Carbon Help

Iannerurkar

:roll:
I went for a ride this Saturday around the Barnsley Hills / Peaks with 2 brothers - 1 on a Scott CR1, the other on a Cayo Expert. Both seem very happy with their steeds...both with Shimano Ultegra componentry. I am in the same boat deliberating over spending approximately £2K on a carbon bike... I would prefer Campag - (Chorus in all probability) - and so would look at the Expert Campa 2008 ( £1.7K), or bike builder via ribble - Ribble Scuro HCR Carbon Road Frame...
I have a Ribble Alu Road winter bike which has been great...what are your thoughts? Do you know of any other choices? Thanks...
Ian N :?:

broachboy

Hi Ian,

You could do worst than to check out the BeOne / CRC team edition bike, you won't get Chrous or Campag even, but you do get Dura Ace and a DT wheeset, and a 16.09lbs bike off the shelf..... 8)

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25461

... and all for £1799.99, its gotta be worth a look

the_jackalcp

Ian,

Just off the top of my head have you considered the Wilier Izoard. It has Centaur and is around the £2000 mark although I bet easily found cheaper if you hunt around.

Another suggestion would be check out J E James website. They have some cracking deals on there eg Giant TCR advanced frame for £1100. Add in an 06 centaur groupset (£229) or an 07 (£379) and that gives you about 500 for wheels and finishing bits. I realise that some of this stuff may not be in stock but I think you live near their shop so you could easily go and haggle for stuff they do have.

Finally have you thought about a Cervelo. Your probably thinking I haven't paid attention to your budget. Well you can get an R3 with Centaur for £2500. I know it's £500 more than planned but add in 24months 0% finance and maybe it's affordable (stonehenge cycles) I can tell you from experience that it's an absolutely brilliant bike.

Ultimately there are tons of options with your budget and with the end of season sales fast approaching your choice is only going to get better.

Mike

Iannerurkar

Mike , Andy

That's great advice

I'll look at stonehenge, and JE James

I love Cervelo bikes but don't know there range...

and as you say I'll keep an eye at the end of the season...I'm not in a big rush, but would love a carbon bike to complement my Alu Giant TCR - with Record that I got x-demo from JE James

so keep in touch - Thanks

Ian

the_jackalcp

Ian,

Another brand to consider is BH. Not a polular name over here but seem to do a couple of well specced bikes in your range (the speedrom and one of the Global concept range as ridden by a TDF team whose name escapes me). They come standard with Centuar or even Chorus on one of them.

In the Cervelo range only the R3 or RS are in your price range. The RS has slightly more relaxed geometry so better for long rides. Having said that I own an R3 and it is extremely comfy on long rides.

Happy hunting

Mike

djaeggi

JE James also have Look frames on serious discount - they're a great ride (I love my Look!), don't see that many about because they're quiet conservatively styled.

Dan

The emu

http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/wilier.htm

Can pick up an izoard with Centaur and descent upgraded wheels and saddle for 2K easy.....oh but go for the red because I have the blue and don't like others riding the same 8)

I got mine with Campag Eurus wheels and look carbon keo pedals for 2.2K

Just make sure you know your frame size.

Good advice also by the Jackal on gettting 06 Centaur, not only will you save a few quid I actually prefer it over the current Centaur offering.

Lagavulin

+1 Izoard. I love mine to bits.

I eventually found a local Wilier dealer but as you're considering a Focus, then online wise, Epic and Wheelbase were both very helpful and willing to deal with what would've been essentially a mail order, and were willing to customise.

Iannerurkar

These suggestions / discussions are great - Thanks

I saw some Willier bikes in Italy on holiday - Hotel Belvedere - and they look beautiful

I need more time to research these v. Cervelo v. Look v. internet buys...

I need to make a decision re 'big name' vs componentry...

I love the campag record on my current 'best bike' and so ideally would love something as good as Chorus...
I also saw a decent 'bargain' at Chain reaction cycles..'De Rosso' with Red Sram on...but dont know much about this componentry -
does anyone know how this compares with Campag / Shimano

As far as frames are concerned...

I imagine Ribble / Wiggle etc source from good production lines/ factories similar to the mid-range big brands, but without a big name can sell for less

I know the Focus range have a German tag on but dont really know re ride / reliability with these 'internet' carbon frames...and the packages still come in at £1700-£2300...

looking forward to more advice /research

Thanks

Ian

andylav

Something else to consider might be buying a bike with a higher quaility frame with lower than Chorus componentry, then swapping your Record across to the new carbon frame and the Centaur (or whatever) down to your Giant.

That way you have one stonking bike and one very good, back up / training bike with solid, reliable parts on a frame that you're already familiar and comfortable with.

EDIT PS: The 'Ribble' Scuro frames are superb, typically selling for £1100+ when painted and rebadged with other brand names - they are essentially the same frame from Dedacciai and I think Ribble can do a complete Centaur build for £12-1300.

I know from experience that if you move your Record parts across to the Scuro frame, you will notice a marked difference in feel and performance over the Giant. You do, however, need to be careful with sizing as they have shorter toptubes than the equivalent Giant sized frame. If that's not an issue for you, I would definitely recommend looking at this as an option

The emu

Was just thinking the same as Andylav...

the_jackalcp

In a similar vein to Emu and andylav I would recommend getting the best frame your money can buy and slightly lesser components. Assuming you ride quite a bit you will find yourself replacing parts of the drive train as things wear out. This will give you the chance to upgrade at a later date when money is not so tight. For me part of the enjoyment of cycling is buying new bits every now and then.

Secondly, depending on how wealthy you are and how much you buy into the "carbon is really fragile" line you may want to consider frame warranty. Some carbon frames come with a lifetime warranty where as other manage 2 or 4 years. If you are unlucky enough to have a problem then knowing your frame is still covered certainly eases the annoyance.

il_principe

Focus bikes are excellent, don't be put of by the whole internet thing; you'll have too look long and hard to find many dissatisfied Focus owners.

As for Wilier, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. That would be my choice with your budget everytime. I used to have a Mortirolo, lovely lovely bike.

Iannerurkar

Thanks for all advice ++

I have made a few phone calls etc

Looks as if I have a few choices at present:

Willier Isozard with Centaur £2K

Ribble with great wheelset / Chorus £2k

...still awaiting a few email responses..
will visit the JE James stoes locally

buy the willier
by a groupset to fit - Chorus
( fit the chorus to another bike! )

Thanks for all the help / discussion...I'll try and let you know the outcome...

just to add to confusion !

looking on the web, and considering 1 suggestion re frame lifetime guarantee...
at £2k I could get a litespeed Titanium for about £2K...

I would prefer Italian carbon - but again would like to be sure when spending this amount I am not spending it on the wrong frameset!

Thanks - and sorry that at present I feel I am being rather indecisive...

Ian

il_principe

Well the Wiler's the better frame. That'd be my choice. I've read a lot about Litespeed frame failures in the past - too much for my liking anyway!

a_n_t

jashburnham wrote:

As for Wilier, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. That would be my choice with your budget everytime. I used to have a Mortirolo, lovely lovely bike.

I concur

Iannerurkar

Thanks

any other thoughts?

I'll try and visit JE James this weekend and have a nosey...

Ian

Iannerurkar

Decision made

research over weekend...I reached road bike heaven at Racescene on Saturday, and Freddie advise me to return...for a 'Basso' bike measurement and fitting, + longer discussion re requirements budget etc etc

I did today - and was duly measured , and advised...

Casati, Ciocc, Time, Gios,...

eventually I came out with a beautiful SOMEC - on order...

- I admit my budget had been increased...but at my own choice, with Fulcrum 3 wheels , a carbon-wrapped Deda bar, and FSA seatpin,...and more expensive frame

but I can't wait to ride it...

and I have really appreciated all the advice / discussion on this forum...

So, Thanks!

Ian

Lagavulin

Very nice. 8)

I admit my budget had been increased...

Isn't that a given or am I just weak willed? I've never ended up with a bike that cost what I'd originally budgeted for. For example my most recent escapade into bike purchasing was by far my most wayward. Ended up virtually a grand over budget.

Iannerurkar

that's reassuring!

I was 25-30% over budget
like the olympics - but less medals

still it should last me a few years - and I'll enjoy it !

Birthday present + more etc

Ian