Steel road bikes, who has one?

[Wahine]

Wahine,
none of those bikes are our size!
what's up with that? I found one frame smaller than 50cm!

Those are the frames he has in stock at the moment but he can order other frame sizes and depending on the frame, can get them in usually within a couple of weeks. The frames he has in stock are actual inventory in his shop and are frames that he thinks are really good deals that he has bought on close out from suppliers. That's part of how he keeps his prices down even though he's a small shop. He has built a lot of bikes for smaller women but most of that is done all as special order because those aren't usually frames he can get discounted from suppliers and he doesn't have the room to keep a lot inventory. He also spends a lot of time on email or the phone working with people to find the right bike or build for them.

Thanks for asking.

ETA: I just went on the site, pulled up the frame inventory and reordered the list by frame size (click on the word Size and the top of the chart) and he has 7 frames (6 steel) that are sized 48 or smaller. TT length ranges from 49.5 to 52.5. Some of the 50s have shorter TTs than the 48s.

[Lisa Holman]

Thanks for all the great input! I love the look of the Jamis bikes, our local Jamis dealer seems to have something of a bad reputation (based on online reviews), but I'll probably go have a look anyway. As far as size, I'm 5'9" so the need for a tiny frame won't be an issue.

Is Bianchi currently making steel frames?

[sfa]

Is Bianchi currently making steel frames?

http://www.bianchiusa.com/09-bicycle...oad-steel.html

My steel bike was well under the $1,000 mark......20 years ago when I bought it.

[SandyLS]

I love my Bianchi steel road bike, but it was about twice your price range around 5 years ago. Maybe something like this would work for you. http://bikesdirect.com/products/merc..._serpensIX.htm

[WindingRoad]

I have a Bianchi Imola and new it was probably about $1400. I bought it gently used for $500 and I absolutely LOVE it. I have a full carbon bike too but I like the way my steel bike rides the best. I haven't tried a Jamis but I can say honestly Bianchi makes a sweet steel frame.

Here's a link to my bianchi: Keep an eye out on Craigs list that's how I found mine.

https://www.bianchiusa.com/typo3temp...74b7d56785.jpg

[Over50Newbie]

I have the steel Terry Classic and I LOVE IT!!

Lynette

[NbyNW]

My steel Rodriguez is probably not in your budget even though it is also technically a stock frame size.

My other steel bike is a folder: a Dahon Speed Pro TT. In some ways I am more comfortable on it than on my Rodriguez.

Here is an 18-speed flat bar version that would be in your budget, if you are at all inclined to consider a folding bike:
http://www.shopatron.com/products/pr...15786.0.0.0.0?

ETA: Check out the "Show us your Mixte!" thread. You might get serious Mixte envy. And by and large they are affordable, and steel.

[moderncyclista]

Lisa Holman: any updates on the search?

[sundial]

Another budget friendly choice--Salsa Casseroll.

[Onix]

I have a Jamis Satellite. I use it for commuting. It is steel. I love it. I prefer steel...I think it handles the road better (absorbs bumps better etc.). It is a bit heavier than an aluminum frame, but for me, it is worth it.

I have really liked the way the Jamis fit me also.

I would definitely hit several local bike shops, and ride as many things in your price range as possible!

Good luck!