List of STEEL-framed bikes now available

spinningmagnets

spinningmagnets

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Maybe this will be useful to others, maybe it will wither, but...here goes.

There are many aluminum bicycle frames that have a steel fork (usually the desirable CrMo/Chromo/Chromium-Molybdenum), which are steels in the 41XX designation range. When a builder is contemplating doing custom work to an existing frame...torch-brazing or TIG-welding aluminum is an option, but due to "strength of the material" concerns, one must be aware of issues that may arise from "heat treating" and "annealing" aluminum, so...some homework should be done ahead of time to avoid unexpected (and expensive) changes in plan...

Some builders have found that the small extra weight that results from using a steel frame is negligible when the total weight of an electric bike system is taken into consideration. Using a steel frame can make certain aspects of a custom design much easier and faster to achieve. Even if a particular builder did not have access to steel-welding equipment...a local muffler shop (or any other industrial fabrication shop) can be used to affordably weld parts that you have cut to shape (or have had water-jetted/laser-cut).

I would not object to a posting of an older frame, but my main goal is to make information available to allow potential builders to select a readily available frame that can be used as the basis of a custom project.
 
Thanks to ES member Ch00paKabra, he reminded me that ALL of the frames in the Surly catalog are Cromo steel (and they make a wide variety of frame shapes and choices):
http://surlybikes.com/bikes

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Jamis Dragon 650 Pro (thanks to chas58 for the link)

Reynolds 853 DZB seamless air-hardened chromoly main tubes, 44mm head tube, 31.6 I.D. seat tube, dropper post routing, curved crown-clearing down tube, double-butted cromo stays, Jamis custom sliding dropouts...Available Sizes: 13”, 15”, 17”, 19”, 21”
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Firmstrong CA-520

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=62134
f_ca520_m_7_mattebla.jpg


EVTodd's "KHS DJ-200"

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=9652&start=325#p427607
14461283600_f833205936_c.jpg


Yuba Mundo, Hi-Ten (high-tensile) frame, Cromo fork
http://yubabikes.com/cargobikestore/mundo/69-mundo-cargo-bike-frame-set-v40.html
https://www.electricbike.com/teklektiks-dual-motor-yuba-mundo/
yuba-mundo-v3.jpg
 
As far as trikes go, Steintrikes are all made of mannesmann ST52 steel. Many Sun trikes are also made of steel like my wife's USS trike.
otherDoc
 
SM, great thread.
Nashbar has steel 26", 29", and road (700c) steel frames for $100, frequently with 20% off. My 26" frame seems sturdy and well constructed. Similar (if not exactly the same) frames are labeled CFG on Amazon with Amazon's crazily fluctuating price structure, but in the same ballpark. Also, Nashbar has similar aluminum frames for the same price; my wife has a spare pedal bike built with one of these and it's been superb.
 
2old said:
SM, great thread.
Nashbar has steel 26", 29", and road (700c) steel frames for $100, frequently with 20% off. .....
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Sweet! This is exactly what I've been looking for to build a commuter with. I was starting to get tired of trolling craigslist trying to find something decent for reasonable price. :mrgreen:
 
Thanks, 2old...I hadn't been paying attention to nashbar before...here is a Cromo 29'r hardtail frame for $100 http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_543545_-1___204685
 
spinningmagnets said:
Maybe this will be useful to others, maybe it will wither, but...here goes.
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You, sir... are awesome. Couldn't have been more impeccable timing...for me at least.

CHEERS!
 
Muddyfox Country. Yellow one is steel at 17kg and the green one alloy at 16kg.
£180-£200 through catalogue shops, DIY stores and cheaper sports outlets. Ebay ~£150 quite often.


I'm poised over the buy button on a green one. Last seller went quiet on me. Flat drop-outs and big chain ring. 21 speed. 36 spokes. Bit of triangle space. Lots of puzzle pieces fit.
 

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friendly1uk said:
Muddyfox Country. Yellow one is steel at 17kg and the green one alloy at 16kg.
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friendly1uk, Real sweet find - I'd love to find one for my build-in-the-works. Just spent a while online, but couldn't find a thing for the yellow steel framed version :(
 
Guys check this out,

Pinkbike is another great source for me (in the US) for good bikes, as I'm into mountain biking as well.

Found this frame and find it quick unique, claimed to be made out of a certain steel... "Reynolds 853 air-hardened & heat-treated steel."
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1718837/

Also says it has adjustable drop-outs and other cool stuff - Any one care to give it a read and tell me if it's worth an investment/ widening drop out to almost 165mm?

Mike
 
sllikskills said:
friendly1uk said:
Muddyfox Country. Yellow one is steel at 17kg and the green one alloy at 16kg.
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friendly1uk, Real sweet find - I'd love to find one for my build-in-the-works. Just spent a while online, but couldn't find a thing for the yellow steel framed version :(
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As if by magic, Ebay, £150
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Muddyfox-Mountain-Bike-/141576989138?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20f6a569d2
In a shop for £200
http://www.bennettsdirect.co.uk/Gents-26-Inch-Muddyfox-Country-Full-Suspension-Steel-Frame-Bike-in-Yellow

The yellow one will go as low as £110 quite regularly. Ex catalogue stock.



I could get that frame in some salad/veg boxes from the market. If anybody wants it but shipping is crazy. I also get shipping at trade rate. Though I can't guaranty the paint won't jump off just for fun.
 
I too have been looking for a steel bike frame for my ebike build.
Nashbar looks promising, however "Sorry, Bikes and Bike cases cannot be shipped to Canada."
But one of those forwarding mail drop places would work.
 
Markz, the "same" (or equivalent) frames are available on Amazon with the brand name CFG.
 
Some frames that I found on eBay right now that are full suspension steel frames.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RHINO-OUTBURST-Yellow-Youth-Full-Suspension-Mountain-Bike-Frame-18-Speed-/400863701026?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d5556a822

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KHS-Moutain-Bike-Frame-Set-Rear-Suspension-Vintage-/321671662622?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae5200c1e

What do you guys think about the KHS Rainbow? Looks like it's got a lot of room for customization. I'm thinking about using this frame as the foundation of my build, but I would need to stretch dropout to 165mm. Do you think this is achievable?

And I noticed since this frame is old, it has no IS mounts for mechanical disc brakes. What is a good solution around this problem?

Thank you

Mike
 
SS, spinningmagnets had a post yesterday about an inexpensive system to mount discs although it may fit front forks only. That KHS frame seems superior to the bike.
 
I just noticed something with Nashbar's delivery policy.

Canada - A separate $39.99 charge will apply to overweight items like wheels, trainers, car racks, frames and workstands. Sorry, Bikes and Bike cases cannot be shipped to Canada.
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Keyword there is, FRAMES. Which is different then BIKES. I wonder why that is. I know certain American cars are banned in Canada for safety reasons, but this is odd for frames to be allowed and bikes not, maybe its an excessive delivery charge and they just dont ship it even if you want to pay extra.

Now I wonder, http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Catego...teel&metaData=&pageSize=&orderBy=&searchTerm=

From the list of $99 frames, with a retail value of $250, I wonder how good these frames actually are.
Like would the frames themselves be on the same level as a LBS $1000 bicycle, or perhaps $1500+ bicycle. With all the components being the same of course.

It would be interesting to know actually. I am very tempted to buy one of these frames, for $99 and pay the extra $40 for shipping to Canada.

Oh and
Take 21 Percent Off and Get Free Shipping on Orders of $49+, Discount taken in cart.
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So thats $20.79 off $99 sale price, so its a $78.21 frame with $49 shipping, $127.31 total. I found most bikes on the Kijiji Classifieds to be around the $100 mark for chromo steel. I am sold on this frame here.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_543540_-1___204685 Either 20" or 18", I am fond of 18" even though I am 6'6", I like to stand with my boys free.
 
So you're not surprised; my 26" steel frame is heavy since many of the tubes are mild steel, straight (asymmetry is a pet peeve of mine), painted well with no decals, had nice, beefy dropouts, 68 mm bottom bracket, accepted 27.2 seat post and packaged nicely so no damage in shipment. MTBR has thread(s) on their frames, but they were ordered from Amazon as CFG frames and arrived in a Nashbar box. Nashbar's aluminum frames are superb since they're relatively lightweight, straight, thick dropouts, and durable. My wife has one that she has used as a second bike/loaner for five years.
 
Its also kind of a theft deterent when the frame has no emblems on them, or stickers. They have no clue what the bike is, then if you scratch out, or paint over your Shimano component emblems, make it look ragged and torn, but functions flawlessly, then its a great purchase.
 
Workmens

Heavy Duty Industrial Grade Steel Framed Bicycles & Tricycles

Many of their offerings use heavy steel rimmed wheels with 11ga. MoPed spokes. Relace the wheels with a high power hub using 12 or 11 ga. spokes and its nearly a bomb proof wheel.
 
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