Anyone own an EPS?

Evil Laugh
Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
edited September 2010 in Road buying advice
Any EPS owners on here I'm looking for a little feedback.

I'm looking at selling my Cannondale Synapse and getting myself something with a more traditional/racy geo similar to my omega steel bike here...

IMG_0745.jpg

I love my Cannondale it's super comfy but since doing a lot of riding on the steel bike I've come to much prefer the more aggresive geo and handling that the short headtube and straight fork gives (I guess?). It's just much more fun to ride.The shape of a non sloping eps looks very similar and lookswise I much prefer this to the modern compact/sloping monocoque carbon frames.

What I'm getting at here is, will the EPS give me that combo of plush ride and tight, planted handling that I'm craving? Is it good for long hilly rides or is it too harsh?

I'm guessing given the amount of sizes available and cost of the frames that test rides will be difficult so I'm looking for a nudge in the right direction before my wallet gets eaten by the fast approaching monster that is kids and mortgages. My mind is half made up already I think.

*goes off for a ride to contemplate colour options*
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Comments

  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    contact nicensleazy, he has one on here ...
  • I know it's not the same bike, but I have a CX-1 and it is everything you said above. Up the hills it is great. I can imagine the EPS and C59 being nothing short of fantastic.
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    Cheers guys, I'll give him a shout.
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    Have a read ot TWMP or www.colnago.cc
    Brian has just tested the C59 and rode the EPS when it came out (review on the site) and compares them now. He is v.affable and will reply to you if you email him.

    www.thewashingmachinepost.net
    M.Rushton
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    Yeah I read his eps article which is the thing that really convinced me up to this point but I get the feeling it may be somewhat blinded by his obvious love of Colnagos. Interested to see what he says about the C59.

    Thanks again for the pointer.
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    What he likes about the EPS x 10

    You aren't going to get a bad review from a Colnago owner. FWIW I've had one (CT1) and very nice it was too.
    M.Rushton
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    Nicensleazy's away on his hols - but his EPS is a lovely bike - it's very stiff but amazingly comfortable - he kindly let me have a short ride on it a while back and I was very impressed indeed. They are a terrific bike. I'm sure he will reply too when he gets back.

    I also know that Brian from the Washingmachinepost is a good guy and I'm sure will help you if you ask him a question.

    If you can afford it - then I'd say go for it - they are a modern classic - like the C40/C50 if you ask me. I've never heard any bad feedback on them. Hope that helps.
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Never heard a bad word from a number of owners - PezCycling reckons it's the best handling bike they've ever ridden
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    Might not be of interest or your size but Cyclefit had a C50 in stock recently - one of the last ones made. So still tube/lug construction but prob. a lot cheaper. But there is a pic on TWMP i think of F1 driver Alonso collecting his C59 Ferrari Colnago. Looks like a stealth bike
    M.Rushton
  • onthefells
    onthefells Posts: 157
    I've got a C50 and love it to bits, however, I have to say I think Colnago are taking the piss a little with the pricing of the C59. At £3300 for just the frame and forks if you're going to kit it out with what is 'necessary' on a frame like that you are talking at leat £6000 and more likely £7000 which is an awful lot of money!!!
  • Pretre
    Pretre Posts: 355
    onthefells wrote:
    I've got a C50 and love it to bits, however, I have to say I think Colnago are taking the wee-wee a little with the pricing of the C59. At £3300 for just the frame and forks if you're going to kit it out with what is 'necessary' on a frame like that you are talking at leat £6000 and more likely £7000 which is an awful lot of money!!!

    Why is £3k of components "necessary"? :?
    If you want to put Tiagra (or whatever the Campag equvalent is) on a £3000 frameset then there is no reason you shouldn't - it's your bike, do whatever you want with it.
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    Pretre wrote:
    onthefells wrote:
    I've got a C50 and love it to bits, however, I have to say I think Colnago are taking the wee-wee a little with the pricing of the C59. At £3300 for just the frame and forks if you're going to kit it out with what is 'necessary' on a frame like that you are talking at leat £6000 and more likely £7000 which is an awful lot of money!!!

    Why is £3k of components "necessary"? :?
    If you want to put Tiagra (or whatever the Campag equvalent is) on a £3000 frameset then there is no reason you shouldn't - it's your bike, do whatever you want with it.

    Pretre - I completely agree. If I was in the fortunate position of buying a c59 it would be getting Ultegra or Force on it - as you say - if you buy one you can put whatever you like on it. Personally I don't get the "it has to be Campag" on an Italian frame ..... each to their own of course.
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    if you are in the market for a C59 you are NOT going to fit it with the low end components. It's just wrong. It would be like ordering a Porsche/Aston etc and having cloth upholstery. Ultegra/Chorus/SRAM equivalent are really the starting point. Shallow maybe but we know it's right.
    M.Rushton
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Pretre wrote:
    onthefells wrote:
    I've got a C50 and love it to bits, however, I have to say I think Colnago are taking the wee-wee a little with the pricing of the C59. At £3300 for just the frame and forks if you're going to kit it out with what is 'necessary' on a frame like that you are talking at leat £6000 and more likely £7000 which is an awful lot of money!!!

    Why is £3k of components "necessary"? :?
    If you want to put Tiagra (or whatever the Campag equvalent is) on a £3000 frameset then there is no reason you shouldn't - it's your bike, do whatever you want with it.
    Dear god ...... :roll:
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Why stop there. I mean Sora or 2200 work. ;)
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    Haha, I'll be putting Dura Ace on it so I'm sure I'll still go to hell.
  • onthefells
    onthefells Posts: 157
    Scottie and Petre...what a load of ######## and you know it!!! Whats the point in having a top end, light frame then spoiling the feel with cheap components. If you're of that mindset you wouldn't buy the expensive frame in the first place

    I guess you'd also put a pair of Fulcrum Racing 7s on it too :lol:

    Nobody, I repeat nobody pays £3300 for a frame and kits it out with low end components. And even if you did with the wheels, groupset, bars, stem saddle, tyres bottle cages you still wouldn't get any change out of £5k
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    onthefells wrote:
    Scottie and Petre...what a load of ######## and you know it!!! Whats the point in having a top end, light frame then spoiling the feel with cheap components. If you're of that mindset you wouldn't buy the expensive frame in the first place

    I guess you'd also put a pair of Fulcrum Racing 7s on it too :lol:

    Nobody, I repeat nobody pays £3300 for a frame and kits it out with low end components. And even if you did with the wheels, groupset, bars, stem saddle, tyres bottle cages you still wouldn't get any change out of £5k

    :D:D:D I have no problem with someone putting whatever they like on a bike. I agree most people wouldn't but I'll bet someone has somewhere.

    I'd actually choose Force or Ultegra - as I said. But I loved your post - it's the best laugh I've had today :D:D and no I wouldn't be seen on a pair of Fulcrum 7's on my Allez let alone an EPS LOL

    Evil laugh - Dura Ace will be great - especially with the matching CL wheels. Look on the Colnago site - there are a few pictures of bikes on there with Dura Ace. Let us know if you get one and what you think.

    Cheers
    ScottieP
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Rabobank rode Shimano-equipped Colnagos for years - nobody died.

    But the reason you buy an EPS or any top-end bike is the whole bike experience - selecting the finest components and knowing is was as good as it gets - you don't buy one to compromise - otherwise you'd just spend £5k on a Trek :wink:
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • flanners1
    flanners1 Posts: 916
    I have ridden one and they are lovely, just like most high end rigs but Colnago just have that Je ne sais quai for me. Not for the weight weenie, but well built, fast and so stable at speed, I also love trad frames they look ace.

    I love them and will indulge in the not too distant myself.............when the EPS boys upgrade to the C59's.
    Colnago C60 SRAM eTap, Colnago C40, Milani 107E, BMC Pro Machine, Trek Madone, Viner Gladius,
    Bizango 29er
  • I have a C59 and it completely blew me away. It really is a fantastic ride. No-one has a bad word to say about the EPS either, so I am sure you will be happy.

    Oh and if anyone is in the market for one brand new still in the box EPS in size 50s (that's 54 in horiz geo) in matt black (MTBK) at less than retail then PM me.
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    Cheers for all the help. Have read some great stuff on ww regarding both the eps and c59. Will prob go for a prza or pr99 eps. Does prza and dura ace excuse one from hell?
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    If you can still get hold of a PRZA EPS, then good luck to you. Don't worry about using Shimano, lots colnago owners have DA and similar ...
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    I'm under the impression Maestro will do any colour. :?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Evil Laugh wrote:
    I'm under the impression Maestro will do any colour. :?

    They will.

    There is this good site too to peruse recent paint schemes, you can have any one!

    http://colnago-frames.com/
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Maybe they can and if so then fair enough .....
  • rajMAN
    rajMAN Posts: 429
    Mike at Meastro seems to be offering the C59 at a "good" price at the moment, in comparison to other prices I have seen quoted!! (slightly off topic)
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Yeah I saw that too. EPS is 'only' £2,500 odd now as well, prices are keen.
  • rajMAN
    rajMAN Posts: 429
    How, when the C59 is barely out of the factory, can the price differ so much? Who's taking the Pi"" here?
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    He can just get them cheaper, simple as that. He uses the Benelux distributor and not the official one for the UK, Windwave.