Road Cycling - Fondriest Status Carb purchase question

Hello All:
New member here. I am working up my courage to attempt a return to cycling after decades away - other than some mtb and very occasional road outings. I was a pretty serious rider as a kid (30 plus years ago). As a kid, though, I was also employed as a bike mechanic, and developed a fondness for nice things (back then mostly Reynolds or Columbus tubed italian frms and Campy). I'm 6'1", 205lbs today, and even as a kid in top shape I was 190+. I've been looking at the Fondriest Status Carb at my lbs - ATA, Cambridge, MA. They've got one all built with Campy Chorus, and Campy Protons. Was thinking about substituting Rotor Cranks for the campy. This setup gets to be kinda expensive. My questions are,
1) How much money is it really reasonable to pay for such a ride?
2) Any alternatives I should be considering before going ahead?
3) Am I nuts to be thinking about anything this good, given my old, decrepid, and questionably commited state?
Thanks for any thoughts.

Hi, you sound a bit like me last year! Yes, I believe it is worth spending a few thousand dollars to get the best bike you can afford and ride much better than you possibly could otherwise. I built up my training gradually on an old bike then ordered my dream machine, a custom built Seven Odonata. After a layoff of over 20 years I got back into cycling and now I'm out on the road nearly every day. Sometimes I do over 100 miles.
I think you will really enjoy cycling again, the big thing is not to overdo it at first.
Fondriest make some really nice carbon frames - so if thats what you want!
Custom frame builds are a lot better in my opinion because they take your bodyweight, dimensions and riding style into consideration when they select the tubing.Then they can build your bike to be the best it possibly can be - it will handle and respond exactly as you want it to. If you want a super stiff frame for sprinting, or a super light bike for climbing, or high vertical compliance for road vibration damping and comfort - it can be all done.
If you are looking for carbon then as well as the Fondriest I recommend the top of the range Willier frame from Italy and also the Trek Madone 5.9 SL. Both of these are very stiff, but you may find this tiring after a long ride, they are a bit like racing cars - a very hard ride and you feel every tiny bump in the road.
Regards Cliff

Thanks, Cliff. I appreciate your time and your notions about custom. Clearly, a good way to go. As for the alternative currently under active consideration though, the Status Carb is mostly steel. Only the seat stays are carb. Any further thoughts in light of this?

Hi
Please excuse my ignorance regarding Fondriest frame materials! They are not a common bike over here in England although we do see them advertised in the cycling press from time to time.
Steel is real! as they say, and it is still a good frame material because of its combination of a reasonable vibration damping and good stifness properties. I ride an old steel Bianchi sometimes and I just love that feel of steel.
Custom steel bikes are built too, some with carbon seatstays and some with both seatsays and seat tube in carbon. If I was to get a new steel bike then I think it would also be from Seven because of all the options with the tube types. Even straight gauge tubing which is much more economical comes in different wall thicknesses so weight can be kept to a minimum.
Does your Fondriest have carbon seatstays or other tubes? This makes for a much more comfortable ride and probably improves the handling a bit too.
Cliff

Hello Again, Cliff -
The frame is steel except for seat stays in carbon. Take a look at:
http://www.roadbikereview.com/2002+Road+Bike/Fondriest%2CStatus%2CCarb/PRD_135942_4229crx.aspx
for information and a few user reviews on the frame.
Thanks again.

It looks like a really nice frame. I hope that you get it and have many years of happy cycling!

Cliff

1) How much money is it really reasonable to pay for such a ride?

If I'm not mistaken, the status carb is an '03 frameset built with steel and CF? If so, Fondriest Direct used to have those on sale for about $1300. With another 1300 to 1500 for a chorus build kit, I would say under $3K would be reasonble....

2) Any alternatives I should be considering before going ahead?

As a Fondriest owner, I am a little biased. However, I believe it to be first rate frameset that you won't be dissapointed with, ever!

3) Am I nuts to be thinking about anything this good, given my old, decrepid, and questionably commited state?

Nope! Bust a move, if you can afford and get the right price :)

I had the same issues when I purchased a xc mtb. I was worried that it was "too nice" for me. One time someone said something to that effect and I replied "That's okay, I'll grow into it." I did!! Good luck with the bike.

probably silly to respond now, so much later than first post, but I've had a great experience at Ata Cycles in Cambridge. Their prices are right on target, usually better than you'll find elsewhere (although they are a high-end shop, so nothing's cheap), and their products and service are topnotch. My brother bought a Fondriest from them (and lots of individual stuff) and loves it, and I bought a Giant. Their service has been terrific.

Sounds like a great choice...get what you want now because if you don't you'll be back for it later and just spend more. The older I get the more I love riding. By the way...try the Rotor Cranks and you'll love em. My knees thank me all the time and overall fittness determines the length of my rides now not conditioning my legs and knees