Help me spec my Planet-X

Robd263
Robd263 Posts: 52
edited January 2014 in Road buying advice
Afternoon all

After weeks of questions and considering just about every bike under the sun, I have decided to go for the Planet-X Pro Carbon SRAM Rival - thanks for all the advice I have been given so far.

I now just need to spec it. There are two options available to me. The standard and the Franco Bianco ltd edition both are the same price.

Having looked at this, the only differences are as follows below. The Bianco, (the first of the two options below)seems from my basic understanding to have the better (marginally better equipment am I correct in this or is there nothing in it? It is also marginally lighter but just over 100g which isnt really a huge selling point to me, but always nice right?

Planet X Ultra Light FORGED Brake Calipers vs Tektro R320 Brake Caliper
Selcof KP06 Aluminium Handlebar vs Planet X Road Bar Strada Shallow Drop
Stem - Selcof KA04 Aluminium vs On-One 3D Forged Stem
Planet X AL30 Wheelset vs Shimano R501 C30 Clincher
Tyre - Vittoria Zaffiro Pro 2 Road Folding Tyre 23mm vs Continental Ultrasport Wire Bead Tyre 23 mm
Saddle - 4ZAStratos vs Planet X Superlight Team
Selcof MC03 Carbon Seatpost vs On-One Twelfty MTB Seatpost

I will also then have some questions about the possible upgrades but want to make sure I am looking at the better specced model as they both have different upgrade options.

Oh, and I plan to go for the Matt Black with White Trimmings regardless of the edition I go for.

Comments

  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    First option
    Better brakes, bars & stem equal, better wheels, better tyres, better post, saddles equal IMO.
    My money would be the first option. :)
  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,780
    better wheels & tyres on the franko, go with that
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • Robd263
    Robd263 Posts: 52
    OK great. Franko Bianco it is then.

    Next question, which of the following optional upgrades are worth it or not and which would you go for? I don't want stuff for the sake of it but if it's worth it I'm happy to spend. I can pretty much do all of them for under £100.

    Brakes - from planet x ultra light forged to either planet x ultra light CNC or SRAM force (both options an extra £40)

    Cassette - SRAM PG 1030 to SRAM PG 1050 (£9) or 1070 (£15) - seems a no brainer given the cost

    Chain - SRAM PC 1031 to 1071 (£15)

    Saddle - from 4ZA stratos to planet x superlight (£5) or planet x sportive ultra (£10) guess this depends on comfort so will probably go for sportive as it's what it's mainly for.

    Vittoria zafirra pro 2 folding tyre to continental ultrasport folding (£6) again no brainer unless the continental is actually worse!?

    Appreciate any advice you can give. If someone were also willing to explain what the differences are an upgrades will mean / give me then that would be even better.

    Thanks as always.
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    My choice would be, brakes keep same (extra cash for no significant difference IMO), cassette 1050 is fine for extra few £s, chain & tyres I would stick with until they wear out and saddle depends on your backside. :)