In the market for a new road steel frame and was leaning toward the Surly Pacer. Before I pull the trigger, are there any other frames / manufacturers I should be looking at?
Must have:
Relaxed geometry
Fit 25c tires (or better)
I have seen pics of the Soma Stanyan and it is a beautiful frame made for wide tyres
Originally Posted by zank
They're just bikes. Ride 'em in the rain, salt, snow and crap to fully appreciate them.
Originally Posted by Sean Kelly
The thing about the cold is that you can never tell how cold it is from looking out a kitchen window. You have to dress up, get out training and when you come back, you then know how cold it is.
Gunnar Sport would be the relaxed geometry you are looking for, and will take up to 28C tires with fenders and 32C without. A bit more, but made in the USA by Waterford using True Temper OX platinum tubing.
In the market for a new road steel frame and was leaning toward the Surly Pacer. Before I pull the trigger, are there any other frames / manufacturers I should be looking at?
Must have:
Relaxed geometry
Fit 25c tires (or better)
Any suggestions?
mm
I bought a 1987 Trek 560 frame in great shape for $120 delivered. Nicer frame than the Pacer There are a lot of great steel frames with Pacer geometry from the late 80's, many are better quality for less money, even with a new powder coat
I just built up a Soma Smoothie in February.
Have about 500 miles on it so far and loving every second.
It will take up to 28mm tires.
At first I was worried about the extra weight of a steel bike, but it is not an issue for me.
Between the 17.5lbs carbon bike, 20lbs aluminum bike and the Smoothie, I grab the steel for almost every ride.
The ride quality is just amazing, for a relatively moderate priced frame.
Mine is built up pretty heavy with 32-36h spoked wheels. I think it weighs in around 22lbs with 25mm gatorskins.
A Genesis Equilibrium. Great frame, light, stiff, cheap, relaxed head angle, fits wide tyres, climbs well, really smooth, probably about half the weight of a surly! - ideal.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm coming from a Specialized Tarmac (all carbon) and it's just too much of a racer bike. Don't get me wrong, I really like the ride, but the geometry is too aggressive and it's aggravating my back. So, I'm just going to swap over what I can from the tarmac over to the new frame.
BTW, what does 'lugged' mean in reference to older steel frames?
All will fit 25c tires or larger. The Pacer is a great bike with nice handling characteristics. Hard to go wrong with it. Unless you're looking for a more touring-oriented bike, go with the Pacer.
I have owned a Pacer, Casseroll (old) and my Soma Smoothie. The Soma is far and away the best riding out of all of them.
Here it is after a bath last night. Ready for todays ride. I love the ride on this bike.
Cycling should be fun. The rules are stupid. Ride because you love to ride. --QED
I'm sure the carbon fork helps with the ride quality. Seems like the smoothie is the only one that comes with an (optional) carbon fork. Now...
Smoothie w/ carbon fork vs. Pacer. Hmm.....
Actually, it dosent really come with any fork. I will probably pick up the Soma steel fork for it though. I run Vittoria Open Corsas in a 25 and they are really good for the ride.
Its really a smooth bike.
Cycling should be fun. The rules are stupid. Ride because you love to ride. --QED
I'd go for an Genesis Equilibrium (if you can get them where you live, I'm assumng its the states?) Theres a few sites selling them for £240.
I used to have a Surly (a crosscheck, not a pacer) and it rode nicely although I found it pretty flexy when pushing hard. I imagine the Pacer will be similar since the tubeset looks the same, as does the Somas.
If you're coming from a carbon frame then I'd say you want something thats going to be quite stiff around the BB area.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm coming from a Specialized Tarmac (all carbon) and it's just too much of a racer bike. Don't get me wrong, I really like the ride, but the geometry is too aggressive and it's aggravating my back. So, I'm just going to swap over what I can from the tarmac over to the new frame.
BTW, what does 'lugged' mean in reference to older steel frames?
Lugged is a method of joining tubes illustrated on the Trek 510 below, left. Frame tubes are inserted into the lugs and the joint is brazed. It's not done much anymore because Tig welding, below right, is now less expensive, produces joints that are as strong as lugged construction, and is slightly lighter.
Lugged construction was popular because the equipment required is inexpensive and brazing skills were easier to find and cheaper to hire than Tig welders.
I'm very happy with the 2011 Jamis Quest I bought last month at a leftover price. I'm running 28 mm vittorria rubino pro tires and its a smooth fairly quick ride for me.
Or go the whole hog and order yourself a Waterford...but bring some cash!
I've always enjoyed the ride of a good cro-moly frame bike. You'll probably enjoy it alot too. Does not have the image of Carbon but may indeed last longer.
You can get Waterford quality, made in the same plant by the same people with the same material, when you get a Gunnar for $500.00 less. I've had two Gunnars and they are great. For what you describe look at the Gunnar Sport. Relaxed, comfy geometry, up to 32c tires, and even has built-in rack mounts.
Seven Elium Race, Gunnar Roadie, Surly LHT, Gary Fisher Genesis 2,
Miyata 610, Gunnar Sport
I have seen pics of the Soma Stanyan and it is a beautiful frame made for wide tyres
I agree, the Soma has lugs and the front two on the head tube are chromed which adds artistic flare in my opinion. I think it's a great looking bike that has also received high reviews. Put the bike together with silver rims and aluminum components instead of carbon black crap and you have a very nice looking bike that would look more expensive then it really was. You would have to buy a Atlantis and spend at least another $500 more and still not get chromed lugs.
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Originally Posted by zank
