[Closed] New winter road bike frame suggestions please

Love my 4S. I thought about steel but good alu frames are nice to ride and a fair bit lighter - at least in the price bracket I was looking at suitable for winter use with mudguards.

[img] [/img]

Ribble Steel?

I've got a Dolan Preffisio, it's a very nice bike - very nice to ride and doesn't feel that different to my light best bike... It's a very tight squeeze for Bluemels with 25c tyres, but just about goes together. Obviously well under budget, so may not be "nice" enough for what you're after...

I'll post a picture shortly...

Those Dolans are £200 F&F with headset at the moment.

For a whole bike, you'll get a very well specked Defy from Pedelon with about 25% discount at the moment.

Nice 4S up there.

Ribble and Dolan are good options, but can't really get excited about them.

It's a very tight squeeze for Bluemels with 25c tyres, but just about goes together.

That can be a right PITA. I'd rather have something with a bit more clearance, happy to have to use long drop brakes.

For a whole bike, you'll get a very well specked Defy from Pedelon with about 25% discount at the moment.

Hmm might have a look at that. Though would prefer frame only. No proper guard mounts though, right?

Alloy Defy has mudguard mounts. Looking for a larger frame for Teen2.

I looked at getting an alu Defy for winter use but tales of too tight a fit for mudguards put me off.

Hmm I'm not really feeling the love for a Defy.

There must be something else out there? Genesis Equilibrium maybe? Shame they don't still do the 853. Anything in the Condor range?

Mud shark I have a 2013 defy 3 which I've just coated with 105 5800. I ordered it from Pedelon and used thier podium points to get the Defy specific guards free which are basically the same as the popular ones with a cut out at the calipers. Fits 25mm tyres no problem.

Bob Jackson Audax End-End frame?

Oh well I was considering it even after reading lots of negative comments about the guards (fitting mainly I think) as I use a carbon Defy as my best bike and like that. But then I saw a 4S frame for around £350 so just went for it.

Bob Jackson Audax End-End frame?

Shall check that out. Having Audax in the name puts me off a bit though 😉

I'd ideally want something like an alloy TCR but with mounts for guards and decent clearance, and frame only. Oh and pretty looking too 🙂

Moon on a stick it seems!

I've got a Principia RSL AS winter road bike, which is light, fast but takes full guards etc. They still seem to pop up from time to time.

Actually, mine is in bits as I stripped it down with the aim of getting it re-sprayed. But I hardly ever ride on the road these days, so should really sell it.

[img] [/img]

I bought a PX RT-58 recently - £99 for the frame and £69 for the forks.
With Fulcrum 7's it's under 9kgs!

I bought a PX RT-58 recently - £99 for the frame and £69 for the forks.

what seatpost size? 😉

Current winter bike is an Enigma Etape ti with dollops of old Dura Ace on it ( :roll:)

Having recently got a Arkose 4 gnarmac mobile as a N+1 bike, I am now semi seriously considering getting a better quality CX / disc'd frame to double up for winter and gnarr riding. - Hindsight says I should have just brought a Tripster in the 1st place.

Why are you set against CX and discs?

Unfortunately my winter bike has been delayed, so I'll probably be using my CAAD 8 to tide me over; that has mudguard mounts.

I think a good option for you would be the Ritchey Road Logic frame, they get raved about. Plus, looking at your fit on your Giant, you'd be able to run on without a mountain of stem stackers.

410mm back end and a steep ST angle means you'd be able to run the PDW full metal fenders and have clearance. I used them on my old bike with a slack ST angle and 410mm stays and there was just enoguh clearance for 25mm tyres. Not sure what the fork clearance is like on the Ritchey though.

HTH!

crashtestmonkey - Member
I bought a PX RT-58 recently - £99 for the frame and £69 for the forks.
what seatpost size?

31.6mm 😛

What size frame you after Blobby?

I have a Genesis Equilibrium, and I love it. Suitably racy, but has guards etc and feels like it'll last forever, without comprimising the ride. looks great too.

I fear you're in moon on a stick territory. I've tried to look for a similar thing and in the end gave up, started using my old alu summer bike with no mounts and just accepted I'd have a wet backside.

I reckon that Kinesis 4S is as close as you'll get.

I have a Genesis Equilibrium, and I love it

Depends how picky you are; I had one and it was lovely, but I struggled with the fit. Slammed 130mm stem, long reach bars, layback post, it just about fit right although it felt like the front wheel was too far in front of me (due to the slack head angle I presume) and it wasn't the "confident" descender that it's said to be due to not enoguh weight on the front wheel. I think the newer models have an even longer head tube aswell.

Can't agree ref Equilibrium (montag). Don't get me wrong I like mine but sprightly it is not, mine weighs a shit ton and is a totally different bike to my TCR. I always feel way moar powerful on the TCR, the only real difference is the handlebar height. TCR is 1-1.5cm lower I think, I've been messing about with the seat position here and there and it's still "not right", tried it in same position relative to BB as the TCR, back a bit forward a bit ad nauseum. It's a winter bike for plodding.

Thanks for the responses.

Why are you set against CX and discs?

While I'm not dead set against it, I just don't really feel the need for discs for the sort of riding I do, certainly not enough to warrant buying more wheels.

I think a good option for you would be the Ritchey Road Logic frame, they get raved about. Plus, looking at your fit on your Giant, you'd be able to run on without a mountain of stem stackers.

Hmm now that's something I hadn't considered. Mounts and decent clearance for guards with 25mm tyres on wide rims? I'll stick it on the list and check out the geo. Tend to think of Ritchey as being a bit of mtb rider does road, but that would be quite nice.

Hora has one though 😕

I fear you're in moon on a stick territory. I've tried to look for a similar thing and in the end gave up, started using my old alu summer bike with no mounts and just accepted I'd have a wet backside.

Does seem that way. I could use RaceBlades but I really want full length proper guards.

Equilibrium... I think the newer models have an even longer head tube aswell.

It's a winter bike for plodding.

Hmm definitley not for me then! Just looking at the geo, about 2cm more stack than the Volare. Shame they don't do a winterised 853 Volare.

I've got an enigma etape Frameset in a size 56 for sale over in the classifieds if ti is of interest?

Great bike but I've just moved to the disc version

[i]I've got a Dolan Preffisio, it's a very nice bike - very nice to ride and doesn't feel that different to my light best bike[/i]

I've also got a Dolan Preffisio and yeh it's okay. It's a cheap aluminium frame and it doesn't come close to my Sunday best bike.

I bought the frame for £99 for a cheap summer commuter build, it's great for that but it's pretty harsh.

enigma etape Frameset

Bit too toury. Yours probably a size too small as well.

I bought the frame for £99 for a cheap summer commuter build, it's great for that but it's pretty harsh

Trying to avoid this. Want something that I'm going to want to get out and ride.

Ritchey Road Logic frame,

No mounts for guards 🙁

No mounts for guards

PDW full metal fenders m8; full guards, no mounts required.

I'd say the 4S is your best bet. I have a T2 and keep getting the itch to upgrade it to a 4s, but there's nothing wrong with the T2.
The only other frame I can think of is the Ribble Sportive Racing 365? A carbon frame that takes full guards.

[i]Trying to avoid this. Want something that I'm going to want to get out and ride.[/i]

Yeh its great for an hours blast to and from work but I wouldn't fancy 4 hours on it.

PDW full metal fenders m8; full guards, no mounts required.

Well now that is interesting. And the numbers on a 55 look like they'd be pretty good. Hmm.

Oh balls... I've just spotted a Skinnymalinky 😕

Why did I have to look! What's been seen cannot be unseen etc 🙁

DT, can you fit the PDWs under the CAAD8 forks? I've fitted full Topeak guards and it was definitely a squeeze to be honest. I steal Teen1's CAAD8 for winter duties and will likely keep it if the Propel comes back and can be serviced back into some sort of rideable shape (he loves that bike and has ridden it a few times!)

With good clearance, the CAAD8 is a perfect winter road bike.

Well now that is interesting. And the numbers on a 55 look like they'd be pretty good. Hmm.

Decent guards; they're sturdy since the arms are tubular alloy instead of the flimsy steel rod commonly found on SKS. Bit of a faff to fit, although most guards are. Only problem is you have to fully remove the QR skewers to get the wheels off.

DT, can you fit the PDWs under the CAAD8 forks?

Not sure, I've not tried it yet, but I'll have a look this weekend if I get a spare moment. I reckon they should fit; they fit under my old forks which were standard size carbon road forks.

[i]Bit of a faff to fit, although most guards are. [/i]

I fitted a set last week, much less faff than sks.

Go with the Defy. Quiet comfy, great value. I've got a fair bit out of the £750 total spend & 2 years on mine:

[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/541/19891832634_78a8ca16f9_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/541/19891832634_78a8ca16f9_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/wiLQPC ]image[/url]

But oh my, look what [url= http://www.enigmabikes.com/collections/clearance/products/copy-of-enigma-excel-bike-57cm-with-campagnolo-record-eps-1 ]Enigma have in thier summer sale...[/url]

Kryton, what is going on with the stem and bars on that Defy?! Really rate the Defy but it doesn't give me [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/does-anyone-else-get-a-boner-when-riding-their-road-bike ]this[/url].

I flipped it to force me a bit more upright, as I'm currently dealing with a trapezius issue on the bike.

I think as with most Giants, they aren't exclusive and are massed produced but to a very high level of quality & kit compared to the rest.

If you wanted exlusive, see the steel Enigma I linked to and buy it before I do.

Can't find the geometry for it. Doesn't seem to be anywhere on the Enigma website.

Becuase its last of the model. The last one, ever replaced by the Ethos. And it could be yours - now THATS exlusive.

Phone them and have a chat, they'll probably measure it up for you while your on the phone.

You can buy frame only if you google the name, for example:

http://www.hewittcycles.co.uk/enigma?product_id=13618

Oh god, I might have talked myself in buying that frame.

May give them a call. Though looks a bit tall.

Oh god, I might have talked myself in buying that frame.

Not again! 😉

😀

Blobby - you still didn't say what size frame you're after.

Something with a stack of no more than 57cm and a reach of about 40cm or more, ETT of around 57cm. So on the 4S it'd be something like the 54. But it tends to vary by model and manufacturer. Stack height seems to be a limiting factor in frame size as I like a low front end but don't want a ridiculously angled stem.

Maybe I need to go custom!

Get teh Ritchey; they look awesome and are supposed to ride very well, aswell as being pretty light and stiff (for a steel frame). I'd have one but the sizing doesn't really suit.

Get teh Ritchey;

Well the 55 does look pretty spot on. May see if I can find one to swing a leg over.

I was intrigued about the Enigma and found the geo on Google Cache:
[url= http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3ancGGvNSvIJ:www.enigma.bike/products/ezona+&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk ]Scroll down for geo[/url]

theflatboy, thanks, I tried and failed to do the same thing! Confirms my suspicions.

mrblobby - Member
Something with a stack of no more than 57cm and a reach of about 40cm or more, ETT of around 57cm. So on the 4S it'd be something like the 54. But it tends to vary by model and manufacturer. Stack height seems to be a limiting factor in frame size as I like a low front end but don't want a ridiculously angled stem.

Maybe I need to go custom!

This is the specs for the SCR I'm selling - compact geometry so fits larger - 5'7 t0 5'11

[img] [/img]

This is the specs for the SCR I'm selling

Not very exciting, sorry 😉

mrblobby - Member
theflatboy, thanks, I tried and failed to do the same thing! Confirms my suspicions.

Arse, I'd need a 56.

MrBlobby

I certainly wouldn't call the Etape toury as it's about the only 'winter' frame I know that takes 49mm brakes, though I get where you're coming from. The beauty of Ti in the winter is the ease of frame cleaning.

The Arkose was 11 speed (ALL my other bikes are 10 speed) so I thought what the hell and went disc. However I again get the 'hassle' about multiple wheels.

Would defo give ChrisA's frame consideration if the sizing worked for you.

I have a 4S as well, it's a replacement for a Racelight T. I really like it (honeymoon period pending). It handles better than the last bike, is just as comfy and has a good race geometry. Proper mounts for racks and guards too, no bodging required!

I'm waiting on some new tyres, will post an updated pic when they arrive.

Photo!

[URL= http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s419/mike_moore4/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0018_zpshsjwzy1g.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s419/mike_moore4/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0018_zpshsjwzy1g.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Nice that. Still not convinced it's not going to either be too short or too high. Looking at the numbers I'd probably go for a 54 with a long stem but at 6ft it might look a bit funny.

I have a Kinesis T2 for winter use and love it. I think Kinesis are doing compete bikes for under £800 at the moment.

Cracking machine, fast, comfortable and takes a full set of guards too. It also handles surprisingly well.

Hmm just realised with those PDW fenders I could go for something like a Smartweld Allez. That would fit me and my budget. Tempting.