Fully Rigid, Steel

[Borch]

I'm going to be in the market for a new bike this February so I'm trying to do my reasearch now. Given my size (5'11" 250lbs) I've decided I want a rigid steel frame. My issue is I am having trouble finding fully rigid, geared, steel frame bikes other than the Surly Ogre. I have found lots of SS but only the one geared. Maybe I just don't know where to look any help would be appreciated.

[phsycle]

Your budget? There are many options. Some, all you have to do is add gears.

Raleigh XXIX+g (has a Fox fork, but you can sell it easily)
Niner SIR/MCR
Salsa Fargo
Redline Monocog Flight (need to add gears)

Probably a few more. Also, there is a lot of steel frames that you can build up yourself. I'm about to build up a rigid steel bike, too, and will be trying a Jones. Pretty pricey, though.

[Borch]

I'm hoping to come in around $1,500 but that may be negotiable depending on the ride.

[cackalacky]

I'm building up a Kona Unit with gears now. It has cable stops, all that is needed is an optional derailleur hanger.

There is also the Salsa El Mariachi complete. It comes with a susp. fork but that can be easily swapped for their rigid Cromoto grande fork.

[Slash5]

OnOne Inbred. Makes a great rigid.

[borbntm]

Civilian Luditte = Rigid 29er, single speed....steel frame, carbon fork and derailer hanger....Mine came with the hanger, I think you have to purchase it now with the bike.

Excellent bike for the money, Great geometry.

Civilian Young Turk = Same frame as the Luditte, Rock shox Reba, 1x10 and different colors.

Both on sale right now at Realcyclist.com. My Luditte was shipped free to Ca and no sales tax!

[Niner_Boy]

Vassago should be producing the Bandersnatch and the Jabberwocky again in mid-December. They also make amatching ODIS steel fork. I think both can be geared. You should easily be able to fund a build within your budget with either of these frames.

[edubfromktown]

You can build up a SIR 9 for under $1500 if you get a used frame. I just did... been running a front sus fork on it until I install the Niner steel fork I just acquired. A frame and fork in good shape should run < $600 total. I've been riding 3 aluminum 29er's for ~3 years. The steel frame definitely feels springy by comparison and more forgiving w/ a bit of flex on the rough stuff.

[SS Hack]

I have the above Luddite and it's a lot of bike for the money. Those $200 On One frames and $149 carbon forks are pretty tempting however, I may build a leftovers bikes with that frame for kicks.

[slohr]

Civilian Luditte = Rigid 29er, single speed....steel frame, carbon fork and derailer hanger....Mine came with the hanger, I think you have to purchase it now with the bike.

Excellent bike for the money, Great geometry.

Civilian Young Turk = Same frame as the Luditte, Rock shox Reba, 1x10 and different colors.

Both on sale right now at Realcyclist.com. My Luditte was shipped free to Ca and no sales tax!

Man, that's an awesome deal! Carbon fork and all for that price--how can you go wrong! Too bad I already have a decent rigid steel ride...

[SS Hack]

Man, that's an awesome deal! Carbon fork and all for that price--how can you go wrong! Too bad I already have a decent rigid steel ride...

For a time they were $636!

[Enel]

Jones can be built with gears or SS.

[FoShizzle]

Jones can be built with gears or SS.

are you sure? i thought you said only Diamond frame can run both since the other is so inferior.

[shockfinder]

I'm your height and 230...I have a L Niner Sir9. I tried rigid and now have a suspension fork. Love this frame. Highly recommend it. Find one used and you can beat $1500 easily.

[fixgeardan]

JONES! Diamond steel with unicrown fork. best handling rigid steel bike period.....

[joe_bloe]

http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=unit

Kona Unit. $999


Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II

[RedRider93]

This is purely based on your username, but you're not Mark Borchardt are you?

[LBIkid]

JONES! Diamond steel with unicrown fork. best handling rigid steel bike period.....

+1 to this.

[Borch]

This is purely based on your username, but you're not Mark Borchardt are you?

Nope.

Thanks all for the suggestions, now begins the research.

[leeboh]

Karate Monkey has a der. hanger. Soma juice? Jamis makes some nice ones as well.

[james-o]

I'm about to build up a rigid steel bike, too, and will be trying a Jones.

Wise move. Just trying one out as a 'reference point' is a good thing.

[edouble]

is another great bike. It handles great, is tough as hell, isn't too heavy or very expensive. Pair it with the fork and build of your choice and enjoy a sweet ride that your not going to run into at every trail head. Easy to do for under $1500 too.

[1 Speed]

My Retrotec can be built up either with the der. hanger or with a cut-off version (geared or ss). If you can afford it, have a reputable builder make you what you really want. I happen to run mine SS 99% of the time.

[CS2]

Civilian Luditte = Rigid 29er, single speed....steel frame, carbon fork and derailer hanger....Mine came with the hanger, I think you have to purchase it now with the bike.

Excellent bike for the money, Great geometry.

Civilian Young Turk = Same frame as the Luditte, Rock shox Reba, 1x10 and different colors.

Both on sale right now at Realcyclist.com. My Luditte was shipped free to Ca and no sales tax!

Man that is a really nice looking bike.