Looking to replace my stolen cannondale synapse, have been looking at the Planet X bikes the road carbon looks good value with SRAM red group set. Will be used just for training and commute is the Planet X to much of a race bike. Any body with experience of the X , thanks.
The Planet X is a decent enough frame; essentially a rebadged carbon far east jobbie, but so is just about every other carbon frame on the market these days. The thing to look for is the finishing kit; my mate got the Ultegra equipped Planet X and it came with Tektro brakes and a different chainset; not a disaster by any means, but be aware where the price is acheived.
Commuting? You might get crud guards on it, but it will get hammered by riding it in the winter crap..
Will use the MTB in winter.
Personally I'd recommend a "winter bike", audax or sportive bike for commuting. Have a look at some of ribbles offerings. A slightly more relaxed geometry, takes mudguards. Aluminum frame, carbon post and carbon forks.
variable quality control on the planet-x's i know somebody on their third. bb coming loose (the insert) and delamination problems. a friend had the seat tube crack after doing the tour of flanders sportive.
CAAD9?
Andy
If you can, ride a Planet X before you buy. I was going to order one until I built one up a customer bought & really wasn't impressed. Great to look at & excellent spec, but the frame was just so flexy it wasn't true! Customer even brought it back with brake problems-turned out was down to the amount of flex in the frame when sprinting or climbing hard!
I got this one as my bike 2 work scheme didn't do Planet X. I like it, but have never tried anything else. It certainly looks nicer than the Planet X bike.
http://www.italian-solutions.co.uk/product.php?productid=161728&cat=280&page=1
I've seen quite a few people racing on them without too many complaints, think its a case of you get what you pay for, the frame is £350 so lets face it it's never going to be the stiffest or highest quality .However it's not what I would choose for comuting and training.
Dolan Dual ?
That seems like the perfect "non race" race bike to me
Planet X are bringing out a new carbon frame very shortly I believe, (if not already) supposedly better than the old ones.
I got an Pro SL Carbon at christmas, I have no great knowledge of whats what in the road ride world but have to say I am very happy with mine, looks good, rides well and doesnt cost the earth....ideal bike for my needs ie couple of hours a to b and back to a type of ride. recommended
I got mine two years ago and love it, i weigh 15st and have no flex in mine, the original wheels, PX model c, were a little flexy on uphill efforts but thats gone now i've put some Fulcrum racing 5's on.
I commute on mine 32 miles each way and ride a couple of sportives a year and find it really comftable really absorbs the road buzz.