nate98

After a long time of riding my urban bike for exercise, I'm looking to move into the realm of the road bike. I want make a moderate investment and choose something I can grow with. So, I'm looking at a couple of entry level CFs with good reputations:
Orbea Onix
Calfee Luna Pro

Assuming all component specs are equal, what do you folks prefer? I've read several reviews and threads on the virtues of both bikes, but have not seen them directly compared. It seems that both Calfee and Orbea have devoted fans. Let's hear how they stand against one another.

I know many of you will want to tell me to test and choose the one I like. There is an LBS that's not too local - 40 miles away - who carry both. I plan to go do that as soon as I can. But, being a newbie to the roadie world, I'm asking for your help. What do you people think rides better? How about construction? It looks like the Onix may be made in China, which could be a strike against it politically. How about in terms of quality? I've seen several things about the greatness of Calfee as a brand and of the dragonfly and tetra, but not as much about the Luna. Will it stand up to Calfee standards? Which of these two frames will grow with me for a long time to come when the time comes to improve componentry?

I look forward to reading the debate. Thanks for your help!

roadiejorge 

As an Orbea Onix owner I'll vouch for the bike because it's a lot of fun to ride, I've heard a lot of great things about Calfee's as well but have not ridden one so I can't comment. I too wondered about the Onix frame being made in Taiwan, however I read that Orbea designs the frame in Spain then has it built overseas unlike other companies which just select frames from those made by CF manufacturers. Either way I didn't let that factor much into my decision because in the end it's about the quality of the product, and I haven't heard many complaints from other Orbea owners so after test riding it and loving the ride I made my choice. The Onix is a decent frame and one which is worth upgrading if you're not happy with the pre-selected components. I ride the TDA which comes with an FSA crankset, Ultegra rear derailleur and the rest is 105 which have been fine for me. I don't race but enjoy riding fast and the bike's performance has lead to a lot of fun rides, sprints and climbs. At this price range most of what you'll find will be good products, it's more a matter of identifying what you're looking to do on your road bike.

drdhsimon

i've not ridden either, but think that Calfee's reputation is well earned. Just because the Luna isn't their top model doesn't mean it's not worthy of the Calfee name. I wouldn't let that scare you away.

Stallionforce

The Calfee is made in China? Dear God (and Buddha) it may disintegrate on you faster than a Sun Tzhu maxim.

Go with Calfee -- Orbea is so "done" (he lisps).

mp123

Calfees are custom built for you either with their stock geometry or with whatever fits you better if you can measure and figure that out. Not sure about Orbeas but I think they're pretty much off the rack. Both are nice but I'm not sure I'd really consider either "entry level" in the traditional sense.

subframe

I love the Onix, it would be one of my top choices if I were looking for a new bike, UNLESS a Calfee was involved. Calfees are just beautiful bikes. Of course, the Luna is gonna end up costing a LOT more than the Onix, so the comparison isn't really fair anyway.

And don't worry about the Onix coming from China. That means nothing other than that it comes from China. 99% of carbon frames come out of Asia, their origin has no inherent bearing on the quality.

nate98

Is that truly the case? I'm seeing the Onix frameset online price at $1499 and the Luna at $1699 - just $200 difference.

mp123

Ahh, but by the time you get a fork and a really cool Calfee paint job you're at $2,000+

subframe

Well, looking at full bikes you can get an Onix for under 2k prolly, and the Luna frame alone is almost that much. Add the fork and paint, like mp123 says, and then the wheels, drivetrain, bar+stem, seat + post, etc, and it's gonna be a lot more.

ericcox

That Onix frameset price is high. I got my '07 Onix TDF (full ultegra, FSA SLK carbon crank, ksyrium equipe wheels) for $2200. The new TDFs are MSRP for $2400, I believe. TDE's are a little less.

I love my Onix. That being said, if I could have built up a Calfee Luna for a similar cost, the decision would have been hard to make.

roadiejorge 

I checked it out of curiosity (Calfees are very nice looking bikes) and the $1699 price was for the frame alone, not the frame set. I got my Onix for $1800 and it was a complete bike which gives me the option to ride it and upgrade the parts I feel can be improved upon. Calfee makes a great bike from what I keep hearing so if you have the money to drop and the geometry works for you then by all means go for it, I had a budget and went with what fit and responded the best.

nate98

OK...maybe the price difference will be more than I thought. I still haven't heard from anyone who has a Luna. Everyone so far has been replying with the feeling that I have - Calfee has a great rep and is a great looking bike. Is there anybody out there who has a Luna Pro?

mp123

I don't have a Luna but I talked to Craig about building me one a while ago. They're definitely a small, high end, custom builder. Nice people to talk to. Anything you want in a bike they can probably do. In the end I decided against it because I couldn't wait the 6-8 week build time.

nate98

So what did you go with?

NealH

I purchased a Calfee Tetra in 2001 and, have yet to ride a bike I like better - though eventually I will find one. The Luna is essentially the same bike, with the exact same ride characteristics, just a bit more weight (maybe 100 grams) and, limited customization available. I would buy the Luna in a heartbeat.

If price is important then it's hard to beat the Obea, or any other of the numerous Asian built spec bikes.

mp123

BMC SLT01, very happy with it.

I think a Calfee would be great too if you really wanted a truely one of a kind unique bike and didn't mind the wait.

Carbon Unit

I have owned two Calfees and I love them! I had a 2001 Luna Pro and sold it for a 2004 Tetra Pro. I needed a taller head tube otherwise I would have kept the Luna.

Calfee builds a very high quality bike and great ride characteristics. Calfee has a lively ride while still being comforable for long rides.

Calfee is also one of the few bikes that is available with a nude finish. Some do not like the nude finish but I think it looks great. It is much more durable too. Not having paint or a clear coat makes it a lot harder to get scratches. You really have to work to scatch raw carbon.

KevinF

I have the Tetra, one model up in their line. Craig Calfee has said in the past that the Luna and Tetra ride virtually identically -- the only difference is in the weight. Feel free to call Calfee directly and ask them yourself. Get Craig himself on the phone if you want. I won't claim to have ridden every frame model out there, but if there is a dreamier bike to ride then a Calfee -- I sure don't know what it could be. Calfee's ain't cheap, but they are worth every penny. Get one. You won't regret it.

dave99ag

Is the nude finish with the "pretty" carbon layer or the actual carbon underneath? I've seen a few bikes without the "pretty" layer and they look pretty darn sweet.

kwrides

roadiejorge nailed it. I have an Onix TDF I got complete for about $1800 with a fork, full Ultegra (except and FSA Crankset), and Ksyrium Equipes..

To spec that Calfee comparably, you're spending a ton more. Having said that, if you can afford the Calfee, go for it!

terry b

No comparison - hand made in Santa Cruz by a guy who actually picks up his own phone vs. a pretty fine mass-produced bike store product.

Both will give you a great ride, it's just a matter of how personal a bike you want.

I've owned a Tetra for almost 10 years, and Craig Calfee has personally taken the time to bail me out of more dumb cycling problems than I care to count. You won't get that kind of service (should you need it) for a frame from Orbea, even though Orbea USA is a decent support group. And just so we don't think I'm knocking them, I also own a Euskatel Starship.

I just don't think they belong in the same class of comparison.

Carbon Unit

The nude finish on a Calfee is very impressive. They don't use carbon weaver, but filament wound carbon. The carbon has impressive looking patterns similar to maple grain pattern in wood. A nude finish is also a lot more durable than paint.

Here is a vide review of the Luna Pro

https://www.testrider.com/fly.aspx?la...layer&video=16