Frame Recommendations

[Tony]

Having tried hard to break my Omega last year, I am seriously considering breaking in to my piggy-bank and getting a new machine. Plus I haven't bought a new bike for nearly four years. Unfortunately, I hardly ever get any cycling mags, so am pretty clueless regarding what is currently highly-rated. Has anyone any views on any of the following frames or knows what the cycling mags say about them?

Option 1: Cervelo R3 SL

Option 2: Storck Carbon CD 0.9

Option 3: Bianchi 928 Carbon SL

My requirement is to build up something that is exceptionally light and responsive on the climbs. Finding accurate, reliable data on weight, performance, etc. seems practically impossible. Any views/thoughts much appreciated?

Most of the mechanicals will, of course, be Campag.

[-Adam-]

cycling weekly had race bike of the year last week, you should still be able to pick it up...

my pick would probably be the storck, ive seen one and lifted it in the flesh and it was seriously light.

[Robh]

I would try the R3 instead personally and will save you £400 to spend on something else for the bike. The R3 SL is about 70-100g lighter than the R3.

An R3 is probably easier to get as the SL have only just started arriving in the UK.

A 54cm R3 is around the 850g mark.

My own 54cm R3 is 15lbs and will be down to 14.2lbs once I've got my tubulars. Does include a weight penalty of the Powertap hub I use.

Rob.

[Snoop Doug]

Tony - if you pm me your address I'll post you my copy of last weeks CW if you like...?

Snoop

[Andrew G]

The Cervelo seems to be always highly rated by anyone who sits astride one.

The advantage of the Storck is the custom build option (finances permitting) and I've seen some very good reviews of them. I noticed at Sutton that they are Mr. Spence's choice this year (or his sponsors ).

George is your man for the 928 .

BTW the result of the CW test was Colnago Extreme Power beating the Look 595 but a lot of this seemed to be down to the integrated seatpost on the Look losing it some practicality points. Say what you like about Colnago's being the obvious choice but they always come out highly from any test.

[Tony]

Guys - thanks for the suggestions.

I have managed to get a copy of Cycling Weekly this week (thanks for the offer to send me a copy, Snoop). Of course, this has now given me even more to think about! A Colnago is always an option - but somehow I can't quite relate to their brand/image. I guess they are to cycling what Mercedes/BMW is to cars - they are extremely good at what they do but they seem a bit conservative and restrained. Like BMW / Mercedes you're either desperate to get one/be seen to have one or you're not!

I'm leaning towards the Cervelo at the moment - but it will of course depend on availability, price, etc.

My final decision may be revealed in a few weeks on one of the clubruns, if and when I finally make a decision and get it built up.

Hmmmmmm.......

[George]

Tony making my choice I found that the best top value for money carbon bike that I could possible get was the Bianchi 928L.

This bike is readily available off the shelf today and is pretty much identical frame to the Colnago C50 but here you get much more for you buck.

I did have a problem with my 06 bb but now my 07 model they have sorted this and fixed the issue area.

The bike certainly rides and races well,is very light, stiff, and responsive.

I even had a couple of Elites today commenting on how nice my bike was

Cheers George

[Kevin Rynne]

Tony I would say that colanago's are the ferrari of the bike world.
If it were my money I'd be going for the cervelo.
I think that it is also worth having a look at time frames a friend who used to be a pro and still keeps in contact with some of the pro teams recons that time frames are amongst the best in the pro pelaton they dont get breakages many of the other bikes do but we dont get to hear about them.
If you would like to know the real world weights have a look on weight weenies site.

Are you going to sell the omega?

[-Adam-]

[quote="Kevin Rynne"]I think that it is also worth having a look at time frames a friend who used to be a pro and still keeps in contact with some of the pro teams recons that time frames are amongst the best in the pro pelaton they dont get breakages many of the other bikes do but we dont get to hear about them.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

I had the same dilemma myself a few weeks ago.

I was leaning to the R3 SL, when Guy Pearson accosted me and insisted I bought one of his Felt frames at a price where I could get a groupset a well as a frame for the same money as the R3, so in the end money won over the heart.

Loved the look of the Look and all write ups were positive, but was put off by height of integrated seatpost going into a bike bag.

Scott Addict was seriously light, though I've heard a bit wayward on turn in to corners.

Am building it up this week and will post a report soon, but may be worth considering.

[Kevin Rynne]

Kevin Rynne wrote:
I think that it is also worth having a look at time frames a friend who used to be a pro and still keeps in contact with some of the pro teams recons that time frames are amongst the best in the pro pelaton they dont get breakages many of the other bikes do but we dont get to hear about them.


How hard is that to read!


Usually write when on hold on telephone at work.
Cant cycle fast at the moment so end up typing fast.

[Phil S]

If I had my choice and money no object I'd get a cannondale SuperSix

[Tony]

Kevin - I am probably not going to sell the Omega. Given that it has some accident damage (scratches, small dent in top tube) I wouldn't get a very good price for it. The stickers have all faded on it too. I think it is going to become a dry-weather training bike. Instead I will be selling my kidneys, corneas, etc. to fund the potential purchase.

Paul - I am too leaning towards Cervelo R3 SL - but not finally decided yet. Felt was not a frame I had considered.....What sold you on the Felt? Maybe Justin Hoy would do me a good deal / arrange for one to "fall out" the back of his van

Phil S - Cannondale is another maybe! They look pretty sexy...... I hope France was good fun. Only saw you on telly the once (although that clip was repeated several times).

Not an easy decision - but will make my mind up soon....... Thanks all for the input so far.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

R3 SL was top of my list, but the budget didn't quite stretch, and with a super deal on the Felt with Pearsons, and actually a few grams lighter, the deal was done.

[-Adam-]

If its worth anything....

While i was out riding with my mate Manuel 'triki' Beltran,
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/461280143dceb683e7e4aac993c80b10d1e3a8ab2f9528570f65e5baa998b957033291d7.jpg[/img]
he said the Cannondale SuperSix was not good. And that hands down he prefered his Trek Madone while at Postal/Disco. And being a climber i guess he has pretty much the same criteria as yourself. Also, other Liquigas riders were sticking to the old six13, notably Wegelius.

No Harm in trying one though i guess...