Road Cycling - What do you folks think of this frame?

http://www.louisgarneau.com/media/images/catalogs/VR3/1304301_319_x_large.jpg

My LBS was showing me this frame yesterday cause they are sadistic people who like to torture me and take my money. The owner who I have come to know over the years (I trust him), tells me that they are made in the same factory with the same alu tube set as Colnago's. I could pick this frame up next year (if I feel so inclined) for a mere $800 CAD. Its 7005 alu with carbon stays.

Here's a pic of a Colnago Carbon Titan RX1 frame set for the sake of arguement or debate. There are obvious differences, in the shape of lugs where the carbon meets the alu, as well it looks like the Colnago's have their "B stay" rear end. Also the LG has an intergrated headtube, and shaped seatube, the Colnago does not have either of these.

http://www.colnago.com/CATALOGO/size-frames/CT1/CT1/RX1.jpg

So yes they are not identical, but I don't doubt that they are made in the same place. What say the other riders in the peloton?

well...the lgs are probably made my the same contract manufacturer as the lower-end colnagos in asia. i'm pretty sure that some fo the lg bikes are identical to some of the argon 18s...

having said all that, lg doesn't really have any bike cred [great clothes cred]. doesn't mean anything, but it's not like these guys have been in or really are in the bike business.

Just to be clear, I probably wouldn't end up buying this frame. Although the idea of a carbon rear end appeals to me, it has one thing I don't like at all. That being the intergrated headset headtube. I like my Chris King, nuff said.

In the end if I really wanted to upgrade my frame, I probably would spend the extra dough and get a Colnago or something like it.

I just wanted to see what eveyone else thought about two frames, same factory, different names. Any other thoughts?

$800 can (That is like $68us:D ) for a carbon tail road bike is pretty cheap. To me it looks like a Pinarello Prince. Might be worth it to get one for, if nothing else, a rain bike.

Originally posted by Rev.Chuck
$800 can (That is like $68us:D ) for a carbon tail road bike is pretty cheap. To me it looks like a Pinarello Prince. Might be worth it to get one for, if nothing else, a rain bike.

If I'm spending 800 bones on a frame, you can bet I won't be using it as a "rain bike"!!! We Canucks have to stretch our dollar up here Rev. :D

I don't want to rain on your parade, but the Colnago Titan is Titanium and Carbon; the Garneau is Aluminum and carbon. Maybe you already knew that and didn't mention it. Other than that, from this view; I don't think they share the vaguest resemblance. Different dropouts, different tube shapes, etc.... I have a Colnago Ovalmaster Ti frame. I have never heard these rumors that Colnago's are made somewhere other than Colnago. It could be true, but where do these rumors come from?

Don't worry no parade to rain on. I'm pretty much decided that I wouldn't want to buy the LG anyways, just thought that since this is something I heard, I would share and get other opinions. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong Colnago frame too. I dunno, I'm no expert thats for sure. Meh whatever. I was bored needed something to post. :o

On a side note, road frames in general all appear geometry wise pretty much the same to me. Its usually a different paint job, parts spec, tubes etc. I'm sure each make has its subtle differences but to me, I'm not experienced enough to really tell.

Originally posted by stiffee_shane
http://www.louisgarneau.com/media/images/catalogs/VR3/1304301_319_x_large.jpg


That looks very similar to an Opus I was eyeing at my LBS. Probably the same factory is selling them to whoever wants to put a name on it.

The way the monostay connects is also very similar to a few other bikes... DeVinci maybe... Given that I've seen this same design on three Canadian bikes I'm thinking that a Canadian manufacturer is the OEM supplier here.

Anyhoo, the Opus was hanging as a bare frameset and a gentle squeeze of the rear dropouts resulted in a little too much flex for my tastes.

Originally posted by stiffee_shane
On a side note, road frames in general all appear geometry wise pretty much the same to me. Its usually a different paint job, parts spec, tubes etc. I'm sure each make has its subtle differences but to me, I'm not experienced enough to really tell.

If you ever get to the point of purchase, one thing to consider with a Colnago is that all their different models have the exact same geometry. The Master Lite steel frame has the same geometry as the Dream as the C-50 as the Ovalmaster, so forth and so on. And, the Colnago geometry is way different than most racing bikes. Much more laid back until you get into the larger sizes. My 58 cm has a 72.5 head angle and a 73 seat angle. Those are almost touring bike angles. This translates into a stable handling, comfortable bike for long distance riding/racing.

Originally posted by don d.
If you ever get to the point of purchase, one thing to consider with a Colnago is that all their different models have the exact same geometry. The Master Lite steel frame has the same geometry as the Dream as the C-50 as the Ovalmaster, so forth and so on. And, the Colnago geometry is way different than most racing bikes. Much more laid back until you get into the larger sizes. My 58 cm has a 72.5 head angle and a 73 seat angle. Those are almost touring bike angles. This translates into a stable handling, comfortable bike for long distance riding/racing.

I agree..

the opus bikes are all made in asia, probably in the sma e plant as the lg. the devincis, i believe, are still made in trois rivieres.

It definitely has eye appeal.

Originally posted by velocipedio
the opus bikes are all made in asia, probably in the sma e plant as the lg. the devincis, i believe, are still made in trois rivieres.

I think I might have been wrong with the DeVinci comparison... Argon18 maybe. Anyone seen one up close enough to comment?

I was told that the LG and the Opus frames are made by Giant. It's amazing how these sort of rumours spread and change eh? I guess only the people who make them really know for sure :)