Okay, it’s probably been asked a thousand times, but I figure one more time on the eve of 2024 is a good time to get it out there again.
I’m looking at getting (considering) a new best road bike - I’ve had (and have) Ti, Columbus steel, carbon and aluminium.
I’ve not had stainless steel and I’m wondering about this as opposed to what I’d normally go for - titanium (Enigma Ti).
My current best bike is an Enigma Echelon with Dura Ace 12sp and I’m looking at either their Eikon or a stainless steel from Feather or similar. (I have also wondered what J Laverack is like).
I can imagine the Eikon is going to be bloody superb as the three different bikes from them have been great, I’m just wondering what stainelss steel is going to be like?
I’ve had a few carbon bikes - sold an SWorks Aethos last year as it just ‘wasn’t me’, my current mtb is carbon (Spark 900 RC - which is very nice) but for the road I like the more ‘traditional’ approach.
My riding consists of cafe rides, chain gangs and trips to the Pyrenees - I’m 55 no racing snake and not looking to be bent over arse in the air, full on aero etc; but I like to put on a turn of speed, climb while being comfortable.
Any thoughts / suggestions please? (I’ve watched a few YouTube vids, but would prefer the views of the STW Hive Mind)
Best road bike. Get a Pegoretti Responsorium in stainless steel with full Record 12 speed. Go and collect it in person.
https://dariopegoretti.com/pegoretti-responsorium
order a custom longer headtube to avoid spacers for sufficient head down, arse upness.
What are you looking for in the bike that you don't already have or have had?
Not sure stainless rides much different to other steel, or is any lighter.
There's grades of stainless steel that won't feel any different to ride than good steel like 853 as the properties and tube dims will be pretty much the same. 953 is different though, very high UTS so can be made with thinner tube walls.
I am fortunate enough to have owned some nice handmade bikes, including a Pegoretti Reaponsorium which was built by Dario himself. The paintwork was Ciavete which looked beautiful and it was my dream bike. Except….it wasn’t. It wasn’t well built and it didn’t ride nicely (very stiff and brittle feeling). It was designed and built as a race bike, and not nearly as comfortable as any of my ti bikes. The myth and legend never lived up to the reality.
I hear great things about Feather and Quinn, and Safron. All great British builders that build in stainless. Stainless rides (unsurprisingly) like steel, but just without the corrosion issues. If you like your current titanium bike, either stick with that or get another.
Over many years of riding, there has always been a Seven in my garage. I have tried so many other bikes in every material (except wood and bamboo) and I always come back to a Seven. Amazing quality, brilliant fit, a ride tailored to your every desire. I have tried Moots, Serotta, Colnago, Pinarello, Merlin, Cervelo, Cielo, Argonaut, Mosaic and whilst they were all nice, none were as complete a package as my Sevens.
I do understand the temptation and curiosity to try something new. I have been on a lifelong search for the perfect bike and it turns out it was hanging in my garage all along!
@jameso aren't we past the point where steel bikes can't get any lighter (without getting silly flexy)? lightest I've seen was 1.5kg, tho Salsa had one claimed at 1.3kg.
I'd (aged 58) second Solarider, my Seven Axiom is 20yrs, 120k miles and still the nicest bike I've ridden for OP's description of what he wants it to do with it. Looks like a gate (I'm 6'2", long legged) I went with default settings in Seven's bike fit. Only reason I'd change it will be time I need an ebike or a change in fit.
And where did those seven Ti welders learn their craft? ;-). I had a Merlin and I loved it. Beautiful engraved frame with zero stickers. OP wanted stainless, which means Responsorium, but other steels and geometries would be my first choice for comfort. And it’s too nice to race! Of course you could just go to Rourke and get something bespoke too. My first choice was a fixed wheel TCR geometry compact Rourke in stainless. Then I found an Enigma Echo fixed wheel. I still want another Merlin Cyrene one day. Only ever seen one in my size since the great bike robbery ten years ago.
If you have had lots of bikes in most of these materials why do you need to ask?
In fact if you like your current bikes why get another bike?
andylaightscat
Free Member
I’d (aged 58) second Solarider, my Seven Axiom is 20yrs, 120k miles
120k!
6k/ year!
On one bike!
Applause!
I'm fairly sure that I'm never getting that number of miles in!
I managed 2k in total this year😥
Thanks chaps much appreciated.
I have owned a Pegoretti since 2007, completely different experience to solarider, mine is a Duende so different tubeset to a responsorium. Wouldn’t swap it for anything apart from a new one.
If I was after another bike then Casati, Cicli Barco or Legend would be my first ports of call.
I have also owned a Duende and I tend to agree it was a nicer ride. The more traditional tube profiles and Columbus Spirit tubeset made for a more comfortable ride. Mine even had steel forks which helped.
Although the Duende is seen as the ‘entry level’, it is still a nice frame. It just lacks some of tbe signature Pegoretti touches found on the Responsorium, Round and Marcelo like the massively oversized seat and chain stays and the cowled industrial dropouts. Because of this, it does have a totally different ride quality.
Mine was also better built than my Responsorium. I guess ultimately it’s just a welded collection of metal tubes and although the paintwork is stunning, the mythical status that Dario commanded could only really disappoint. From what I have seen, the chaps that have taken over the business are producing a better product today in many respects whilst remaining true to Dario’s legacy.
I guess ultimately the point I was making above was that if you really like the bike that you have, searching for something better might be a disappointing and expensive adventure.
In fact if you like your current bikes why get another bike?
I think you're on the wrong forum