Best steel road bike in 2024: our top 5

In modern times, when looking at road bikes, you generally get aluminum, carbon fiber, and some titanium bikes. It’s much rarer than ever to see steel being used, which is a great shame, as there are some amazing steel road bikes from which to choose.

Steel is an amazing material, and years ago, that’s all we used for road bikes. In this article, we are going to discuss why you might want to use a steel road bike, tell you our top five, and also tell you how to pick the correct bike for you!

Why steel road bike?

Steel road bikes offer a very different experience from carbon fiber or aluminum road bikes. Many people use them because they are amazing at increasing comfort and often much cheaper to manufacture. Here is why we like them!

• Steel has much more flexibility, making the ride more comfortable.
• Steel is easier to repair compared to carbon fiber and other materials.
• Steel bikes are much cheaper than Carbon and titanium bikes. 
• Frame builders can make custom steel frames at a much lower cost. 
• Steel can take the vibrations out of the road.
• Steel bikes generally have a vintage look to them with small tubing.

For many people, steel is a unique ride, the kind of bike perfect for long distances and social, comfortable rides.

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The best steel road bike in 2024

Now, let's discuss these top 5 bikes! You will find these and many more for sale at a lower cost than new ones on the buycycle website! Make sure to check out our stock!

Cinelli Nemo Tig Disc: premium Italian steel road bike

Cinelli is an Italian brand, and the bikes are made with very high quality in mind. Next-generation triple-butted Columbus steel makes this bike not just comfortable but also stiff enough not to hold you back when going fast.

In bold orange and equipped with excellent groupset options, the Cinelli Nemo Tig will feel amazing to ride. Another great feature is that it comes with disc brakes, which many classic-style steel frames don’t often have. 

The attention to detail is incredible, and you really are buying a bike that will give you a wonderful cycling experience on the roads. It’s a big investment for a steel bike, but you are buying something very special. It’s one of the best modern steel road bike options for sure.

All-City Zig Zag: stylish and endurance-focused

When looking at steel bikes, All-City is a brand you will encounter. They don’t make as many models as the bigger brands, but they are known for making bikes that are unique in design and eye-catching.

The All-City Zig Zag is very good value for money. At $2500 for a Shimano 105 version and $3400 for the Shimano Ultegra version, you are getting a lot of bike for you money. The steel frame has endurance geometry, and the pink and black or gold and black color scheme looks incredible.

The Zig Zag is a basic bike, but that’s what many people are looking for when it comes to steel. It’s a very pure example of what makes a bike and the magic of propelling yourself forward with a few cogs and gears.

Mason Resolution2: UK-made ultra-distance bike

Mason is one of the best frameset makers in the UK and are known as one of the best steel all road bike builders. Their bikes are very sought after, and their use of Columbus tubing and incredible attention to detail quickly set them apart from many other brands. 

Surprisingly, for steel, you can still get a bike as light as 8.5 kg. The Resolution was just built for a short spin-out but to chew thousands of miles in a single trip. They are often used by many ultra cyclists, and Mason bikes have won many of these long-distance events.

The Resolution is an excellent steel road bike with the advantage of a performance carbon fork that provides performance and comfort without a significant weight penalty. Mason also sells this bike with a wheel collaboration they have done with Hunt Wheels. 

Ritchey Road Logic: classic steel performance

The Ritchey Road Logic is one of the most popular steel road bike frames available. Although Ritchey doesn’t currently offer it in a complete bike form, it is important to mention it as an option if you are interested in a steel road bike.

The frameset itself is unique. It was designed by the legendary Tom Ritchey, an ex-professional cyclist. It has a classic look and small tubing, but this isn’t just for aesthetics. It has a purpose in keeping it light, and using a smaller head tube further reduces weight.  

The front carbon fork weighs as little as 350g and offers an excellent ride, giving you comfort on big distances but also the stiff response that you need in a sprint. The Ritchey Road Logic is very sought after and comes in rim and disc brake versions.

Fairlight Strael 3.0: lightweight and long-distance ready

Fairlight has made some incredible bikes, but their flagship bike is the Strael. The Strael 3 is the third version they have made, and it continues to improve each time. When you buy a Strael, you get to pick all the specifications and parts for it. 

Coming in at about 9 kg with a mid to high end Shimano groupset the weight is actually very light. It is made for long distance riding, and the bike has won two Transcontinental Races, which is an incredible feature, knowing it is a 4000 km self-supported race across Europe. That’s a very impressive feat and easily puts this in the best steel all road bike category.

Not only is this bike ideal for the road but with clearance up to 36c tires, you have the option to load it up a little more and even go on a little gravel or increase comfort on a bikepacking trip. The Strael is an iconic modern bike that many people choose as the best steel road bike.

Not all steel is the same

When it comes to steel road bikes, it’s good to understand that not all steel is the same. For example, Cro Mo steel is very flexible, quite heavy, but very strong. Reynolds 853 is specially heat-treated to be thinner and stronger than other types, making it lighter and stiffer than other steel.

It’s important to understand that the tubing is also butted. This means that the ends of the tubing are thicker and stronger than in the center. Double-butted means it has two thicknesses, while triple-butted means it has three thicknesses. These properties make the frame lighter and stronger where it needs to be.

Many people ask us questions such as what size Columbus tubing for a road bike and what does a Kona steel road bike frame weigh. It’s really good to do your research into the steel bikes you are looking at for the finer details.

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Which steel road bike is for me?

The key to picking the perfect road bike for you is to first set a budget and then think about the riding you want to do. The right bike will be affordable and also suit your style. Whether you are looking for a best modern steel road bike or an adventure option these bikes all offer something special.