Frameset prices, why the difference?

starwarsissick
starwarsissick Posts: 4
edited August 2016 in Road buying advice
(Heads up I am new to road biking in particular so may include seemingly stupid or wrong questions/comments)

So I have been looking at building a track-road bike hybrid which will have a track bike frameset. I went over to retrogression as they specialise in this and I noticed something that was not clear to me. The discrepancy in frameset prices was pretty extreme. Don't get me wrong the price of framesets were no what bothered me, it was the DIFFERENCE in prices. I have attached a table comparing 5 framesets, these sets are all relatively similar in specifications but the cost for some are almost half others. What is going on here what makes them have such a gap, 200g weight? Type of aluminum? Thanks in advance guys :Diy28ad.png

Comments

  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    starwarsissick wrote:
    (Heads up I am new to road biking in particular so may include seemingly stupid or wrong questions/comments)

    So I have been looking at building a track-road bike hybrid which will have a track bike frameset. I went over to retrogression as they specialise in this and I noticed something that was not clear to me. The discrepancy in frameset prices was pretty extreme. Don't get me wrong the price of framesets were no what bothered me, it was the DIFFERENCE in prices. I have attached a table comparing 5 framesets, these sets are all relatively similar in specifications but the cost for some are almost half others. What is going on here what makes them have such a gap, 200g weight? Type of aluminum? Thanks in advance guys :Diy28ad.png

    Could be down to grade of alloy used

    6066 is Magnesium based alloy while 7005 is Zinc based and apparently more difficult to form into lightweight/strong tubing.

    This article might help with some explanation

    https://www.reddit.com/r/FixedGearBicyc ... _aluminum/
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Cinelli frames are horrifically over-priced in general, if that helps.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Cinelli tax, also known as hipster tax.

    I'm sat next to my Vigorelli Vigorosa and there is added complexity in the tubes used, whether this increases cost I'm really not sure?! The seat stays are 'bladed' and the top tube starts round and seamlessly finishes in a near triangle shape as it reaches the head tube.
  • starwarsissick
    starwarsissick Posts: 4
    Imposter wrote:
    Cinelli frames are horrifically over-priced in general, if that helps.
    So basically I'm paying for a "designer" brand frame? That makes sense as no other framesets came within the ballpark of these. So if I just bought a frameset with the same 7005 alloy it would probably be much better? (Spec wise some framesets seemed to be better even without the price gap)
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    starwarsissick wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    Cinelli frames are horrifically over-priced in general, if that helps.
    So basically I'm paying for a "designer" brand frame? That makes sense as no other framesets came within the ballpark of these. So if I just bought a frameset with the same 7005 alloy it would probably be much better? (Spec wise some framesets seemed to be better even without the price gap)

    Buying another frameset won't necessarily be better (because we don't know which frameset you are buying), but it is unlikely to be worse. You are also unlikely to notice the difference between various grades of aluminium when out on a ride.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,242
    Dolan
    left the forum March 2023
  • starwarsissick
    starwarsissick Posts: 4
    Imposter wrote:
    starwarsissick wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    Cinelli frames are horrifically over-priced in general, if that helps.
    So basically I'm paying for a "designer" brand frame? That makes sense as no other framesets came within the ballpark of these. So if I just bought a frameset with the same 7005 alloy it would probably be much better? (Spec wise some framesets seemed to be better even without the price gap)

    Buying another frameset won't necessarily be better (because we don't know which frameset you are buying), but it is unlikely to be worse. You are also unlikely to notice the difference between various grades of aluminium when out on a ride.

    I was leaning towards the Aventon diamond frameset, it just seems to be the best out of them for the price. I personally didnt see the allure of spending more money considering it all. I am however, open to opinions what one would you select?
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    I would select a Dolan Precursa.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    If you're using a track frame make sure you can use brakes on it.

    Track frames are great for the track. Not great on roads.
  • dyrlac
    dyrlac Posts: 751
    Imposter wrote:
    I would select a Dolan Precursa.

    Or the Dolan FXE (see sig), which is drilled for brakes and has fripperies like bottle and mudguard bosses for £15 more, but is otherwise the same metal.
    All my Dolans
    Cannondale CAADX
    Charge Plug 1
  • pastryboy
    pastryboy Posts: 1,385
    Imposter wrote:
    Cinelli frames are horrifically over-priced in general, if that helps.

    Don't they make their own frames in the US with their Columbus parts?
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    pastryboy wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    Cinelli frames are horrifically over-priced in general, if that helps.

    Don't they make their own frames in the US with their Columbus parts?

    The steel frames may well still be made in Italy, but I think the ally stuff is from Asia. Not that it really matters in terms of quality...
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Big made in China sticker on the bottom of my Vig..

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