Scapin steel frames

calvjones
calvjones Posts: 3,850
edited June 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi All

Very tempted by one of these;

http://www.velocebikes.com/Special.htm

particularly the 'retro stylee'. Any knowledge or views?

Many thanks

Cal
___________________

Strava is not Zen.

Comments

  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    if it's steel you're after, then for that kind of money I would go to a UK custom builder. Probably be a bit cheaper too....
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Yes, I;'ve considered that, but if I can get the Scapin for £1K with full paint & including the carbon fork & hs. its not a bad price (comparable with Burls, Enigma etc). The look is particularly attractive I think. Also, I don't need custom sizing. Plonk me on a TCR sze M and I'm happy!

    Not sure if that price is current tho given Euro moves
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    If retro stylee is what you're after, then you're getting into the territory of a Colnago Master X-lite or a DeRosa Corum for similar money. You could also shop around for a Gios Compact Pro for about £700. It's not that the Scapin is a bad bike, just there's a fair amount of choice at that price point. Planet-X had some NOS stock Guerciottis and if you look on ebay, there's often a good selection of NOS Italian frames from the 80s. .
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Monty Dog wrote:
    If retro stylee is what you're after, then you're getting into the territory of a Colnago Master X-lite or a DeRosa Corum for similar money. You could also shop around for a Gios Compact Pro for about £700. It's not that the Scapin is a bad bike, just there's a fair amount of choice at that price point. Planet-X had some NOS stock Guerciottis and if you look on ebay, there's often a good selection of NOS Italian frames from the 80s. .

    Yeah, was considering the vintage route until I read this months C+. The planet X stuff Guerciottis look nice but its fairly low-end steel.
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    The Scapin is a re-imagining of an older bike. It's a little like some of the bikes that Hampsten Cycles is putting out. So it's a modern classic with Columbus Spirit etc. Scapin has been known for great frames for a while. I'm seriously considering it.... but no mudguards....
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,571
    Scapin have an excellent reputation for innovative steel frames. I've not owned one myself but someone I know has one and he thinks it is the best steel frame he's ever ridden (and he's owned steel frames by De Rosa, Colnago, Ciocc, Gios and Casati).

    I'm still kicking myself as one I was watching on ebay last week went for £200 and I forgot to bid. Doh!
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Monty Dog wrote:
    If retro stylee is what you're after, then you're getting into the territory of a Colnago Master X-lite or a DeRosa Corum for similar money. You could also shop around for a Gios Compact Pro for about £700. It's not that the Scapin is a bad bike, just there's a fair amount of choice at that price point. Planet-X had some NOS stock Guerciottis and if you look on ebay, there's often a good selection of NOS Italian frames from the 80s. .

    FWIW I have a Gios Compact Pro. No problems.

    Dennis Noward
  • tenor
    tenor Posts: 278
    Scapin make great riding steel frames. At 1k it is reasonable value too and much less that the DeRosa Corum. You might lalso ike to check out Brian Rourke, Roberts and Enigma for custom steel frames of similar quality.
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Uk distributor is packing it in; price from the continent is £1350 :shock: . Bloody Gordon Brown.

    So about the same price as the Corum once you've added fork + headset. Think I still prefer the Scapin, but now the Enigma steelies look well cheap. Decisions, decisions...
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • joe1983
    joe1983 Posts: 440
    I just bought myself a Gios compact - can't wait! I'll let you know my thoughts when it arrives
    The Maxlight: http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo17 ... CN1001.jpg
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    joe1983 wrote:
    I just bought myself a Gios compact - can't wait! I'll let you know my thoughts when it arrives

    Good man. Best of luck with it.

    Dennis Noward
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Scapin special f+f now ordered direct from the factory at €1280 including all taxes & delivery :D:D:D

    Now I just have to decide how to build it up :P
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • joe1983
    joe1983 Posts: 440
    Well I have finally got my Gios built up and I must say the ride is fantastic. Before I got it I was riding a columbus SLX Viner and the ride was quite harsh but the Gios just glides (same wheels etc). Coming from a mtb background feeling every bump in the road on the viner was a pain and I thought I wouldn't really get into it but the Gios has changed my mind completely. Love it.
    The Maxlight: http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo17 ... CN1001.jpg

Categories