Steel frames in SA?

[AndreZA]

All you shop owners out there, can you still get steel frames? I'm not talking about 1990 or earlier stuff but new stuff with todays tubings and carbon forks and vertical dropouts?

 

 

 

I actually dreamt last night that I was riding a steel bike and I did not want to wake up from the dream.

 

 

 

.Mampara2009-03-11 05:07:10

[TitusTi]

Road or Mtb?

You can order a custom built Scwinn Paramount, beautiful thing, other than that not much real quality steel coming into the country.

[AndreZA]

Road.

 

 

 

I saw the Paramount but it's $7000.

 

 

 

.

[MintSauce]

A decent shop will source anything you want.....but decent shops are scarce

[gummibear]

Order a Baum from Australia.Same tubing as Parramont just a lot cheaper.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2516685181_6a9452c9a3_b.jpg

[MoreTrails]

If you looking for mtb steel frames then On One are the schizzle.

 

Been hunting around and they are really competatively priced (around 3k)and offer a wide range of options.

 

And as far as availability goes I am told there is an agent in SA. PM droo as he has been doing a bit of homework on the matter

 

[gummibear]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/2516695993_2046734358_b.jpg

[gummibear]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2517524570_ca895d5097_b.jpg

[TitusTi]

Road.

I saw the Paramount but it's $7000.

.

 

The Curtlo's are preety damn nice too!

[NC_lurker]

Why not contact Francois du Toit and get him to build you a custom frame?

[gummibear]

Does he still do frames?

[TitusTi]

He only does steel as far as I know, not too sure he'll be using the latest stuff though?

[Hog_]

Order one from Marinobike. You supply the geometry and specs, Marino builds it, ships it to SA.

 

http://www.marinobike.com

 

I was seriously considering this before I got the GT.

 

 

 

[AndreZA]

If you looking for mtb steel frames then On One are the schizzle.Been hunting around and they are really competatively priced (around 3k)and offer a wide range of options.And as far as availability goes I am told there is an agent in SA. PM droo as he has been doing a bit of homework on the matter

 

 

 

 

I think the fact that I mentioned a carbon fork would give it away that I'm looking for a road frame.

 

 

 

And yes, On-One and Planet-X does have an agent in the country. He is the Hub's very own Kiwi.

 

 

 

.

[TitusTi]

A few years ago I rode a steel Scapin (not mine), it was the most beautiful bike I have ever ridden, it still keeps me awake at night.

Steel frame, carbon record, Neutron wheels, weighed 7 kg's, and it was a beautiful ride, nothings come close since.

[Johan Bornman]

The white bike pictured here is a fine example of a fillet brazed steel bike. I prefer a lugged frame since you can zoot it up with clever paintwork.

 

Some years ago I built a steel bike and project was satisfying, but the ride is just like anything else. I can't tell the difference between my steel bike and my Cannondale.

 

However, I don't want to go into that debate. When I imported the tubeset from Columbus, it cost me about R4700 for the tubes and blank lugs. I then spent another 100 hours plus shaping the lugs to my satisfaction.

 

I absolutely loved every minute of the job, especially the special tools I could buy - Dremels, needle files etc.

 

I don't see how Paramount arrived at that price they're charging for the bike. Without any discount I made my frame for less than R6 000, including painting.

 

The tubeset is largely irrelevant. Top-end tubesets are all similar. I got Columbus Neuron, which could be silver-soldered, I think. Braze-able tubes are a bit cheaper and just as good.

 

Whilst I can see the beauty of the Paramount's carbon frame that was custom made to fit in with the lugs, I don't like the fat fork blades. A steel bike's signature is long thin fork blades, mine are thin and straight, as was the fashion back then.

 

My next one will have stainless steel lugs which I'll polish. It'll look like this or better: