What's the late 90s steel frame of choice?

[pictonroad]

My budget was under £200 and I've taken the plunge on a Raleigh Special Projects 853 frame.

 

[Lucidone]

I think you'll find it rides rather well!
Can we get a build thread?

 

[Prodigal Son]

Independent Fabrications De Luxe.
Ibis Mojo.
De Kerf

 

[Prodigal Son]

Late 90s you could still buy handmade by cyclists in the usa w high end steel frames. I am not saying its better than high end taiwan made but it sure was a vibe to call Ibis and buy direct or chose the color scheme from IF .

 

[Chr1st0phe]

La tempête de neige de Rocky Montaigne était agréable. En 1998 à Ritchey Steel et en 1999 à Reynolds.

 

[legrandefromage]

Hmmm. Thinking back it was frenzy of magazine reading and aluminium. Discs were a thing and an instant head tuner, you were a god if you had full suspension. Both and people wept at your feet. Steel was left in the dust

Friends clung on to their Orange P7 and Clockworks despite the then barely 3 - 4 year old canti bridge mounts looking lonely after hasty v-brake conversions, as mentioned already, Voodoo frames were excellent and Sunn too. In our local group, Orange ruled and GT's were heavy, the one Breezer gawped at.

 

[pictonroad]

Oh my, I think I have made the right choice.

It's here, parts to be decided upon. Daughter's birthday weekend so this little red number will have to wait a while...

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Bit of a sleeper - the Jamis Dragon was a nice steel option and was (I think) 853.

GT Karakoram as well, not sure if it has been mentioned.

I think a bit more early 2000s than late 90s, but the Soma Groove was a nice alternative to the Salsa A'la Carte.

The world had turned to aluminium, and even in my late 20s I was developing curmudgeonly ways and knew steel offered a better ride and would last a lot longer. A quality steel hardtail was the "little black dress" of bikes, timeless and versatile.