Izoard v R3 v CX1 v EPS v Prince v FP7 v Noah

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

huuregeil wrote:

Also, I know it's not on your shortlist, but a Look 585 is very good value and by all accounts a superb all rounder - as an ex-Look owner, I can attest to their excellent ride and handling, and I'd be an owner of a 585 were their sizing not quite right for me (I need a longer head-tube, shorter top tube).

While we're on the subject, there's a pretty sweet looking 585 with SR for sale on ebay at the moment: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 3DWatching

Not mine I hasten to add. Would that it was!

vinerbikesuk

Hi Pete

Have you considered the Viner Maxima?

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... a-08-28906

To quote Marcel "Conclusion: Best. Bike. Ever."

What area of the UK are you in? what size do you ride, I may be able to get you a test ride sorted out.
Not only can it be made to measure, so you get a bike that fits you perfectly {why should the rider have to fit to the bike?} the Maxima is unique in the world in the fact that each tube of the main triangle is designed and made for each order {the RS Plus version even has the same treatment for the rear triangle} Together with custom designed handmade lugs we can design the frame to your size, style of riding, weight, to give you cycling Nirvana, a bike that is responsive with maximum power transfer, yet as smooth with a unique "insulated" feel of the road. I personally really noticed this when I decided to try and beat my time for a local route and put 9.5 bar in the tyres, there was no difference in comfort the ride was just as smooth, the frame soaked up the vibrations.
In today’s world of mass production with most frames around the world being made in 3 factories in the "far east" there is a difference when a frame is made by hand in Italy. Engineered by the world’s best frame builder using equipment and technology that is normally found in the realm of F1 and on space missions.
Sorry if I go on a bit! we are passionate about what we do, once I get started it is hard to stop!!


Peter
Viner Italy

magliaceleste

Chip \'oyler wrote:

For £2.5k you can get a Viner Mitus Plus custom built to fit and ride you exactly. (You can even get it custom sprayed)

http://www.worldwidecycles.com/p-881-vi ... -plus.aspx

I own a custom Viner - they are superb.

I own the aformentioned Viner Mitus Plus. It is fantastic and of course can be made to whatever size you want when ordered (not that I needed to) since it is hand made from T900 carbon tubing.

Edit: You may not like the colour scheme (Miche team)...here is mine early last year:

http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img07902.jpg
http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img07852.jpg

Last I checked Peter/VinerUK, the Maxima had gone up to £3k for the frameset - which I think is over the OPs limit.

As my bike isn't on the list, I'd choose the EPS (almost did)

Chip \'oyler

magliaceleste wrote:

Chip \'oyler wrote:

For £2.5k you can get a Viner Mitus Plus custom built to fit and ride you exactly. (You can even get it custom sprayed)

http://www.worldwidecycles.com/p-881-vi ... -plus.aspx

I own a custom Viner - they are superb.

I own the aformentioned Viner Mitus Plus. It is fantastic and of course can be made to whatever size you want when ordered (not that I needed to) since it is hand made from T900 carbon tubing.

Edit: You may not like the colour scheme (Miche team)...here is mine early last year:

http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img07902.jpg
http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img07852.jpg

Last I checked Peter/VinerUK, the Maxima had gone up to £3k for the frameset - which I think is over the OPs limit.

As my bike isn't on the list, I'd choose the EPS (almost did)

I remember seeing your Mitus on weightweenies I really like the Team colours, makes a nice change from the usual colour schemes.

pontarlier_pete

vinerbikesuk wrote:

Hi Pete

Have you considered the Viner Maxima?

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... a-08-28906

To quote Marcel "Conclusion: Best. Bike. Ever."

What area of the UK are you in? what size do you ride, I may be able to get you a test ride sorted out.
Not only can it be made to measure, so you get a bike that fits you perfectly {why should the rider have to fit to the bike?} the Maxima is unique in the world in the fact that each tube of the main triangle is designed and made for each order {the RS Plus version even has the same treatment for the rear triangle} Together with custom designed handmade lugs we can design the frame to your size, style of riding, weight, to give you cycling Nirvana, a bike that is responsive with maximum power transfer, yet as smooth with a unique "insulated" feel of the road. I personally really noticed this when I decided to try and beat my time for a local route and put 9.5 bar in the tyres, there was no difference in comfort the ride was just as smooth, the frame soaked up the vibrations.
In today’s world of mass production with most frames around the world being made in 3 factories in the "far east" there is a difference when a frame is made by hand in Italy. Engineered by the world’s best frame builder using equipment and technology that is normally found in the realm of F1 and on space missions.
Sorry if I go on a bit! we are passionate about what we do, once I get started it is hard to stop!!


Peter
Viner Italy

Thanks for that Peter, it's certainly a very interesting review, and sounds like a fantastic bike. The custom thing is also a major attraction. The only thing is £3,000 is just out of my price range, I'm pushing it as it is to potentially meet the £2,700 for the EPS, and I'm still having doubts of spending that much despite the go-ahead from the other half! Although if you could match the EPS price I might be very interested!

pontarlier_pete

magliaceleste wrote:

Chip \'oyler wrote:

For £2.5k you can get a Viner Mitus Plus custom built to fit and ride you exactly. (You can even get it custom sprayed)

http://www.worldwidecycles.com/p-881-vi ... -plus.aspx

I own a custom Viner - they are superb.

I own the aformentioned Viner Mitus Plus. It is fantastic and of course can be made to whatever size you want when ordered (not that I needed to) since it is hand made from T900 carbon tubing.

Edit: You may not like the colour scheme (Miche team)...here is mine early last year:

http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img07902.jpg
http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img07852.jpg

Last I checked Peter/VinerUK, the Maxima had gone up to £3k for the frameset - which I think is over the OPs limit.

As my bike isn't on the list, I'd choose the EPS (almost did)

Thanks Maglia. What made you go for the Mitus Plus over the EPS? Did you manage to ride both before you purchased?

Are you sure the Mitus is T900 tubing? According to World Wide Cycles it's T700...

Could Peter from Viner UK help with this?

vinerbikesuk

Where do you live in the UK? I can see and speak with your local Viner dealer, to see what we can do for you.

As other people have said on the forum, the Mitus Plus 2010 at the £2500 price point is also a price point winner. Still 100% made by hand in our servizio corsa workshop by master craftsman Marco.

Handmade lugs, over size head tube and forks and rear triangle as per the Maxima. The main triangle tubes are made from ultra-high quality T900 high performance carbon which moulded into individual tubes to form a main triangle design to maximise high speed stability, responsiveness and overall performance. {note the shape and profile of the top & down tubes, the same concept as used in designing a monoque frame} this tube profile offers a major performance advantage over the EPS, the quality of the carbon used in the two frames being very similar. The EPS needs to use pre-moulded lugs, therefore it must have round tubes. {old technology}

Our Perfecta frame offers a closer cousin to the EPS, just costs £900 less! Viner decided 10 years ago to change our business model, invest in R&D and the quality of the products we make, not riders and pro tour teams bank accounts! Which as we know now “allegedly” feed the bank accounts of various pharmaceutical companies. Interesting to this current conversation is the fact that the catalyst to the above change was when we sponsored Mapei team… after the 1st year of sponsorship Colnago came along and offered a crazy amount of money to ride Colnago.

Sure many people still buy the bike than “****” rides, they buy the commercial dream. I think we all have! my Sean Kelly Vitus 979 was my pride and joy for many years, but not knowing any different I did not appreciate at the time what a terrible frame the Vitus was!}

See another 5/5 review on Bike Radar for the 08/09 Perfecta.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... a-08-32013

Please note all Viner handmade frames are available made to measure no extra cost, delivered in 5 working weeks.
FYI: 2010 handmade carbon line up
Maxima {“Hors” category carbon} £3200
Mitus Plus T900 £2500
Perfecta T800 £2100
Volata T700 {as per 2009 Perfecta} £1650

magliaceleste

The EPS isn't available for me in a perfect size with a compact frame, so it made the choice easier. At the time the price for the Viner was considerably cheaper.

Yes I can guarantee that on my 2009 frame it is T900 - same as the Maxima at the time. Worldwide cycles is wrong, it's a copy of the text from the incorrect 2009 brochure. Epic Cycles used to have the correct 2009 details on their website, but for some reason the Mitus is currently AWOL on their Viner page. They are great to deal with.

For 2010 Viner call the carbon something daft. P100 or something to do with the autoclave pressure.

Other changes for 2010 are the 1/18 1/1/4 headset and rear triangle (which I think is the rear from the old Maxima). The new Maxima RS has an all new hand made rear triangle.

pontarlier_pete

Thanks again Maglia, and for the photo. I'm surprised Viner made that mistake, I wonder how many people ignored the Mitus due to that...

Peter, I live near Bury St Edmunds/Cambridge area. I also have family in London so if there's nothing in this area, London would be the next best. I would be very grateful if you could put me in touch with a local dealer and see what they can do.

Thanks again.

Chip \'oyler

Pontarlier Pete wrote:

Thanks again Maglia, and for the photo. I'm surprised Viner made that mistake, I wonder how many people ignored the Mitus due to that...

Peter, I live near Bury St Edmunds/Cambridge area. I also have family in London so if there's nothing in this area, London would be the next best. I would be very grateful if you could put me in touch with a local dealer and see what they can do.

Thanks again.

If you go for the Maxima you won't be disappointed. I have one, and after a year and a half I still get excited and a smile on my face about riding it.

And if the Mitus has a lot of the characteristics of the Maxima then that sounds a great frame too

huuregeil

Might also be worth speaking to Cyclefit in London. Not only are they Colnago stockists, but their own-brand Glider carbon frames are made by Viner, and they seem to have quite a tight relationship such that custom options appear possible.

pontarlier_pete

Holy cow batman - '09 Ridley Noah £1,500...

http://www.salden.nl/default.asp?pid=20 ... catid=2950

pontarlier_pete

'09 Wilier Izoard circa £900.

http://www.salden.nl/default.asp?pid=20 ... catid=2955

I'm going to swear in a minute...

pontarlier_pete

'09 De Rosa Idol circa £1750

http://www.salden.nl/default.asp?pid=20 ... catid=2939

Must. Not. Swear.

giant_man

Pontarlier Pete wrote:

'09 De Rosa Idol circa £1750

http://www.salden.nl/default.asp?pid=20 ... catid=2939

Must. Not. Swear.

I personally wouldn't, test rode one last year and didn't like it. Comfy yes but too dampened for me. Rode an R3 the same day and preferred it. You might love it but I would advise a test ride. FWIW Pete, the Wilier Cento Uno was a sublime ride and much nicer to ride imo. It's all a very personal thing, the ride quality of a certain frame. but it's important thing to get right; especially if you're going to be riding the bike a lot in the future.

pontarlier_pete

Yeah, you're right. It's easy to get blinded by savng some cash. I'm hopefully going to test the Viners soon so I'll wait and make a decision after that. It's a shame I can't get an EPS to test, that may well end up losing them a sale.

on-yer-bike

Cervelo R3 or RS depending on what geometry you prefer. I traded my Izoard for an RS after riding one for weekend. You can pick up on 09 or an 08 with a good price reduction. Apart from the colour scheme they are identical to the 2010. Yes the finish can be iffy but the ride is fantastic and they come with a lifetime warranty. Part of the issue with the finishing is that they do not wrap the frames in carbon weave and the lacquer on the black frames is see through allowing you to see the carbon lay up. The 2010s may be better finished but have not seen one. I have heard that Ridley and Scott are made in the same Chinese factory.

Also with their geometry Cervelo claim that custom fitting is not necessary.

dave_oc

on-yer-bike - what made you swap your izoard for the RS - I'd have thought they were of a pretty similar standard? And why the RS over the R3?

on-yer-bike

dave_oc wrote:

on-yer-bike - what made you swap your izoard for the RS - I'd have thought they were of a pretty similar standard? And why the RS over the R3?

I demoed an RS for a weekend and it was just more comfortable and responsive than the Izoard. I'm not that young and was quite new to cycling which is why the RS. I now have an 2008 R3-SL which I bought new at a fantastically low price.

I had paint problems with the Izoard but they replaced the frame no problem. I think there is quite a price difference between an R3 and an Izoard.

giant_man

Pontarlier Pete wrote:

Yeah, you're right. It's easy to get blinded by savng some cash. I'm hopefully going to test the Viners soon so I'll wait and make a decision after that. It's a shame I can't get an EPS to test, that may well end up losing them a sale.

Have you contacted Windwave re test ride? They were very accomodating when speaking with them earlier this year have to say.

giant_man

on-yer-bike wrote:

dave_oc wrote:

on-yer-bike - what made you swap your izoard for the RS - I'd have thought they were of a pretty similar standard? And why the RS over the R3?

I demoed an RS for a weekend and it was just more comfortable and responsive than the Izoard. I'm not that young and was quite new to cycling which is why the RS. I now have an 2008 R3-SL which I bought new at a fantastically low price.

I had paint problems with the Izoard but they replaced the frame no problem. I think there is quite a price difference between an R3 and an Izoard.

Good atlernative idea, an RS, longer head tube for more comfort.

pontarlier_pete

giant mancp wrote:

Pontarlier Pete wrote:

Yeah, you're right. It's easy to get blinded by savng some cash. I'm hopefully going to test the Viners soon so I'll wait and make a decision after that. It's a shame I can't get an EPS to test, that may well end up losing them a sale.

Have you contacted Windwave re test ride? They were very accomodating when speaking with them earlier this year have to say.

Yep. Their response was basically "no, we don't have test bikes, you'll have to speak to individual dealers, but I wouldn't expect much as they don't usually spend their own money on buying test bikes". Can't say I'm impressed. I've tried a couple of the larger dealers without success and have almost given up. Haven't managed to get hold of Maestro yet, phone keeps going to voicemail, but I'm a bit fed up with that brand at the moment so I might not bother much longer. If Colnago are so arrogant as to expect people to hand over nearly £3,000 hard-earned basically on the name (which is what it comes down to if you can't try the thing out), then I'm not interested.

giant_man

No they're not arrogant Pete and Windwave are pretty good I have to say. I will PM you.

pontarlier_pete

Well, I thought you all may like to know that I've made a decision and am meeting a dealer on 23 Jan to do the measurements and make the order. And I have to say, I'm delighted with my choice.

I was this close to starting the process of ordering a Viner when I saw one of these in France over Christmas. I had a look and it fitted like a glove straight out the box. It's got the stiffness I was looking for, and the reviews say that although it's no cruiser, it's not as uncomfortable as you might think. And I'll just stick 25mm tyres at 100psi on for training... And at £1,700 for the frame I think it's a bit of a bargain...

....I know this will split opinion....!

Ladies and Gentlemen, my next bike, the Storck Scenario 1.0 Snow White:



It'll be nicely built up with Campag Chorus, Chorus carbon seat pin, Storck bar and stem, and, of course, a white saddle (probably a Fizik) and bar tape.

Anonymous

Kewl!

Pics required when you get it!

giant_man

+1 for the pics. Storck make some great frames, yours included. Nice choice Pete!

pontarlier_pete

Thanks guys! I love the look of it - classic white, not over-styled like some modern bikes! I'll put a photo up as soon as it's ready. No deep rims to show it off on just yet, but as I'm now saving nigh-on a grand of my budget, they may come along sooner than expected...

Either that or I'll blow it on the Cycle Sport recommended trip of Paris-Nice culmination and MSR and give the Storck a proper christening.

Chip \'oyler

Pontarlier Pete wrote:

Well, I thought you all may like to know that I've made a decision and am meeting a dealer on 23 Jan to do the measurements and make the order. And I have to say, I'm delighted with my choice.

I was this close to starting the process of ordering a Viner when I saw one of these in France over Christmas. I had a look and it fitted like a glove straight out the box. It's got the stiffness I was looking for, and the reviews say that although it's no cruiser, it's not as uncomfortable as you might think. And I'll just stick 25mm tyres at 100psi on for training... And at £1,700 for the frame I think it's a bit of a bargain...

....I know this will split opinion....!

Ladies and Gentlemen, my next bike, the Storck Scenario 1.0 Snow White:



It'll be nicely built up with Campag Chorus, Chorus carbon seat pin, Storck bar and stem, and, of course, a white saddle (probably a Fizik) and bar tape.

That is gorgeous! Nice choice, and something a bit different too

Squillinossett

Stunning!

flanners1

NapoleonD wrote:

Pontarlier Pete wrote:

NapoleonD wrote:

EPS is £2680 from Maestro...

http://www.maestro-uk.com/

Wow. That's do-able. Just. Cheers for the heads up. Now to get that test ride before they see sense.

They are always the cheapest in the UK. Furthermore they have a very good rapport with Colnago and can get any back catalogue paint scheme at a reasonable cost...

They do as long as you bought the bike from Mike, if you didn't he won't respray it. II tried failed. All very weird.