Road Cycling - Alu/Carbon Framesets ($800-$1200 Range)

I'm currently riding a 2001 Klein Quantum, and while I love the bike (light, stiff, descends like it's on rails) the harsh ride, especially on the bad roads around where I live, is starting to wear on me a bit. Secondly, and maybe more importantly, I've wanted to get a frameset and build up a bike exactly as a I want it. New bike lust is certainly part of the equation.

I've never heard anything bad about Salsa equipment and the Campeon looks like a excellent frame and a pretty good value - it's on the lower side of the Scandium/Carbon frame prices. While price isn't a huge issue, spending more than $1500 on a frameset is probably out of the question, meaning something like a Pinarello Prince or Fondriest Top Level Carbon isn't going to be in Santa's backpack.

A local friend who is about the same size just purchased one, and I'm going to try to arrange for a ride on top of it to get a personal ass level view of the ride. Just wondering if anyone has any other comments on the frame, there's very little information available on it at either Salsa's site or anywhere else on the web.

I'm willing to look at other framesets (why I'm posting this) and wonder if anyone has comments on the Campeon in particular, or a different frame that they'd prefer.

Thanks for any input, and if anyone cares it'll be built with Easton hardware and Campy Chorus groupo - completely unsure on what to do for wheels, LBS has good deals on a pair of Bontrager Race X-Lites, and being a smallish guy (150 lbs.) I shouldn't get to many flex problems on those, though I'm tempted to get a nice set of tubulars built up and just get a campy conversion for my current set of wheels and use them for training purposes.

Suggestions welcome, that's why I'm posting. I've got a long and healthy relationship with my LBS and I'm willing to spend a bit extra for the time and expertise they've spent on me over the years, so if it's something I can work through them I'll be much more open to trying.

Sorry for the repost, was trying to title the thread a little differently to encourage discussion and open it up to other comments - however vBulletin won't let me delete the post that created the other thread, I guess I'll have to get a moderator to do that for me

Bike pr0n to induce responses!


Salsa Campeon:

http://shop.airbomb.com/site/images/library/catalogs/soc/prodl/FM1350.jpg

<http://www.fondriestbici.com>

check wrenchscience.com for a pretty comprehensive list of alu/carbon frames. it gives price ranges too, just to get a feel for what's out there. i've never had any dealings with a salsa frame--only components. me, i'm cautious, and would be skeptical about a frame company until i heard loads of positive feedback about them.

I've heard loads of feedback on Salsa for their steel frames (both road and mountain) - and all good. This is their first year making Aluminum framed roadies though.

Also, I'm aware that Fondriest is having a sale currently, but I've got a couple of problems with that. 1 - it'd be a frame I've never ridden, or had fit to me. 2 - warranty repair and support, as my LBS isn't a Fondriest dealer. They are gorgeous bikes though, especially with the SAT finishes.

Any other suggestions?

Orbea (http://www.orbea.com)
Pinarello (http://www.pinarello.com)
Litespeed (http://www.litespeed.com)
Bianchi (http://www.bianchi.it)

The list can be very long if you like.
If you've got your heart set on buying from your LBS the try and test each of the bikes they can get if possible and then decide.
All your'e going to get here is an exercise in how many different brands people can come up with and what their opinions are on ride quality. Thats something that you can't relate to yourself though.

Also the New AL/CF Cannondale 'CAAD8' (as used by Simoni in TDF) is due in the shops by september / october. It looks to be a pretty interesting ride.

whydo you want a Carbon rear end?
weight or perceived comfort?

Comfort, mostly - I highly doubt any new frame I buy is going to weigh less than the full aluminum Klein I ride now, it's a pretty damn light bike, just for long training rides on poorer roads (where most of my riding is done) that super stiff rear triangle slowly wears you down. I love my Klein, it looks gorgeous, it climbs like a monkey with it's ass on fire, and it's super stable descending (something a lot of alloy frames seem to struggle with). I'm keeping it, and will probably still use it a ton for fast group rides/races.

What I was really looking for is a heavy daily trainer / sometime racer that is a bit more forgiving, and since I don't want a cheap Ti bike and have never really been a fan of full carbon frames, a Alu/Carbon ride seems to be the best choice for me. That sum up sorta what I'm gunning for?

Ok yes it does,
allow me to throw in a spoiler.

How about a Steel frame. They're more flexy and more comfortable over rougher roads. I feel the difference hopping from my Litespeed to my old Bianchi.

Salsa makes some lovely steel frames and they have excellent reputation.

As for cheap Al frames with carbon rear ends, I'm not sure you're going to get one thats compliant. At that price point they tend to be stiffer than stiff thing. Can't help you there.

or perhaps I can help. Not sure if these are available in US:

http://www.sintesibikes.com/Images/Bikes/Matador_Red.jpg

and this;

http://www.sintesibikes.com/Images/Bikes/Oxalis_Black.jpg

and lastly;
http://www.sintesibikes.com/Images/Bikes/Exentrica_Red.jpg

I remember the Exentrica was very competively priced against the frames of similar spec. A work colleage recently purchased one and is very happy with it.
Deda U2 tubing and Deda monobox rear triangle junction at BB shell. Cutting edge at a very good price.
Can't tell u how it rides. He is 6'3" vs my 5'9"...

Why not upgrade to the new Klein Pro Carbon. The changes from the Quantum are very significant. I have test ridden one and thought it to be excellent in both performance and comfort. And, I sincerely mean this. Nevertheless, I can understand wanting to try something a little different. Everyone should have several bikes. My recommendation is to test ride if at all possible before you buy and, compare it to the Pro Carbon as a reference.

Hey now, I love my Klein ... but what's the fun in having a second good bike if it's the same brand as the first? Seriously though, it's a fantastic bike, and really is my measuring stick. The pale blue to raw carbon fade is one of the best looking frames you will ever see, I'm not sure anyone does a better frame finish than Klein. I'm not planning on ditching my current one, that's for sure.

As for steel, I haven't ridden a steel road frame in forever. Maybe I should look into a few. Any good ideas on framesets in that price range, and even what to look for? Reynolds 853 tubing? The Salsa La Raza seems like a really nice bike, but it's a bit on the hefty side for what I was looking for.

I have heard good things about the Landshark bikes. These are worth checking out. Craftsmanship is reported to be excellent and quality Deda tubing is used. 853 seems stiff to me. At least on the bikes that I have ridden. Columbus FOCO may be a better choice but is probably stiff also. Not putting these down though as the construction will have more to do with the ride than material alone. Dave Kirk (http://www.kirkframeworks.com/) is making steel frames out of Reynolds 725 and I would bet that this will provide the classic steel ride. The costs of this frameset will be a little higher than your target though. But ohhh, those beautiful lugs.

pgreene: that wrench science site has sum serious eye candy fo sho

Excel has a closeout on some Casati's with carbon rears - you should take a look at their website. The prices are great (if you are aware what it usually costs). I would take (and have) a Casati over a Fondriest frame any day. As for a more comfortable frame, aluminum may not be the best solution. I agree that steel is a great alternative. Unfortunately they will not be as light as your Klein. A good frame built from Dedacciai EOM 16.5 steel tubing will be very close in weight to aluminum (about 3 lbs), but, alas, that tubing is quite expensive (frame will run anywhere from $1500 and up).
Have you considered Titanium, like a Litespeed or Dean? You can get frames which are around $1500 and will ride butter-smooth. Also, Ti will run almost the same weight as aluminum.

Dean El-Diente CTI (http://www.deanusa.com/el%20diente%20cti/eldientecti.htm)

Originally posted by extomesm
pgreene: that wrench science site has sum serious eye candy fo sho

yes, yes it does. about once a month or so i'll go there to build up a "dream" bike. it's the most comprehensive site i've found in terms of options. my only beef is that some frames only allow you to get certain forks. but it remains a great site nevertheless.

spoke to Tim at Wrenchscience about that, He says it's because only allow recommended forks to be sold with the frames, Ie manufacturer approved forks.
Brilliant site. Their bike fit tool is great to use as well. If I did'nt life in the UK i'd buy from them. Import tax is just to much here to make it worth the hassle

Originally posted by TimB
spoke to Tim at Wrenchscience about that, He says it's because only allow recommended forks to be sold with the frames, Ie manufacturer approved forks.
Brilliant site...

my friend with the tricked-out c40 put a look fork on there, just b/c it was lighter. the purists nearly had a stroke, of course. but if you really want to make a bike as light as possible, you ought to be able to choose your fork. that being said, i completely understand why they limit your options. as cool as the site is, if that's my only beef, i can't really complain.

I'm considering the Salsa Campeon, recommended by my LBS. Wish there was more info out there on it but seems to be little. However, my LBS owner has used it for racing this season and speaks highly of it. He has experience on many high level frames (which I do not), and has been very satisified. As luck would have it, he is the same height as me and I plan to test his bike before a purchase. Price wise, looks like a good value.

Dude---FONDRIEST. The Madonna di Campliglio is on sale factory direct for $799. The list price was $1699. Throw down, you will not be disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!