Steel Bike

mistermatthew · 23-08-2013 11:13am #1

I have a plan to buy a steel frame and fit it with carbon forks and modernt componetry, perhaps campag ten speed. I was wondering is there space in your average reynolds/columbas road frame from the 80's for ten speed cassettes?
Or does it need to be bent into shape at the rear?

Also any tips for where to source an old steel frame in good structural condition?
Paint job isn't that important as I will likely respray unless its a lovely colnago or such.

Seaneh · 23-08-2013 11:23am

mistermatthew wrote: »

I have a plan to buy a steel frame and fit it with carbon forks and modernt componetry, perhaps campag ten speed. I was wondering is there space in your average reynolds/columbas road frame from the 80's for ten speed cassettes?
Or does it need to be bent into shape at the rear?

Also any tips for where to source an old steel frame in good structural condition?
Paint job isn't that important as I will likely respray unless its a lovely colnago or such.

You can re-space the stays. Older bikes have narrower spacing for the back wheel. You can get a good shop to space it for you or look up how to do it online.

And if I was you and you were buying an older frame.
keep the old fork too, they will look better together and a good steel form is going to give a better ride than carbon anyway. I'd imagine you're not too concerned with weight either way.

You will need a fitting to convert from downtube shifters to STI levers/shifters as well, they are little yokes that fit into the downtube to accommodate the new system.

The other option is to buy a modern reynolds frame, like say the Ribble Reynolds which comes with a Storm carbon fork and has mudguard and pannier rack clearance and mounts.

funkyjebus · 23-08-2013 1:26pm

Old spacing was 126mm, newer rear hub spacing is 130mm so its only a 4mm difference.

You can pull apart the rear stays and get a 130mm in there but it tough. The best plan is to cold set them indefinitely. I have done this with two bikes now with no issues.

Are you planning on covering the headset from threaded to threadless if going for the carbon fork?

Stay away from old french bike if you can as in my experience you will have a nightmare getting newer components to fit.

This is what Seaneh was referring to. Although not all steel bikes require / can take them (but most do).

One final thing to watch out for is the brake mounting. A lot of older bikes used nutted brakes, while we now use recessed mounting. In addition some older bike have flat brake bridges which creates more of an issue or the mounting hole may be vertical which is useless.

There no best place to get old steel frame, here, adverts, dondeal, they will also sell old frames which should be thoroughly inspected (always check the frame threads).

studiorat · 23-08-2013 1:35pm

mistermatthew wrote: »

Also any tips for where to source an old steel frame in good structural condition?
Paint job isn't that important as I will likely respray unless its a lovely colnago or such.

Hilary Stone perhaps. http://www.hilarystone.com/

mistermatthew · 23-08-2013 1:40pm

funkyjebus wrote: »

Old spacing was 126mm, newer rear hub spacing is 130mm so its only a 4mm difference.

You can pull apart the rear stays and get a 130mm in there but it tough. The best plan is to cold set them indefinitely. I have done this with two bikes now with no issues.

Are you planning on covering the headset from threaded to threadless if going for the carbon fork?

Stay away from old french bike if you can as in my experience you will have a nightmare getting newer components to fit.

This is what Seaneh was referring to. Although not all steel bikes require / can take them (but most do).

One final thing to watch out for is the brake mounting. A lot of older bikes used nutted brakes, while we now use recessed mounting. In addition some older bike have flat brake bridges which creates more of an issue or the mounting hole may be vertical which is useless.

There no best place to get old steel frame, here, adverts, dondeal, they will also sell old frames which should be thoroughly inspected (always check the frame threads).

Yeah would be getting a threadless carbon fork. I was looking at carbon fibre bikes as an upgrade but I really love the idea of having a one off steel bike with modern components, there are some beautiful examples. Even the ribble reynolds is a beauty if not a one off.

I'm just gonna look around some flea markets and stuff as I know people must have old steel road bikes from the 80's laying around as some of the online prices are really expensive.

ford2600 · 23-08-2013 1:46pm

mistermatthew wrote: »

Yeah would be getting a threadless carbon fork. I was looking at carbon fibre bikes as an upgrade but I really love the idea of having a one off steel bike with modern components, there are some beautiful examples. Even the ribble reynolds is a beauty if not a one off.

I'm just gonna look around some flea markets and stuff as I know people must have old steel road bikes from the 80's laying around as some of the online prices are really expensive.

Depending on budget get a frame made up for you.
Plenty guys in UK doing it, guy in kildare I think. Van Nicholas do titanium custom frames.
Won't be cheaper but will be to your specification and fit

funkyjebus · 23-08-2013 4:21pm

ford2600 wrote: »

Depending on budget get a frame made up for you.
Plenty guys in UK doing it, guy in kildare I think. Van Nicholas do titanium custom frames.
Won't be cheaper but will be to your specification and fit

Who in Kildare? I was under the impression that their are no custom frame builders in Ireland.

ford2600 · 23-08-2013 4:31pm

funkyjebus wrote: »

Who in Kildare? I was under the impression that their are no custom frame builders in Ireland.

bicycledesigncentre.com

VanhireBoys · 23-08-2013 6:34pm

funkyjebus wrote: »

Stay away from old french bike if you can as in my experience you will have a nightmare getting newer components to fit.

This is my downfall funky - I cant stay away.....!

I also got the back stays of my 1986 501 Bretagne respaced from 120mm to 126mm to take a 6 speed Helicomatic. LBS done this and no problems.

Putting on modern equipment on an old frame is fraught with peril but not impossible.. Another issue might be the bottom bracket axle width. Seen this done to a Tomasini - Ended up shortening the axle on the LHS and machining it to suit the LH crank - a bit of work !

Seweryn · 23-08-2013 6:55pm

funkyjebus wrote: »

Old spacing was 126mm, newer rear hub spacing is 130mm so its only a 4mm difference.

I don't think this is the case with all the older frames.

My two steel bikes that I bought recently both of them have 130mm rear hub spacing widths.

Here is the first one made not later than 1988.

The second bike is a project, i.e. I have it stripped apart and put all the bits in the living room. Now scratching my head what to do with it. That bike is made in the mid to late 1990's and still has the wider 130mm rear hub spacing. It is the same model as this one, but somehow doesn't look as cool

.

Anyway, you can buy an old steel frame that will take modern wheels and components.

AltAccount · 23-08-2013 8:07pm

What height are you or what size frame would you be looking for?

letape · 23-08-2013 8:47pm

mistermatthew wrote: »

I have a plan to buy a steel frame and fit it with carbon forks and modernt componetry, perhaps campag ten speed. I was wondering is there space in your average reynolds/columbas road frame from the 80's for ten speed cassettes?
Or does it need to be bent into shape at the rear?

Also any tips for where to source an old steel frame in good structural condition?
Paint job isn't that important as I will likely respray unless its a lovely colnago or such.

You should find a frame easily enough in the UK on lfgss.com or retrobike.co.uk.

Frames from the late 80s onwards should have 130mm rear spacing and be fully compatible with modern wheels. Bottom bracket and headsets shouldn't be an issue either - should be either English or Italian thread - as someone else already said better to avoid French frames.

I built an early 90s Colnago Master with campag 11 speed last year and love it! Would like to source all original parts at some point but could get expensive.

mistermatthew · 24-08-2013 11:44am

AltAccount wrote: »

What height are you or what size frame would you be looking for?

a 56 I would think

AltAccount · 24-08-2013 2:02pm

Mine's a 52. Nevermind

feck sake lads · 24-08-2013 5:05pm

Seweryn wrote: »

I don't think this is the case with all the older frames.

My two steel bikes that I bought recently both of them have 130mm rear hub spacing widths.

Here is the first one made not later than 1988.

The second bike is a project, i.e. I have it stripped apart and put all the bits in the living room. Now scratching my head what to do with it. That bike is made in the mid to late 1990's and still has the wider 130mm rear hub spacing. It is the same model as this one, but somehow doesn't look as cool .

Anyway, you can buy an old steel frame that will take modern wheels and components.

jasus thats a stunning bike.

Seweryn · 24-08-2013 5:57pm

feck sake lads wrote: »

jasus thats a stunning bike.

Yeah, its

. I would love to rebuild my one to that condition. Not so sure about the wheels though.

feck sake lads · 24-08-2013 6:46pm

no you couldn't put carbon on a bike like that. pinerallo is class as well;)

Seweryn · 24-08-2013 6:51pm

feck sake lads wrote: »

no you couldn't put carbon on a bike like that.

I thought so...

This one looks more like it

.

feck sake lads · 24-08-2013 7:02pm

Seweryn wrote: »

I thought so...

This one looks more like it .

certainly does cracking bike, my 80's raleigh 753 is still as good as the day it was made and a pure pleasure to ride got a great 30 miles on it today 50 miles tmorrow.

btw have you any idea where i could get quality full mudguards that will fit my raleigh might try audax next year.

Seweryn · 24-08-2013 7:16pm

feck sake lads wrote: »

certainly does cracking bike, my 80's raleigh 753 is still as good as the day it was made and a pure pleasure to ride got a great 30 miles on it today 50 miles tomorrow.

Great stuff. Any time I look at a nice steel bike, I want to rebuild my Stelvio. But it needs new wheels, cassette, BB and few other bits.
BTW, I do not see (m)any people riding steel bikes these days.

feck sake lads wrote: »

btw have you any idea where i could get quality full mudguards that will fit my raleigh might try audax next year.

I use the Crud RoadRacer Mark2 on my everyday bike all year round. I know, they are plastic, but if there is not much clearance in your Raleigh, it may be the best option.

feck sake lads · 24-08-2013 7:50pm

Seweryn wrote: »

Great stuff. Any time I look at a nice steel bike, I want to rebuild my Stelvio. But it needs new wheels, cassette, BB and few other bits.
BTW, I do not see (m)any people riding steel bikes these days.

I use the Crud RoadRacer Mark2 on my everyday bike all year round. I know, they are plastic, but if there is not much clearance in your Raleigh, it may be the best option.

Man oh Man i sure love your stable of bikes classic collection,i was gona get those crud but i was lookng for quality full mudguards (dont mean that the way it sounds):rolleyes: i have i reckon clearence what i havent got is brazo on's for mudguards ,i know sks have mudguards that come in 2 parts but there to much that can go wrong with that design.guess i'll keep looking.

Seweryn · 24-08-2013 7:56pm

feck sake lads wrote: »

i was lookng for quality full mudguards (dont mean that the way it sounds):rolleyes:

They are full, but the quality is only as high as a piece of plastic can be

.

feck sake lads wrote: »

i'll keep looking.

Let me know if you come across something better, as I am still in the search for the perfect set

.

Steel Bike

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