Factory visit and purchase: DREAM chance

Camcycle1974

The budget appears to be in place so it would be mad not to go boutique and custom imo. Can't see the point of visiting somewhere like Canyon and then buying a bike off the shelf. If funds allow then a custom carbon from someone like Legend would be what I would spend my money on.

DeVlaeminck

Not in the countries specified but in reality I would be tempted by a Look. A large part of that is I owned one for many years and it'd be partly a sentimental choice. For the same reason if I were to get a custom steel bike I'd probably go with Mercian because I am local to them.

However neither of these would be what I'd call value for money in terms of performance - I actually ride a Neil Pryde Bura SL I bought in a sale - it's stiff, light and is more confidence inspiring on descents than any other bike I've owned.

For the OP I would choose the bike that you desire and none of us can really tell you what that is. I don't think it'd be mad to go off the shelf rather than custom in terms of the frame unless he's got very unusual geometry requirements.

turbotommy

ugo.santalucia wrote:

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 :-)

Well... my longest ride on my c64 is probably only around around 100 miles, I’ve been to the Pyrenees for a week and I’m off to the alps in a few weeks time. I’ve only had it a few months but I guess by your standards it may as well be sat on a shelf with those numbers...

The op was asking about dream bikes not what bikes you’re likely to see on an endurance ride. Is it really a revelation that you see more lower budget bikes than higher budget bikes? You used to be a useful source of information on this forum. Why not try and keep your snobbery to yourself and you might avoid falling into the same bracket as many of the other ‘regulars’ around this fast declining forum.

ugo.santalucia

Probably because my knowledge is fast declining in the face of a constant stream of new standards, just like this forum... :-)

Moonbiker

Cinelli Laser Mia



Made by columbus in itay apparently

Icabod14

Thank you for all of the responses. To clarify a few things, the "dream" in the title refers more to the opportunity than the bike, or the budget. The "opportunity" to do something like this stems from my current gig where my housing expenses are covered for a few years while I am working in the Balkans.

I settled on Italy, and started a conversation with someone at Epoca. Really, I didn't even know these places existed (the hand made, boutique shops, doing bespoke bicycles). Some others like Cinelli and Formigli are clearly out of my price range. Colnago makes the C64 in Italy and you can apparently visit the showroom. That's appealing.

The hard part is trying to price out the hand-made bikes - there is relatively little info out there. The owner quoted the frames/forks so I guess I could look up each part individually and come up with something, but you could see that price climbing quickly. The reviews I read from happy customers are clearly written by those to which price was not a concern/obstacle. I will continue the conversation with Epoca and try Legend as well. Keep the tips coming!

BTW, I currently ride a Trek Emonda SL6 and I have been happy with it over the last few yrs. So, nothing wrong with off-the-shelf. It was a big step up from my last bike.

ugo.santalucia

Icabod14 wrote:

I settled on Italy, and started a conversation with someone at Epoca. .

Don't you find that their designs/paintworks look no different from something you can buy for a lot less? Generic black frames with bad typography big logos?

At least Colnagos do look a little bit special

matt_n-2

Stelbel?

gsk82

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Icabod14 wrote:

I settled on Italy, and started a conversation with someone at Epoca. .

Don't you find that their designs/paintworks look no different from something you can buy for a lot less? Generic black frames with bad typography big logos?

At least Colnagos do look a little bit special

The colnago c60 and c50 are the best looking looking bikes around. Unfortunately when I had a c60 demo bike for a week this time last year, I found it was an incredibly boring and uninspiring experience. It just felt heavy and unresponsive.

At the time i decided against a custom build on the grounds that the frame will inevitably be inferior to an off the shelf frame at the same price. Any benefit from customisation isn't going to be any greater than changing your stem or saddle position on your non custom frame.

Icabod14

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Icabod14 wrote:

I settled on Italy, and started a conversation with someone at Epoca. .

Don't you find that their designs/paintworks look no different from something you can buy for a lot less? Generic black frames with bad typography big logos?

At least Colnagos do look a little bit special

From what I understood from the conversation you can choose any colors you like for the frame, 2 color scheme included in the price, and anything additional at a surcharge. The logos are the logos and they aren't the most exciting. The website has pics of personalized paint jobs and he sent me a few additional pics. So, I don't think the paintwork is a limiting factor.

pippi_langsamer-2

Basso?

Don't see many Diamante SVs about, and they're the best looking "aero", bike currently out there I think......if indeed that was what you were after!

ademort

PBlakeney wrote:

PinarelloPrince wrote:

Colnago would be nice. Pinarello even better ;-)

And Passoni raises the bar higher.

Then you can go
http://dreambike.com/pegoretti.htm and raise the roof.

pblakeney

ademort wrote:

PBlakeney wrote:

PinarelloPrince wrote:

Colnago would be nice. Pinarello even better ;-)

And Passoni raises the bar higher.

Then you can go
http://dreambike.com/pegoretti.htm and raise the roof.

Sadly, you will only be able to get NOS.

Icabod14

Update: I am talking to Ali at Epoca and a Basso dealer in Athens. Both have been super responsive, esp Epoca, who are going above-and-beyond answering questions and sending quotes. That said, I am leaning heavy towards Basso.

Why? I priced Epoca for the R30 frame with standard one-color paint and Campy Chorus mechanical (without EU tax), and it came in a touch more expensive than Basso Diamante SV with Ultegra. Both with Italian aluminum clinchers (Miche and Microtech, respectively).

Basso is so beautiful, and there are enough reviews out there to inspire confidence. I just don't love the R30 and moving up to the R50, which I prefer, means sacrificing on the wheels and the groupset to bring it back into budget. Which defeats the purpose.

If I head in this direction then I have to decide Diamante SV with Ultegra (maybe Di2), or Diamante with Campagnolo Record EPS. I plan to go the disc option, which I know will inspire encouragement, and vitriol, in equal parts.

Interested to hear people's thoughts.

pippi_langsamer-2

Well, I think you need to figure out

A) do you want Shimano or Campag?
do you want electronic or mechanical?

Ultegra (maybe DI2), or Campag EPS sounds incredibly indecisive lol!

Good choice on the Basso. IMO, I'd go SV with Di2

Camcycle1974

Basso, it's gorgeous!

matt_n-2

PBlakeney wrote:

ademort wrote:

PBlakeney wrote:

PinarelloPrince wrote:

Colnago would be nice. Pinarello even better ;-)

And Passoni raises the bar higher.

Then you can go
http://dreambike.com/pegoretti.htm and raise the roof.

Sadly, you will only be able to get NOS.

I'm pretty confident the Pegoretti brand will continue to make and paint frames, most likely led by Pietro.

Whilst you won't get a Dario fitted, assembled or painted one, you'll get one made in the same factory by (most of ) the same people. Standard geometry and paint schemes will be produced without any issue.

How they tackle the custom fitted and Ciavete paint schemes that Dario led on will be the hard bit, for many reasons.

Icabod14

Update: I narrowed it down to Basso and Bianchi and finally decided on a Bianchi Specialissima, Campy Chorus, all Italian bits and pieces. Found a shop in Germany to put it all together and they did a beautiful job. But they told me they could ship "anywhere" and then went and shipped the bike to one country, transiting thru another country that doesn't recognize it. So, my beautiful bike never arrived and they refunded my money in full 45 days after it shipped. F'in nightmare. I am back where I started. International trade is a farce.

shirley_basso

Why not get it assembled by your Lbs?

The specialissima looks amazing in pink.

I'd get a passoni

svetty

Cyfac?

Having said this I have hired a Diamante SV a couple of times through Igor at Basso. It handles extremely well.....

napoleond

How about a trip to see Berk in Slovakia? Some interesting stuff he’s doing.

imposter2.0

Icabod14 wrote:

Found a shop in Germany to put it all together and they did a beautiful job. But they told me they could ship "anywhere" and then went and shipped the bike to one country, transiting thru another country that doesn't recognize it. So, my beautiful bike never arrived and they refunded my money in full 45 days after it shipped. F'in nightmare. I am back where I started. International trade is a farce.

Are you in Kosovo? If so, the problem is not 'international trade', the problem is 'Serbian diplomacy'...

cycleclinic

No one has mention Sarto.

Yes where are you. Shipping bikes to some countries is a real problem as the carriers wont take them.

Freight is another option which tends to be more expensve. Where there a will and an open wallet theres a way.

pblakeney

thecycleclinic wrote:

Where there a will and an open wallet theres a way.

Not always an open wallet required either. I once did a "skiing holiday" where I travelled without but returned with on public transport, for massive savings. Imagination may be all you need for a "cycling holiday".

imposter2.0

thecycleclinic wrote:

Where there a will and an open wallet theres a way.

Except when you live in the middle of a potential war zone...