new frame <£1K

BristolPablo

apologies for the highly orginal and creative(!) first thread but i am looking for a new frame and dont really know where to begin.

- Budget is £1K
- I weigh 82 kgs though hope to get down to 75 by spring 2012 (yeah right!)
- I mostly ride 100 mile+ sportives and the occasional duathlon with 10-30 mile bike legs
- I will be using 50mm carbon clinchers/Fulrcum Racing 5s

Things I am considering;
Cervelo S1
Ribble Stealth/Gran Fondo
Enigma Eclipse/Van Nicholas Euros (i know its over budget but as a bike for life Ti does appeal)
Dolan Hercules
Ridley Icarus
Planet X nanolight

what else should i look at? as you can see, frame material isnt an issue really, possibly it should be but I want a good all rounder and at the level of riding I do, worrying about marginal losses through flex or not having the bling factor isnt a concern.

I dont mind leftfield suggestions but value for money is a key principle. This is probably going to be the only bike i buy in the next five years or so.

vmt

noiseboyfeetman

Shop near me has just started starting stocking Argon 18 framesets, which I think look fantastic, the Krypton falls in your price range as does the E80. I've no idea what the frames are like, all I know is they look nice!

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/Product/21332/argon-18-krypton-frameset-2010.asp
http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/Product/20487/argon-18-e80-frameset-2011.asp

There is a review of the E80 here http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/time-trial-triathlon/product/review-argon-18-e80-11-45069/ which even though they say is weighty would probably help you in your quest for dualthon glory!

EarlyGo

Pablo,

Sorry can't comment on the others but I have a Van NIch Euros. Frame is awesome. Superb ride with no road buzz and good over the bumps. Very responsive and light too. Build quality is faultless, every weld is perfect and it looks great!

Van Nich's warranty is good too. Lifetime guarantee on the frame (that's first owners lifetime) and if you want to sell it then you can send it back to them and for £80 they will overhaul it, re-badge it and return it with a full new warranty for the next owner. Also if you total the frame in an accident, even if it was your fault they will replace the frame for half price!

If you do decide on a Van Nich frame then ring Fat Birds in Norfolk as they are the largest importer and were over a £100 cheaper for the frame than my local dealer.

Regards, EarlyGo

BristolPablo

had a look at Fat Birds and the Lynskey Sportive/Cooper caught me eye, probably out of budget but worth asking if anyone rides one?

noiseboyfeetman

BristolPablo wrote:

had a look at Fat Birds and the Lynskey Sportive/Cooper caught me eye, probably out of budget but worth asking if anyone rides one?

I've got a Lynskey Sportive, had it since May and I absolutely love it. The ride is extremely comfortable and I can easily spend 5 hours in the saddle and still feel like I could go on for more when I get off. Its extremely responsive, I personally find no flex in the ti frame and i'm 90kg so not the lightest rider. The 3T finishing kit I had it built up with is decent kit which looks the part and the Campag Athena groupset I love and the Fulcrum Racing 5 wheelset, which you mentioned is on it and give a decent ride. I recently did the 79 mile New Forest Rattler on it, my first sportive at 4hrs 48mins which I was pretty chuffed with being my first organised event so as the names suggests it ideal for sportives. I personally couldn't recommend the Sportive enough if long days in the saddle are what you're after.