Wilier Montegrappa
richardgroom
Posts: 3
Hi,
I am new to the road bike scene and am just looking to get started really. I only have a budget of £700 which in road bike terms is peanuts I know. Despite being handicapped with relatively shallow pockets I would like a bike that I can start off using competitively, albeit at a low level. - So I am thinking local cycling club racing etc....
I know there is the obvious option of continue to save until I have a bigger pot of cash to go to war with, but I want to get started now so £700 it is....
With my aspirations to get into some racing I was looking at the Specialized Allez Sport and the Felt F95 purely down the the racier geometry. I could get a better deal if I wait until August and then go for a Giant bike as I have been told that the 2012 models will be on sale with approximately 20% off, but the Giants in my price range are the lower end of the 'Defy' range, which come with a more relaxed upright geometry so for this reason alone I have rules these out.
Anyways... On sunday I visited my local bike shop and the sales guy (very helpful and knowledgable btw) threw me a curve ball when he suggested the Wilier Montegrappa at £650. His justifcation being that for the money it has the best frame, and although the components are partially sacrificed to fund the better frame in this price category, he advised choosing a better frame rather than choosing an over specced bike that has sacrificed the frame to squeeze all the bells and whistles into a budget bike (makes sense!)....
So, with this new angle to consider I took to Google to hunt for the reviews, just as I had done with the Specialized, Felt, Trek, Giant, etc etc. This is where I hit a snag... I cant find any reviews for the bike. I did find one or two for the Montegrappa Xenon, but I'm not sure if that is exactly the same bike?
So I am hoping that you guys and girls on here that have more knowledge than me would be so kind as to give me your thoughts and opinions on this bike please.
Many Thanks!
Richard
I am new to the road bike scene and am just looking to get started really. I only have a budget of £700 which in road bike terms is peanuts I know. Despite being handicapped with relatively shallow pockets I would like a bike that I can start off using competitively, albeit at a low level. - So I am thinking local cycling club racing etc....
I know there is the obvious option of continue to save until I have a bigger pot of cash to go to war with, but I want to get started now so £700 it is....
With my aspirations to get into some racing I was looking at the Specialized Allez Sport and the Felt F95 purely down the the racier geometry. I could get a better deal if I wait until August and then go for a Giant bike as I have been told that the 2012 models will be on sale with approximately 20% off, but the Giants in my price range are the lower end of the 'Defy' range, which come with a more relaxed upright geometry so for this reason alone I have rules these out.
Anyways... On sunday I visited my local bike shop and the sales guy (very helpful and knowledgable btw) threw me a curve ball when he suggested the Wilier Montegrappa at £650. His justifcation being that for the money it has the best frame, and although the components are partially sacrificed to fund the better frame in this price category, he advised choosing a better frame rather than choosing an over specced bike that has sacrificed the frame to squeeze all the bells and whistles into a budget bike (makes sense!)....
So, with this new angle to consider I took to Google to hunt for the reviews, just as I had done with the Specialized, Felt, Trek, Giant, etc etc. This is where I hit a snag... I cant find any reviews for the bike. I did find one or two for the Montegrappa Xenon, but I'm not sure if that is exactly the same bike?
So I am hoping that you guys and girls on here that have more knowledge than me would be so kind as to give me your thoughts and opinions on this bike please.
Many Thanks!
Richard
0
Comments
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lovely looking bike - go with your heart!http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR20 -
A Wilier Montegrappa Xenon is a Wilier Montegrappa with Campagnolo Xenon groupset. The Xenon groupset was Campag's lowest gruppo that they stopped offficially supplying back in 2009 (as they did with Mirage) to concentrate on the higher end kit. However, both Xenon and Mirage appear as OEM bits on Italian bikes such as Wilier and Bianchi.
Even though it's bottom of the range, it's still as good as the Sora kit on the other bikes mentioned. Googling brings back two versions, the Montegrappa Sora (£750) and the Montegrappa Xenon (£900). They look identical barring the groupset.
Personally, I'd go for the Wilier (Xenon if I had a choice) and save up for some new wheels and rubber next spring (those being the next most important thing after frame in my opinion).0 -
Thanks for your replies, you have helped clarify things for the uneducated (me....)
I think that I will go for the Wilier, as that was already the way I was leaning barring any horror stories being unearthed on here which thankfully they weren't.
The way I see it, with a good frame you can upgrate the wheels, groupset etc. If your frame isnt upto scratch and needs replacing, well then you may as well buy a new bike....0
