œ1200 Carbon Frame Bike

martin56 · May 2007

I have a budget of œ1200 Max and I'm looking for a new road bike. I'm not a racer but do moderate distance rides, up to 100 miles and Sunday club rides. My biggest down side is climbing. At the moment I'm using an old Aluminium bike that ways a ton so I suppose a carbon frame might fit the bill for lightness and stiffness although carbon is'nt essential. Looking forward to you replys and yes I have had a look at Planet X, were's my nearest dealer to Portsmouth.[8D]

FIVE YEARS FOR KILLING A CYCLIST ITS A F*****G JOKE
still going at fifty!But for how mutch longer

roshi chris · May 2007

Wilier Mortirolo?

Got a good review in Cycling Weekly I think it was, and good things have been said on forums. I'm testing one nxt weekend hopefully. Lovely looking/ feeling, and looks like decent value to me.

You can get 105/ Veloce for about œ1100 from comobike.com (about 300quid cheaper than British stockists).

"Not everyone understands house music. Its a spiritual thing; a body thing; a soul thing." Eddie Amador

gkerr4 · May 2007

Hm - PlanetX as you say - many fans here

My mate at work has just receieved (last wek) his new Focus Cayo from Wiggle - carbon frame, aksiums, ultegra - 999.99 - I'm not sure I like the focus brand, but it does seem very good value

œ100 more gets you a similar spec Ribble Nero Corsa - Ribble have fans and critics on this forum, but having seen them in the shop they look a smart bike.

I'd also second the Wilier Mortirolo - real smart looking bike - but my money would (and possibly will) go on the Ribble.

pedaloscott · May 2007

After much umming and ahhing I got a deal on an 06 Scott CR1 Team, œ1100 as against œ1600 new. Fantastic bike, can't fault it and great value at the price. Quick internet search reveals a few knocking around in bigger sizes.

il_principe · May 2007

Get a Mortirolo! I have the Centaur Version and it is the dog's proverbial. See the "my bike" link for some pics. Plus if you buy it from comobike you could get the Centaur equipped version for around your budget.

My Bike

martin56 · May 2007

Thanks for replies.[:D] I notised that two of you have perchance your bikes from comobikes, I'm a bit nervous of buying a bike at this price from Italy. How did you fare; what's the delivery times like, packaging, contact with comobike all those sorts of questions any one would ask when buying from overseas. How do you pay you VAT??
I do like the look of this bike and I've dug out the C+ reports on Wilier and they are GOOD. Combined with a good deal from comobike it's a good combination.
I would be more than grateful for a little more info.
Thanks a lot Martin.[8D]

FIVE YEARS FOR KILLING A CYCLIST ITS A F*****G JOKE
still going at fifty!But for how mutch longer

AcademicX · May 2007

I bought my Wilier from Comobike. The service is 1st class. I'd email the guy in charge, Brent, who is very helpful and gave me excellent advice. The VAT is 20% and you pay this as part of the purchase price. Delivery is by UPS and the bike is packaged expertly (you only need to turn the bars round and put the wheels on).

I'd highly recommend Comobike.

One thing to remember, ask Comobike to fit the brake levers 'the British way', the Europeans seem to have the brake levers the opposite way round [;)]

il_principe · May 2007

I didn't buy my bike from Comobike (but I wish I had!) I have bought wheels, some Wilier clothing and a cassette from them tohugh and the service has been fantastic. I second Academic's comments on Brent he's a top bloke and very helpful.

My Bike

martin56 · May 2007

Thanks again chaps and thanks for the confidence boost, jashburnham
You'll have to get a job for there PR[;)]

FIVE YEARS FOR KILLING A CYCLIST ITS A F*****G JOKE
still going at fifty!But for how mutch longer

damitamit · May 2007

Do the prices on the comobike website include the 20% vat? or is that added on?

Simon Notley · May 2007

Maybe a bit too late to change your mind, but I'd recommend looking at Time and Cyfac. Not sure where you are in Hamps, but if you're serious about getting the perfect bike (even if you're only buying the frame), I'd recommend going to speak to the guys at iBike in Crowthorne, Berks. I should declare and interest here, as I am racing for them this season, but they really know their stuff, and have a super-fancy new fitting system for cyfac frames. They're very busy right now, but always seem to have time to chat, so I'd suggest maybe giving them a ring or dropping in.

---

If I had a baby elephant, I'd fit right in here.

dave5ncp · May 2007

Nearest carbon specialist to Portsmouth is Wiggle, surely? [;)]

The Ribble D Nero Corsa is very nice.

 please pretend there's a horizontal line here. I couldnt work out how to put one in.
You stir my natural emotions

nmcgann · May 2007

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

Do the prices on the comobike website include the 20% vat? or is that added on?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
My question too - if vat is not shown then their prices aren't as attractive as they look.

Neil

AcademicX · May 2007

The VAT isn't included in the prices shown, you have to add 20%.

I can't comment on all the prices on the Comobike site but the Wilier bike prices are most certainly 'attractive'. The Mortirolo Centaur-equipped bike would cost œ1700 in the UK but is priced (inc. the Italian VAT) at an equivalent of œ1395 (assuming an exchange rate of 1.4). The Veloce-equipped bike is œ1500 in the UK and œ1250 from Comobike. Try getting a UK supplier to sell at these prices (I tried, they wouldn't reduce their prices at all).

Comobike also have a credit scheme whereby your account is credited with a small percentage of the purchase price of the bike. Details are on their website. This means that when you next buy from Comobike this credit can be used.

The quality of the service from Comobike is also 1st rate.

When I bought my Wilier it was the first time I'd bought a bike online, I was extremely nervous about the prospect of parting with a large amount of money for something I hadn't seen. However, the whole process was very smooth, Brent kept me informed at all stages, and the bike arrived exactly when they said it would and in pristine condition. I have subsequently bought additional items from them and I've had no problems.

gkerr4 · May 2007

you are surely also liable for UK VAT on the bikes from comobikes no?

The recent court decision around mail order-booze decided that in order to pay tax locally and NOT need to pay it in the UK, you needed to collect the items in person and mail order was still subject to UK VAT>

I'm not saying that those people who have ordered have paid VAT, but perhaps any purchase is liable to attract the attention of UK customes and excise?

AcademicX · May 2007

The EU has a common VAT policy, if you pay VAT in an EU country then you are not liable to pay it again in the UK. You could request Comobike supply the bike ex VAT but then you would be liable to UK VAT.

I'm not a tax expert and would be reluctant to speculate about unrelated legal matters regarding "mail order-booze". The latest items I purchased from Comobike arrived last Friday, I paid no additional charges other than the 20% Italian VAT.

Paul-B · May 2007

How much difference does a lighter bike make? My current XL sized steel roadie comes in at 11.2Kg all in. By all accounts this is now a heavyweight, as a carbon framed bike would I guess be under 9.5Kg, so is this a real disadvantage for the sportive rider or would I be better concentrating on eating less pies instead to get me up the hills faster?

Gazs XC70 · May 2007

If I am not too late - it is also worth looking at the Kuota Kharma. I got mine from Paul Hewitt in Leyland Lancashire but their are other UK retailers around. Mine came in at 1p under œ1200 and comes with a compact chain set as standard so suits my poor climbing ability.

Check mine out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83684230@N00/

and visits www.Kuota.it

giant_man · May 2007

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

Maybe a bit too late to change your mind, but I'd recommend looking at Time and Cyfac. Not sure where you are in Hamps, but if you're serious about getting the perfect bike (even if you're only buying the frame), I'd recommend going to speak to the guys at iBike in Crowthorne, Berks. I should declare and interest here, as I am racing for them this season, but they really know their stuff, and have a super-fancy new fitting system for cyfac frames. They're very busy right now, but always seem to have time to chat, so I'd suggest maybe giving them a ring or dropping in.

---

If I had a baby elephant, I'd fit right in here.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"><center></center>
Ahhh Cyfac frames ....... [:p]

SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.

gkerr4 · May 2007

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

The EU has a common VAT policy, if you pay VAT in an EU country then you are not liable to pay it again in the UK. You could request Comobike supply the bike ex VAT but then you would be liable to UK VAT.

I'm not a tax expert and would be reluctant to speculate about unrelated legal matters regarding "mail order-booze". The latest items I purchased from Comobike arrived last Friday, I paid no additional charges other than the 20% Italian VAT.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

mail order booze is hardly an 'unrelated item', though is it - as we are talking about the legalities and charges related to importing goods into the UK.

quote from BBC news on the decision from 23/11/06:
" Judges at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that "only products acquired and transported personally by private individuals are exempt from excise duty in the member state of importation".

is this a one-off ruling for goods which attract additional tax levy such as alchohol / tobacco products or can this be applied to all goods where tax is paid locally and where the user / purchaser is not present at the point of sale

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6175646.stm

in addition, if italy pay 20% VAT and the UK at 17.5% then surely asking them to supply it ex-vat and pay the to the uk authorities would be beneficial?

AcademicX · May 2007

I can only reiterate what I posted earlier, I'm not a tax expert and am reluctant to speculate on the wider impacts of a specific ECJ ruling.

All the goods I've bought from Comobike have been delivered by UPS; large carrier firms have very rigorous import/export systems in place and I feel sure they would have requested the payment of any additional duty if it was due. I paid no additional charges. In the past when I've bought things from the USA I have been charged import duty, UK VAT & a handling charge by both UPS & FedEx; this tends to suggest that both these organisations are aware of current legislation and implement it accordingly.

As regards the difference between the VAT rates (2.5%), there is always the 'arse-factor' to be considered...could you be arsed with the situation for what would amount to œ30 (2.5% of the OP's œ1200 budget)? I couldn't [:)]. The major carriers (UPS, FedEx, Parcel Force) will charge a handling fee if they have to deal with the VAT aspect of the import, this could amount to the value of money you would have saved in not paying VAT at source. I would (and did) let Comobike sort out the full payment.

Warren Rossiter · May 2007

in the next issue of Cycling Plus (198 july) we do have sub œ1500 carbon bikes on test from Focus, PBK, and Scott (plus one more womens specific bike from Condor)

Warren Rossiter, art editor @ cycling plus

cearnshaw · May 2007

I bought a Madone last yr and my commute that regularly took 1 hr on my Aluminium bike was immediately reduced to 50mins. Not convinced it is all down to weight though and feel componentry and comfort (best fitting bike I've ever owned) play a big part as well

a rear mech hanger with the strength of a block of Gouda? Why that sounds perfect

Jashin · May 2007

Just ordered a bike from Comobike.com. Pretty sure that as long as VAT is paid on purchase (ie Italian VAT), there will not be any VAT or Import Duty to pay when the bike arrives in the UK:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Customs duty is not payable on goods bought from countries within the EU. However, VAT is payable (if due) either in the EU country of purchase, or in the UK if the EU supplier is UK VAT registered. But, special rules apply to excise goods ie cigarettes, tobacco alcohol etc and these are explained separately.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The above is taken from HM Revenue and Customs website.

monty_dogcp · May 2007

Nearest Planet-X dealer in the south would be Geoffrey Butler in Croydon.

Unknown · May 2007

Go for a Planet X.
They are really under-sold on the site.
They are beautiful in the flesh, well built and within reason you can chop and change spec to suit.
I've just bought one and can't fault it.

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

GeorgeShaw · May 2007

Slightly off topic but, for an Internet purchase, how would you sort out ordering the right size frame and getting it to fit correctly? As the proud owner of a Condor Fratello, I was well impressed by Condor's fitting procedure when I ordered it. But the Mortirolo is tempting me ...

Unknown · May 2007

In my case I sent Planet X the measurements of my current bike and the new one was built to match.
If thats not possible then you can give height and inside leg and get recommendations on stem length saddle height etc.

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

AcademicX · May 2007

George, before I bought my Wilier Mortirolo from Comobike they sent me an anatomical diagram which required me to take about 10 measurements of various bits of my body. Based on this information they suggested a frame size and set-up. They were spot on, the bike is fantastic and the suggestions that Comobike made (they reduced my frame size from medium to small) have made my cycling experience a lot better.

There is always a risk involved in purchasing a bike before riding it but it is a reduced risk when you deal with a good on-line supplier like Comobike.

hot rod · May 2007

as your from pompey have you tried http://www.velocitybikes.co.uk/
a few of my club mates have got focus and are vey pleased with them.

GeorgeShaw · May 2007

AcademicX. That sounds like a pretty good "remote fitting" service.

I've no problems ordering on-line. You just have to adopt a good trust model. Is the supplier well-known? Do they have a good reputation? Have they been trading for long? etc. Especially on eBay. Comobike sound pretty impressive. Now I just have to start saving the shekels ...

œ1200 Carbon Frame Bike

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