The Salsa Fargo steel frameset is the go-to for aggressive off-road bikepacking, blending nimble handling, high tire clearance and a wealth of cage and rack mounts for mixed-terrain routes. Compared to the touring-leaning Kona and the utility-focused Surly, the Fargo trades some load-carrying bias for more trail-capable geometry and tire clearance—making it technically advantageous for riders prioritizing singletrack and rough gravel.
Trail-hungry grin
Endless cargo options
Trail-hungry grin
Endless cargo options
Review Summary
"Users love the Fargo's playful yet stable handling, huge tire clearance, and adaptability across mixed surfaces for bikepacking; a minority mention the weight and price as downsides but overall praise its versatility."
Slack-and-stable
Aggressive adventure geometry tuned for technical off‑road bikepacking and long days in rough terrain.
Slack-and-stable
Aggressive adventure geometry tuned for technical off‑road bikepacking and long days in rough terrain.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
The Salsa Fargo steel frameset is the go-to for aggressive off-road bikepacking, blending nimble handling, high tire clearance and a wealth of cage and rack mounts for mixed-terrain routes. Compared to the touring-leaning Kona and the utility-focused Surly, the Fargo trades some load-carrying bias for more trail-capable geometry and tire clearance—making it technically advantageous for riders prioritizing singletrack and rough gravel.
Trail-hungry grin
Endless cargo options
Slack-and-stable
Aggressive adventure geometry tuned for technical off‑road bikepacking and long days in rough terrain.
High tire clearance for 29×2.6 or 27.5+ setups and abundant frame and fork mounting points.
Trail-hungry grin
Endless cargo options
Slack-and-stable
Aggressive adventure geometry tuned for technical off‑road bikepacking and long days in rough terrain.
High tire clearance for 29×2.6 or 27.5+ setups and abundant frame and fork mounting points.
$1,500-2,000 USD
The Surly Ghost Grappler earns market-leader status by combining bombproof 4130 chromoly construction, huge tyre clearance and load-friendly geometry into a very affordable package, making it a go-to steel option for gravel-adjacent mountain use. Compared with the boutique entries on this list it deliberately sacrifices the last ounce of race performance for durability, parts availability and lower total build cost, offering the best value for riders who prioritize reliability over light weight.
Tire-eating clearance — mud-hugger
Single-speed ready — soul-simple
Tire-eating clearance — mud-hugger
Single-speed ready — soul-simple
Review Summary
"Riders praise the Ghost Grappler for its burly steel construction, comfortable and stable ride, and versatility for mixed-surface riding and loaded touring. Criticisms focus on its weight and that it’s not aimed at race-focused responsiveness."
Tank-like chromoly — indestructible
Chromoly steel frame engineered for mixed-gravel and light-trail use with a forgiving ride quality.
Tank-like chromoly — indestructible
Chromoly steel frame engineered for mixed-gravel and light-trail use with a forgiving ride quality.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Surly Ghost Grappler earns market-leader status by combining bombproof 4130 chromoly construction, huge tyre clearance and load-friendly geometry into a very affordable package, making it a go-to steel option for gravel-adjacent mountain use. Compared with the boutique entries on this list it deliberately sacrifices the last ounce of race performance for durability, parts availability and lower total build cost, offering the best value for riders who prioritize reliability over light weight.
Tire-eating clearance — mud-hugger
Single-speed ready — soul-simple
Tank-like chromoly — indestructible
Chromoly steel frame engineered for mixed-gravel and light-trail use with a forgiving ride quality.
Generous tire clearance and modern thru-axle/disc brake compatibility for wide gravel tires.
Tire-eating clearance — mud-hugger
Single-speed ready — soul-simple
Tank-like chromoly — indestructible
Chromoly steel frame engineered for mixed-gravel and light-trail use with a forgiving ride quality.
Generous tire clearance and modern thru-axle/disc brake compatibility for wide gravel tires.
$1,000-1,400 USD
Chumba Racing URSA Major Custom
The URSA Major Custom from Chumba Racing represents the boutique extreme end of custom steel framesets: ultra-light, meticulously selected Reynolds/True Temper tubing and artisan brazing produce a frame optimized for weight-conscious riders and collectors. Technically it outperforms on material selection and hand-finished detail, but that premium craft comes with a higher price and longer wait compared with mass-capable leaders like Kona or mid-tier builders like Devinci.
Feathersteel sprint
Race-focused nimble
Feathersteel sprint
Race-focused nimble
Review Summary
"Chumba Racing URSA Major customers rave about the premium stainless/steel build quality, unique aesthetics and outstanding ride quality; the only frequent criticisms are the steep price and lengthy wait times for a bespoke frame."
Columbus tubing pride
Made-to-order frames using premium Columbus/True Temper steel with expert brazing
Columbus tubing pride
Made-to-order frames using premium Columbus/True Temper steel with expert brazing
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The URSA Major Custom from Chumba Racing represents the boutique extreme end of custom steel framesets: ultra-light, meticulously selected Reynolds/True Temper tubing and artisan brazing produce a frame optimized for weight-conscious riders and collectors. Technically it outperforms on material selection and hand-finished detail, but that premium craft comes with a higher price and longer wait compared with mass-capable leaders like Kona or mid-tier builders like Devinci.
Feathersteel sprint
Race-focused nimble
Columbus tubing pride
Made-to-order frames using premium Columbus/True Temper steel with expert brazing
Fully bespoke geometry and artisanal paint/livery options for a unique build
Feathersteel sprint
Race-focused nimble
Columbus tubing pride
Made-to-order frames using premium Columbus/True Temper steel with expert brazing
Fully bespoke geometry and artisanal paint/livery options for a unique build
$2,000-3,500 USD
The Kona Sutra frameset is positioned as a comfort-focused, long-haul chromoly touring option with road-friendly geometry and plenty of braze-ons, making it well suited to riders who want efficient loaded miles on mixed pavement and light gravel. Against the more off-road aggressive Surly and Salsa or the budget-minded Soma, the Sutra leans toward on-road efficiency and traditional touring ergonomics while typically being competitively priced for a classic tourer setup.
Long-haul comfort
Classic touring charm
Long-haul comfort
Classic touring charm
Review Summary
"The Kona Sutra is frequently lauded for comfortable steel compliance, thoughtful touring geometry, and plentiful rack/fender mounts that make fully loaded rides easy; some users note it is heavier than modern adventure frames and less playful off-road. Owners consistently praise its reliability and road-to-gravel versatility for long-distance touring."
Saddle-daydream maker
Handbuilt chromoly touring frame focused on long-distance comfort and load stability.
Saddle-daydream maker
Handbuilt chromoly touring frame focused on long-distance comfort and load stability.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Kona Sutra frameset is positioned as a comfort-focused, long-haul chromoly touring option with road-friendly geometry and plenty of braze-ons, making it well suited to riders who want efficient loaded miles on mixed pavement and light gravel. Against the more off-road aggressive Surly and Salsa or the budget-minded Soma, the Sutra leans toward on-road efficiency and traditional touring ergonomics while typically being competitively priced for a classic tourer setup.
Long-haul comfort
Classic touring charm
Saddle-daydream maker
Handbuilt chromoly touring frame focused on long-distance comfort and load stability.
Multiple rack, fender and bottle mounts plus reinforced dropouts for heavy touring gear.
Long-haul comfort
Classic touring charm
Saddle-daydream maker
Handbuilt chromoly touring frame focused on long-distance comfort and load stability.
Multiple rack, fender and bottle mounts plus reinforced dropouts for heavy touring gear.
$900-1400 USD
Chumba Stella is a direct-to-consumer modern-geometry steel frameset that balances custom sizing and attractive pricing, delivering many of the tailored benefits of boutique builders while remaining more accessible financially. It sits between the high-end Chromag and Kona/Norco value offerings by providing solid craftsmanship, ample tire clearance and customization options that appeal to riders who want near-bespoke geometry without the full boutique premium.
Curvy-road grace
Endurance-ready comfort
Curvy-road grace
Endurance-ready comfort
Review Summary
"The Chumba Stella gets high marks for its contemporary geometry, lively steel compliance and good tubing choices, with riders enjoying its value and ride feel though some report sporadic QC and longer lead times."
Classic steel charm
Double-butted chromoly tubing focused on keeping weight down while preserving steel’s compliance.
Classic steel charm
Double-butted chromoly tubing focused on keeping weight down while preserving steel’s compliance.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Eco-Friendly Living
Chumba Stella is a direct-to-consumer modern-geometry steel frameset that balances custom sizing and attractive pricing, delivering many of the tailored benefits of boutique builders while remaining more accessible financially. It sits between the high-end Chromag and Kona/Norco value offerings by providing solid craftsmanship, ample tire clearance and customization options that appeal to riders who want near-bespoke geometry without the full boutique premium.
Curvy-road grace
Endurance-ready comfort
Classic steel charm
Double-butted chromoly tubing focused on keeping weight down while preserving steel’s compliance.
Race-oriented modern geometry for efficient climbing and fast, confident handling on flow trails.
Curvy-road grace
Endurance-ready comfort
Classic steel charm
Double-butted chromoly tubing focused on keeping weight down while preserving steel’s compliance.
Race-oriented modern geometry for efficient climbing and fast, confident handling on flow trails.
$1,200-1,800 USD
The Chromag Rootdown BA frameset is a boutique, race-minded steel platform prized for immediate trail feedback, premium fit-and-finish, and optimized clearance for plus tires while retaining an agile, aggressive attitude. As a premium option it commands a higher price but delivers a technical riding edge and pared-down geometry that experienced riders will prefer over more utility-focused frames like the Timberjack or Karate Monkey.
Bombproof steel feel
Root-loving traction
Bombproof steel feel
Root-loving traction
Review Summary
"Owners consistently praise the Chromag Rootdown BA for its excellent steel ride quality, robust construction, and purposeful geometry for plus‑tire trail use, with the main drawbacks being its premium price and slightly heavier feel."
Enduro-ready smirk
High-quality chromoly tubing with refined, ride-tuned construction.
Enduro-ready smirk
High-quality chromoly tubing with refined, ride-tuned construction.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Chromag Rootdown BA frameset is a boutique, race-minded steel platform prized for immediate trail feedback, premium fit-and-finish, and optimized clearance for plus tires while retaining an agile, aggressive attitude. As a premium option it commands a higher price but delivers a technical riding edge and pared-down geometry that experienced riders will prefer over more utility-focused frames like the Timberjack or Karate Monkey.
Bombproof steel feel
Root-loving traction
Enduro-ready smirk
High-quality chromoly tubing with refined, ride-tuned construction.
Designed to clear large-volume plus tires for excellent traction.
Bombproof steel feel
Root-loving traction
Enduro-ready smirk
High-quality chromoly tubing with refined, ride-tuned construction.
Designed to clear large-volume plus tires for excellent traction.
$1200-1700 USD