I love the Starley, Rourke etc but when there is excellent alternatives in the south east such as Enigma, condor, Burls, Pretorius, etc why spend a day traveling up north. I appreciate people’s own positive experience with these suppliers and thanks for comments 🙂

I going to bottom this out one way or the other on Monday. Traveling back to London probably to buy a bike from Condor which maybe either Super Accadaio or Ti Gran Fondo. I cannot quite run to stainless steel model although it is sweet! Other potential ways to go are a visit to Bespoke and/or Pretorius.

also a couple of Colganago’s on the london bike exchange, one a classic Ti the other a C50 going for less than £2k. might look those up 🙂

The Van Nic Aquila? Looks brill…nearest stockist in the south east?

Boi tell me about the Modi? I have a 58 and 56 so I may be OK for a 58 although only 5′ 10”

Well more confused than ever!

I am talking to a frame builder about a Ti frame at present …Burls?

I think TBH Stainless steel or 953 is a little out my price range in any case…by the time I get all the bits on it would be well over £3k.

The reason I am not going carbon is that they all look pretty much similar and generic, I wanted something unusual and interesting 🙂

Original Op here…

to answer some questions…

How old – 50 on the 25th of this month
Budget – £3k give or take.
Riding – mainly longer sportive type rides I guess.
Do I race – no and do not attend to.
Roukes? – but I live in the south east so…

Puzzled by the odd poor comments on the Condor? I think they on an equal with Enigma no?

I do love the look of the Super Acciaio and Acciaio.

London exchange cycles have a second hand Colnago which looks sweet….

The Enigma Ti range is puzzling…so many variants?mabout 8 I think?

Yes those 953s are very unusual and excellent. Even more expensive than Ti

Thanks kcal….really tempted by the Peregine. I saw Singular Sam and some sweet set up Peregines at the London bike show 🙂

I also saw Sam’s prototype stainless steel frame, now that was special!

I am a commuter so I am knowing the value of a hardy reliable machine

Kcal what’s the Peregine like?

Any pics?

Who cares….

Whatever the marketing people come up with so us suckers put our hands in our pockets!

The 26 inch wheel mountain bike 🙂

26 inch hard tail in my view…

I picked up a classic 2nd hand Klien Attitude V with FS, Chris head set and top SRAM group set for £350 five years ago…still got it!

Seems so…sorry for the cock up on links!

http://www.planetx.co.uk/imgs/products/px/950_constW/FBGUCAR_P1.jpg

http://www.planetx.co.uk/imgs/products/px/950_constW/FRGUKY-BLU-54_P1.jpgTry again

And 4 of these!

One of these left….

http://www.planetx.co.uk/imgs/products/px/950_constW/FRGUSIMR-PER-53_P1.jpgFrame

I am in kent

Ok what is custom? I spoke to Condor and they offered a bike fitting and then 4 weeks to build. Is this not a custom build?

I have asked for free bits before and got quite a bit however I am considering getting a custom road bike so would feel a little awkward as they are niche expertise?

Thx cozz that looks lush!

Is the carbon fork coloured to the same colour as the frame? How much did that cost?

Condor said they can do that sort of thing for an extra £50

Favouring custom steel at present

OP here 🙂

My riding is mostly endurance road with a commute of 15 miles each way although probably use my singlespeed Genesis flyer for that or maybe my boardman team carbon.

I do not race or do audex but do the odd challenge as well as sportives etc…mostly meet up with mates and do 30 – 50 miles on a weekend type thing….

I am considering quality steel more and more. i visited condor cycles in London yesterday and saw some beautiful bikes. The ti Gran Fondo is good but the Acciaio is lovely..even better is the Super Acciaio, even better the stainless steel Acciaio

Some feedback…went to Condor cycles in the end….cool shop with lovely bikes and really helpful staff..

The steel frames are excellent!

Thanks chaps 🙂

I am afraid budget is whole bike 🙁

Thanks superego….

I have a genesis flyer currently and rides superbly… A real pleasure! It’s a bit difficult to compare directly with the boardman however as it is single speed!

I don’t feel any weight disadvantage because it is steel.

I saw the Starley at the bike show…looks really nice!

Thanks for the comments…the hand built bike show sounds good!

Yes Volare 953 looks too pricey but I can push to 3.000 still too much!

Well what being different?

Those stainless steel bikes look sweet too!

I was told if I go carbon that giant defy would be the bike for me…more relaxed geometry that the racey TCR….

Loving the Volare and the Elite!

Not sure however that for racing if steel is the way to go. Very hard to beat carbon….although for touring, sportive eat. Might be the thing!

Starlet stainless steel[/url]

Starley SS[/url]

Eh sorry didn’t take any…could get some pics from their web sites

Well cannot remember the make but the top of the range….tour de France standard!

Anyone recommend a Ti frame manufacturer?

Will there be any at the bike show?

I am favouring Ti

How do I go about getting a custom build?

Really fancy a steel or Ti bike

Thanks guys…..lots of ideas I think!

I am going to the bike show in a couple of weeks so may pick up some ideas then.

I do like the idea of custom steel or Ti.

I also agree on the MTB arguments; even though most of my miles are road it’s off road that really excites me. The Klien although good has never been the real deal on single track that I desire. I never have had a full Sussex and before the Klein never had even FS only having fully rigid bikes like the Kona cinder cone with P2 forks.

I am fascinated with the idea of single speeding the Klein!

I have mixed feelings regarding mudguards

I wonder if something more robust like a hybrid or cyclocross would be better?

Thanks guys
For those offering a sale yes if you can get to me in time 🙂