Planet X or Focus Culebro/Cayo

sludd
Posts: 29
Hi Guys
I'm trying to decide between the Focus Culebro (Alu frame, but Ultegra groupset) the Cayo 105 or the Planet X SL Carbon Pro (current deal at £899 with combo Ultegra/105 components)
This will be my first road bike and is mainly for enjoyment - no racing, just fitness and possible commute.
Any thoughts that a novice like me could use to help make my mind up?
I'm trying to decide between the Focus Culebro (Alu frame, but Ultegra groupset) the Cayo 105 or the Planet X SL Carbon Pro (current deal at £899 with combo Ultegra/105 components)
This will be my first road bike and is mainly for enjoyment - no racing, just fitness and possible commute.
Any thoughts that a novice like me could use to help make my mind up?
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Planet X0
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at that price, and as much as i love my Cayo, the Planet X is a steal!point your handlebars towards the heavens and sweat like you're in hell0
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Thanks to you both
The one thing that I'm slightly concerned about is the brakes - the Planet X has "Dia Compe BRS 100 Dual Pivot Brake Callipers" and the little information I can find on them isn't great.
The Focus Culebro has a full Ultegra groupset, including brakes and Mavic Aksium wheels, which may or may not be better than the PX own brand wheels.
With this info on brakes and wheels - is it still the Planet X as favourite? I'm really torn between the two.
I've discounted the Cayo on account of a harsh ride described in it's review and the 105 groupset as opposed to Ultegra.0 -
Huh the Cayo isn't harsh IMO. However, I would be a little concerned with all your choices if you are new to road bikes and don't want to race, as all 3 you have picked are quite race orientated. Rather than buying off the internet you'd probably be better trying to take some road bikes out and see how you get on with them.0
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Go for the Planet X, the Cayo is much tauter and a harsher ride especially from the back end IMO. Nice bike but feels a tad uncompromising for a 'do-it-all' that you appear to want to purchase.Colnago C60 SRAM eTap, Colnago C40, Milani 107E, BMC Pro Machine, Trek Madone, Viner Gladius,
Bizango 29er0 -
If your going to commute will you need to carry stuff for work with you? If so getting a carbon stead could limit you slighly. Would you not be better off with a nice sleek bike which has potential for panniers etc... but still a cool , quick bike for the leisure side of things.Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?0 -
thanks everyone
no need to carry anything and the commute is only ever going to be a rare option on nice summer mornings. It is mainly going to be for getting out in the countryside enjoying the fresh air while taxing myself physically trying to get (and keep) fit.
I am aware however, that these bikes are more racy types than gentle rides, but i don't want to buy a bike and wish a year or so later that i had gone for a better spec. I want a bike that makes me want to get out and ride, with decent components.
The Culebro is an Alu frame rather than carbon - I'm just seduced by the groupset of complete ultegra on this bike but concerned that the frame is not as good as the carbons.
Anyone got a view on the Dia Compe DRS brakes that are standard on the Planet X at the £899 deal - this is a questions I'd like to reslove before deciding?0 -
I'm sure they'll be fine. They may not be great, but you're not racing, and Planet X won't have one horribly weak component on an otherwise decent bike. For the price, you have to expect compromises, but most compromises are okay, it's the nature of a compromise
Also, calipers are pretty easy to replace if the worst comes to the worst.
I am sure the Culebro frame is just as "good" as the carbon frames - possibly "better" as it's not a bottom-end frame in its class, whereas the carbon frames might be. The ride is different, though, and it'll be heavier and more sluggish. Not necessarily a problem if you're not racing.
IMHO, the Cayo is MUCH better looking than the Planet X, just to throw a spanner in the works. But £899 really is a super deal. Can you get any of the bikes on cycle to work?0 -
I am actually getting the money as cash transferred to my bank account on a salary sacrifice scheme - not the official cycle to work, but i will save the tax and NI from my salary.
It's nice because I have the money to spend and need only supply the receipts to the office once I take the plunge. I have £1200 total, so that's a bike plus pedals, shoes, proper helmet, clothing...
Appreciate the thought that PX wouldn't use "bad" components - I suppose it would lead to aftersales issues.0 -
So you are worried about the harshness of a carbon frame but not an aluminium frame by the same company, that doesn't make any sense to me. At the end of the day though race bikes aren't supposed to be comfy rides, they are for racing, where stiffness and speed are the main factors. if you want a comfy bike look fro one with more relaxed angles.
I suspect the calipers on the Planet-X are fairly rubbish, but you can probably live with them or just spend £50 and get them replaced with a decent Shimano set.0 -
I'm not worried about the harshness of a carbon frame per say - the actual review on this site commented on the harshness of the ride on the Cayo, while the review on this site for the Planet X suggested less harshness and more compliance in the frame. Different frames - different characteristics. Also, the wheels could have a major influence upon the ride quality; I think??
Surely there's nothing wrong with wanting a race oriented bike but trying to get the most comfortable that is possible. I wasn't aware that wanting a race type bike should mean actively seeking an uncomfortable ride!!
I'm basically trying to marry review information with actual experience from owners of the various bikes who have ridden them long term - or those with enough experience to offer an opinion.
I am aware that i could get a more relaxed setup, but I don't want a mushy, unresponsive bike either - just trying to decide on the best option with limited knowledge and experience.
I'm not being deliberately foolish if anything I ask advice about comes across that way.
Having said all of this, I have now phoned Planet X three times and been asked to leave my number each time for someone to phone back in order to offer advice - no call back yet - now been waiting since last Wednesday. I'm not liking the service if they can't respond to even sell a bike - what if there was problem once I received it?0 -
I think the Planet X wheels are a lot better than Aksiums (much lighter, very strong, very smooth bearings). The Focus looks better (just the aesthetics). The brake calipers on the P-X work perfectly. P-X service is generally fantastic; I have only dealt with them via email but always had prompt and helpful replies - after sales service is also good - several guys there hunted for a mech hanger for me when they were temporarily out of stock. I would also be a bit put off by no call back (though c/w ribble I am sure it is infinitely better).0
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sludd wrote:I am actually getting the money as cash transferred to my bank account on a salary sacrifice scheme - not the official cycle to work, but i will save the tax and NI from my salary.....
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I wish more firms would do it themsleves. Cycle sheme take 10% off the LBS and make a mint out of this scheme for doing nothing more than provide a bridging loan!
Let me get this straight: THERE IS NO OFFICIAL scheme. It is just a tax incentive and any PAYE can do it themselves!!!
+1 for the PX.0 -
sludd wrote:I'm basically trying to marry review information with actual experience from owners of the various bikes who have ridden them long term - or those with enough experience to offer an opinion.
I bought the £999 All-Ultegra bike a few weeks ago, and I have ridden a few rides, so I have an opinion ;-)I am aware that i could get a more relaxed setup, but I don't want a mushy, unresponsive bike either - just trying to decide on the best option with limited knowledge and experience.
I think the BikeRadar reviewer is quite right with his opinion. The PX frame is not the stiffest option and it may even be that some folks experience some shimmy in high-speed descends.
I am a tall (191cm) and heavy (91 kg) guy and the frame feels OK. It is highly comfortable and enough responsive to my needs. Definitely not mushy or unresponsive. I've detected no shimmy so far although I have taken the bike beyond 60 km/h speeds quite a few times.
For the price, I don't know of any better bikes. If you want to spend a bit more money, you may want to put new wheels to the top of your upgrade list. That's what I did. A Fulcrum Racing 1 wheel set is on its way to my home in Finland. I hope it gets here before the snow :-)0 -
Hi sludd, I can't comment on the frame choices or component choices - allegedly if you're new to riding you probably won't find a big difference in components. I've bought a PX Ti bike and have been delighted with it and their service.
I'm amazed that you've had no response after a few days from PX, that's totally the opposite of my experience of their customer service. If you think it's worth it you might look around a bit on Planet X related threads and you'll see that one of the PX owners posts regularly, you might want to PM him and give him your experience.
Good luck with whatever you choose"The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon0 -
HonestAl wrote:I'm amazed that you've had no response after a few days from PX, that's totally the opposite of my experience of their customer service. If you think it's worth it you might look around a bit on Planet X related threads and you'll see that one of the PX owners posts regularly, you might want to PM him and give him your experience.
PX people apparently are drowning themselves into a pile of orders right now. They have a very aggressive campaign going on to conquer the rest of Europe, especially Germany. That may well explain the long response time to queries.0 -
I bought the PX Ultegra & upgraded to model b wheels, zipp stem & zipp bars. I have to say I can't fault it, I'm 6'4" 14.5 stone. The frame feels plenty stiff enough, very comfortable and not a hint of a wobble descending Hulme Moss at 60mph+ the only concern I had was that I built it myself! fortunately it didn't fall to pieces on me. The staff at PX were very good, I would think that the lack of response would be down to the fact they are inundated, the offer they have on at the moment is pretty tremendous.0
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jonnycon wrote:I bought the PX Ultegra & upgraded to model b wheels, zipp stem & zipp bars. I have to say I can't fault it, I'm 6'4" 14.5 stone. The frame feels plenty stiff enough, very comfortable and not a hint of a wobble descending Hulme Moss at 60mph+ the only concern I had was that I built it myself! fortunately it didn't fall to pieces on me. The staff at PX were very good, I would think that the lack of response would be down to the fact they are inundated, the offer they have on at the moment is pretty tremendous.
The Wobble:
Try taking one hand off the bars at anything over 30mph, the front end waggles like a motorcycle tank slapper it is frightening and could have you off. It is not just me two other friends have PX's and they do the same. So on a downhill blat, no time for energy bars or sipping a bottle as you would be in A&E.....
Not sure why there is such instability at speed, possibly the very short wheelbase. My PX in L (their's are both XL's and both do it,with different builds e.g wheels, stems, bars etc). You do not have to go out of your way to get this happening it does it a lot at speeds where on my Colnago/Viner etc I would be sitting comfortably hydrating and eating. My other bikes do not do this at all......very odd and VERY frightening.Colnago C60 SRAM eTap, Colnago C40, Milani 107E, BMC Pro Machine, Trek Madone, Viner Gladius,
Bizango 29er0