Hey all,
Looking to move my build kit from my current Checkpoint to a new steel frame. Motivation is partially aesthetic, but also looking for a slightly different geometry.
Looking for geo close to the Fairlight Secan 3.0 58T or Sour Purple Haze in XL. Generally speaking, slightly shorter reach and taller stack than my current size large gen 3 Checkpoint.
My challenge- finding something more easily available in the US. I can order either of the bikes above, but there are significant extra costs associated with importing both. The Secan, for instance, ends up around $2600 for the frameset delivered to me in California.
Anyone know of steel (or ti!) frames with similar geometry that are available to buy in the US?
by DET_arch
17 Comments
I can’t believe those are up to $2600 now. Looking back, I should have bought one when I could have had it for about $1700, but I thought that was too high at the time. Thanks Trump.
Wilde seems like it would fit the bill
I can’t think of any off the shelf steel with all those characteristics of the Fairlight, it’s in a class of its own right now. One option is a custom frame. $2600 is approaching premium custom territory. There’s also Waltly custom Ti or Merino custom steel from Peru for a much cheaper option.
How about Ti?
Lynskey gravel, Rodeo Labs, Moots – in ascending order of $
I originally wanted a Fairlight and got a Soma Wolverine instead. Extremely happy with the choice. It receives a lot of “cool bike”s
The Secan has a pretty unique high stack for a gravel bike. If you want that upright feel, look at the Fairlight sizing tool or maybe a Mason Bokeh. Both have similar tubing quality and geometry philosophy.
Hear me out plan a European vacation pick your bike up on the way
Chumba makes a good custom steel frame, hopefully they’re still under that price. They were sub-$2000 a couple years ago but I bet they’re over that now.
I am in Canada so I don’t know how bad the hit on duties would be but I was on a similar quest and I am going to grab an Anticosti by Panorama cycles. Has everything I want Tyre and chainring clearance-wise. Have a Spa cycles tourer that I imported 4 years ago, want to have steel bikes forever now.
If you know the exact geometry you want and don’t want a bunch of funky stuff and are good with medium level tubing (better than your bike choices above), you can probably just have it made by a reputable frame builder for around your imported price. Hit me up if you are at that level.
Soma Jawbone type A fits the bill here. Compare the geometry on bikeinsights.com.
I’d go custom from rock lobster in S.C. or Mike Desalvo for not much more
Sklar Supersomething?
Stinner is doing stock size models for relatively affordable prices in both steel and ti. Might be worth a look.
Nice bike.
Maybe a rodeolabs flaanimal in their tall stack size?
ngl finding a steel frame that doesn’t look like a gate in the larger sizes is a massive struggle. tbh the Purple Haze is a beauty but the lead times can be a pain. idk maybe check out the Sour Purple Haze if you want that same aggressive-but-comfortable vibe.