So this is the second Neo groupbuy. The first one was pretty good overall, but there were still some problems with the frames and parts. Here is a list of them and the solutions:
- Slippery seat post, caused by lack of friction between aluminum seat tube insert and matte finish seat post surface.
Solution: Shallow horizontal grooves inside aluminum seat tube insert for Exile Plus; full carbon seat tube for Exile Ultimate. Matte finish seat post is discontinued. Substituted by FSA K-Force Light and Edge seat posts.
- Headset issues with bearings and compressor plug, very few cases but I’ve stopped buying from the supplier anyway.
Solution: Using FSA headset and compressor plugs. They cost more but can be trusted.
- Insufficient stiffness, complained by a couple of strong sprinters, but Exile is designed as an allround frame and supposed to be strong enough for sprinting.
Solution: Bigger tubes, more material on down tube, BB and chain stay area, which inevitably increases the weight (for Exile Plus), but also makes the frames more durable and sustainable to crashes. As for Exile Ultimate, much higher grade material is used, the frame is stronger and lighter, and pricier….
- Inconsistent finish quality, including carbon weave, paintjob and decals; white painting turns yellow-ish over time. Again, only two or three cases. Any small defects would look very obvious on a black/white high contrast color scheme.
Solution: New paint factory, better quality control, also higher cost, but it’s worth it. New recipe for white paint, the old one has some resin that turns yellow after absorbing UV…
- Sizes. Exile was supposed to have 5 sizes, but there was not enough order for size XL, the mold was never made.
Solution: 6 sizes ready, 50cm-60cm, 2cm increments.
- Not hot-looking enough.
Solution: Three new (actually not totally new) color schemes for two new models.
Enough said about the first groupbuy, here comes the new one.
1. Time Schedule. Ordering and paying deposit, Nov; Manufacturing, Dec; Paying and shipping, early Jan.
2. Items:
a. Framesets
Neo Exile Plus
-T700/T800 mix carbon fiber
-Alloy drop outs, replaceable hanger
-BB30
-1.125”/1.5” tapered head tube
-Oversized down tube/BB/chain stays
-Frame, fork, FSA headset and compressor plug w/ carbon cone and top cap, FSA K-Force Light seat post, Thomson seat clamp; 1070g/380g/105g/190g/25g, total 1770g
-Glossy black UD; Glossy white
-Price $920
Neo Exile Ultimate
-Full T1000 carbon fiber
-Full carbon drop outs, replaceable hanger
-BB30
-1.125”/1.5” tapered head tube
-Oversized down tube/BB/chain stays
-Frame, Edge 2.0 1.5” fork, FSA headset and compressor plug w/ carbon cone and top cap, Edge seat post, Thomson seat clamp; 880g/340g/105g/180g/25g, total 1530g
-Matte black UD
-Price $1800
b. Groupsets
Sram Red
Sram Force
Sram Rival w/ FSA BB30 cranks
c. Barset
FSA OS99 CSI stem
FSA Wing Pro Compact bar
FSA K-Force Compact bar
FSA K-Wing Compact bar
FSA Plasma Compact Integrated bar
d. Wheelset
Sram
Edge
Gigantex(probably)
e. Saddle
Prologo w/ custom Neo logo clips
Models to be offered: Scratch, Scratch Nack, Nago Evo, Nago Evo Nack
**Thread to be edited**
Last edited by phallenthoul; 11-03-09 at 12:07 AM.
Neo Exile frameset clearance 10% off. now $675 only!
only size S available. 09 Christmas Groupbuy Started
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Ok what's new? I think I see BB30 and obviously new tube shapes. What are the differences over the original Neo? I have a friend interested in my bike and I was going to point them to you but maybe I sell them my frame and get the new one instead. Also if I wanted to get the Edge fork for my Neo how much would that run me?
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Do you have prices for the component groups and wheelsets?
I was wondering the same thing. On a related note, if you're in San Fran, maybe we could save on shipping. I will also have friends near Patrick in China towards the end of the year. Just an idea...
The frame shown is the Ultimate. I haven't confirmed with Patrick, but I imagine the Plus will share the frame shape (when molds are so expensive, why have 2 different ones?)
Mine is one it's way to me--from the same initial batch as the bike in the photos above.
Which of the frames above are plus and which are ultimate?
the one shown is Exile Ultimate, matte UD with black decals.
Exile Plus has glossy UD with white decals and glossy white with black decals.
still trying to get some nice pictures of those.
Neo Exile frameset clearance 10% off. now $675 only!
only size S available. 09 Christmas Groupbuy Started
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Originally Posted by slimvela
