I've been hunting the elusive steel bike frame and fork for awhile now. I've found that there is a matrix of variables- quality tubing, right design, beautiful details, price, sizing, availability- but none of these intersect even close to the right place. Most commonly everything lines up but the frameset is only available with a carbon fork- No Thanks.
Meanwhile... I'm sitting around the house not riding as much as I want/should/need to.
On a whim (as whimsical as I get- read: fretting and wringing of hands for 3 days) I purchased a new crabon frameset.
Giant TCR Advanced SL Team CCC. Giant was unloading them after CCC disbanded recently. I got it cheap and it'll get me by until I can bag my steely dream ride.
I cut the fork steerer and the seatmast today. Both were far and away the most difficult times I've ever had getting through a carbon cut. I guess that could be a good sign?? I was nervous as heck about cutting the seatmast b/c it is part of the frame- screw that up and the frame is hosed. I cut it 10mm long on purpose just to be safe and I'm glad I did b/c I cut it off-square. I will use a grinder to square it up and to bring it to the correct length. The stem height it probably a little high but I'll refine that after I ride it.
I rode Needles and Iron Mt. yesterday on my Lynskey gravel. Super fun. But it was like driving the Nurburgring in a pickup truck. Looking forward to railing it on the Giant.
