Quick, fun carbon frame for self build

fatdaz

I'm looking for a frame for a new self build project. I have a couple of endurance geometry bikes and this fits my normal requirements as I'm 85kg and most of my rides are 80-160km on reasonably lumpy terrain. I do periodic 25-30km hill "sprint" sessions and half a dozen triathlons every year and I'm about to start doing a weekly 10-mile TT as well. With all this in mind I'm looking at building a racier build to see if it's more fun to ride for these shorter faster sessions.

I'm looking for recommendations for a suitable frame to base the build on. It doesn't have to be an aero frame as I'm not a particularly aero rider but I'd like a nimble, responsive frame to see if it's quicker and fun. I don't really have a budget in mind but I don't think I'd want to spend more than about £1K on the frame

letap73

if this is the right size - none much better than this at the price:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m6b0s25p66 ... -ONLY-2015

arlowood

letap73 wrote:

if this is the right size - none much better than this at the price:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m6b0s25p66 ... -ONLY-2015

Agree that the Pauls Cycles offering looks great - however it does have one drawback IMHO - the pressfit BB. I have done several builds over the past few years but in each case have steered clear of any frames with pressfit BB's. I know production models with this design can have problems with creaking and poor fit so it's something I would avoid if your doing a self build.

With concerns over opening another can of worms I would tentatively suggest one of the Planet X carbon frames.
At the low budget end is the Pro Carbon.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRPXPCRFFD ... d-frameset

Mid-budget is the RT-57

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRPXRT57BS ... reviewstab

or top of your buget is the RT90

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRPXRT90/p ... d-frameset

All have standard threaded BSA BB's so straighforward in that department.

dork_knight

What about the Storck Visioner C G2;
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... -15-49528/

Over budget but not by much;
http://www.formbycycles.co.uk/storck-vi ... meset.html

There's also Dolan and maybe some deals if you keep monitoring the Canyon Factory Outlet.

MikeBrew

The Ultegra RT90 full bike is £1299 so buying just the framset for £999 would seem a little off.
Also the RT57 is described in the specs as a BB30 bottom bracket, and in the "blurb" as a threaded BB. It was a BB30 a couple of years back when they first introduced it. It may have changed, but the site makes it quite unclear .

That said, BB30 and PF bottom brackets aren't, in reality, as problematic as the urban myths would have it. The fact is that ,needing some tools that not everyone one has, they aren't as idiot proof as threaded cup BB s.
Though when a decent press tool is available from Wiggle for £33.00, you have to wonder why some people insist of trying to fit them using a variety of home made implements,including pieces of 4 by 2 and a lump hammer. Hence more people make a hash of fitting and servicing them, then whine online about what a poor design it is.

Obviously, the Evo frame-set is several leagues up from The PX offerings.

fatdaz

I was planning to hang fire a few weeks to get the money together but that EVO frame is the right size and I'm enormously tempted

letap73

Dolans are excellent value and very highly rated:
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-fr ... arbon.html