What Carbon frame should i get?

[tofer]

I'm buying a new carbon frame... There's lots on the market at the moment, and I have no idea what to get.

I have looked at a Pinarello FP5, Trek 5.2, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Argon 18's and Merida's.

I still have no idea what to really get, although i'm really leaning towards the pinarello fp5.

I dont want to spend over $3000 on the frame set. I can spend more on the seat post and stem if need be. But it is going to be a basic swap from my current bike (fuga in the link below) to the new frame.

What else is good on the market? Basically looking for about 6.8kg or less with 404's, 0km's, stiffness, aerodynamics and below $3000.

What's the best frame out there for $3000 and where can I get it?

[Oddjob]

No idea how good the bikes are but they look like amazing value.

http://pedalforce.com/online/index.php

[ScottD]

Just an open mold jobbie, probably a wet noodle

[Ham]

go the cervelo soloist there such a nice ride, nice and stiff and quite light good allround bike.

[tofer]

I was considering a Cervello Soloist, but everywhere I have been they've been more than $3000. Also apparantly they're not a comfortable bike to ride. I mean sure they look cool, but they're geometry is strange.

I've done a bit of thinking and i'm now leaning towards the new Merida Scultura 909 FLX Team http://www2.merida-bikes.com/en_US/Bikes.Detail.115

[ilostmypassword]

Maybe go Ti?

[Shrekmeister]

Azzuri...

from www.pedalsplus.com.au


http://pedalsplus.com.au/store/product_info.php?cPath=1_27&products_id=61

[I-AM-TEH-FASTEST-11]

The soloist is a very nice frame, and I highly reccomend them.

Depending on your budget I would look at maybe a Colnago CLX (heavy as per all their frames), they are very comfy to ride.

The Merida frames are pretty great for their price, and very stiff

The Trek 5.2 is unreal, but there's concern about their longevity in regards to their Q factor. I don't think it's an issue, but it's sometihng to think about.

Pinarello is awesome and speaks for itself

I'd consider Bianchi aswell, as they are awesome handling wise.


blah I'm really not much help

[ScottD]

Azzuri...

from www.pedalsplus.com.au


http://pedalsplus.com.au/store/product_info.php?cPath=1_27&products_id=61

I've got a Dura Ace one of them for sale with ritchey Protocols. PM if your interested...

[DarrenHunt]

How much more is a soloist carbon?

In all honesty, it seems that it would be your ideal bike., light, stiff, and aero... a really hard combination to come by.

[tofer]

How much more is a soloist carbon?

In all honesty, it seems that it would be your ideal bike., light, stiff, and aero... a really hard combination to come by.

Yeh, the soloist carbon is a sweet bike, but everywhere i've been they're way overpriced.
I have looked at the Colnago CLX and there's 2 versions, the italian which is $4000-$5000, and the one made in Asia Which is $4000.
More than I have to spend on a frame!

Azzuri's really don't do it for me. I have no idea how long they've been around, but they seem like a new brand and therefore are not experienced.

Everyone I have spoken to about Pinarello's say that they have had one and it broke, or they know someone's who's broke. I'm not a small guy, 177cm, 65-70kg race weight. I would be pushing the bike to its absolute extreme. And I don't feel safe riding a bike at up to 90kmh if I have heard that they break.

The Trek's look great, phenomenal! But everywhere I have been the shops have told me to steer clear of Trek's because they are built for people with short legs and longer upperbody. I'm the exact opposite. I have unbelievably long legs. And a mid sized upper body.
I would love to ride a Trek, they are unbelievably sexy bikes.

I have ridden a 2008 Merida FLX Team (Large), and that fitted me perfectly with a 130mm stem. The Merida is the smoothest, responsive, light bike I have ridden. I guess I really need to take it on some hills and hammer out a big gear to really see how it handles.

[ScottD]

I have looked at the Colnago CLX and there's 2 versions, the italian which is $4000-$5000, and the one made in Asia Which is $4000.
More than I have to spend on a frame!

Wrong.
There both made in Taiwan... There is a price difference due to the distributor ordering a direct amount that comes out of taiwan. Once those are sold out they get CLX's from Colnago Italy and therefore have gone from taiwan>Italy > back to Australia and have incurred a large cost of freight...

[Grover]

another to heavily consider is the parlee z4 (http://www.parleecycles.com/model_Z4.html) - you may be able to get a z4 frameset for 3g, call verve on 0425 797 092. if i ever grow tired of the masterpiece that is my caad7 cannondale i'll be on one of them. multiple testers across the uk and us have voted it racebike of '06/'07, actually, if a parlee is in the test it usually wins it.

[Berger]

The soloist is a very nice frame, and I highly reccomend them.

Depending on your budget I would look at maybe a Colnago CLX (heavy as per all their frames), they are very comfy to ride.

The Merida frames are pretty great for their price, and very stiff

The Trek 5.2 is unreal, but there's concern about their longevity in regards to their Q factor. I don't think it's an issue, but it's sometihng to think about.

Pinarello is awesome and speaks for itself

I'd consider Bianchi aswell, as they are awesome handling wise.


blah I'm really not much help


How does Q factor effect longevity, I really like the 5.2 and may get one but you definitely seem to pay a premium for the name. The Scott Addict R4 seems to be better value.

['Ross]

I saw a guy on a carbon colnago time trial bike today, it looked amazing. Dont know the exact model but:o

[LTR]

Just interested what you don't like, or would want to change with your Fuga?
Also, what type of road riding are you currently doing on the Fuga?

More detail please!

[DarrenHunt]

Everyone I have spoken to about Pinarello's say that they have had one and it broke, or they know someone's who's broke. I'm not a small guy, 177cm, 65-70kg race weight. I would be pushing the bike to its absolute extreme. And I don't feel safe riding a bike at up to 90kmh if I have heard that they break.



don't know where you heard about the pinarellos breaking... i ride with a club full of them, paris's, dogmas, and princes the most popular, but the F4:13's also very popular, and i've only ever heard of one breaking, replaced and built up within 4 hours. handle downhill like nothing else, literally awesome. look good as well...

[tospaceandbeyond]

Just out of left field, have thourgh of a Trigon (yes they are Tiawanese), Very nice frame and the prices are really good at the moment as the distibutor in Australia is over stocked, I reckon you could get a full Ultegra bike for $3500.
http://www.exotic-carbon.com/