MCR
Another steel! Salsa Fargo, the ultimate riding machine.
Kona Honky Tonk, which is a steal for a bike with 105 RD and Dura-Ace downtube shifters!
Quite a few steel road bikes with drop bars from Kona and Masi:
Kona Haole $2499
Kona Sutra $1199
Kona Honky Tonk $899
Kona Honky, Inc $1449
Kona Paddy Wagon $649
Kona Band Wagon $949
Kona Grand Wagon $2599
Masi Speciale Randonneur $1145
Masi Speciale CX $1195
Masi Speciale 105 $1635
Masi Fixed Commuter $785
Masi Fixed Drop $785
Masi Fixed LTD Drop $930
Masi Fixed Ultimate $1340
Watch out my blog (in german language but with funny Google translation available). There are more than 300 (!!!) smaller and bigger manufacturers of steelframes and bikes from all around the world.
You find it in the right column … ;o)
2010 Raleigh Record Ace $1700 with Ultegra parts and Brooks saddle is truly best bang for your buck.
Old list, I know, but I’m a little surprised no one has mentioned the Schwinn LeTour Legacy. No direct experience with it, but it looks like a great package at a good price–$1200. Reynolds 520 frame and cro-mo, straightish fork, 105’s throughout, carbon seat post, et cetera. Frames up to 62cm. Schwinn not regarded as a premium or hip brand these days, but give credit when due.
I just picked up a Specialized Allez Steel Double and didn’t see that anyone had listed.
As a leftover 2010 it was a little over $500 new.
Has anybody looked at Motobecane Gran Premio Pro?
Seems like a really great combination:
http://bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/gran_premio_pro.htm
Hi, guys. Any interest in updating this list for 2011? Or 2012?