Best/lightest/cheapest carbon road frame out there?

brit66
brit66 Posts: 350
edited March 2008 in Workshop
I need to upgrade the frame on my second bike as the current one has always been a bit too big and consequently, uncomfortable. It's also now four years old so I reckon I've endured it long enough.

I've got about £500-600 for frame and forks, and will bolt back on my old Veloce group. That said, I'd like a light a frame as possible with a view to upgrading all components in future, so carbon is preferred. Not too bothered about geometry as long as it's a medium size (i'm 5ft 10).

I see Ribble are no longer selling frames separately, which is a shame, as one of their frames would have been just the job.

Anyone got any recommendations?

Cheers.

Comments

  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    Pedalforce - shame you missed the RS2 group buy, but you can still get a QS2 with forks within your budget, which will be significantly lighter than what Ribble was offering.
  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    Just had a look at the ribble site and they do both Deda's Nero Corsa and Scuro framesets.

    People have said good things about both, I have no experience with either.

    I have the planet-x but they don't sell it frame only :(
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  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Well for £500-600 you won't get the best or the lightest.

    But for the most bang for your buck you have options. Planet X, Pedalforce, the Ribble offerings plus quite a few others.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    You can get the Nero Corsa from Chain Reaction Cycles for £600. It's a good frame (see my sig), although when I got it, it was only £450 so even more of a bargain.

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  • 4kicks
    4kicks Posts: 549
    Canyon: 2006/2007 frames for sale, 750€

    http://www.canyon.com/_en/outlet/list.h ... frame_race

    The size 58 may fit you, I am 5 11 and my 58 has a 56.5 tt.
    1419g Frame & Fork
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  • azzerb
    azzerb Posts: 208
    http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/

    I bought my Volare frame set from the sale, £450 inc forks, head set and seat post. don't think they include forks anymore in the sale tho.

    There are a couple of carbon fibres not in sale either in your price range.
    New Dolan Volare (not quite complete)
  • brit66
    brit66 Posts: 350
    Thanks for all the recommendations and links.

    The Ribble Scuro frame has caught my attention and although it's a bit more than my original budget at £700 it looks like it could well be worth the extra money.

    I've not done a bike build yet but I think this could form the centerpiece of one now.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Reminds me of the legend on a Trek headset cap on one of their models: "Light, Strong, Cheap - choose 2"
  • vanleapo
    vanleapo Posts: 150
    What about the Deda Ribelle from Merlin Cycles.
    Frame & fork for £599.
    Looks interesting with its integrated seatpost.

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  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    alfablue wrote:
    Reminds me of the legend on a Trek headset cap on one of their models: "Light, Strong, Cheap - choose 2"

    I think that is a Keith Bontrager quote.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Yep, I guess Trek own his quotes now :D
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    Though it's also the sort of idea makers of expensive frames might encourage. If the difference in cost between a cheap frame and an expensive one is largely down to marketing, then your extra money doesn't necessarily buy you more strength or lightness - I'm fairly convinced that these cheap carbon frames are plenty strong enough, and generally they're pretty light too (Pedalforce frames for instance are lighter than many frames costing more than twice as much).
  • wheeler585
    wheeler585 Posts: 552
    Maybe if your looking for a good frame for a nice buck,maybe you should look on ebay as there are some defo bargains to be had!! Ive bought the majority of my bikes on there and they have all been in superb condition and saved plenty of wanger! :wink:
    Up hup hup hup.....fricking hate that!
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 6,057
    Carbon frameset, Dolan design, sold at my LBS for £471

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DHC-12K-Dedacciai ... m153.l1262
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  • eddie_b
    eddie_b Posts: 14
    alfablue wrote:
    Reminds me of the legend on a Trek headset cap on one of their models: "Light, Strong, Cheap - choose 2"

    when cyclingnews.com asked him about this he followed it with "if you don't consider world economics". But then i guess a company like Trek that says "as ridden by Lance" and then puts a wacking great mark up on its products must have just forgetten to include that bit.

    Either that, or I guess theres just not enough room on a headset to fit it all in :wink:
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    aracer wrote:
    Though it's also the sort of idea makers of expensive frames might encourage. If the difference in cost between a cheap frame and an expensive one is largely down to marketing, then your extra money doesn't necessarily buy you more strength or lightness - I'm fairly convinced that these cheap carbon frames are plenty strong enough, and generally they're pretty light too (Pedalforce frames for instance are lighter than many frames costing more than twice as much).
    I think you may be right (both marketing, and quality of carbon frames today) - the quote probably comes from the Alu days, when it might have had a bit more credence.

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