Best Entry Level Carbon Racer?

[moreades]

Forgive me if this topic has been covered once this season, but I don't have the time to sort through the 1000s of previous threads!

I'm already planning for next year's race season and I'm going to start saving up for a new carbon race bike. I'd like people's opinions as to what entry level carbon racers I should look at. I'm going to keep the budget around $3000 - $3500. I'd prefer a Campy grouppo, but Shimano would be acceptable. No Treks please! (Personal bias) Other than that, the floor is now yours...

 

[Race Radio]

http://www.pedalforce.com/

 

[moreades]

Too bad they don't ship to Canada else I'd order from them! Plus, the owner of my main shop is Italian, and he would be really upset with me if I didn't buy one of his frames!
Anyone else??

 

[LugHugger]

Too bad they don't ship to Canada else I'd order from them! Plus, the owner of my main shop is Italian, and he would be really upset with me if I didn't buy one of his frames!
Anyone else??

What does your Italian stock? If you're going to support him, then if we know your options you will receive better informed opinions.

 

[bc_hills]

What does your Italian stock? If you're going to support him, then if we know your options you will receive better informed opinions.

For sure, the OP made it sound like he was considering an ocean full of fish when really it's a local lake!

Hey OP, usually your LBS can bring in a lot more bikes than he stocks, so you really need to talk to him to find out what your options are.

 

[biker77]

I just bought a Boardman team carbon for half your budget. Came with 105, an FSA crankset and aksium wheels. Upgrade the wheels and tyres and I think this is a great deal and you may end up with money left. Or, just spend it on upgrading to Ultegra. I was expecting to have to do this but am more than happy. Pleasantly suprised by jagwire aswell.

I had to switch the stock seatpost as it has way too much setback for me. One downside is that the bike developed a really annoying BB creak today. Greased the crank spindle and retorqued the crank bolt and it seems to be ok. Not sure if this is a BB30 or FSA known issue.

I changed from a Trek 5200. The boardman rides better and I slightly prefer the geometry.

Just my opinion but I haven`t ridden a large range of bikes.

 

[moreades]

For sure, the OP made it sound like he was considering an ocean full of fish when really it's a local lake!

Please clarify. I might need the paint-by-colour explanaition because I'm so tired!

 

[moreades]

What does your Italian stock? If you're going to support him, then if we know your options you will receive better informed opinions.

My LBS (= local bike shop, yes?) owns a line of bikes that is built the same way the people at Pedal Force do it; has his frames built in Asia then brought here. According to him, because it's not a known name, he can charge less than the bigger companies for similar frames. The second line of bikes he owns... I'm not sure where they're made.
Helios is the first line, Cramerotti is the second. Currently he also has the Litespeed C1 and Colgnago C59, along with a few others I can't remember right now. I think he's letting the stock run a little low because it's almost the end of the season. Maybe for now I should just start saving and see what my options are in the new year?

 

[Indurain]

2nd a Pedal Force. But am starting to get interested in a Chinarello

 

[moreades]

For sure, the OP made it sound like he was considering an ocean full of fish when really it's a local lake!

The full meaning of this statement did not hit me until much later. With all the bike makers out there why consider them all if I'm going to limit myself to what one storeowner decides to stock? The mentioning of how my LBS owner is Italian was something of a joke at the time (I'm Italian myself so I can easily envision his reactions and expressions to my scenario) but I did not realize the full implication of that statement until I received the sage advice of the respondants.
THEREFORE I wish to refocus the discussion of good entry level racers REGARDLESS of possible reactions from anyone I may come into direct contact with. Once again I open the floor to anyone with an opinion.

 

[moreades]

I just bought a Boardman team carbon for half your budget. Came with 105, an FSA crankset and aksium wheels. Upgrade the wheels and tyres and I think this is a great deal and you may end up with money left. Or, just spend it on upgrading to Ultegra. I was expecting to have to do this but am more than happy.

I just discovered the Boardman line of road bikes this summer (thank you Wiggle) and I have to admit they look like a good value. I will be keeping an eye on them for the next season.

 

[LugHugger]

My LBS (= local bike shop, yes?) owns a line of bikes that is built the same way the people at Pedal Force do it; has his frames built in Asia then brought here. According to him, because it's not a known name, he can charge less than the bigger companies for similar frames. The second line of bikes he owns... I'm not sure where they're made.
Helios is the first line, Cramerotti is the second. Currently he also has the Litespeed C1 and Colgnago C59, along with a few others I can't remember right now. I think he's letting the stock run a little low because it's almost the end of the season. Maybe for now I should just start saving and see what my options are in the new year?

Saving is always a good place to start! If your LBS/Italian stocks his own Asian frames then they are certainly worth checking out. Test ride one and see how it feels. For the record, I purchased an Asian frame direct from the manufacturers agent in China about 3 months ago. This frame is an open mould frame used by several global bike brands. The frame and forks and shipping cost me $528. If I had bought 8-20 frames, the cost per unit would have been approx $415. This ramble is meant to illustrate the true costs and margins being made by the industry on entry and mid level bikes and to hopefully help you in negotiating a deal with your LBS for his Asian frames. Good luck!

 

[Pete Subs]

Forgive me if this topic has been covered once this season, but I don't have the time to sort through the 1000s of previous threads!

I'm already planning for next year's race season and I'm going to start saving up for a new carbon race bike. I'd like people's opinions as to what entry level carbon racers I should look at. I'm going to keep the budget around $3000 - $3500. I'd prefer a Campy grouppo, but Shimano would be acceptable. No Treks please! (Personal bias) Other than that, the floor is now yours...

I bought my wife an Italian bike (Battaglin), she loves it. Its a full carbon with Campy Veloce for under 3K factory direct. Its a great value.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

2nd a Pedal Force. But am starting to get interested in a Chinarello

What's your size? I've got an open mold F&F for sale that I sourced from the Scott factory in China, never built up, basically an '09 R1 Addict main triangle with heavier stays, still only weighs in around 1000g for the frame. It's a 56.8cm top tube C-C (effective), 54cm seat tube C-T $550

I was going to build it up for myself this season but never got around to it, so I'm 6'1" almost 6'2", I'd say this frame would be perfect for someone in the 6'-6'2" range.

 

[bc_hills]

The full meaning of this statement did not hit me until much later. With all the bike makers out there why consider them all if I'm going to limit myself to what one storeowner decides to stock? The mentioning of how my LBS owner is Italian was something of a joke at the time (I'm Italian myself so I can easily envision his reactions and expressions to my scenario) but I did not realize the full implication of that statement until I received the sage advice of the respondants.
THEREFORE I wish to refocus the discussion of good entry level racers REGARDLESS of possible reactions from anyone I may come into direct contact with. Once again I open the floor to anyone with an opinion.

Well that changes everything. Is this your LBS?:

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=11671&page=6


If it is, then you must buy from him.


Seriously though, if you think that a specialized or a scott or a moots is gonna make you a better rider than a giant or a cervelo or a cramerotti or whatever, then stop reading bike magazines. Ride some bikes and buy the one that seems to fit you best.

Ride first. Hmmmm...... hello LBS?

Good luck!

 

[Barracuda]

What's your size? I've got an open mold F&F for sale that I sourced from the Scott factory in China, never built up, basically an '09 R1 Addict main triangle with heavier stays, still only weighs in around 1000g for the frame. It's a 56.8cm top tube C-C (effective), 54cm seat tube C-T $550

I was going to build it up for myself this season but never got around to it, so I'm 6'1" almost 6'2", I'd say this frame would be perfect for someone in the 6'-6'2" range.

Im 178 cm tall ... ship to Australia ?????

 

[lancaster]

i've got a planet x http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/

had it 3 years, cost me £1,000 ($1,600) with dura ace
no problems

really good value would recommend

(i'll probably by another from them)

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Im 178 cm tall ... ship to Australia ?????

I'll ship most anywhere. PM me if you're serious.

 

[Barracuda]

I'll ship most anywhere. PM me if you're serious.

Sadly me thinks a little large for me at 178cm

Looks nice though .....

Smaller frame and I would be tempted

 

[Barracuda]

2nd a Pedal Force. But am starting to get interested in a Chinarello

Anyone got a Pedal Force RS3 ???

Thoughts ??