Road Cycling - Reynolds 853 and full Ultegra for $1099 !!??

Hey boys and girls, check this out. http://www.supergo.com/pdffiles/40_Page_120.pdf

I'm wondering about the "new improved larger diameter thinner walled 853 tubing". Wondering whether this is something that Scattante is experimenting with or whether other frame builders are using it. Wondering about reliability, stiffness, and ride quality. This being a mail order deal, I can't test ride the bike first to check out the ride quality.

The frame on this bike is warrantied for only 2 years compared to lifetime on many other manufacturers.

So what do you guys think of this deal? Too good to be true, or too good to pass up?

The frame on this bike is warrantied for only 2 years compared to lifetime on many other manufacturers.

Don't you think that sort of speaks for itself??

Since FIT, FIT, FIT is the number one criterion in buying a bike, I am not clear how you are going to be guaranteed a good or even sort of close fit with a mail order bike?

Having an ill-fitting $1,100.00 bike sitting in a garage because it feels awful is a much worse investment than a having a $1,300.00 bike that you ride all the time because it fits like a glove - right??

I'm wondering about the "new improved larger diameter thinner walled 853 tubing". Wondering whether this is something that Scattante is experimenting with or whether other frame builders are using it.
I'm not sure about other builders, but Serotta uses 853 in its
premier top of the line steel bike (the CSI).
853 was introduced in 1995 so its been around a while.
It is a more difficult tube set to work with and is usually
either TIG welded or brass brazed.
I don't know much about the Scattante marque.
I'd be wary of the 2 year warranty on the frame.

Marty

What are they skimping on? Alignment, mitreing, frame finishing(threading/facing etc).
Using premium steel on a less than craftsman-built frame is a marketing bodge.

Just read your comment on the scattante at supergo Iam considering this model but also have reservations. Did you buy? If not what did you decide on? I'm also looking at Lemond Buenes Aires.

they aren't skimping on anything. They are good frames, they are cheap because Supergo has buying power and volume to get those kind of deals. Probably a company like Serrotta is making the Scattante frames.

The only thing that blows is the cheesy "generic" Scattante name painted on the frame. If you don't mind that, their frames are good.

There is a difference between good and great but for $1000, you're not going to get great.

Actually, I doubt the frames are made by Serotta. More likely someone in Taiwan. Thsi shouldn't worry anyone, though, Taiwan-made frames are as good as frames anywhere at that price point.

the ad says "....a $600 savings" but it says $1099 ($1900 retail). the ultegra, cosmos and saddle are around -$700-$750 (middle/late season) alone.
can it be rejects from the factory?
can one screw up a 853 frame?

will people pay a premium for a company name on a frame or is there really a difference?! i don't know.

Scattante is Supergos' house brand. Yes an 853 frame can be screwed up. Supergo tosses alot of hype.There are several different 853 tubesets.The Scattante uses one of the cheaper ones.Some of the Aluminum Scattantes are made in Itally,the 853 ones are mde in Tiawan I believe.The 853 bike has decent stuff on it. There is no free lunch.

I have a Buenos Aires (a 2001, before they upgraded to Ultegra mix and switched from Rolf to Bontrager). I'd worry about buying a mail order bike... fit is way more important than a specific component or materials in the frame.

The Lemond has a slightly longer toptube which tends to work better for folks with longer torsos and shorter legs (say, like me). Another great bike in the same price range is a Bianchi Eros (Campy parts). Marin makes a great looking bike in the price range as well.

Best advice, go to a few local bike shops, test ride the bikes, narrow down to the one that fits you best, and then work out a deal with that shop. You will likely pay a few more dollars but it will come back in comfort, performance, and after sales happiness.

btw, Supergo doesn't have the best rep among mail order places...

No, I didn't buy the bike. Instead, I bought a Habanero Titanium frame with full Ultegra for about 2,000. You can get a Ti frame from Habanero for $695. Their website is: www.habcycles.com
They're a good company. Frames are welded in China by aerospace welders. My neighbor has one of their MTB frames, and a friend of my brother's has one of their road frames. All 3 of us are happy customers.

Mark Hickey, the owner of Habanero, is totally committed to customer satisfaction. The frames are slightly over-built, so they're not super light. They weigh less than 3 1/2 pounds,so they are lighter than most steel frames. Plus, you get Ti's rust and corrosion resistance. And no worries about scratching or chipping the paint because the Ti is not painted. The bikes are beautiful IMO.

My brother bought the Scattante (aka Supergo) bike and is happy with it. It's a helluva deal. The components alone are worth the cost of the bike, so it's like getting the 853 frame for free. He's got the Mavic Cosmos wheel set, whereas I've got the Mavic Open Pro on my Ti bike. But as I said, I'm happy as a clam with the Habanero. Riding it is pure joy.

I'm within driving distance from 3 supergo locations. I have seen the Scattante frames and they are good quality frames. I'm pretty sure they are identical to some famous company bikes.
There is nothing funky on geometry or spec and they are just solid bikes for alot less than anyone else--you just have to deal with the ugly decals and "generic" name. Also, they have to price it lower to compete because people won't shell out $ for a Scattante over a Bianchi or Specialized of equal value.
Like I said, their buying power gets them these great deals.