I've decided to invest in a new road frame and fork but coming from an MTB background I'm kinda lost. Currently have a carbon cube GTC which has been spot on. After two winters it now need replacing (but will keep for winter duties) so looking for something special but also functional (fast, lightweight, good handling, comfort). Will use the dura ace 7800 from the cube and easton SLX wheelset.
I know I'm on the wrong forum must just looking for a nudge in the right direction and I'll take it from there. Budget 1.5k. Had been looking at a Specialized Venge but reviews not great.
Plan to ride 50/100mile sportives, local road races and 10+25's week.
How bout a nice Ti Enigma? Maybe the Echo or Eclipse?
Top End? Add a couple of thousand to the budget then 🙂
Still, £1500 should get you something rather nice. Need to be carbon?
Why does it need replacing?Alek - Member
Currently have a carbon cube GTC which has been spot on. After two winters it now need replacing (but will keep for winter duties)
Scott Foil or Cervelo's S5 are both aero frames like the Venge
Might get one of these in budget if you shop about
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cinelli-estrada-frameset-2012/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&utm_content=Cinelli-Cinelli_Estrada_Frameset_2012-Red_Sea
Ugh...summer bike pressed into winter bike duties?
Cheapskate!
How bout a nice Ti Enigma? Maybe the Echo or Eclipse?
But he said he wanted something special and top end!
That argon looks good. Had my eye on one last year.
But does it tick the boxes: fast, lightweight, good handling, comfortable? Anyone ridden any of the suggestions above.
The soda I ride for MTB duties/racing ticks all the above and want a similar road build.
Depending on what size you need I will be selling a brand new Cube Super HPC Litening in teamline colours in next week or so ..
mail me for details if interested.
Why don't you race the Cube, have you actually raced it yet?
1.5K isn't going to buy you a frame that'll race much better.
The Venge doesn't tick many of your boxes at all.
Had been looking at a Specialized Venge but reviews not great.
Really?
I took part on a demo day yesterday and rode a few high end bikes. The bike I rode were the Look 695, Giant TCR advanced SL, Scott Foil and the Specialized Venge.
Out of these bikes I rode the one I wanted to like the most was the Look 695 as I've always had a soft spot for them. For me though the two bikes that really stood out from the rest were the Venge and the TCR. Although both had aggressive geometry and were very stiff they were still very comfy to ride.
The Look and the Foil felt really flat to ride and the Foil, although built up with Ultegra and Mavic Cosmic wheels was surpisingly heavy.
The venge is heavier than the TCR but it is incredibly fast and choosing my next road bike will be a no brainer. The Venge is amazing and I would encourage anyone looking for a new bike to try one.
The Venge is measurably faster than other frames?
I noticed the difference immediately albeit through feel rather than time. Without actually trying it it's hard to really explain, but you can really feel the aerodynamic design of the bike cutting through the air. I tried this bike straight after the 695 and the difference in speed over perceived effort was as clear as night and day. This is IMO of course.
Pfft were all those bikes with identical wheels and tyres? If not then that's the difference you were feeling, total BS you're feeling the few watts saving of the Venge lol. Not saying aero road frames are pointless, for pros/elites then I'm sure they'll get benefit in certain situations but for the rest of us the only reason you'd go aero is for the looks.
Aye, all in your mind, MM!
Okay, if you say so. I must aplogise for having my own opinion. 🙄
There is actually very little about at that price point. A basic tcr composite or madone frame is that sort of money despite being able to buy a complete bike for a fee hundred pounds more. I was going to buy a super six complete just to get the frame and then sell the groupset. You'll need to add another grand to your budget to get something demonstably better than your cube .I ended up getting a Tcr sl ISP frameset but only because I didn't have to pay the £2700 rrp!
Just suggesting a bit of thought/realism MM!
Surely you can see a frame alone can't make that much difference?
edit: agree with above the above poster, you might be better severed getting a complete bike and flogging the bits. Taking the venue as an example - the S-works F+F is £2.5k - the Venge expert (although slightly different carbon composition) complete is £3.3k with Roval wheels and an ultegra group. Might be work considering.
I was comparing bikes including the frame.
Both the 695 and the Venge and deep section wheels and aero bars. The 695 was a lot lighter but in comparison to the venge it felt harder and heavier to ride.
Like I said, it's my opinion.
Edit; Al, have you ever ridden these two bikes?
Well I have a 695 so maybe I'm biased but 'dead' is not what I'd call it's ride character, far from it (as with every other review I've read about it). I could imagine putting something like the basic carbone's on it would dull it's overall ride a bit though, they're basically Ksyriums with a carbon shroud.
I've not ridden a Venge yet and am sure it's a nice bike/frame, I just struggle to imagine how it could feel livelier or more responsive than a 695 though (given the same wheels). Given the 695 for me is right on the limit of being twitchy/nervous I'm not sure I'd want anything more lively anyway. If you mean 'surges forward more noticeably under power' then that's the wheels, given nothing in the 695 will be flexing and wasting energy.
'Dead' was a bad choice of word.
The 695 is a lovely bike and shod with 404's it was indeed very lively and I loved riding it. I really wanted to like it more than I did as it has always been my dream bike, and had I not ridden the Venge I would be raving about it. It's just the Venge felt a little better at everything and maybe having a Tarmac I'm a little biased towards it and the Specialized brand.
I understand that I'm no expert in bike performance as I'm just an average rider but isn't test riding bikes for future purchase about feeling comfortable with the bike? For me that's how the Venge felt.
you can really feel the aerodynamic design of the bike cutting through the air
Is it also laterally stiff, yet vertically compliant?
go one then, I'll say it...
Canyon Aeroad frameset. 1.7k.
Great bike, fast on the flat, descends like a lunatic.
My mates got the 695, beautiful bike, you can get cheapish old 695 frames on a few sites...
EDITdisregard that comment about the look, he's got the 585.... like this one: [url= http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/29009/LOOK_585_Origin_Frameset_2010 ]Look 585 2010[/url]
Well I personally believe everything a companies marketing material tells me ... According to [url= http://www.pearl-distribution.co.uk/brands/ ]Ritte Van Vlaanderen[/url] my new Bosberg is going to make me 240% more attractive and 312% more intimidating 🙂
[IMG] 
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Giant TCR. Why would you possibly choose anything else? Pound for pound, nothing can compete.
Are those 2009/2010 Moser frames that Merlin are flogging cheap any good?
[url= http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Frame++Forks/Frames+-+Road/Moser+Frames/list.htm?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=120309EmailCampaign&utm_term=Moser2&dm_i=I11,QBTQ,2I63PV,24H25,1 ]here[/url]
Is it also laterally stiff, yet vertically compliant?
It was the 10r frameset so could be stiffer, although my legs wouldn't be able to push it to it's limits.
Vertically complient? At Thruxton circuit so with a smooth surface it's was hard to tell. But like any high end race bikes they're not going to be a comfy as a Roubaix style bike.
Whoosh!
[i]Well I personally believe everything a companies marketing material tells me ... According to Ritte Van Vlaanderen my new Bosberg is going to make me 240% more attractive and 312% more intimidating [/i]
Powder blue anything does not make one more attractive or indimidating. The only way it can be used constructively is if it were a wide-lapelled suit, in a 70's pimp style.
Oh, and a *white* stem, with that? eeeeww.
Ha ... yeah the white stem is an unfortunate hang up from previous build to set up position while I scratch some money together for new finishing kit ... although the white saddle and white grip tape softens its impact 🙂
Well the marketing material quotes percentage increases so it must be based on scientific fact !! 🙂
[url= http://lmgtfy.com/?q=laterally+stiff%2C+yet+vertically+compliant&l=1 ]laterally stiff, yet vertically compliant[/url]
And your point is caller?
those ritte frames are just rebadged Pedal Force CG1.
or some other Taiwanese carbon straight out of the pattern book.
I'm still waiting to find out why the Cube needs replacing after two years.
Don't forget that it's still usable as a winter bike, druidh - presumably it's allergic to summer or something.
Maybe the carbon doesn't like UV? He should sell it to someone in Scotland.
It would probably shatter in the cold TBH.
those ritte frames are just rebadged Pedal Force CG1.
or some other Taiwanese carbon straight out of the pattern book.
http://www.ritteracing.com/blog/2010/02/wheres-your-bike-made/
Unashamed honesty about their bikes 🙂
Steel is real - and within your budget
Tell me this isn't a thing of beauty (£1450 from J E James)
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though you might not be so pleased with it after you fit your £50 parts.
those ritte frames are just rebadged [s]Pedal Force CG1.[/s] specialized venge, canondal system6, trek madone, crevello,
or some other [s]Taiwanese[/s] Chinese carbon straight out of the pattern book.
FTFY
I'd go for a custom 953 Steel frame from [url= http://www.paulusquiros.net/ ]Paul Quiros[/url] or something titanium (which is what I chose before 953). You aren't racing after all. Higher pride in ownership for a non-plastic frame.
You aren't racing after all. Higher pride in ownership for a non-plastic frame.
Subjective, why would I ride a ferrous donkey when I could have a plastic pony?