Ribble known for their great value bikes - also purvey some excellent steel models. When you have to battle the wind and the rain as much as the other riders, this is when this bike really shines. There are 12mm Thru-Axles and flat mount brake calipers are specd, but the bottom bracket is threaded, and the cable routing is external. But built as a road racer, it is a potent bike. Modernity strikes with the 11-speed Campagnolo Potenza groupset. published 29 July 20, Not all steel road bikes are heavy, slow and cumbersome - here's Cyclingnews' roundup of the best available. Canyon and other sponsors went big on the Annemiek van Vleuten yellow jersey celebration with a yellow bikes, wheel decals, bar tape, helmets, socks, head unit wraps, By Anne-Marije Rook There are mudguard and pannier mounts, providing the option for more traditional touring as well as bikepacking. Its also increasingly common to see brands speccing their own custom-drawn tubing. The bottom bracket is threaded and so is the headset, taking a quill stem as opposed to the more modern A-headset. Tradition and physical constraints also mean that steel road bikes tend to use the most unfussy of standards threaded bottom brackets, external cables and external headsets make sourcing replacement parts and maintenance a breeze. This gives them a level of versatility that isnt often found on aluminium or carbon bikes. Best steel road bikes 2022 | 11 timeless bikes that will never go out of fashion, Whatever motive has drawn you to the idea of adopting the chromo life, , these are 11 of the best steel road bikes as ridden, tested and rated by, Read our full Genesis Equilibrium (2019) review, Available in a range of builds or as a frameset, 1,150 / 1,289 (frameset only) as tested, Beautifully finished, classy looking steel frameset. Boulder-based Mosaic Cycles has just launched a new high-performance steel frame, the RS-1. The difference in ride quality between bog-standard straight un-butted gas pipe tubing and high-end ultra-thin-walled tubing is fairly chasmic. Having a bike that fits you like a glove does a lot more to instil the confidence you need than shaving some grams off the frame. It takes Flat-Mount disc calipers, 12mm Thru-Axles, threaded BSA bottom bracket and has space for up to 35mm tyres. The ride is lively and smoothes out the rough stuff exactly what is desired from a steel frame. Published 31 July 22, Spectators were also injured in the incident which saw the rider end up in the crowd. You could go for Shimano 105 with hydraulic disc brakes for 1,399 or Shimano Tiagra for a pound under 1,000. The frame is optimised for 3240mm tyres, offering its usage beyond just long road miles and even gravel and bridleway trails. It can provide a strength to weight ratio that is equal to many aluminium frames. But steel is heavy compared to other frame materials and is subject to corrosion, too. With modern frame building techniques, the weight difference of steel versus aluminium and carbon is not actually as large as you might think. Available in rim- and disc-brake versions, the frame is made using oversized Columbus Spirit HSS tubing, and the bike is complete with a tapered steerer tube, creak free threaded bottom bracket, and provisions for both mechanical and electronic shifting. At the front is the brands Whisky No.9 carbon fork which is compatible with full coverage fenders and has a tapered steerer tube. Now, hes come full circle and is back out on the trails, although the flat bars have been swapped for the curly ones of a gravel bike. The Resolution2 from Sussex brand Mason is made of a mix of Columbus tubing and designed for all-condition, long-distance riding. For the latest version of the Tempest, Bombtrack has swapped from Reynolds 725 to double-butted Columbus Cromor steel tubing, making for a claimed frame weight of 1579g. Left to its own devices, aluminium can chemically bond itself to steel, making it impossible to remove the seatpost by force. Complete with a full Shimano 105 drivetrain, Bombtrack has opted for a T47BB for maximum crank compatibility and generous bottom bracket shell real estate. This makes total sense for a commuter, but the reliability is also great for touring. Cycling Weekly is supported by its audience. This guide includes links to some products. There is a winning combination of modern touches and old-fashioned practicality. The dark and stealthy 11-speed groupsets of Shimano and SRAM would look painfully out of place on a frame like this - and Condor know its. Aside from questions of aesthetics about whether discs look the part on thin tubed steel frames, there are real practical - and physical - elements to consider. The Columbus SLX steel tubes and investment cast lugs combine into a classic frame shape. The frames are bespoke to your exact individual requirements and you can customise almost any part of it. It also now comes with the highly-rated WTB Exposure tyres awarded a full five stars in our review in a plush 30mm width, though the bikes RRP has also nudged up. Jack has been writing about and testing bikes for more than five years now, has a background working in bike shops for years before that, and is regularly found riding a mix of weird and wonderful machines. The Road Logic has been in Ritcheys line-up for a long time. More expensive tubesets will see increasingly exotic tube shapes used to tune ride quality, ultra-thin-walled tubing that reduces weight and can result in a lively ride, and double- or even triple-butted forming. For some, this will be rationale enough. As befits an all-weather steed, you can fit 30mm tyres with mudguards or 35mm without and theres dynamo routing through the carbon fork, plus a headlight mount at its crown. The Snob is Ritte's stainless steel model, which came to be simply because the brand's founder loves steel bikes. The forces that disc brakes exert - particularly on the front fork - means significantly more material is needed to withstand the power of disc brakes. Speedvagen builds its ready-made frames in batches based on size, the OG1 features an all-rounder type geometry, with 542mm of stack and 382mm of reach in a size 54. Steel shouldnt just be the preserve of those who can afford the premium that boutique bike brands charge. But the best part is that the gear cables are never left exposed, the housing runs the full length of the cable, shielding it from all the dirt and grime and greatly increasing the service life in tough conditions. The Light Blue is an in-house brand of aforementioned UK distributor ISON, which also distributes All-City and Surly. The most common method used is TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding. The Elan 725 from the legendary Spa Cycles is available as a frameset or in pretty much any spec option you desire. In brief, race bikes will have a lower more aggressive riding position matched with steeper head and seat tube angles, a shorter wheelbase and longer reach, resulting in quicker handling. Jack can also often be seen zooming about with his partner aboard their beloved tandem, Cecil. But overall, the Newnham is a buttery-smooth ride and heavenly looking. They also allow for a frame that is both stiff when it comes to power transfer through the pedals, but compliant when it comes to road chatter. Another steel racer, this one takes a more modern bent. The frame builders with their time earnt expertise will be able to discern how your bike should be constructed from a conversation about the exact feeling you want from your bike. If neglected, it will rust and decay. Theres more to gain than just the perfect fit. The frame is tig welded except for the rear brake bridge which is brazed, and the frame sees modern tube sizes and shapes, drop-in headset bearings and a sizeable PF30 BB shell. >>> Steel bikes: the best of British metal. Even though the ready-made frames aren't custom, the OG1 Disc still has all the hallmark features you expect from a Speedvagen, like a tapered headtube, Berzerker Dropouts, curvy seat stays, and the seat mast with ENVE cap. The copper mudguards complement the tan saddle and bar tape and contrast strikingly with the polished crankset, handlebars and seat post. No matter the drivetrain spec, each model comes with a set of Hunt 4Season Disc V2 wheels and Deda finishing kit. Although heavier than aluminium and carbon, it delivers a ride quality that has been described by some as sublime. Or completely change the geometry and ride it as a winter bike. The Pro Lugless frame - although present here with a straight top tube, rim brakes and vertical dropouts - can be built in a myriad of ways. The bike has clearances for 28mm tyres and will gladly take mudguards front and rear. Shand claims that the Leveret is a commuter but its slender steel tubes, full carbon fork and all-day comfort mean it is a very capable machine that is suited to long rides too. Jack thinks nothing of bikepacking after work to sleep in a ditch or taking on a daft challenge for the BikeRadar YouTube channel. Thanks! The wheelset comes in the form of Fulcrum Racing 5 wheelset and the rest of the kit has been chosen from the Deda and Fizik catalogues. According to All-City, the Shimano Ultegra build weighs 9.57kg. The vast majority of steel bikes are made with Reynolds or Columbus tubing. M Classic road rims are complete with high flange sealed bearing hubs which are wrapped in Clement skinwall tyres. Classic looks, a sublime ride quality and impressive longevity are among the many reasons why you may want to buy a steel road bike. Hi-tensile tubing tends to be found on lower-end bikes and is generally weaker than chromoly, meaning more needs to be used to achieve the same strength. air-hardened extruded steel tubing. To finish the classic look, the Brev. Available exclusively with disc brakes, the Tempest is finished with a set of Hunt 4Season carbon wheels and 27mm Challenge Paris-Roubaix tyres. The frame is beautifully finished with exceptionally neat welds. Best climbing road bikes (opens in new tab) However, everything in the middle range is much of a muchness. The Wolfson is The Light Blues lighter rim-braked road platform. While steel has been mostly superseded by materials such as aluminium and carbon fibre, steel bikes still have a passionate following, with plenty riders refusing to ride anything else. A touch of modernity brushes the gearing, with a 50/34 compact chainset and nine speed 1128 cassette. While both drivetrain brands have their fans, we would choose the Shimano Ultegra equipped model for it's proven track record. The third generation of the Fairlight Strael delivers all-day comfort, excellent adaptability, customisation, and value for money. Otherwise, check out our full archive of road bike reviews, or head to our buyers guide to the best touring bikes for more steel machines. Nothing has changed, with the Corsa offering a premium custom experience, the Strada comes as an off the shelf bike to bring similar performance at a more affordable price point. Although the tubes may all be made from steel, there is a large number of different grades of steel that can be used. The new RS-1 has no shortage of old school finishing like the 'star' cable ports and bottle boss reinforcements, a braze-on front derailleur mount and an integrated derailleur hanger. The second generation of Masons Resolution model, Italian-made Columbus steel is crafted into a bang up-to-date frameset that has all the features you would hope to see. More modern tubesets are now produced, but it is still available on special order for vintage frames. The flagship Reynolds 853 tubeset offers a pleasingly comfortable and lively ride quality, matched with a decent build kit for the money. As steel bikes often err towards the endurance side of things, youll typically find provision to fit mudguards and racks, as well as generous tyres clearances. The Road Logic is once again available frame-only, but our assessments of the ride quality which were very positive remain. With a near encyclopaedic knowledge of cycling tech, ranging from the most esoteric retro niche to the most cutting-edge modern kit, Jack takes pride in his ability to seek out stories that would otherwise go unreported. If you click on this then we may receive a small amount of money from the retailer when you purchase the item. 11 of the best steel road bikes, as rated by the BikeRadar test team. Its calm, comfortable and predictable, but stiff enough to handle harder efforts without feeling flexy, and at around 9kg (as tested) on the lighter side for steel. With a lugged construction, the frame is made from Columbus Cromor steel tubing and features a 1-1/8" head tube, and a lugged Chromoly fork. The star is the Italian-made frameset. Yes, we know the Niner RTL9 Steel is technically an adventure bike (in fact it's actually one of the best gravel bikes under 1,000), but it's got drop bars and we love riding it, so it's made our list. The legendary Dia-Compe GC610 Centre Pull brakes leave ample space for up to 32c tyres. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. The brand says it used input from team riders, tweaking angles to be more race-specific, while still forgiving enough for an all-day epic. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, All-City Cycles calls its Zig Zag an 'all-weather' road bike. There is also internal routing for a dynamo light in the front fork. At this price point, we would expect hydraulic disc brakes but the Fratello came with cable-actuated disc brakes, showing not the best value for money. The Road Logic has been in Ritcheys line-up for a long time. Nowadays he works full-time as the news and content editor of Flow MTB magazine. In recent times steel has been undergoing a resurgence. Previously Eddy Merckx's Strada bikes were offered as an affordable option to their race thoroughbred Corsa model. The Darwin Two Way Street is The Light Blues all-round steel road bike. When we tested the bike, the brakes would have benefitted from an upgrade to nicer pads but, beyond that, the Wolfson will not leave you wanting. A combination of Columbus, Reynolds and Dedacciai tubes combine to make a lightweight and compliant frame. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? While the Snob is manufactured in Asia, they are not mass-produced, with only one frame made per day, and it shows in the quality of the welds. Try 3 issues of Cycling Plus magazine for just 5! But the downtube shifters, pulling a Sunrace rear derailleur across the block, keeps you firmly in the 20th century. This is one of the key advantages of speccing your own bike, it can be customised to suit your needs entirely. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. So much thought has been put into each of the tube shapes, from the tapering seatstay with their hourglass profile to the large diameter D-Section downtube which wraps under the bottom bracket to add stability. A steel frame will last a lifetime if properly looked after. In the past, all the best bikes were made from steel because it is both strong and relatively lightweight. The straight top tube meets the seatstays at the seat post, giving that classic double triangle profile. The geometry, along with a range of other upgrades like internal cable routing or a T47BB can be added for an additional cost. We reviewed the bike as a complete build, which was briefly offered by Ritchey in 2018. British outfit Enigma is best known for its Titanium frames; however, it is no slouch when it comes to steel. Condor first opened the doors of their London shop in 1948 and produce their hand-built frames in Italy. Cycling can sometimes feel like a world of serious people doing serious things, and LA-based Ritte is that goofy kid in the back of the class making memes, but still getting good grades heck, the brand is named after a rider who stopped mid Tour of Flanders for a couple of cold ones and still managed to win on a borrowed bike. Brazing uses a filler metal like brass or silver, which is heated to just above its melting point and spread onto a tubing joint, and when it cools joins the tubes together. It has also evolved over time but has settled into its role as a do-it-all TIG-welded steel road machine. A wide range of gears - but with small steps between them - can be accessed easily from the hoods. Reynolds 725 tubing is chosen for its natural vibration dampening properties. Manufacturers will often quote the steel that is used to construct its frames. The frame is made from a mix of alloys from True Temper and Columbus, which the brand says allows for thinner walls without losing any strength or stiffness. For quite some time, Vanilla Workshop's Speedvagen bikes were strictly custom made, however, Sacha White and his crew have taken what they've learned over many years making custom bikes and are offering 'ready-made' frames. The builder will drench the joints in the liquid metal and then sculpt and sand the material back into a clean joint. Available in both disc and rim brake versions, the former comes with a Shimano Ultegra mechanical group, and Hunt alloy road wheels. The frame has all manner of braze-ons and ports, including a third bottle mount and internal routing in the front fork for a dynamo light, making the Strael highly adaptable, and configurable to how your needs change over time. With eye-catching fade paintwork, the Zig Zag is made of the brand's proprietary A.C.E. Disc brakes, with their powerful and consistent stopping capacity, definitely have their advantages in a range of situations. It's why the sleek lines and silver finish of the Potenza derailleurs, crankset and brake levers suit this bike down to the ground. Colin was a key contributor to Cyclingnews between 2019 and 2021, during which time he helped build the site's tech coverage from the ground up. The tubing comes courtesy of Reynolds in their 725 flavour slots into intricately wrought lugs. Based on the Gold Coast of Australia, Colin has written tech content for cycling publication for a decade. The frame is made from Columbus Cromor tubes and has a taper headtube for precise handling, a T47 bottom bracket, 12mm Thru-Axles and flat mount disc brakes. The Light Blue Newnham uses cold-drawn tubing for excellent strength and has a smooth ride with the well-balanced steering thats great to see from an endurance bike. Starting at more than 3,000 for a Shimano 105 build, the Resolution2 is at the expensive end of the steel bike spectrum. Its available with Shimano 105 for 1,799.99 or Shimano Ultegra for 2,149.99. The frameset is a thing of beauty with all the braze-ons and fittings you need.