Carbon Road Bike for <R20 000

[Overlord]

Had a look at your file and the measurements do ot make sense.Your upper body must be very short cause with those sizes the toptube on your bike is the size of a 54cm bike.Yoyr inseam is shorter than mine and your height of the seat lower aswell. 

[Minion]

 

Had a look at your file and the measurements do ot make sense.Your upper body must be very short cause with those sizes the toptube on your bike is the size of a 54cm bike.Yoyr inseam is shorter than mine and your height of the seat lower aswell. 

 

I agree, there did seem to be something odd about the numbers when I first looked at them.

 

The first thing I did when I saw those results was to check my measurements and they are right, according to the instructions. This does make me wonder about the calculation.

 

On the other hand the story of my current frame does somewhat support the measurements.

 

I bought it in September 2006 and had the basic setup done at Cycle Lab. I rode it for a while and did the 94.7 (at the time, my longest single ride by about 40km). I was uncomfortable on the bike, but I put that down to a lack of training and the fact that I was unfamiliar with a road bike.

 

In December I bought some new shoes and decided to get a proper Bio Racer setup done. The net result was that, in order to stop me being too stretched out, I had to get a new seat post that allowed my saddle to mount 2.5cm further forward, my stem was replaced with a 10cm one and they still had to push my saddle as far forward as it would go. The guy doing the setup remarked that they should never have sold me that size frame in the first place.

 

I'm now pretty comfortable on the bike, though my lower back does still complain on longer rides.

 

So, the numbers did seem strange, but a rough calculation gives:

 

60cm - 2.5cm (seatpost) - 1cm (saddle) = 56.5cm (or 55.5cm if I start from the measured 59cm)

 

The measurements do now start looking less suspicious now that I've done the calc...Hmmm

 

I think any frame I get is going to have to be a compromise between my long legs and short arms.

 

 

 

[Christie]

@ Edman

Imo fit is (unfortunately in this case) the no1 thing that brings hapiness on the bike. The top and seat tube lengths of standard frames usually differ by no more than a couple of cm. Unless you have got a very short stem on your Merida, chances are that you will feel stretched.

 

From your measurements, it looks like the best compromise would be to get a 58cm frame, put on one of those seat posts with a bit more setback (like Thomson), put in lots of spacers on top of the headset and run a long stem, in the order of 135 or 140mm. I am no fit expert, and there are very few of them around in SA. Yes, there are guys who measure you up, but Im not sure they will know what to do with a body shape that is a bit outside the normal distribution!

 

I think you should seriously consider a custom frame. Pegoretti does custom steel (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/frame-brand/pegoretti-14.html). I know youre looking for a carbon frame, but a sweet fitting steel frame will bring you lots of joy. The I think Scorpione is the SA agent, send him a PM for prices (I've got no idea how much it would cost). A bonus is the wide selection of paint scemes that comes with a custom frame, have a look at http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PEGORETTI_CUSTOM_FRAMESET_INFO - you could end up with the coolest bike in town.

 

The other alternative is a custom carbon frame. Colnago does custom sizes in their made in Italy models, but they are all very expensive, R30k+ for the frameset, but very very nice! 

 

Christie2008-04-01 01:38:04

[Malkie]

No matter what frame you buy,check how their replacement policy works in the case of a warranty claim ie do they have the frame available locally in stock or does it have to be braught in from overseas.I had the latter case with a Fuji replacement frame,this took a month and a half to arrive after 2 weeks of hagaling with the agents(2 month total),I ended up buying a differant brand as I couldnt be without a ride that long and than had to sell the replacement when it arrived.

 

Double check on the warranty details that the shop claims the bike has,I was told that it has a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner,when it was time to claim the agent said only 3 years warranty but when I checked the international website they quote on all their marketing it said what the bike shop did-limited lifetime waranty for the original owner.

 

[Christie]

Some more custom options, this time for Ti frames:

http://www.litespeed.com/2006/custom.aspx

http://www.vannicholas.com/

http://www.lynskeyperformance.com/

 

[PPWTF]

 http://www.pedalforce.com/online/

 

Take a look. They've been featured and reviewed in major cycling magazines, the product is always well reviewed and whilst they are in the USA they are set up for shipping.

 

http://pedalforce.com/online/product_info.php?products_id=8420

"The new monocoque carbon RS2 is one of our sexiest looking frames with new curves, color and lighter frame weight. Made by the same factory whose clients include some of the world's leading European brands, the high modulus carbon fiber is layered and optimized with the help of the latest computer technology (Fibre Alignment by Computer Technology). The result is a superlight race-ready machine with a comfortable rear triangle. Available in a 3K carbon weave finish and a beautiful glossy red-black design."

Semi-compact sloping top tube geometry

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL (detailed geometry will be released later)

Color: Black, Red-black w/ 3k carbon weave 

Weight: 960 g (M) 

High modulus carbon monocoque

Head tube for 1-1/8? Campagnolo Hiddenset or FSA Orbit CE compatible integrated headset

Seat post diameter 31.6 mm

Replaceable dropouts

Clamped-on front derailleur 34.9 mm

Outer cable routing

English threaded 68mm bottom bracket

Warranty: 5 years

$800.00 seems like a deal for a new carbon frame

 

 

 

that's my 10cents added.....

PPWTF2008-04-20 04:25:53

[javadude]

 

 http://www.pedalforce.com/online/

 

Take a look. They've been featured and reviewed in major cycling magazines' date=' the product is always well reviewed and whilst they are in the USA they are set up for shipping.

 

http://pedalforce.com/online/product_info.php?products_id=8420

"The new monocoque carbon RS2 is one of our sexiest looking frames with new curves, color and lighter frame weight. Made by the same factory whose clients include some of the world's leading European brands, the high modulus carbon fiber is layered and optimized with the help of the latest computer technology (Fibre Alignment by Computer Technology). The result is a superlight race-ready machine with a comfortable rear triangle. Available in a 3K carbon weave finish and a beautiful glossy red-black design."

Semi-compact sloping top tube geometry

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL (detailed geometry will be released later)

Color: Black, Red-black w/ 3k carbon weave 

Weight: 960 g (M) 

High modulus carbon monocoque

Head tube for 1-1/8? Campagnolo Hiddenset or FSA Orbit CE compatible integrated headset

Seat post diameter 31.6 mm

Replaceable dropouts

Clamped-on front derailleur 34.9 mm

Outer cable routing

English threaded 68mm bottom bracket

Warranty: 5 years

$800.00 seems like a deal for a new carbon frame

 

 

 

that's my 10cents added.....

[/quote']

 

Their shipping is quite expensive though, $265 for a frameset to South Africa.

 

[Sammajoor]

 

 http://www.pedalforce.com/online/

 

Take a look. They've been featured and reviewed in major cycling magazines' date=' the product is always well reviewed and whilst they are in the USA they are set up for shipping.

 

http://pedalforce.com/online/product_info.php?products_id=8420

"The new monocoque carbon RS2 is one of our sexiest looking frames with new curves, color and lighter frame weight. Made by the same factory whose clients include some of the world's leading European brands, the high modulus carbon fiber is layered and optimized with the help of the latest computer technology (Fibre Alignment by Computer Technology). The result is a superlight race-ready machine with a comfortable rear triangle. Available in a 3K carbon weave finish and a beautiful glossy red-black design."

Semi-compact sloping top tube geometry

Size: XS, S, M, L, XL (detailed geometry will be released later)

Color: Black, Red-black w/ 3k carbon weave 

Weight: 960 g (M) 

High modulus carbon monocoque

Head tube for 1-1/8? Campagnolo Hiddenset or FSA Orbit CE compatible integrated headset

Seat post diameter 31.6 mm

Replaceable dropouts

Clamped-on front derailleur 34.9 mm

Outer cable routing

English threaded 68mm bottom bracket

Warranty: 5 years

$800.00 seems like a deal for a new carbon frame

 

 

 

that's my 10cents added.....

[/quote']

 

Looks "very Specialized" to me

 

[PPWTF]

I especially loved the 'FACT carbon' graphic...... very specialized  and a very good looking bike for sure

[javadude]

Those frames are quite popular at the RoaBikeReview forums. They often organise group buys to get the frames cheaper.

[javadude]

Go check out this thread:

 

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=127816&highlight=pedal+force

 

[PPWTF]

When you consider that all of SA Raleigh carbon range is purchased direct from a factory, and then given the graphics, it's not hard to see why these guys are doing good business.

Originally heard about them whilst in the UK but at the price point they look even more attractive here in SA

[Minion]

Latest update:

 

SARS has finally paid me my 2006 tax refund (only 1.5 years late ) and I have received a nice living out allowance from my company for the travel I did to Chile two weeks ago. I have thus decided to increase my price range (and might be able to increase it more when I convince SARS to pay me the 18months interest on my refund ).

 

I should be getting some quotes in tomorrow and I'll post them up here for comment when I do.

 

[Speedi]

what about Scott addict, with ultegra setup? R22,000-R24,000! new

[mudda]

"Clayton44400 has large 2 frames for sale:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=23856

I think Trek like Bianchi has a no questions asked replacement policy, so if you have any issues, they wont let you down."

 

Actually Bianchi in South Africa has a 3 year warranty - after that you are on your own.  I think u will also need to advise on where it was bought.

 

Trek has a life time to the original owner.

 

 

[AndreZA]

GT has a stunning bike for 20k.