Summer project to build winter bike

arlowood

I'm afraid the n+1 bug has bitten after some crappy riding days on my Trek Madone 5.9 over the winter. Did fit it with some Cruds before Christmas bit it's not ideal and I would be happier with something more dedicated to winter riding.

My idea is to source a suitable frame that will take full guards and acquire the componentry bit by bit over the spring to give me a build project for the summer months. Have drawn up a short list of potential frames at a sensible cost and just wondered if I was missing anything else. Also any experience on the performance of any of these frames when built up would be great.

Dolan Preffisio - ~£200
Planet X Kaffenback - £140
Kinesis T2 - £240
Tifosi CK7 - £245
Ribble Sportive 7005 - £120

Prices are as currently quoted on various websites. Some come with forks (eg Dolan) but others will require extra spending to include forks with mudguard eyelets (eg Kinesis, Tifosi, Ribble)

mr_mojo

I've got a Ribble Audax frame with Alpina Forks and headset for sale if you're after a cheap frame for your project. The frame is used with a few scratches etc but no damage or dints to the tubes. It could be respayed and would then look like new. Looking for £75 posted. PM if interested.

Grill

The Dolan Preffisio is a really nice frame. That's what I'd go for.

infopete

I've just ordered the Ribble 365 to replace my Dolan winter 7005 frame and intend to have it on the road as soon as the chain gets from Taiwan

I like the Dolan 7005 but it's such a harsh ride so I'm hoping the Ribble 365 will be better.

Garry H

Grill wrote:

The Dolan Preffisio is a really nice frame. That's what I'd go for.

It's the same frame as the ribble audax though isn't it? Prefer the colour of the ribble though.

arlowood

Garry H wrote:

Grill wrote:

The Dolan Preffisio is a really nice frame. That's what I'd go for.

It's the same frame as the ribble audax though isn't it? Prefer the colour of the ribble though.

Hi Garry

Spot on. Have just gone to the Ribble and Dolan sites and compared the geometries and they are identical for the Preffisio and the Ribble Audax 7005 (Horizontal). However Ribble do a Sportive 7005 that has a more "compact" style geometry and that is the one I have on my shortlist

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... ibbfrar230

Comes to around the same price as the Dolan when you add in the forks

Bordersroadie

arlowood wrote:

My idea is to source a suitable frame that will take full guards

Dolan Preffisio - ~£200
Planet X Kaffenback - £140
Kinesis T2 - £240
Tifosi CK7 - £245
Ribble Sportive 7005 - £120

I did oodles of research and ended up with the T2 a while back. Great frame, with proper mudguard clearance with 25c tyres, so make sure the one you choose has this. When you ride on rural roads the sh1te soons builds up so you really don't want the faff of the guards rubbing and/or continually needing adjustment.

EDIT: just because a frame has mudguard mounts it doesn't mean that proper guards will have decent clearance - naughty frame manufacturers!

I have a feeling that only the Dolan from your list doesn't have proper clearance for SKS Chromoplastic plus 25c tyres - and maybe the Tifosi's a bit tight too, someone may verify? Do not settle for anything less. If it's a proper winter bike don't waste your time with those raceblade type guards.

Hanners

Ive just built up a Genesis Equilibrium as my winter steed and i cant fault the ride it feels a great bike to ride with mounts for full guards.

arlowood

Just a quick update on progress with above project.

After much deliberation and trawling classifieds on here + Fleabay, I finally pushed the button on a Forme Longcliffe frame being offered by Paul Milnes Cucles. Might not be the lightest alu frame out there but it does have the benefit of full mudguard mounts and more to the point, its geometry is almost identical to my current Trek Madone so it should be easy to dial in my set up for optimum comfort. Link to frame bought is here:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160973266526? ... 1438.l2649

Also the Forme Longcliffe did pretty well in a recent review in Cycling Active so hopefully it will provide a decent basis for my winter hack.

Still working on sourcing the drivetrain bits etc.

luv2ride

The Tifosi CK7 has good frame clearance, I'm running 25mm Michelin Krylions with SKS Chromoplastic P35 mudguards with no issues. Its great going out in all weathers having a comfy ride over crap road surfaces and not having mud jam between guards and tyres 8) I'm loving my CK7 and would recommend, built up the frame and forks with SRAM Apex.