PanetX carbon Mega Value

simbil1 · April 2007

I ordered the stock mega value build from PlanetX and have a hi-res pic here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/thefirstsimbil/Bikes

I've yet to ride it due to a broken collar bone, but I plan to do a mini review after a 100 miles or so.
I'm really happy with it - it's a large and tips the scales at 8.3 kg. The frame looks great and the build appears sound - gears etc all setup. Rear brake is very slightly mis-aligned but otherwise no work for me to do.
In retrospect, I think upgrading the wheels and tyres may have been a good idea but I'll defer judgment until I've had a ride.

I'd be interested to compare this with the Focus Cayo and Ribble nero corsa / 105 if anyone has one in large / 58cm?

Unknown · April 2007

Good man.
I've been on the verge of getting one for ages but have struggled to find reviews/pics. œ1000 on a bike is not much for some, but for me it would be a dream bike and I would like to treat myself on my 40th, which is only 2 months away, so I would love to know how you get on.
The Focus looks good, is on interest free etc, but the Planet X just seems a lot cooler, if that makes sense.
Cheers
Julian

My Bikes
http://groups.msn.com/ROADCYCLINGUK/juliansbikes.msnw

Down the Road · April 2007

Very ugly

œ1000 for "full" carbon is suspiciously cheap

Rather keep my Pilot than lower myself to that

Unknown · April 2007

Congratulations 'Down the Road'
You have a knack of expressing an opinion in quite an insulting manner.

My Bikes
http://groups.msn.com/ROADCYCLINGUK/juliansbikes.msnw

Wogan · April 2007

Based on Down the Road's well-researched "review", I'm having second thoughts about my Planet-X...not.

It is an awesome machine and you will love it simbil. It's superlight, responsive and ridiculously comfortable. Plus, as you say, it looks the biz. I've done around 200 miles on mine so far and loving every minute of it.

My only gripe is that it wants to go faster and I don't have the legs yet. But then, that's why I got it...

Jump in Julian. You won't find a bad review.

Huffing fishy tyre air since 1972

Ste_S · April 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Down the Road

Very ugly

œ1000 for "full" carbon is suspiciously cheap

Rather keep my Pilot than lower myself to that
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'd imagine it's not particulary stiff enough to race on, as evidenced by Planet X's pro riders using the Alu frame rather than the carbon. Can't see it being wrong for anything else though.

Still, I'd wouldn't buy one though, but for different reasons. If i'm spending œ1000+ on a bike I'd have to be able to test ride it first, and be able to buy if from a shop rather than an internet retailer.

jpembrokecp · April 2007

Only Mark Lovatt uses the Alu frame as far as I recall. All the rest use the full carbon frame.

well, yes and no......but mainly no.

jaffafasta · April 2007

great carbon is the way dont be put off by others there is several places to get a carbon bike for œ1000 or less who wants to pay an extra œ500-œ1000+ for a sticker not me! if you only knew how much some of these companies are making off these carbon frames. I have started to import carbon frames and wheels etc... take it from me I know. hope you do many miles

bill poster · April 2007

simbil 1, is it possible to order the basic model (œ999) and pay extra to upgrade the wheelset? Looks like a great bike for the money.

simbil1 · April 2007

Sure is bill poster, just drop them a mail and get a quote for the changes you want. As I understand it they build from scratch so you should be able to choose anything. As they do good deals on Reynolds wheels, I'd imagine it would cost little to upgrade to Alta race. Or you could of course go for some very fancy PlanetX wheels...

bill poster · April 2007

Thanks, I would definately go for the Alta Race wheels(200 gr lighter)..tell us how you get on with the Reynolds wheelset as I hear some people say they are great, others say they are prone to spoke problems(bikereview)- if the wheels are ok and are œ25 to upgrade to Alta Race then this is the best value bike at the moment.. tho better value than cayo 06 œ899 Wiggle(with voucher offer on top)??

gaterz1981 · April 2007

I have a half carbon frame (see below tcr) very comfortable to ride but still have a soft spot for my steel road frame.

But that planet x bike looks spot on!! Hope your collar bone heals quick so you can get out in this nice weather!!

Cats have nine lives. Which makes them ideal for experimentation.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/ ... 81/MTB.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/ ... rFrame.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/ ... rFrame.jpg

Markta · April 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by simbil1

I ordered the stock mega value build from PlanetX and have a hi-res pic here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/thefirstsimbil/Bikes

I've yet to ride it due to a broken collar bone, but I plan to do a mini review after a 100 miles or so.
I'm really happy with it - it's a large and tips the scales at 8.3 kg. The frame looks great and the build appears sound - gears etc all setup. Rear brake is very slightly mis-aligned but otherwise no work for me to do.
In retrospect, I think upgrading the wheels and tyres may have been a good idea but I'll defer judgment until I've had a ride.

I'd be interested to compare this with the Focus Cayo and Ribble nero corsa / 105 if anyone has one in large / 58cm?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Go for it! Can't think of a better way of overcoming such an injury to get to ride a brand new bike. Good luck [:)]

http://mrkta.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

MICHAELCYCLES · April 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bill poster

Thanks, I would definately go for the Alta Race wheels(200 gr lighter)..
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm beginning to think that bill poster is falling in love with these wheels...

bill poster · April 2007

Price/weight is pretty amazing! But some customers report probs with spokes sheering at nipples.. would like to kmow the exact spec planet x are selling as reynolds did make a change during the models life

wherryman · April 2007

That is a great looking bike, could someone answer me a question though ? I ride 20 miles a day, currently on a Spesh Tricross which is very comfortable, is the Planet X just a bit to extreme for day to day fitness riding ?

carlstone · April 2007

simbil1 I love my Procarbon. It's my first race bike so I can't comment on the difference between wheels/other bikes but I can't see how a different bike could be that much better for x hundred pounds more. Like the silver saddle on yours sets it off a treat.

As far as the rest of the comments about the spokes shearing, I have read somewhere that Reynolds have changed the spokes now and solved the problem.

My bikes:
http://www.filehigh.com/viewimg.php?f=29099&i=291574
http://www.filehigh.com/viewimg.php?f=29099&i=317809

PeteinSQ · April 2007

Interesting comments from Down The Road.

I think it looks good. What I would really like to do if I was getting a carbon bike, is to get one with no decals. I think the plain carbon looks good on its own.

simbil1 · April 2007

Can anyone link me to the articles about Reynolds Alta wheels suffering from sheared spokes? I want to check if this is a problem for heavier riders / rough roads. Also, I'm recovering from a crash that broke my collar bone and don't want to be worrying about wheels imploding!

Dave Gcp · April 2007

simbil1 - email Planet X about your concerns. They may be able to shed some light. If there was a major defect with the product, I am sure either it would either have been posted (by someone with first hand experience) or that Planet X would have sourced an alternative wheelset due to negative customer feedback.

I have the PX Ultegra Pro Carbon with Alta Race wheelset and I am more then happy with it.

With regards to œ1000 being too low a price for carbon, then it's clear that Down The Road is being a little ignorant. The reason PX can sell a quality product, with quality components at a lower price is due to a greater control over a (very short) supply chain. Big branded cycle products have a longer supply chain with multiple mark up points. The 'get what you pay for' maxim is not always applicable.

I can imagine you're itching to get out on it! What's your anticipated recovery time?

Dave G

walkercp · April 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ste_S

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Down the Road

Very ugly

œ1000 for "full" carbon is suspiciously cheap

Rather keep my Pilot than lower myself to that
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'd imagine it's not particulary stiff enough to race on, as evidenced by Planet X's pro riders using the Alu frame rather than the carbon. Can't see it being wrong for anything else though.

Still, I'd wouldn't buy one though, but for different reasons. If i'm spending œ1000+ on a bike I'd have to be able to test ride it first, and be able to buy if from a shop rather than an internet retailer.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
if you contact them, they have plenty of distributers that will alow you to try before you buy.

My Elephant went to America and no one stared at his size.

simbil1 · April 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave G

simbil1 - email Planet X about your concerns. They may be able to shed some light. If there was a major defect with the product, I am sure either it would either have been posted (by someone with first hand experience) or that Planet X would have sourced an alternative wheelset due to negative customer feedback.

I have the PX Ultegra Pro Carbon with Alta Race wheelset and I am more then happy with it.

With regards to œ1000 being too low a price for carbon, then it's clear that Down The Road is being a little ignorant. The reason PX can sell a quality product, with quality components at a lower price is due to a greater control over a (very short) supply chain. Big branded cycle products have a longer supply chain with multiple mark up points. The 'get what you pay for' maxim is not always applicable.

I can imagine you're itching to get out on it! What's your anticipated recovery time?

Dave G
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">


I am so desperate to ride it that I've bought a mag trainer to use whilst the fracture hardens. I'm at the 3 week point now and going in for x-ray tomorrow so hopefully it will be good news and I can start physiotherapy and some light turbo work.

I agree 'You get what you pay for' gets a lot of incorrect use because of margin and markup along the supply chain. It is also not a linear relationship; paying very little often gets a poor item, paying a moderate amount gets a good item and paying loads gets a slightly better item - diminishing returns.

The ultegra build on alta race looks like amazing value too - what does yours weigh and is it stiff enough out of the saddle up hills?

Dave Gcp · April 2007

I weighed mine in at 16Lbs with Look Keo pedals and bottle cages (medium size frame).

I'm no expert and I don't have a plethora of experience of 'stiff' bikes to draw on, but I find my PX to be very responsive and great for honking up hills!

Dave G

wherryman · April 2007

Any thoughts anyone ?

"That is a great looking bike, could someone answer me a question though ? I ride 20 miles a day, currently on a Spesh Tricross which is very comfortable, is the Planet X just a bit to extreme for day to day fitness riding ?"

Dave Gcp · April 2007

>Planet X just a bit to extreme for day to day fitness riding ?"

IMHO, no. That's exactly what I use it for.

Dave G

Dave Gcp · April 2007

I should add, I do more then 20 miles when I ride it. [:I][;)]

Dave G

simbil1 · April 2007

Dave G, 16lbs is amazing and if it feels very responsive I'm sure its stiffness must be fairly good.

wherryman, the PlanetX would be considered overkill by many for a commuter. I'd commute on my slicked MTB instead and a cross style bike is probably even better in terms of toughness/durability and a decent road position. Then again, I'm not 'precious' about my bikes and would be tempted to commute on the PlanetX on dry days if it had somewhere very safe to live at work.

wherryman · April 2007

simbil and dave, fair points, my concern really was comfort, my ride isnt a commute i try and do 20 miles or so a day around the b roads of norfolk. I started with a crappy Halfords bike and moved through to a Spec Sirrus Comp and now the tricross which I have run on both the standard 32 tyres and currently on 23's which are a huge dry day improvement. I'm looking to keep the tricross for wet and off road days with chunkier tyres and also get either the Focus Cayo/Felt 75 or the planet X which tips it for me in looks - my concern is that I'm not a competitive rider but like speed and comfort - if its that light and comfortable thats quite remarkable!

Unknown · April 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by simbil1

Can anyone link me to the articles about Reynolds Alta wheels suffering from sheared spokes? I want to check if this is a problem for heavier riders / rough roads. Also, I'm recovering from a crash that broke my collar bone and don't want to be worrying about wheels imploding!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I've bought a set of Alta Race wheels when Planet-X had them on offer earlier this year. So far, so good - won't say any more in case I'm tempting fate...
I'm pretty sure the spoke problem was with an earlier version and they changed from Sapim bladed to a more conventional spokes as a result.

Some of the comments at http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/wheels/wheelsets/reynolds/PRD_335403_2490crx.aspx#reviews make reference to this.

planetxcp · April 2007

Just to clarify - Mark Lovatt is currently riding , and has been for over a year now the procarbon . He did win the KOM in the FBD Milk Ras the year before last , in fact Mark , as the guy who tests most of our bikes / wheels , and who builds a fair few does have about 5 planet x bikes at any one time .

Theres a good article in cycling weekly from a few months back of him riding his race bike , and its a procarbon with prototype graphics (red bands) - I think hes still riding this this season .

Im not aware of any major issues with the reynolds alta race , a couple of broken spokes here and there .

IShaggy · April 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bill poster

Price/weight is pretty amazing! But some customers report probs with spokes sheering at nipples.. would like to kmow the exact spec planet x are selling as reynolds did make a change during the models life
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The Alta Races originally came with Sapim spokes, but as these were prone to breaking, Reynold's switched to DT spokes and hubs. Here's a good thread on the subject:

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index ... 33828.html

Good news is that the wheels sold by Planet-X come with the DT spokes and so should not suffer from the spoke breakages.

I've got the Alta Races and have been using them throughout the winter with no problems. They hardly flex at all under my 80kg's and are as true today as the day I bought them. The only downside are that they have internal nipples and so you need to take the tyre and rim tape off to tighten them up.

PanetX carbon Mega Value

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