What new alu frame, £400-500 mark?

winkywonky

Thinking of upgrading the bike I use when travelling.

I have the following in mind if anybody can be bothered looking;

Any advice?

Bianchi C2C Nirone 7 Aluminium Carbon Frame Set
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=87078

Specialized S-works E5 2006 Frame
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=60078

Bianchi B4P 1885 Hydro/Carbon Frame Set
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=87079

Kinesis Racelight RC2 Frame
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?

Cinelli Xperience Frame Module 2008
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... C2%20Frame

redddraggon

If the S-works is the right size I'd go for that.

I've heard the KiC2 is a pretty good frame:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... C2%20Frame

And the Felt looks pretty good:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... set%202007

winkywonky

Part of me wants something different since I have had 4 Spech bikes, but the allure of the Sworks is pretty strong. I was thinking that an S works Alu bike even though it was 2-3 years old would still hold its own against current bikes at full price. The Bianchi's were taking my eye...since I'm quarter Italiain.

gvlieghe

I've got a Bianchi C2C and extremely happy with it. I use it for everything: daily commute, Sportives, Triathlons.

System_1

I was looking at the Racelight RC2 a few years back but couldn't get it with a long enough top tube, so I got the KiC2. I love it to bits. Posted about it here a while back.

You won't go far wrong with any of those suggestions though.

geoff_ss

I built up a bike using the Racelight TK08 'training' frame because I wanted mudguard clearance and I love it. Done around 1000 miles on it so far and it's very comfortable on my home built Shimano/Mavic Open Pro 32 spoke wheels with Schwalbe 23mm tyres.

I can't fault it so far but I have no experience of the other frames in your list so I couldn't say it was the best but it's certainly good.

Geoff

winkywonky

Thanks for the reviews, they all seem pretty much like for like. The Felt looks a good choice. I'll have to sit down and get my thinking cap on. Maybe the geometry might make the choice easier.

winkywonky

Good thread on the Racelight System, thanks for that link!

top_bhoy

I had the E5 sworks - superb frame and wouldn't have changed if it were not for the car which didn't stop

That said, the replacement in Oz for the frame was a whopping 850 quid so I went for the RC2 from CRC and its a more than decent frame which does the job very well - deep down though, I still hanker after my E5 .

winkywonky

I have a S works E5 2004, but the frame is too small, that's why I'm trying to get a replacement. Never really had the chance to use it due to the size and that I got it in the winter. Your right they are lovely frames.