1000GBP Road Carbons

coldel

OK, a few of these posts kicking around and mostly they are pointing towards a Focus Cayo (which im mulling over quite seriously right now).

I live in Paris though, so will need to get it delivered to my place in London then stick it on the Eurostar, no big deal its only 20 quid but wandered into a shop here in Paris and they offered me a look at a range of bikes called Viper which do a carbon frame at around 1300 Euros.

Has anyone had any experience or contact with Viper? I asked the guy in the shop and he said they were Belgian. He let me go into the workshop and mess around with one he had built and it was prtty sturdy and light (under 8kgs) - so this is now my dilemma...

Any advice greatly received.

Tempestas

I like the look of the new Cayo's, the finish seems to be getting better each year and was also looking at the Cayo. I was a bit dissapointed that it's spec was lower than last year but I guess that's down to the exchange rate, while looking/dreaming again today though I spotted this one that has been reduced a lot.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Focus ... 360037589/

It looks a bargain to me and I just hope they still have it when I have 'available funds' :roll:

With regards to the Viper, I have never heard of them and prefer to stick with 'known' brands.

coldel

Thanks, yeah im a little worried about the name, but it did feel good when I tested it.

I guess with the Focus you are relying somewhat on getting the frame size right as well. So that is pushing me to picking up a bike locally...

Did a little net searching and Chainreaction bikes sell Vipers so they have limited distribution in the UK. Worringly though now online reviews for them.

Tempestas

When I enquired last year they sent me a link to a really good bike sizing website, http://www.bikefitting.com/English/Frame.aspx and they even offered to collect it if it was the wrong size. Not really put off about the size thing though as I know my frame size and am not out of proportion, although if unsure it would be worth asking lots of questions.

coldel

Thanks good link. Im pretty average size I think 5'11' inside leg 32'' so should be ok.

Returning it becomes a problem for me as I will be going backwards and forwards on the Eurostar to pick it up. Must admit im trying to make the most of the euro conversion rate at the moment...

The Spiderman

If you are making the trip over,why not have a look at the Boardman Carbon Team for £1000?
It received 10/10 in last months Cycling Plusbeating even the Cayo.
There is a Bikehut store near St Pauls,2 train stops from St Pancras international where they keep a reasonable stock.

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team_carbon.html

passout

I've got a Ribble Ultegra Nero Corsa which is a great handling bike. If you can make it to the shop they'll measure you up, get you the right stem etc all for £1100'ish.

Eat My Dust

You should be able to source a Cayo cheaper/easier on the continent I would have thought as they're built in Germany. Possibly worth a look.

stephenballantyne

Felt F55 (2008) on Wiggle. Not full carbon, but still worth a look @ £1,027 with £50 of free stuff thrown in. Only have 54cm left, but this should be about your size.

Steve

passout

Eat My Dust wrote:

You should be able to source a Cayo cheaper/easier on the continent I would have thought as they're built in Germany. Possibly worth a look.

Yes very true, but also consider the exchange rate - the UK will be cheaper than it used to be, if you are paid in Euros.

coldel

Yes its the exchange rate that makes it so favourable.

So no views on Viper then? This is the beast in question...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=31505

edhornby

Planet X ????

just another one in the mix for you !!!

coldel

I saw that one! Came across it while scouring the posts last night.

I took a look and was a bit put off by the look and general feedback. Sounds like if you get a good one you get a good one but the delivery seems quite random on the parts, some people said they got different parts to what was advertised...

coldel

Liking the look of the Nero Corsa and the customisation you can put on it, sticking a shimano 105 set on it (plus black carbon look tape on the bars of course!) comes out around 1079...

giant_man

Such a glut of 1 grand bikes now, I don't personally think the Focus bikes are the be all and end all have to say. Planet X, Ribble and others have imo better specced bikes for the same money. Have you seen the new Ribble 'Sportive Racing' bikes. Look very nice.

I don't know Viper but thats not to say they're no good of course

coldel

I just emailed Ribble to see if they could have one ready for next weekend...as this is when im planning my next jaunt back to the UK. If they can I might just go for that.

So if you see some guy wandering through St Pancras next sunday with a shiny new bike slung over his shoulder say hi!

alfablue

I hope you get a reply from Ribble. I have never had a reply to any emails, and when I phoned they were rude and unhelpful - I didn't buy the Nero Corsa as a result.

I might have just been unlucky of course...

I got a Planet-X instead - great people to deal with!

alfablue

further to that, I recommend you phone them asap (and hope for someone who can be bothered to speak in complete sentences). If you wait for the email reply you will use up all the time and they will never get one built up for your visit.

passout

On the above subject - the people in the warehouse, who put the bikes together, are not the best at answering E-mails but the guys in the Ribble Shop itself were great. They tend to give the number / E-mail of the warehouse/main office rather than the shop though. Generally I have found Ribbles Customer service pretty good - about average on balance. The product is fantastic value though. I would check by phone.

coldel

Ive taken the plunge, just rang bikehut st pauls and ordered a Team Carbon Boardman to pick up next saturday!

giant_man

Oh dear - you're buying from Bikehut/Halfords.

Best of luck mate!! :roll:

coldel

Aware of the issues, will have to sort it out myself if it balls up, but the bike got a good review!

bigmat

nothing wrong with Halfords, the bikes are great value but they generally don't know a lot about road bikes. Bikehut St Pauls is probably an exception though. Anyway, if you know your way round a bike you can sort any issues out yourself.

coldel

Im now wobbling a bit, suddenly think getting the Viper from the shop around the corner here in Paris might be a good idea. The shop is owned by a guy who took it off his dad, who took it off his dad who started it up 60 years ago so they know what they are doing....

The Spiderman

I have been in the Bikehut at St Pauls several times.It`s a cut above your normal Halfords.They stock Condor,Merida and Van Nicholas aswell,not your normal Apollo range......!

andyrr

All these carbon frames are pretty like to have come from a small range of Far-Eastern factories anway surely ?
See the stories about Scott / Dolan frames coming out of the same factory, P-X TT frames the same as numerous others with different names on (eg Karbona)

I'd personally go for the Viper as if you have any issues then it sounds like the shop will treat you well, taking in a Boardman and you cannot expect quite the same reaction.

coldel

Thanks for all the comments people, it really helped get my head around what I wanted and needed. I ended up calling Bikehut and cancelling the boardman.

Wandered down to the shop in Paris and the guys recognised me. Went through my pigeon french vocab explaining my situ and in the end managed to bag myself a Scott CR1 Comp + pedals + adistar Ultra shoes for a whisker under 1500 Euros.

So tiptoed over my budget of about 1200 Euros/1000 GBPs but much happier with the brand and the feel of the bike plus got some extras thrown in too. Got myself measured up etc as well so feel more comfortable with the sizing.

All in all a good purchase I hope!

Thanks again! Bikeradar forum rocks....

coldel

OK got delivery, and its a corker...although im a little concerned about the frame size...

I got a 56 cm top tube. Im 5'11'' tall but with a slightly longer body and shorter leg than someone of my height. Top tube seems fine I did all the checks and i cannot see the front wheel hub (in fact its perfect length).

My only concern is the ride height and my freak inside leg measurement of 32".

The bars have two spacers but ive had to set the saddle level with the bars and the saddle stem is set quite deep into the frame. When on the bike the rotation feels good slightly bent knee etc but when I stop I do need to lean to the side or drop off the saddle to securely put my feet on the ground. Is this normal? When sat upright on the saddle I have to point my feet and make contact with the ground on my toes....im just a little concerned the frame is a touch too big...however the next size down is 54cm but im sure that will be too small...

bigmat

Sounds fine, if I put a foot down when I'm in the saddle I have to stretch my foot to get a toe on the ground. For more than a few seconds' stop might be easier to just get out of the saddle?

alfablue

You need to learn the habit of leaning to one side when you stop, and keeping the other foot ready on the pedal in the 12 O'clock position (ready to push off again). You shouldn't be able to get both feet on the ground whilst in the saddle.

coldel

Cheers again, will give it a good test run on sunday. They close the main roads to traffic along the Seine in Paris on sundays - its a good straight 5km run from one end to the other.