Factory visit and purchase: DREAM chance

Icabod14

I am in an enviable position far outside my income bracket that allows me to visit a European bike factory and purchase a bike, bringing it back to my location duty free. My options are Germany and Italy, but Switzerland is also possible.

Any thoughts? I am leaning towards Canyon in GER, but there are so many option in Italy. The only thing I cannot confirm is if Italian companies have factory showrooms, similar to what Canyon has in Koblensk. Any experience out there?

I am in the Balkans and there are no shops, and no one will deliver to my location. That is why I am considering this option.

Camcycle1974

I'd be heading to Legend in Italy if money were no object. Don't go Canyon, everybody and his brother has one. My mate had two. 1 snapped in a crash and the other arrived with faulty shifters which really shouldn't happen on a 4k bike.

matt_n-2

Colnago, obviously.

PinarelloPrince

Colnago would be nice. Pinarello even better ;-)

pblakeney

PinarelloPrince wrote:

Colnago would be nice. Pinarello even better ;-)

And Passoni raises the bar higher.

turbotommy

Colnago. I’m slightly biased, but the workshop and show room is supposed to be well worth a visit.

DeVlaeminck

PlanetX has a showroom

cougie

Canyon are good value for money but what is your budget ?
Sounds an interesting offer anyway.

arlowood

BMC is a possibility if you are able to add Switzerland to the options

https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/int-en/about/

On the growing list of Italian brands there's also Bianchi although as with many other manufacturers their frames are made in the Far East.

For a bike where the frame is still reputedly fabricated in Italy you could consider Ciocc

https://ciocc.it/shop?lang=en

bendertherobot

Epoca?
https://www.epocabikes.com/

rdt

Icabod14 wrote:

I am in an enviable position far outside my income bracket that allows me to visit a European bike factory and purchase a bike, bringing it back to my location duty free.

Put us out of our misery as to what turn of good fate lies behind this opportunity.

PinarelloPrince

DeVlaeminck wrote:

PlanetX has a showroom

Colnago, Pinarello, BMC. Mmmmmm let me think. No, I'll go for the Planet X

imposter2.0

rdt wrote:

Icabod14 wrote:

I am in an enviable position far outside my income bracket that allows me to visit a European bike factory and purchase a bike, bringing it back to my location duty free.

Put us out of our misery as to what turn of good fate lies behind this opportunity.

Politicians, money laundering and diplomatic baggage - it's the only explanation...

londoncommuter

Or visit the factory and while you're there make your own frame:

https://www.reillycycleworks.com/pages/frame-school

jgsi

DeVlaeminck

PinarelloPrince wrote:

DeVlaeminck wrote:

PlanetX has a showroom

Colnago, Pinarello, BMC. Mmmmmm let me think. No, I'll go for the Planet X

I suppose South Yorkshire wasn't on his list.

Camcycle1974

PinarelloPrince wrote:

DeVlaeminck wrote:

PlanetX has a showroom

Colnago, Pinarello, BMC. Mmmmmm let me think. No, I'll go for the Planet X

lol. I'm hoping it was tongue in cheek.

Camcycle1974

Some people don't read too well. He's in the Balkans therefore South Yorkshire or Brighton are unlikely to be of much use. Germany, Italy or Switzerland were in the brief. I'd much rather have a boutique Italian than a common or garden German bike.

PinarelloPrince

Camcycle1974 wrote:

PinarelloPrince wrote:

DeVlaeminck wrote:

PlanetX has a showroom

Colnago, Pinarello, BMC. Mmmmmm let me think. No, I'll go for the Planet X

lol. I'm hoping it was tongue in cheek.

Indeed it was. I've ridden bikes for about 50 years and have owned more than I could count. The Planet X Pro carbon I rode about 10 years was without doubt the worst bike I've ever ridden. But some people like them and as long as they're happy.

Camcycle1974

PinarelloPrince wrote:

Camcycle1974 wrote:

PinarelloPrince wrote:

DeVlaeminck wrote:

PlanetX has a showroom

Colnago, Pinarello, BMC. Mmmmmm let me think. No, I'll go for the Planet X

lol. I'm hoping it was tongue in cheek.

Indeed it was. I've ridden bikes for about 50 years and have owned more than I could count. The Planet X Pro carbon I rode about 10 years was without doubt the worst bike I've ever ridden. But some people like them and as long as they're happy.

I was referring to the original comment. Ironic post hopefully. Iv'e never had a PX bike personally but I know people who have and they always seem to change them quite quickly.

craigus89

Canyon? Lol

I'm being treated to a meal out tonight, anywhere I like the Mrs is paying for it all. It's great because I'm a bit of a foodie so really looking forward to it.

I'm thinking KFC.

imposter2.0

PinarelloPrince wrote:

Indeed it was. I've ridden bikes for about 50 years and have owned more than I could count. The Planet X Pro carbon I rode about 10 years was without doubt the worst bike I've ever ridden. But some people like them and as long as they're happy.

I'd be interested to know more about the specifics of why it was the 'worst bike' you've ever ridden? And if you could do that without mentioning your '50 years experience' again, that would be great...

jgsi

Imposter wrote:

PinarelloPrince wrote:

Indeed it was. I've ridden bikes for about 50 years and have owned more than I could count. The Planet X Pro carbon I rode about 10 years was without doubt the worst bike I've ever ridden. But some people like them and as long as they're happy.

I'd be interested to know more about the specifics of why it was the 'worst bike' you've ever ridden? And if you could do that without mentioning your '50 years experience' again, that would be great...

I know plebs wouldnt understand the how hi end sh it like Pinas totally outride working class sh it like PXs.
I'm bringing class into it as well as age , PP you are a condescending tw at.
We have had threads recently as to how sexist and macho cycling was, is and seemingly always to be, but this real idiotic snobbery does also top the list.

ugo.santalucia

It's funny how these "great bikes to ride" like those Colnago and whatnot which are supposed to be a different breed are never seen in long distance cycling.
If they are such great bikes, you would expect them to be the first choice for anyone who needs to spend more than the customary couple of hours on the saddle.

On the other hand, I regularly see a lot of Planet X, Dolan, Ribble, Genesis...

My suspicion is that all these bike connoisseurs, who can tell their De Rosa from their Pegoretti, in reality rarely ride their bike... the clue is in the fact that they always look brand new :-)

bondurant

I saw two Colnagos in the last audax I did.

ugo.santalucia

Bondurant wrote:

I saw two Colnagos in the last audax I did.

Club riders

gsk82

PinarelloPrince wrote:

DeVlaeminck wrote:

PlanetX has a showroom

Colnago, Pinarello, BMC. Mmmmmm let me think. No, I'll go for the Planet X

I'd take a planet x over a Pinarello every day of the week.

ugo.santalucia

More relevant to the OP... do these companies actually offer "tours" and if they do, do they involve flying to Taipei?

letap73

It's a little sad that this has descending into the relative merits of boutique brands vs cheap factory built brands.
In answer to Ops question:

http://festka.com/

ugo.santalucia

letap73 wrote:

It's a little sad that this has descending into the relative merits of boutique brands vs cheap factory built brands.
In answer to Ops question:

http://festka.com/

Is there any thread about "what bike?" that doesn't descend into boutique Vs budget?

letap73

Agreed, however, I am just disappointed that the discussion becomes binary and very rarely respects both boutique and budget options.