Planet X - is it for Sportives

lochindaal

I am considering buying the Planet X SL pro carbon frame and putting on the components from my Specialized Allez. I would then gradually upgrade the components as well.

I know the bikes get highly rated on this forum but I was not sure if it was used mainly for racing or sportives. Will I get the comfort from the PX over a long distance and any benefit over the Allez?

I will be looking to do the Etape on my choice in July.

inseine

It's not a sportive frame as far as geometry goes so you'll have to work out if you can get a position on it that you're happy with for a long ride. You can put spacers up front if you're happy with that look or even a stem with an upward angle.
I don't know, but I would imagine that the carbon frame is comfier than your stiff ali one but you can make more differnce with other components (tyres, bar tape).
You need to work out what you want to achieve position wise and make sure you get the size that allows you to do that.

bazbadger

lochindaal wrote:

I know the bikes get highly rated on this forum but I was not sure if it was used mainly for racing or sportives. Will I get the comfort from the PX over a long distance and any benefit over the Allez?

I will be looking to do the Etape on my choice in July.

I upgraded from a spesh allez to my PX pro sl and can say that the PX is more comfy. It's also quicker on the flats and gives you a crazy urge to find some hills as it's great going up them...

extremepig

I have an SL Pro Carbon, been using it for about 2 months. 30-40-50 mile club rides and a few 75-100 mile long ones. I've also got a really cheap aluminium Surosa audax framed bike with carbon forks.

The SL Pro is considerably lighter than the Surosa and it does go up hills a lot better as a result, BUT the cheap aluminium Surosa is a lot more comfortable.

Not sure how much of this is to do with wheels, bars, tyres etc though as without doing a test with identical components I find it hard to believe anybody can tell whether one frame is more comfortable than another.

elevated

I've done 8hr+ rides on mine and it's fine. That's with a carbon post and carbon bars replacing the original aluminium ones though.

Tyres will make more of a difference. I have 23c Ultremos, but 25c will probably be more comfortable (depending on the brand).

simmo3801

I rode the etape caledonia on my pro carbon last year and will be doing the same this year. I found it very comfortable 8)

nickwill

I'm a bit dubious of the whole 'sportive' specific marketing thing. All it comes down to is whether the bike fits you properly or not. The idea that a more upright position is necessary for sportive riding is something of an assumption. Some riders might benefit from that and others might not. In an ideal world you would be fitted for your bike, and the choice of frame would be down to which came closest to your ideal fit.

redddraggon

For me the P-X would be rather useful for longer distance riding, the small size only has fitting for a bottle cage on the downtube - I can't see how they can't manage to put fittings on the seattube - all they need to do is put them right at the bottom rather than halfway up the seattube. Fail in my opinion. Otherwise it's a good bike.

extremepig

For me the P-X would be rather useful for longer distance riding, the small size only has fitting for a bottle cage on the downtube - I can't see how they can't manage to put fittings on the seattube - all they need to do is put them right at the bottom rather than halfway up the seattube. Fail in my opinion. Otherwise it's a good bike.

Perhaps they think if your half the size of a normal person then you only need half the water!

psychle

I recently test rode the titanium Planet X bikes which come in a 'Sportive' form and the 'Pro Road' form - that being the same as the SL Pro Carbon geometry. I don't race but I chose the Pro Road variety, just that little bit nimbler and still supremely comfortable. I'm loving it.

Now the thing is, they gave me a SL Pro Carbon frameset to accompany it. I've been considering how to build it up but really, I don't need it, so I'm willing to sell it and as you appear to be in my neck of the woods, I thought you might be interested.

I'll PM you with more details.