Perfect disc break rainy-day single speed commuter frame.

May 31, 2009 8:53 PM

Bike Filter: I'm looking for a cro-moly steel frame and fork that can handle disc breaks and enough clearance for fenders and has track drop outs with a road bike geometry.

The closest I've seen so far is the Surly 1x1 but I'd rather have something a little more speedy (road geometry), larger (they only make them to 55cm sized and I'm looking for something around 60-62cm).

Ideally I'm going to put 700x28 tires on it and built for year round riding in Portland,OR.

posted by wcfields to travel & transportation (12 answers total)

Horizontal dropout with derailleur is fine too and I'd also want braze ons for front and rear racks for panniers
posted by wcfields at 8:56 PM on May 31, 2009

Think I found it:

• Singular Peregrine
• Voodoo Cycles Agew & Nakisi
• Trek Portland frame

posted by wcfields at 9:22 PM on May 31, 2009

Regarding the 1x1, the reason the frame only sizes up to a 55 is because of the compact geometry - the top tube slopes down so you are expected to ride with a longer seat post. This saves the frame-maker money because they don't have to make as many frame sizes, and a compact geometry is also advantageous because it will be stiffer and lighter for a given tubing material. Newer road bikes tend to have either a compact or semi compact geometry, for an old fashioned geometry bike that handles disk brakes, check out lemond - in particular the poprad, I don't know about horizontal dropouts though. You could go vintage except, of course, for the disk brake issue (is this something you could get a custom braze-on for? there are plenty of folks in Portland that will put custom braze-ons onto a frame). If you are looking for a used frame, Portland bike prices are stupidly inflated on craigslist, but the folks at Citybikes tend to carry a good selection of steel frames. Look at cyclocross bikes in general for a good selection of steel frames with traditional geometry that handle disk brakes.
posted by idiopath at 9:28 PM on May 31, 2009

Brodie has a line of similar things. but even though they're aluminum they're very heavy. my infinity is heavier than my full-suspension mountain bike...

they are pretty bomb-proof though.
posted by klanawa at 9:30 PM on May 31, 2009

Soma Double-Cross?
posted by iamabot at 10:13 PM on May 31, 2009

Kona Sutra?
posted by nnk at 6:16 AM on June 1, 2009

Can't recommend a frame to suit you, but you should consider the issues that come about by using track ends and full fenders - its becomes tricky to remove the rear wheel when changing a flat. Traditional horizontal drops work better, but since you want disc brakes, you might also consider using a vertical-dropout equipped frame and a chain tensioner.
posted by stachemaster at 8:47 AM on June 1, 2009

Another solution to the track dropout + fender issue, the one I see most folks here in Portland use, is a quick release fender. I don't ride a single speed, but I just hate having fenders when I don't need them, I got the SKS raceblades and they are awesome - lightweight, just enough coverage not to soak my feet or back, they fit frames that "don't have room for a fender" and remove in 15 seconds, install in 45.
posted by idiopath at 12:04 PM on June 1, 2009

I'd suggest vertical dropouts and an eccentric BB, like this
posted by dolface at 3:23 PM on June 1, 2009

To add: track drops + fenders is entirely annoying. Raleigh changed up the One-Way to horizontal drops for precisely this reason. Also, if you are commuting year-round full fenders are the way to go as clip-ons are only a half-solution.

Although not steel, the Van Dessel Country Road Bob meets most of your criteria. Or if you are willing to give up disc brakes just get a Surly Crosscheck, they are pretty much do everything machines.
posted by asterisk at 10:02 PM on June 1, 2009

I commuted through the whole portland winter, 24 miles of riding each work day, with my sks raceblades, and I was fine. I got wet, but not soaked the way you do without fenders, and not much more wet than I got with my backup bike (full fenders, the bike I planned to be my winter ride, but it just is not as fun to ride). These are not the kind of clip on that attaches to the seat post, they clip to the forks / seat stays, two rubber fasteners on each side.
posted by idiopath at 3:17 AM on June 2, 2009

I think I'm going to investigate the Soma Double Cross DC further. It seems do to all I need (disc brakes, steel, braze-ons for fenders and racks, clearance for 700x38c tires), and although it has a vertical dropout I think I might as well have a gear system for touring.
posted by wcfields at 10:53 AM on June 2, 2009