would this frame be better than the one i have now?

magnetdoggs
magnetdoggs Posts: 69
edited June 2008 in Workshop
At the moment my frame is a Carrera Vanquish 7005 size small frame.

now just cos its halfs doesnt mean its heavy, its light.

does anyone know if an upgrade to the Kinesis Racelight RC 2 frame (smallest size, not sure on the grade of alloy) would be a good upgrade?
is it likely to be lighter?

wiggle have the Kinesis Racelight RC 2 at 1208g for the 45.
not sure how much my carrera weighs but i dont want to buy a heavier frame if you know what i mean.

opinions?

Comments

  • magnetdoggs
    magnetdoggs Posts: 69
    :?:
  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    Erm, difficult to comment without knowing weight of the Vanquish!

    Kinesis seem to have a good rep - but then always possible that the H'fords one made in same factory!
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Unless you think the frame is gonna be much lighter, or better fitting - I'd not bother. Spend the money on better tyres or better wheels ?
  • System_1
    System_1 Posts: 513
    It would be a great upgrade. The most important things on a bike are the frame and wheels. I reckon the RC2 is the better frame in every respect. Hydroformed Kinesium (a strengthed variation of 6061 aluminium) versus bog standard 7005. Build quality on Kinesis frames are really good too and the RC2 gets fantastic reviews for it's ride quality and value for money. Speaking from personal experience the warranty, returns policy and customer service from the guys at Kinesis is second to none too.

    The weight of the frame isn't what I'd be judging my decision on. Even if they were 100g or so heavier I'd still rather have one than a Vanquish. But if you're happy with yours and weight saving is your only goal there are much easier and cheaper ways of getting lighter.
  • magnetdoggs
    magnetdoggs Posts: 69
    thanks

    im looking to save both weight and get a better frame which is why i wasnt sure about the RC2.

    ive got no way of knowing how much my frame weighs without stripping it down.

    unless anyone knows how i could get frames specs from Halfords? :)
  • bbtothehead
    bbtothehead Posts: 15
    Halfords road bikes are re-badged from the Taiwanese manufacturer Merida who quite possibly make Kenesis frame being one of the largest bike builders in the world.

    This is pretty much the bike you have....
    cc7f085f0a104744f25179b3a3c98e27.jpg
  • magnetdoggs
    magnetdoggs Posts: 69
    ah interesting, never heard of Merida before.

    not sure if Kinesis use them as this is what their website says..

    We are in a unique position here at Kinesis UK, we have the might of one of the worlds largest and most advanced frame building companies behind us in the form of ‘Kinesis International’, just some of the major companies that depend on Kinesis craftsmanship are; GT, Schwinn, Raleigh, Trek, Bianchi, Santa Cruz, Haro, Kona, Jamis, K2, Felt, Storck, Commencal, Sunn and Ideal.
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    magnetdoggs wrote:
    ah interesting, never heard of Merida before.

    not sure if Kinesis use them as this is what their website says..

    We are in a unique position here at Kinesis UK, we have the might of one of the worlds largest and most advanced frame building companies behind us in the form of ‘Kinesis International’, just some of the major companies that depend on Kinesis craftsmanship are; GT, Schwinn, Raleigh, Trek, Bianchi, Santa Cruz, Haro, Kona, Jamis, K2, Felt, Storck, Commencal, Sunn and Ideal.

    Their frames are designed in the UK and built in Taiwan. The important factors here are therefore good design and a high level of quality control. There's no reason why a Taiwanese built frame should be inferior to an European one. They are cheaper because labour costs are a lot lower than in Western Europe, and they have higher economies of scale. They make more bikes, so should be getting good at it by now!!

    I have a Kinesis KR810 frame and I'm very happy with it. Easily the equal or better of any European made frame in the same price bracket.

    You pay more for an Italian frame simply because there is a premium in it being Italian, ie there is a perception that "made it Italy" has a added value to it, and because manufacturing costs are a lot higher. Colnago cannot charge as much for one of their Taiwan made models as they can for an Italian one. But in reality, if you switched production from Italy to Taiwan, then I seriously doubt there would be any impairement to actual performance.

    Glad I did that degree in economics now :wink:
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    FWIW Merida also own Specialized. It's likely that the Kinesis will be lighter than the 7005 because the frame will have been heat treated which enables you to use thinner walled tubes but have higher strength.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    Merida certainly did make the top-end Halfords frames a couple of years ago (presumably helping Carrera branded full sussers AND race bikes take best for a grand awards in C+ as I recall). I had one of each for a while - and very bice they were too!

    Not sure that Merida still supply Halfords - tho' I suppose they might under yet another name! Sell under pwn name now in UK, but not to same extent as in say Germany.
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."
  • bbtothehead
    bbtothehead Posts: 15
    Monty Dog wrote:
    FWIW Merida also own Specialized. It's likely that the Kinesis will be lighter than the 7005 because the frame will have been heat treated which enables you to use thinner walled tubes but have higher strength.
    Thats interesting considering Giant make a lot of Spec's mtb from at their Hong Kong plant...

Categories