Road Cycling - Just ordered my next project - How'd I do?

Well, I decided my Blue was getting lonely in the garage and needed something to keep it company. I've been eyeing the Pedal Force stuff even before I got my Blue and wanted to build up something over the winter. I'd been trading some emails with Ming and Mike at Pedal Force and finally went ahead and pulled the trigger.

This is supposed to be a "budget" buildup, I guess in the grand scheme of things it is. I've waffled around on bars and stem all day and finally just decided to go the cheaper route figuring if I don't like it, it's not that big a deal and I can upgrade.

When all this started, I was only going to order the frame and just set it back and gather components but after looking at Pedal Force's price on the groups, running the numbers every which way I could, I just couldn't rationalize not ordering it all together. All the LBS's are quoting me $950.00 on the SRAM Rival group and Pedal Force is way cheaper than that. They're only charging $435.00 for the Rival groupset. I wanted to support the LBS but that's just way too much of a difference.

Here's what I ordered.

Frame and Groupset: Fusion frame + SRAM Rival groupset
Frame size : 57 cm
Chainring combination : 39-53T
Crank length : 172.5 mm
Cassette combination : 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-26T
Fork: ID14
Headset: FSA Orbit CE
Headset Compressor: Carbolock
Headset Spacers: Carbon headset spacers
Headset spacer height : 30 mm
Seatpost: P2 300mm x 27.2mm
Cables: Standard Derailleur and Brake Cable Set
Handlebar: FSA Wing Pro 31.8mm Bar
Handlebar width : 44 cm
Stem: FSA OS-150 31.8mm Carbon Stem
Stem length : 100 mm
Tubes: 700Cx18-25 Butyl Tube, Presta Valve x 2
Front Tire: Michelin Pro 2 Race, 700CX23 Kevlar
Rear Tire: Michelin Pro 2 Race, 700CX23 Kevlar
Consumer Warranties and Policies: Professional Bicycle Assembly
Product Satisfaction Guarantee

Here's a photo of the frame:

http://pedalforce.com/online/images/fusion.jpg

I wanted the FSA K-Wing bars and the stem to go with them but that added another $175 to the price over what I ordered so I had to let it pass. I intended to order the tires from ProBikeKit but Pedal Force was only $1.00 more each so I added them in too.

Only thing I need are pedals, a seat and some wheels. I'm going to go for the Mavic Open Pro/Ultegra wheels from Performance and probably the KEOish pedals sold under the Performance name. I have a Terry Fly TI on my Blue so I'll probably get another one of those.

Anything glaring I should change?

sounds like an obsession to me.

how much did you pay for the gruppo?

nevermind :o

I love that Fusion frame. I WANT (or shall I say NEED) Pics when you get that built up. You did WELL. You'll certainly have a bike that is unique with the combo of the frame and the new SRAM group.

btw: what color tires?

I love that Fusion frame. I WANT (or shall I say NEED) Pics when you get that built up. You did WELL. You'll certainly have a bike that is unique with the combo of the frame and the new SRAM group.

btw: what color tires?

Black, of course.

The only thing not black on the bike will be the aluminum cap on the stem and the groupset levers. I was really temped to get the Force group as it was only an additional $200.00 but I resisted. I figured I dont need all the carbon pieces, just something to wear out faster.

Pedal Force doesnt have any SRAM groups right now so Im not expecting the bike to ship for another week or two.

The best part about this whole thing is if you decide you don't like the frame, you'll already have a tremendous build lined up for the next frame.

I was actually thinking if I didnt like it, I might could sell it for a profit on Ebay :)

Pedal Force is really proud of the Fusion so I'm hoping it lives up to all the good things they've said about it.

All black will look good. I wondered if you may throw some color into the wheels with either Red or a Yellow tire.

All black will look good. I wondered if you may throw some color into the wheels with either Red or a Yellow tire.

Na.. Im going for the Stealth Bomber look.

wow - that will be a fun and interesting build.... look forward to MANY PICS.....

Looks super. Can't wait to see it progress.

What kind of frame is that and where can I get more info on it?

It's a Pedal Force Fusion. Here's a link:

http://pedalforce.com/online/product_info.php?products_id=347

Lots of people here have built up their QS2, which is a carbon monocoque frame, and really liked it. I waffled around and decided to take a leap of faith on the Fusion.. Ive never seen but one build up thread on one here and none anywhere else.

I'd have gone Force. :D

But that's just me.

I know you would have. I hope you dont deny my OCP membership for slumming on the groupset.

I just couldn't justify spending the money. I gave serious thought to putting Record on it as their pricing on the Fusion with an 06 Record group was pretty good but I just couldn't make the leap.

Hopefully I didnt make a mistake by not getting the Fusion group but the weight difference wasnt that much and Im not going to put super high end wheels on the bike so I figure no need to get the top of the line groupset to ride on $200.00 wheels.

I really originally intended to put Centaur on it so I think I did make a step up from that at least.

I think the PF bike configurator may be a bit screwy. I have also entertained the idea of the Fusion with Rival group. I was pricing it out with the frame, groupo, fork, and headset (I have all of the other parts to complete the bike) and got a price of roughly $1638.

When pricing the QS2 with the exact same options I got a price of Roughly $1566.

Interesting.. the Rival group adds $641.00ish to the QS2 if you buy it by the piece.

They do state that the Fusion+SRAM group is a "special deal" so that's probably why it's cheaper.

They also are getting ready to launch another TI/Carbon frame but according to Ming, the Fusion is still going to be their top end frame.

Oh, and Patriot, I told them if it would speed the order up, they could bump me up to Force :)

Please post a report on how this frame rides. There have been several posts in the last year trying to find some more info on the frame. Thanks in advance. Aside: How are you going to sell the frame on scambay at a profit?

I probably wouldnt sell just the frame, probably sell the whole bike. Hopefully with the price of the group, I'll be able to at least break even.

That's worst case scenario tho and Ill really have to hate the bike. I doubt that happens.

Allways good to have a plan B, but I think you will enjoy it. Once you build them up yourself they are hard to part with. At least that is my experience.

Really intrigued with carbon/ti & carbon/steel frames so don't forget to give us a ride report. Good luck.