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Toying around with a steel roadie.

golgiaparatus

Out of my element
Aug 30, 2002
7,340
41
Deep in the Jungles of Oklahoma
I built up a steel roadie just to see if I like steel. I love the ride of steel hardtails on the mtn... so I figured this might be similar. So I picked up a used 56cm Soma Smoothie Race and hung all the parts from my Carbon bike on it. Carbon fork, Ultegra wheels, ultegra components.

If I like it I'll probably get a custom steel frame made from a builder here in town. Either that or an IF... the the custom bike might be cheaper though.

First ride on it will be tonight. Initial impressions... fit is very good, but it's about 2lbs heavier than it was with the carbon frame.
 

golgiaparatus

Out of my element
Aug 30, 2002
7,340
41
Deep in the Jungles of Oklahoma
38 miles with a group yesterday. The ride was really good, over choppy pavement it is far more forgiving than my carbon frame. The geometry is a bit more compact so even though it was a mellower ride over the bumps, it seemed to handle better. I didn't notice the weight or any flexing on the climbs at all, and had no problems with a 50mph downhill so the frame's alignment must be spot on.

Plus, I think all the modern parts on such a clean retro frame looks pretty cool.
 

golgiaparatus

Out of my element
Aug 30, 2002
7,340
41
Deep in the Jungles of Oklahoma
No steel fork? I wont pretend to be an expert on the differences but I prefer a full on steel ride.
I already had a full carbon fork already in my garage. The bike did feel much more harsh in the front end than it did out back. Then again... the bike itself is a giant compromise, good ride vs weight. I don't want it to be TOO heavy. Tips the scales at 19.4 lbs as is. My goal is to get under 19lbs with new cranks, new bars, and some lighter tires. All in due time though.
 

Serial Midget

Al Bundy
Jun 25, 2002
13,053
1,896
Fort of Rio Grande
My trusty old,old Serotta weighs 21 LBS with Chorus 10 components and Open Pro wheels, the lightest bike I have ridden was some sort of Klein full carbon at around 17. I didn't ride it long enough for a solid critique but it was responsive and tight.

To me the difference between carbon and steel is how your body feels after a century. :)

I already had a full carbon fork already in my garage. The bike did feel much more harsh in the front end than it did out back. Then again... the bike itself is a giant compromise, good ride vs weight. I don't want it to be TOO heavy. Tips the scales at 19.4 lbs as is. My goal is to get under 19lbs with new cranks, new bars, and some lighter tires. All in due time though.
 

KavuRider

Turbo Monkey
Jan 30, 2006
2,565
4
CT
My commuter/roadie is steel, with a steel fork. I dig it over the carbon frame I used to have, save for the weight.
 

JoeDirt

Chimp
Jun 20, 2011
1
0
Care to post a pic of the Soma built up? I am leaning towards a steel or C road bike. There are a few options I am looking at (Soma ES or Double Cross, Rawland Nordavinden, All city Mr. Pink, various cross bikes, etc), I'm curious how happy you are with your Soma on the road
 

golgiaparatus

Out of my element
Aug 30, 2002
7,340
41
Deep in the Jungles of Oklahoma
Care to post a pic of the Soma built up? I am leaning towards a steel or C road bike. There are a few options I am looking at (Soma ES or Double Cross, Rawland Nordavinden, All city Mr. Pink, various cross bikes, etc), I'm curious how happy you are with your Soma on the road
Sure thing. I have the Smoothie, not the ES... I think it's a bit longer (the ES). This pic is before I had it fully dialed. Now has different stem, less spacers, and a different bar with red tape :)

It rides really well over rough road, handles well. Don't expect a featherweight though. Mine is just a touch under 19 lbs... Ultegra wheels & components, Thomson hardware, FSA Energy cranks, and a full carbon fork. The added smoothness is worth the added 2 lbs in my opinion... but then again it might matter to me if I were a racer.
 
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Rip

Mr. Excitement
Feb 3, 2002
7,327
1
Over there somewhere.
They're not glamorous but steel bikes are awesome. My Steelman is like 12 years old or something and I have no real desire to change.
It's the only material I like. Steel is real.

Depends on the builder and whether or not it's a lugged frame or wielded.

I've seen some absolutely breath taking steel road bikes.
 

golgiaparatus

Out of my element
Aug 30, 2002
7,340
41
Deep in the Jungles of Oklahoma
Not entirely true on the weight. My race bike is steel and weighs in at 15.2 complete:D
I might be able to get mine down in that ballpark if I had a smaller frame, some ultralight wheels and tires, and all Sram Red components. As it sits, my bike is pretty much all ultegra, including wheels, and some tires selected more for longevity than lightness.

Even still... if I had all that ultra light stuff... I could still drop 1.5-2 lbs instantly by swapping my carbon frame back in.
 

James

Carbon Porn Star
Sep 11, 2001
3,559
0
Danbury, CT
Oh come on James, I have just two bikes and you have what? 4555678?
Well, yes, I have more than I need, probably. But I am cutting back, which is making room for new bikes, unfortunately...or fortunately, depending on your angle.
Doesn't mean that the SV isn't a super-rad, super-exclusive, super-desirable rig!