New carbon frame

graememacd
graememacd Posts: 386
edited January 2011 in Road buying advice
A bit of advice needed from those in the know!
I was originally looking at getting a Ribble stealth frame only to find out that they're out of stock and have no idea when there'll be any more in stock, so that rules that one out!
So, i then decided on the Ribble Gran Fondo...until I saw the Planet X Nano light. Has anyone got experience of these bikes, or any advice on which frame would be best. I'm looking at doing quite a few sportives this year so will need something suited to that but also would like the bike to be quick and reponsive as well as comfortable.

Comments

  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    The Gran Fondo is a sportive bike; the Nanolight is really a racer.

    Use the Search function and you'll find lots of discussion already
  • graememacd
    graememacd Posts: 386
    Obviously I know they're different kinds of bikes and i have read a couple of posts on here regarding them.
    I quite like the look of the Nanolight and really the question i want to know the answer to is, will it be comfortable enough over longer distances?? I've managed to do 100 mile sportives on my Trek 1.5 ok and wondered if it will be a more forgiving ride.
    Also there was a cycling plus review giving it 6/10 apparently, anybody know what their issues with it were??
  • Squillinossett
    Squillinossett Posts: 1,678
    I will have my first ride on my Nono light Hi-Mod tomorrow, so I will let you know.
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    graememacd wrote:
    Obviously I know they're different kinds of bikes and i have read a couple of posts on here regarding them.
    I quite like the look of the Nanolight and really the question i want to know the answer to is, will it be comfortable enough over longer distances?? I've managed to do 100 mile sportives on my Trek 1.5 ok and wondered if it will be a more forgiving ride.
    Also there was a cycling plus review giving it 6/10 apparently, anybody know what their issues with it were??
    Race frames are perfectly comfortable over 100 miles. The pros sit on them for up to eight hours a day and they don't complain.

    There is a lot of bollox talked about comfort these days, as if we were talking about armchairs instead of bikes. If your position on the bike is sorted, you use quality tyres and a saddle that suits there are no issues.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    If I remember correctly they thought the front end was a bit too flexy. What that means in the real world I've no idea.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Smokin Joe wrote:
    graememacd wrote:
    Obviously I know they're different kinds of bikes and i have read a couple of posts on here regarding them.
    I quite like the look of the Nanolight and really the question i want to know the answer to is, will it be comfortable enough over longer distances?? I've managed to do 100 mile sportives on my Trek 1.5 ok and wondered if it will be a more forgiving ride.
    Also there was a cycling plus review giving it 6/10 apparently, anybody know what their issues with it were??
    Race frames are perfectly comfortable over 100 miles. The pros sit on them for up to eight hours a day and they don't complain.

    There is a lot of bollox talked about comfort these days, as if we were talking about armchairs instead of bikes. If your position on the bike is sorted, you use quality tyres and a saddle that suits there are no issues.

    I've never really understood the difference between a 'race' bike and a 'sportive' bike. I've ridden 7 hour rides on my race bike no problem. Comes down to having it set up right and a comfy saddle!

    Or is it that a sportive bike isn't as low at the front or something?

    As for the Nanolight - a guy on my squad uses one and says it's great. Nice looking bike too.
  • graememacd
    graememacd Posts: 386
    Thanks for the advice guys! I've pretty much decided on the Nanolight now.
    Squillinossett, let me know what you think once you've had your test ride.
    Next question, can anyone recommend a decent online bike fit guide? I know the frame size i need its just working out the correct stem length that i'm trying to get right
  • Squillinossett
    Squillinossett Posts: 1,678
    Still no word from the shop. Im hoping he will call soon so I can go out. I have a small window today, between taking new puppy to the vet, and heading to sankeys...
  • kfinlay
    kfinlay Posts: 763
    Squillinossett wrote:
    Still no word from the shop. Im hoping he will call soon so I can go out. I have a small window today, between taking new puppy to the vet, and heading to sankeys...

    what, you didn't build it up yourself!! :wink:
    Kev

    Summer Bike: Colnago C60
    Winter Bike: Vitus Alios
    MTB: 1997 GT Karakorum
  • ksherratt
    ksherratt Posts: 11
    I don't have a Nanolight, but I have ridden the Planet X SL Pro Carbon for 12 months and it's an excellent bike.

    I agree with those remarks regarding sportive or race specific frames - any frame can be tuned for either role, just choose the appropriate tyres, stem, saddle, etc.
  • 58585
    58585 Posts: 207
    "would like the bike to be quick "
    Forget about worrying about the frame in that case, and focus on something else.

    As for sportive frames, well they seemed to become popular about the same time as the boom in those events. Fancy a go at a cycling event? I'd better get me one of those "sportive" frames...which seem to have the advantage that you can post a picture online without getting abused for having a spacer tower :D
  • graememacd
    graememacd Posts: 386
    when i said i wanted it to be quick, i meant in a handling sense. If i wanted it to be fast i would be better off handing it to someone else!
    Anyway, my minds made up now, just got to wait for payday!
  • norfolkandgood
    norfolkandgood Posts: 19
    Here is a link to a site where you can check your bike fit.....
    www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE= ... M&units=cm
    I spent some of my money on a Felt Carbon Fibre bike and a nice titanium MTB.....................................................................
    the rest I squandered.
  • Surfr
    Surfr Posts: 243
    Why not buy the Stealth direct from the supplier? Much cheaper without Ribble stickers anyway.

    http://pedalforce.com/online/product_in ... s_id=18479
  • kfinlay
    kfinlay Posts: 763
    Alternative bike fit
    http://pedalforce.com/online/bikefit.php?osCsid=a9f44d11f16f14af0da8d12bda8c86a5
    Kev

    Summer Bike: Colnago C60
    Winter Bike: Vitus Alios
    MTB: 1997 GT Karakorum
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    $700 for the Pedalforce RS3 - that's a $200 premium over Carbonzone
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Surfr
    Surfr Posts: 243
    is it? go with carbonzone then. I've heard good things on the Chinese frame threads. I know more about DengFu personally (who carbonzone also resell).
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    PX are doing their SL Pro frame and forks for £360. Dirt cheap !
  • graememacd
    graememacd Posts: 386
    Monty Dog wrote:
    $700 for the Pedalforce RS3 - that's a $200 premium over Carbonzone

    quite interested in buying from carbonzone but I cant see the RS3 on their ebay site, does it come under a different name??
  • kfinlay
    kfinlay Posts: 763
    Carbonzone don't have any listed at the moment, here is an eneded listing
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150545282797&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_6124wt_1157

    Xpace do it and are probably who Ribble buy from - it's the R838
    http://www.xpa-cycling.com/products_data.php?htm=18.html&key=2

    See one of the posts on here that have advised to give Tony at Xpace an email - could be very productive for you

    Dengfu don't seem to list this frame on their site
    Kev

    Summer Bike: Colnago C60
    Winter Bike: Vitus Alios
    MTB: 1997 GT Karakorum
  • graememacd
    graememacd Posts: 386
    i had a look at carbonzones ebay shop as i was quite interested in their R838/ribble stealth frame but it looks like they're out of stock in my size! so it looks like it will definitely be the PX nanolight after all
  • stuff4jas
    stuff4jas Posts: 12
    Just had a look on there website and Im really interested in getting one of the r838 /stealth frames.
    Looks like the seatpost is intergrated unlike the ones from ribble. Anyone had any experience getting one of these.
    Cheers

Categories