Steel .... which one.. ?

[sinnerman]

antony......that was quite simply the very best post i have read in a very long time.........

 

[captaincosmic]

Find yourself a nice Orange P7 and it sounds like you are riding a frame size too large the P7 is a joy to ride and will suit your racing ambitions well you will have great fun with one of these and it will beef up your biceps keeping it in check too

 

[sancho]

I'm a big proponent of steel (especially the frames you listed), but I would recommend considering titanium also. If you're looking for something that is both light and durable, ti is hard to beat and you may be able to find a ti frame in the same price range as the steel frames you are considering.

 

[biglev]

I think personally in your case fit may be more important than the tubing. I ride 19.5-20" frame and i am 6`2"+. If the top tube is too ling may be look at a 17.5 - 18 frame. The smaller frame will probabbly save you more weight than special butting.

price wise you are going to need a bit of cash for a fat chance or a roberts:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=154003
although they do come up.

none top end retro steel frames come up for much less. i got a dawes 531 frame for 99p on ebay or you could go for a modern classic of on-one, sanderson, charge, ragley etc all from £40-100:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/On-One-45...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item19c7397c26

Happy trails
Pete

 

[andrewl]

I find with retro steel it's not so much which tube set but more how well has it been protected from rust that is the big question...