Planet X

bsb1071

Hi there, I am interested in purchasing a planet x frameset, either sl carbon or maybe a nanolight. Up till now, everything i have read seems to give them glowing reccomendations, I know a few people who have them and rave about them. However, I have been told that their frames aren't great - not exactly sure why though. I'm looking for some feedback about px frames/bikes, all the good and any bad info that is out there i would appreciate. thanks for your time

cougie

Who told you and what did they tell you ? Theres thousands of happy owners out there, They've supplied pro triathletes and road racers with their bikes too.

If there was much wrong with them - those guys would have found it out. Lovatt, Randle and co will put out more power with one leg than most of us would with both.

I hear Ian Cammish got a pb on his PX this year. Go google him and be in awe.


If you look at any item or hotel or restaurant and ask opinions - you'll get a hundred different answers. Ignore those at both ends of the spectrum and go for the concensus.

Plenty of my friends have had PX's and been very happy. Make sure you go for the bike fitting though.

desweller

I like my Nanolight Hi-Mod. It's comfortable, light, but feels maybe a little 'dead' compared to the aluminium frame that preceded it. The up-side to that is that it's much easier to live with over long rides. Handling is sure and predictable; no problems on quick descents and fast corners.

The case against the quality of the frames seemed to be based on the argument that something that low in price could not possible be good quality, but since we're not seeing forum threads on PX frame failures I think you can assume that they're strong enough.

Cammish's Exocet looks the business.

edhornby

I've bought stuff from planetx and had really good service (ok not bought a bike)

the pro SL carbon frames are getting long in the tooth and will be replaced with a more modern design - but that doesn't make them a bad frame

the nano's are reputedly very good, make sure you get the hi-mod version (some of the very early models were a lower grade of carbon apparently not as stiff...)

bazbadger

I've had a pro sl for the last 2 years and been pleased with it.

I think I would echo previous comment about some people putting PX down for using 'generic chinese' frames (whatever that really is supposed to mean) - I think you'll find most frames fall into this 'category' - unless you're paying big money.

My pro sl is very comfy and flies up hills compared to my previous spesh allez. PX are good to deal with too.

My only slight downer is that I don't think the current paint jobs are very inspiring.

Though I think there is a new frame in the pipeline - with a somewhat brighter paint job and BB30.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=238129379536927&set=a.171601559523043.54423.158554890827710&type=1&theater

dawebbo

I'm currently using the px nanolight guru as my racing bike. It's not quite as nice to ride as my giant tcr adv sl over long distances, but for the money I think it's a great frame.

spasypaddy

i had a px, my seat stay cracked after 3 years use. bike was incredibly well looked after and rarely used in bad weather for the first 2 years. Then last winter i used it twice a week but never crashed on it.

the seat stay cracked as i was just riding along, no pot hole no nothing.

PX didnt want to know.

giant_man

To be fair, they are box shifters really, so I'm not surprised they didn't want to know after one of their frames cracking. They are priced to sell, after all ..... doesn't excuse bad after sales service but there you go.

spasypaddy

personally if i was buying that standard of bike again i'd go straight to china and get an import. then i'd head to merlin and buy some wheels and a groupset. then id shop around and buy some finishing kit.

will probably be a tad more expensive but it would mean having something slightly different and not having to deal with PX.


and im being a little bit harsh saying they didnt want to know, they did, they offered me a crash replacement. Wonderful you think! but wait what was the price of the crash replacement... the same price as their website.

Squillinossett

spasypaddy wrote:

i had a px, my seat stay cracked after 3 years use. bike was incredibly well looked after and rarely used in bad weather for the first 2 years. Then last winter i used it twice a week but never crashed on it.

the seat stay cracked as i was just riding along, no pot hole no nothing.

PX didnt want to know.

This also happens to Madones

spasypaddy

Squillinossett wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

i had a px, my seat stay cracked after 3 years use. bike was incredibly well looked after and rarely used in bad weather for the first 2 years. Then last winter i used it twice a week but never crashed on it.

the seat stay cracked as i was just riding along, no pot hole no nothing.

PX didnt want to know.

This also happens to Madones

i hate trek bikes (dont like the way they ride) BUT their after sales service is 2nd to only specialized.

Squillinossett

spasypaddy wrote:

Squillinossett wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

i had a px, my seat stay cracked after 3 years use. bike was incredibly well looked after and rarely used in bad weather for the first 2 years. Then last winter i used it twice a week but never crashed on it.

the seat stay cracked as i was just riding along, no pot hole no nothing.

PX didnt want to know.

This also happens to Madones

i hate trek bikes (dont like the way they ride) BUT their after sales service is 2nd to only specialized.

Really?

There have been a fair few threads on here with people fighting with Trek over their frame warranty when they have either had seat tube, or bottom bracket cracks. From what I have seen, they offer service that is certainly sub par.

I also own a trek, so I dont dislike them, just dont have faith in their service

spasypaddy

really? ive dealt with them as a dealer and never had a problem with them.

specialized are incredible though, they used to replace from stock and then we'll send you a new item (on accessories). Send frame back, they would replace with minimal fuss for the next frame up.

gmb

spasypaddy wrote:

and im being a little bit harsh saying they didnt want to know, they did, they offered me a crash replacement. Wonderful you think! but wait what was the price of the crash replacement... the same price as their website.

There's a world of difference between "they didn't want to know" and they offered you the price of the frame as it was on their website!

I've owned a PX SL Pro for a couple of years now and really rate it. It's surprisingly comfortable for quite an aggressive geometry. PX were a pleasure to deal with, the frame/fork was dispatched quickly and the communications were excellent.

I would definitely buy a bike from them again.

See my picture below...

bazbadger

Stanley222 wrote:

I've been looking at Planet X bikes too however a few colleagues slate them and say the frame flex too much - when I ask however where they got that information from they just say "it's what I heard"
I was under the impression that the frames were fine and as above thousands are happy with theirs!?!

If PX frames were pants they wouldn't sell many. PX does not advertise and it's word of mouth that has got them where they are now.

No frame is perfect, but alot of what we think is good is based on price. Ie the more expensive the better.

If you can, visit the showroom and have a gander.

bsb1071

Thanks for all the comments! I have bought some other stuff from px, found their service - from answering email queries to shipping excellent. Prices are pretty good too. Esp for shipping to Ireland. I have to agree on the comments about the frames, everyone always has something to complain about. I'm interested in the nano that is on special offer at the moment, just trying to sort out right size. Everyone has told me to get a 53cm frame - personally find it too small, find 55/56 frames much more comfortable. Anyway, thats another story for another day, thanks again for the comments, much appreciated.

RDB66

I bought a PX SL Pro with full 6700 Ultegra back in Aug 09 when they were doing them for £999. Very good deal at the time.

Used it for about 10 months, all ok but not overly smitten.

I then bought a Canyon Ulimate CF F&F in the TDF Special last year for £630ish, swapped all the 6700 onto it, along with new wheels, bars and afew other bits.

The Canyon (for me) is a thousand times better, fantastic bike rides superb.

Would i buy another PX....No.

RDB66

Should have said above, the service i had from PX and Canyon have both been spot on.
Cant fault um on that.

cougie

Good value for the canyon but you're not comparing similar bikes ? The px frame isn't that expensive.

Also I think canyon are more expensive this year ?

spasypaddy

GMB wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

and im being a little bit harsh saying they didnt want to know, they did, they offered me a crash replacement. Wonderful you think! but wait what was the price of the crash replacement... the same price as their website.

There's a world of difference between "they didn't want to know" and they offered you the price of the frame as it was on their website!

well offering me a crash replacement makes it sound like they are doing me a favour when in fact i could just go to their website and pick up the bike at the same price. Also IMO they should want to see the damage/crack before making any decision as to whether it was an accident (it wasnt) or whether it was fatigue (Which shouldnt happen but did) so that they can maybe eliminate it from happening again.

Also i know for a fact that if you want to buy 200 frames from these manufacturers they cost £31 each. thats including delivery. PX are buying them in their thousands. God knows how cheaply they are getting them for but id anticipate its probably £10-15 cheaper. Yet they wont do a deal on a cracked frame.

ex-pat scot

are you really sure they are paying £31 per frame? Really?

spasypaddy

no they'll be paying less due to scales of economies.

desweller

spasypaddy wrote:

Also i know for a fact that if you want to buy 200 frames from these manufacturers they cost £31 each. thats including delivery.

I am calling bullshit on this one unless you can name a qualified source.

Squillinossett

DesWeller wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

Also i know for a fact that if you want to buy 200 frames from these manufacturers they cost £31 each. thats including delivery.

I am calling bullshit on this one unless you can name a qualified source.

I will second that, I cant see them getting them that cheaply. Im guessing will be a case of "x works for a bike shop/imported, but I cant name them for xxx reasons"

buder

spasypaddy wrote:

GMB wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

and im being a little bit harsh saying they didnt want to know, they did, they offered me a crash replacement. Wonderful you think! but wait what was the price of the crash replacement... the same price as their website.

There's a world of difference between "they didn't want to know" and they offered you the price of the frame as it was on their website!

well offering me a crash replacement makes it sound like they are doing me a favour when in fact i could just go to their website and pick up the bike at the same price. Also IMO they should want to see the damage/crack before making any decision as to whether it was an accident (it wasnt) or whether it was fatigue (Which shouldnt happen but did) so that they can maybe eliminate it from happening again.

Also i know for a fact that if you want to buy 200 frames from these manufacturers they cost £31 each. thats including delivery. PX are buying them in their thousands. God knows how cheaply they are getting them for but id anticipate its probably £10-15 cheaper. Yet they wont do a deal on a cracked frame.

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha made my day what a load of bullshit

Thanks for that proper made me laugh

spasypaddy

DesWeller wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

Also i know for a fact that if you want to buy 200 frames from these manufacturers they cost £31 each. thats including delivery.

I am calling bullshit on this one unless you can name a qualified source.

im not going to name my source, i do work in the industry and have got some good contacts. i have nothing to gain by making this up.

Squillinossett

spasypaddy wrote:

DesWeller wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

Also i know for a fact that if you want to buy 200 frames from these manufacturers they cost £31 each. thats including delivery.

I am calling bullshit on this one unless you can name a qualified source.

im not going to name my source, i do work in the industry and have got some good contacts. i have nothing to gain by making this up.

I refer to my prior post. You can understand why people are sceptical about such claims, for example, anyone can say:

Did you know that a full chorus groupset only costs 4 shillings to make. I cant tell you my source of this information as its from a friend who is in "the trade"

spasypaddy

yep thats fair enough but remember if people are going to these manufacturers direct (see the carbon frame from china thread) and getting them for £300 and the manufacturer is going to be making a decent wedge on that £300 imagine if they ordered 200.

i remember when people on these forums used to do a mass order for frames from china and then the mass order was coming in at around £200 a pop (IIRC) and a mass order was only 10 or so frames.

desweller

spasypaddy wrote:

DesWeller wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

Also i know for a fact that if you want to buy 200 frames from these manufacturers they cost £31 each. thats including delivery.

I am calling bullshit on this one unless you can name a qualified source.

im not going to name my source, i do work in the industry and have got some good contacts. i have nothing to gain by making this up.

Yup, that's why the internet is such a haven of honesty :roll: .

warrior4life

DesWeller wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

DesWeller wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

Also i know for a fact that if you want to buy 200 frames from these manufacturers they cost £31 each. thats including delivery.

I am calling bullshit on this one unless you can name a qualified source.

im not going to name my source, i do work in the industry and have got some good contacts. i have nothing to gain by making this up.

Yup, that's why the internet is such a haven of honesty :roll: .

I dont know if that price is exactly correct but I know its super cheap, I work in a shop a few miles from PX and know some staff and the price they pay for the frames, I thought it was £60ish but i cant be sure.
I was going to get one for myself but decided against it as i've owned two sl pro's, I had no issues with performance I just found it hard to get one that fit right, Tried med, lge and xl and with the compact geometry I just couldnt get a good fit. lge had a mile of seatpost and xl was to long.

As a company PX are great in every way, If they had a carbon frame i liked (I do like the current alu frame they do) I'd be riding one.

warrior4life

Love this, In the flesh it a fantastic looking bike and surprisingly light.

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... -road-bike