Hello all,
I have been riding a VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-100 for 8 years and 50,000 kilometers (or 50 megameters if you like ;-) ). Now I am worrying that
it may fail me some day, and I am preparing myself to the idea of
replacing it.
The issue is that I like steel, Bowden cables and V-brakes, while after switching to aluminium, bike manufacturers are now turning to
hydraulic disc brakes everywhere?
I am seriously considering building my own bike from a frameset, with my
main criteria being:
* shipping to France, ideally from stock in Europe;
* budget < 1 k?;
* made of steel;
* with V-brake studs, or possibly cantilever ones (using caliper brakes
is another option if needed);
* designed for 622 mm or possibly 584 mm wheels, with a clearance for 30
or 35 mm wide tires with fenders;
* with chainstays long enough to carry panniers or child seat without
hitting them with the heel.
Other secondary, nice-to-have criteria:
* with braze-ons for carrying usual stuff such as water bottles;
* without reinforcement for disc brakes;
* with rear kickstand mount (or possibly middle kickstand).
Do you know any manufacturer that sells framesets that would match these criteria? For now, I found:
* Compagnon <https://www.velocompagnon.com/>;
* Brother Cycles <https://www.brothercycles.com/>;
* Temple Cycles <https://templecycles.com/>;
* Spa Cycles <https://www.spacycles.co.uk/>;
* Cyclo-randonn e <https://www.cyclo-randonnee.fr/>;
* Brick Lane Bikes <https://www.bricklanebikes.co.uk/>.
Would anyone have advice about these manufacturers? Or know any other
one that would be worth investigating?
On Fri Jul 18 16:09:28 2025 Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
Hello all,
I have been riding a VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-100 for 8 years and 50,000 kilometers (or 50 megameters if you like ;-) ). Now I am worrying that
it may fail me some day, and I am preparing myself to the idea of
replacing it.
The issue is that I like steel, Bowden cables and V-brakes, while after switching to aluminium, bike manufacturers are now turning to
hydraulic disc brakes everywhere?
I am seriously considering building my own bike from a frameset, with my main criteria being:
* shipping to France, ideally from stock in Europe;
* budget < 1 k?;
* made of steel;
* with V-brake studs, or possibly cantilever ones (using caliper brakes
is another option if needed);
* designed for 622 mm or possibly 584 mm wheels, with a clearance for 30
or 35 mm wide tires with fenders;
* with chainstays long enough to carry panniers or child seat without
hitting them with the heel.
Other secondary, nice-to-have criteria:
* with braze-ons for carrying usual stuff such as water bottles;
* without reinforcement for disc brakes;
* with rear kickstand mount (or possibly middle kickstand).
Do you know any manufacturer that sells framesets that would match these criteria? For now, I found:
* Compagnon <https://www.velocompagnon.com/>;
* Brother Cycles <https://www.brothercycles.com/>;
* Temple Cycles <https://templecycles.com/>;
* Spa Cycles <https://www.spacycles.co.uk/>;
* Cyclo-randonn
Hello all,I did this years ago. I got the tubes and fittings from a company in
I have been riding a VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-100 for 8 years and 50,000 >kilometers (or 50 megameters if you like ;-) ). Now I am worrying that
it may fail me some day, and I am preparing myself to the idea of
replacing it.
The issue is that I like steel, Bowden cables and V-brakes, while after >switching to aluminium, bike manufacturers are now turning to
hydraulic disc brakes everywhere�
I am seriously considering building my own bike from a frameset, with my
main criteria being:
* shipping to France, ideally from stock in Europe;
* budget < 1 k�;
* made of steel;
* with V-brake studs, or possibly cantilever ones (using caliper brakes
is another option if needed);
* designed for 622 mm or possibly 584 mm wheels, with a clearance for 30
or 35 mm wide tires with fenders;
* with chainstays long enough to carry panniers or child seat without
hitting them with the heel.
Other secondary, nice-to-have criteria:
* with braze-ons for carrying usual stuff such as water bottles;
* without reinforcement for disc brakes;
* with rear kickstand mount (or possibly middle kickstand).
Do you know any manufacturer that sells framesets that would match these >criteria? For now, I found:
* Compagnon <https://www.velocompagnon.com/>;
* Brother Cycles <https://www.brothercycles.com/>;
* Temple Cycles <https://templecycles.com/>;
* Spa Cycles <https://www.spacycles.co.uk/>;
* Cyclo-randonn�e <https://www.cyclo-randonnee.fr/>;
* Brick Lane Bikes <https://www.bricklanebikes.co.uk/>.
Would anyone have advice about these manufacturers? Or know any other
one that would be worth investigating?
Cheers,
Hello all,<snip>
I have been riding a VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-100 for 8 years and 50,000 kilometers (or 50 megameters if you like ;-) ). Now I am worrying that
it may fail me some day, and I am preparing myself to the idea of
replacing it.
I should add that there are plenty of 2nd hand steel bike on Ebay and
since you don't have to worry about them wearing out, you can choose
what you want.
I have a steel road bike for sale that is an XL and it only weighs 22
lbs. I say that to let you know that a GOOD steel bike is only
slightly heavier than a carbon fiber bike and steel lasts forever with
very little maintennce. V-brakes are a good idea but not cantilevers.
The problem with custom European builders is that they ae SO damned expensive. While I do not particularly like disc brakes, I really do
like the 12 mm through axles. They perfectly align the wheels dead
center and the larger bearings roll a lot better.
And the 142 mm rear wheel gives better room for a 12 speed.
I would be happy with 10 but the 12 speed stuff shifts so much better.
You might want to talk with Omar Khiel at Oasis Custom Bicycles, in
Glendale Arizona. [email protected]. He's pretty straight up.
Suggestions: 1" Reynolds 531 and 1" steerer fork. Straight fork legs. Campy Chorus or Shimano 105. Only manual shifting.
I don't know how tall you are but I am 6'4" and am running 170 mm cranks. This keeps your hips more open and you simple adjust the gear ratios for climbing. Pogcar is running 165's.
If you prefer a name brand talk to Tom Ritchey who is now the go-to framebuilder in California.
I did this years ago. I got the tubes and fittings from a company in
England, I don't have their site address but I'm sure that you can
search for it.
BUT... the major problem is finding or making the frames and brackets
to hold the parts togather, in line, and correct position, while
welding or brazing.
cyclintom, 2025-07-18 23:36+0200:
I should add that there are plenty of 2nd hand steel bike on Ebay and
since you don't have to worry about them wearing out, you can choose
what you want.
Well, I would worry about steel frames wearing out. The VSF T-100 I am currently riding is my third adult bike. My first one was a Decathlon Riverside from circa 2000, a time when they still used steel. It lasted
about 50.000 km before breaking, and I did not think about keeping it
back then. I think should have.
That does prove that steel frames do fail, though they can be repaired.
On 7/20/2025 4:26 AM, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
cyclintom, 2025-07-18 23:36+0200:
I should add that there are plenty of 2nd hand steel bike on Ebay and
since you don't have to worry about them wearing out, you can choose
what you want.
Well, I would worry about steel frames wearing out. The VSF T-100 I am currently riding is my third adult bike. My first one was a Decathlon Riverside from circa 2000, a time when they still used steel. It lasted about 50.000 km before breaking, and I did not think about keeping it
back then. I think should have.
That does prove that steel frames do fail, though they can be repaired.
Everything fails. Steel frames are much more easily
repaired than any other format.
On Sun Jul 20 08:34:36 2025 AMuzi wrote:
On 7/20/2025 4:26 AM, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
cyclintom, 2025-07-18 23:36+0200:
I should add that there are plenty of 2nd hand steel bike on Ebay and
since you don't have to worry about them wearing out, you can choose
what you want.
Well, I would worry about steel frames wearing out. The VSF T-100 I am
currently riding is my third adult bike. My first one was a Decathlon
Riverside from circa 2000, a time when they still used steel. It lasted
about 50.000 km before breaking, and I did not think about keeping it
back then. I think should have.
That does prove that steel frames do fail, though they can be repaired.
Everything fails. Steel frames are much more easily
repaired than any other format.
Jobst's frame failed not beczuxsed "everything fails" but because it was a super large frame made of standard 1" steel tubing. In my experience and as a man who once rode quite hard in a 42/25 low gear up ae steel as 24% grades, that steel was veryhighly unlikely to fail. I NEVER had a high grade steel frame fail.
On 7/23/2025 10:27 AM, cyclintom wrote:
On Sun Jul 20 08:34:36 2025 AMuzi wrote:
On 7/20/2025 4:26 AM, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
cyclintom, 2025-07-18 23:36+0200:
I should add that there are plenty of 2nd hand steel bike on Ebay and >>>>> since you don't have to worry about them wearing out, you can choose >>>>> what you want.
Well, I would worry about steel frames wearing out. The VSF T-100 I am >>>> currently riding is my third adult bike. My first one was a Decathlon
Riverside from circa 2000, a time when they still used steel. It lasted >>>> about 50.000 km before breaking, and I did not think about keeping it
back then. I think should have.
That does prove that steel frames do fail, though they can be repaired. >>>>
Everything fails. Steel frames are much more easily
repaired than any other format.
Jobst's frame failed not beczuxsed "everything fails" but because it
was a super large frame made of standard 1" steel tubing. In my
experience and as a man who once rode quite hard in a 42/25 low gear
up ae steel as 24% grades, that steel was very highly unlikely to
fail. I NEVER had a high grade steel frame fail.
You're riding a Basso Loto yes?
Knock on wood before you set out on a ride
https://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/basmia1.jpg
On 7/23/2025 11:55 AM, AMuzi wrote:
On 7/23/2025 10:27 AM, cyclintom wrote:
On Sun Jul 20 08:34:36 2025 AMuzi wrote:
On 7/20/2025 4:26 AM, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
cyclintom, 2025-07-18 23:36+0200:
I should add that there are plenty of 2nd hand steel
bike on Ebay and
since you don't have to worry about them wearing out,
you can choose
what you want.
Well, I would worry about steel frames wearing out. The
VSF T-100 I am
currently riding is my third adult bike. My first one
was a Decathlon
Riverside from circa 2000, a time when they still used
steel. It lasted
about 50.000 km before breaking, and I did not think
about keeping it
back then. I think should have.
That does prove that steel frames do fail, though they
can be repaired.
Everything fails. Steel frames are much more easily
repaired than any other format.
Jobst's frame failed not beczuxsed "everything fails" but
because it was a super large frame made of standard 1"
steel tubing. In my experience and as a man who once rode
quite hard in a 42/25 low gear up ae steel as 24% grades,
that steel was very highly unlikely to fail. I NEVER had
a high grade steel frame fail.
You're riding a Basso Loto yes?
Knock on wood before you set out on a ride
https://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/basmia1.jpg
Indeed. I've seen two steel frame failures (neither were mine)
- one was a DeRosa sometime in the early 90s. The frame was
a few years old, the seattube cracked and separated from the
bottom bracket. Didn't appear to be rust.
- the other was a Cinelli, maybe ten years old. The bike was
absolutely gorgeous, chrome plated then painted with candy
apple red metal flake. The downtube seprated from the head
tube from internal rust.
I'm sure as a percentage there are just as many stories of
'quality' steel frame failures as any other material.
On 7/23/2025 11:55 AM, AMuzi wrote:
On 7/23/2025 10:27 AM, cyclintom wrote:
On Sun Jul 20 08:34:36 2025 AMuzi wrote:
On 7/20/2025 4:26 AM, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
cyclintom, 2025-07-18 23:36+0200:
I should add that there are plenty of 2nd hand steel bike on Ebay and >>>>>> since you don't have to worry about them wearing out, you can choose >>>>>> what you want.
Well, I would worry about steel frames wearing out. The VSF T-100 I am >>>>> currently riding is my third adult bike. My first one was a Decathlon >>>>> Riverside from circa 2000, a time when they still used steel. It lasted >>>>> about 50.000 km before breaking, and I did not think about keeping it >>>>> back then. I think should have.
That does prove that steel frames do fail, though they can be repaired. >>>>>
Everything fails. Steel frames are much more easily
repaired than any other format.
Jobst's frame failed not beczuxsed "everything fails" but because it
was a super large frame made of standard 1" steel tubing. In my
experience and as a man who once rode quite hard in a 42/25 low gear
up ae steel as 24% grades, that steel was very highly unlikely to
fail. I NEVER had a high grade steel frame fail.
You're riding a Basso Loto yes?
Knock on wood before you set out on a ride
https://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/basmia1.jpg
Indeed. I've seen two steel frame failures (neither were mine)
- one was a DeRosa sometime in the early 90s. The frame was a few years
old, the seattube cracked and separated from the bottom bracket. Didn't appear to be rust.
- the other was a Cinelli, maybe ten years old. The bike was absolutely gorgeous, chrome plated then painted with candy apple red metal flake.
The downtube seprated from the head tube from internal rust.
I'm sure as a percentage there are just as many stories of 'quality'
steel frame failures as any other material.
I'm sure as a percentage there are just as many stories of 'quality'
steel frame failures as any other material.
On 7/24/2025 4:09 AM, zen cycle wrote:
<snip>
I'm sure as a percentage there are just as many stories of 'quality'
steel frame failures as any other material.
What is the basis for your belief? It's demonstrably untrue when it
comes to steel versus carbon-fiber. Probably true when it comes to steel >versus aluminum because there are so many low-end aluminum bikes that
are rarely ridden very much.
On Sat, 2 Aug 2025 21:09:14 -0700, sms <[email protected]>
wrote:
On 7/24/2025 4:09 AM, zen cycle wrote:
<snip>
I'm sure as a percentage there are just as many stories of 'quality'
steel frame failures as any other material.
What is the basis for your belief? It's demonstrably untrue when it
comes to steel versus carbon-fiber. Probably true when it comes to steel >>versus aluminum because there are so many low-end aluminum bikes that
are rarely ridden very much.
Up periscope...
It's late and I'm tired. So, I'll let ChatGPT do the research: ><https://chatgpt.com/share/688eeb73-2510-800c-920f-7dd256a6f55f>
Looks like aluminum has the highest failure rate.
Down periscope...
On Sat, 2 Aug 2025 21:09:14 -0700, sms <[email protected]>
wrote:
On 7/24/2025 4:09 AM, zen cycle wrote:
<snip>
I'm sure as a percentage there are just as many stories of 'quality'
steel frame failures as any other material.
What is the basis for your belief? It's demonstrably untrue when it
comes to steel versus carbon-fiber. Probably true when it comes to steel
versus aluminum because there are so many low-end aluminum bikes that
are rarely ridden very much.
Up periscope...
It's late and I'm tired. So, I'll let ChatGPT do the research: <https://chatgpt.com/share/688eeb73-2510-800c-920f-7dd256a6f55f>
Looks like aluminum has the highest failure rate.
Down periscope...
On Sat, 02 Aug 2025 21:58:44 -0700, Jeff Liebermann <[email protected]>
wrote:
On Sat, 2 Aug 2025 21:09:14 -0700, sms <[email protected]>
wrote:
On 7/24/2025 4:09 AM, zen cycle wrote:
<snip>
I'm sure as a percentage there are just as many stories of 'quality'
steel frame failures as any other material.
What is the basis for your belief? It's demonstrably untrue when it
comes to steel versus carbon-fiber. Probably true when it comes to steel >>> versus aluminum because there are so many low-end aluminum bikes that
are rarely ridden very much.
Up periscope...
It's late and I'm tired. So, I'll let ChatGPT do the research:
<https://chatgpt.com/share/688eeb73-2510-800c-920f-7dd256a6f55f>
Looks like aluminum has the highest failure rate.
Down periscope...
Well.... The tensile strength of common structural steel can range
from 400 MPa to 500 MPa (58,000 to 72,500 psi), while that of Aluminum
is typically around 90 MPa (13,000 psi).
72,500 / 13,00 PSI = 5.5 :-)
--
cheers,
John B.
Jeff Liebermann <[email protected]> wrote:
On Sat, 2 Aug 2025 21:09:14 -0700, sms <[email protected]>
wrote:
On 7/24/2025 4:09 AM, zen cycle wrote:
<snip>
I'm sure as a percentage there are just as many stories of 'quality'
steel frame failures as any other material.
What is the basis for your belief? It's demonstrably untrue when it
comes to steel versus carbon-fiber. Probably true when it comes to steel >>> versus aluminum because there are so many low-end aluminum bikes that
are rarely ridden very much.
Up periscope...
It's late and I'm tired. So, I'll let ChatGPT do the research:
<https://chatgpt.com/share/688eeb73-2510-800c-920f-7dd256a6f55f>
Looks like aluminum has the highest failure rate.
Down periscope...
While ChatGPT is correct, the use cases are quite different, steel isn’t really mainstream anymore even more than carbon it’s high end boutique really, very much in the similar space as titanium bikes.
Aluminium is the material most bikes are made from, be that cheap or mid range, carbon tends to the higher end If mass market, while it’s not a material that likes impacts it gets used in areas where it will get knocked about ie MTB and Gravel bikes.
Ie the usecase are different and will result in difference in failures even if the material used was the same, that’s not that the different materials don’t have different characteristics but there is more going on, than just the materials.
Roger Merriman
On Sun Jul 20 09:22:10 2025 Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
cyclintom, 2025-07-18 22:21+0200:
I have a steel road bike for sale that is an XL and it only weighs 22
lbs. I say that to let you know that a GOOD steel bike is only
slightly heavier than a carbon fiber bike and steel lasts forever with
very little maintennce. V-brakes are a good idea but not cantilevers.
I would agree on that. As I see it, cantilever were a very good
improvement over caliper bakes as they existed before (although there
are now excellent caliper brakes), but V-brakes are yet another
improvement on V-brakes. Easier to adjust and to maintain, constant
mechanical advantage? I would use cantilever brakes only if I have no
optio nfor V-brakes.
The problem with custom European builders is that they ae SO damned
expensive. While I do not particularly like disc brakes, I really do
like the 12 mm through axles. They perfectly align the wheels dead
center and the larger bearings roll a lot better.
I have nothing against 12 mm through-axles, although I would expect them
to be more expensive than 9 or 10 mm regular axles.
And the 142 mm rear wheel gives better room for a 12 speed.
I would be happy with 10 but the 12 speed stuff shifts so much better.
12 cogs is kind of too much for me. I mean, I a fine with my current 9
cogs, so I am not looking for more than that. :-)
As for the shifting ease, I think Shimano CUES would provide that, in 9,
10 or 11 cogs versions.
You might want to talk with Omar Khiel at Oasis Custom Bicycles, in
Glendale Arizona. [email protected]. He's pretty straight up.
Suggestions: 1" Reynolds 531 and 1" steerer fork. Straight fork legs.
Campy Chorus or Shimano 105. Only manual shifting.
I don't know how tall you are but I am 6'4" and am running 170 mm
cranks. This keeps your hips more open and you simple adjust the gear
ratios for climbing. Pogcar is running 165's.
I am quite smaller, 168 cm. That would be 5"6' I think.
If you prefer a name brand talk to Tom Ritchey who is now the go-to
framebuilder in California.
This is a bit far from France. An I saw that, at least for standard
frames, he switched to all disc brakes.
For the common rider 9 speeds is good. I chose 12 not because I needed
the extra speeds but because I wanted a 34 tooth cog. A problem with rim brakes is that if you hit a pothole and slightly milalign the rim, the
rim brake rubs on it and makes noise. Disc brakes are made to avoid that problem and the 12 mm axles give you perfect center alignment and the
larger bearings spin SO much easier.
I do not like disc brakes but I do recognise their advantages.
Also, something is going on with disc brakes. ALL of the half dozen or so early disc brake bikes would brake so violently if you lightly applied
the levers, that you have to be very careful not to do an endo.
But my new Ultegra discs apply just like very good rim brakes. But
watching the Tour you could still see the endos from hard application of
the discs. Perhaps the Dura Ace are different from the Ultegra?
On Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:40:18 GMT, cyclintom <[email protected]>
wrote:
Show me a bike that has never failed.
<https://velosock.com/blogs/blog/a-german-sets-the-record-for-the-worlds-heaviest-bicycle>
On 8/4/2025 5:04 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:40:18 GMT, cyclintom <[email protected]>
wrote:
Show me a bike that has never failed.
<https://velosock.com/blogs/blog/a-german-sets-the-record-for-the-worlds-heaviest-bicycle>
Hasn't failed YET.
On 7/24/2025 4:09 AM, zen cycle wrote:
<snip>
I'm sure as a percentage there are just as many stories of 'quality'
steel frame failures as any other material.
What is the basis for your belief?
It's demonstrably untrue when it
comes to steel versus carbon-fiber.
Probably true when it comes to steel
versus aluminum because there are so many low-end aluminum bikes that
are rarely ridden very much.
Show me a bike that has never failed.
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