Gunnar frames - are they any good????

[tonythomson]

Hi, my local bike shop is recommending a Gunnar frame.
I have never heard of them, (doesn't mean much) does anyone have any view as to their quality, service etc

Thanks

[Tourista829]

Tony, Gunnar makes very good stuff. I believe their Grand Tour is a steel frame. It has all the bells and whistles. A few things I like are the chain stays are 445mm which will give you plenty of clearance for rear panniers. The wheel clearance is up to 38c with fenders. You can get it with S&S couplers for an additional $750. I like the frame sizing every 20mm, or if you are into custom fit, they provide that option for for an additional $275. By the time you get done you are looking between $3000 to $4000. If I may make two suggestions. A&E Cycles of Seattle Washington has a pretty good set up. 18 stock sizes and for an extra $100 they will custom fit you. They make all their own frames. I have 3 friends who purchased bikes from them and really like their bikes. They even take a $100 off the hard case if you have the bike shipped in it. Worth a look. The other resource we like is SJS Cycles in the UK. My girlfriend purchased a bike from them and loves it. The only rub, as I previously mentioned in a post, was they are not really set up for S&S Couplers. So they would want you to repaint the bike after they put them in. ($1250 ouch!) I believe Bilenky in Phila, Pa. offers this option for around $500 and they may be able to do it, in a way, that keep the original paint.

[TimTyler]

A&E Cycles of Seattle Washington has a pretty good set up.

Do you mean R+E Cycles? http://www.rodcycle.com/

[Tourista829]

Yes I did mean R+E Cycles, Rodriguez, thank you for the correction.

[DaveB]

Gunner frames are made by Waterford Cycles and are very highly thought of. Here is the Sheldon Brown/Harris Cyclery web site description of them:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/gunnar.html

[tonythomson]

Thanks - see what happens on Tuesday as the bike shop thinks he might be able to resurrect my 25 yo Nigel Dean!! Been festering away for 10 years.  I have my doubts but if not will certainly consider the Gunnar with S&S as becoming obsessed with being able to fold the bike for travelling.

[DaveB]

Along with the Gunner look at Co-Motion's touring bikes as they are very experienced with S&S couplers. Another experienced S&S builder is builder is Bilenky.   

[ducnut]

I'd love to have a Gunnar!

If you're considering frames in that price range, Lynskey is another option. The family used to own Litespeed and sold it. They ended up getting back into the business with the Lynskey brand. Extreme high quality stuff.

http://www.lynskeyperformance.com/a/

[tonupgilly]

Anyone know if there are any Gunnar dealers in the UK?

[tonythomson]

Anyone know if there are any Gunnar dealers in the UK?

Hi yes I'm in the UK and dealing with Rock n Road in Southampton - the first shop who I have found knowledgeable about touring bikes. Where are you as heading up to the Midlands on the canals over the next 2 weeks.

Tony

[tonupgilly]

Hi Tony,

I'm in Broadstairs in Kent.  About as far East as you can go without getting wet.  No canals near us I'm afraid.  My sister has travelled them in the past - had a great time - very relaxing.  I used to come out your way to Calshot - taking groups of A level students on field studies.

I'm in a real dilemma about what to do about a bike as it doesn't look as if I'm going to be able to use the Trek now so I am looking at all options.  Never heard of Gunnar frames.  Have looked into Thorn, so will probably now look into Gunnar too.  Let me know if you have any further thoughts on them.

Hope you have a good trip.

Regards, Gill

[tonythomson]

Hi Gill
have just been into the shop and have to say very impressed with the guy there.  All I've heard is good about Gunnar - the cost rockets up though for a frame only from £1100 as against a Surly LHT £350 both of which will do the job adequately. For me now it's which one I can source quickly.

Very disappointed that no one in UK seems to make frames specifically for unsupported touring.  UNLESS someone out there knows different.
Please let me know if you do.

Good luck off to the canals now 5 hours late leaving after looking at more bikes!

[ducnut]

Very disappointed that no one in UK seems to make frames specifically for unsupported touring.  UNLESS someone out there knows different.
Please let me know if you do.

Have you considered Thorn?

http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/models.html

[gregg]

I'll give a simple answer to the OP's question. Yes, Gunnar frames are excellent. They are made by Waterford Cycles, one of the USA's premier custom steel frame builders, owned by Richard Schwinn (yes, that Schwinn).  Gunnar is their more affordable (less fancy) line of frames.

[paddleboy17]

Waterford, Wisconsin is where Schwinn built their higher end Paramount bikes.  It is the only part of the business that the Schwinn family held onto when Schwinn went bankrupt. 

My local dealer sold both brands.  It may be that Waterford will do more custom work, and Gunnar is the way it is.  Gunnar does seem to be Waterford's value line.  Your bike shop should be able to tell you eerything you need to know.