New Mid to High End Frameset - Brands?
 

Looking to get into a mid to high-end road frameset in the upcoming year, something light and sporty like the Cannondale SuperSix or Cervelo R3/R5. This will be my own build, likely Di2.

Does Cannondale sell framesets direct or through dealers? They don't list framesets on their website, only completes.

Cervello frames are listed on the website and available through dealers.

Really not interested in Specialized or Trek but I'm sure someone will try to convince me. Do they even sell framesets new? I'm also not interested in used or Chicarb.

Cannondale, Cervelo, Trek, Specialized... who else is out there?


-Tim-

Allied Alfa is starting to get some press. Made in USA.
https://alliedcycleworks.com/allied-alfa/

These sound great on paper would seriously consider one...if I had the money...and wanted another bike.

I can buy Cannondale frames in the EU. I'd guess your shop would sell one. I am biased to certain brands, but I do think if you are in the price range for a frame like the SuperSix, then ANY frame you choose for your build will be fantastic, so pick the one that looks the best to you.

Quite a few Euro brands out there. That's what I'd be looking at.

What is the point of building up such a frameset?
I can understand it for something more exotic which are often available mainly as framesets. But for common stuff like Cannondale, Cervelo etc with a common groupset like Shimano surely you can get what you want already built.
Their frames are not usually very competitively priced compared to the complete bike either.

Browse thru the bikes here for ideas.. there's quite a lot available in just framesets (and they don't have Cdale, Trek or Spesh btw)

https://www.racycles.com/

Most Wilier are sold by frameset: https://www.wilier.com/en/products/us/road
I also happen to like this one: https://ktmbikeindustries.com/revela...estige-r-5914/

Lightweight
AX Lightness
LOOK
De Rosa
Colnago
Pinarello
Canyon
Parlee
etc.

Go browse Road - Weight Weenies for a look at a bunch of frames you may have never heard of (lots of Euro stuff).

Is ultra-lightweight or aero a goal? That will help you narrow down the myriad of choices somewhat.

Trek sells their framesets on its website.

I have a bunch of parts from my old bike which will port over - expensive wheels, carbon aero bar, cranks, etc.


-Tim-

I really like the new Chapter 2 frames. $1899 usd.

https://us.chapter2bikes.com/

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/07/chap...ameset-review/

Most brands will sell the mid/high end framesets through a dealer. Big internet retailers like Backcountry(CC) or RAcycles have a decent selection of brands & frames.

Giant, Trek, Specialized, Bianchi, and most others sell frames through dealers. I would imagine your local shop could order virtually any frame you wanted.

I know you're not interested in Trek but yes they sell most of their frames from the 5 series and up. I have a Domane frame that I built up like you're considering. Depending on what you're really wanting from a mid-high end standpoint, Speedvagen is now selling what they call their "ready made" OG1's as a frameset as well as a complete. I'm still hoping and lusting that the spousal unit will give me the thumbs up for a custom but that's in a different league price point and stupidity wise :)

The frameset is a "reasonable" $3400 compared to their custom which starts at about $4700, but the ready made has all the features of the custom.

OG1 Road Bike ? The Vanilla Workshop

I seldom get as far as the wheelset on a complete bike before I'm off the spec sheet and into my own build.

Plus my Quarq. Plus my saddle. Plus my bars (I like 2cm narrower and round radius top bends).

Also, I tend to do big climbs from time to time (2000+ w/ 12%, 14% even 18% grades), so I want Wi-Fli and a 32 cassette.

At that point I can usually, no, ALWAYS build out a frame set for less than I can buy a bike, plus I get it how I want it right up front, no swapped out parts accumulating on the work bench.

BMC sells frames.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3902/...65f04c59_z.jpg2014 BMC GF02 by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

Specialized may be spoken of as the demon child of generic mass market bikes, but honestly, I have yet to find anything that rides better than an S-Works Tarmac.

While they used to be more competitively priced vs the more exotic alternatives, they are still a solid frame with beaucoup r&d spending, and are now priced "meh slightly" less than the alternatives. Not enough less for that to be a selling point anymore. Used to be "get the best riding frame for much less and least it's an SVT instead of a plain old Ford". Now it's get the best riding frame for a little less, but it's still a Ford".

Unfortunately, Specialized has gone asbsolutely to ish on their warranty and customer service policies, and at this point, as sexy as the new SWorks Tarmac is in theory... in practice I, as a 10 year SWorks customer, am considering many alternative 2018 frames such as Wilier (Zero 7/6), Look, AXLightness, to avoid Specialized the company, even though the new 1/2 lb lighter SWorks Tarmac delivers serious wood.

If Specialized were to magically de-head their asses I would be all over the new SWorks Tarmac.

Instead I'm even considering picking up a workswell 066 (the lightweight one) and putting $600 worth of custom paint lipstick on a $450 pig rather than drop >$4k on another Specialized frame.


Anyhow:

Specialized
Trek
Cannondale
Pinarello (ugh imo)
Look
BMC
Colnago
DeRosa
AXLightness
Focus
Fondriest
Cube
Sarto
Argon 18
BH (meh)
Merida (meh)
Cervelo (ugh imo)

This would be my choice.. not that it matters to the OP or anyone else.

.

Who in their right mind does not "want" another bike....

FTFY...:d

Well have a new frame incoming, and only 2 legs, so kinda sorta.

OK, BMC... Argon 18... Now you guys are talking.

What about TIME? I don't think I've ever seen an ugly one. What is that active fork thingamajig they have? Gimmick or really work?

Of the manufacturers listed in the posts above, anyone have poor warranty or poor customer service experiences?

I don't think I've ever heard of these...
AXLightness
Fondriest
Cube
Sarto
BH
Merida


-Tim-

Same here. I'm waiting till the price drop on the BMC Roadmachine frameset, but that won't be awhile.

I also heard that Canyon USA website will be open for order in the next few weeks.

Orbea

Fuji's lightest model, the SL Elite is a tremendous value. Very competent, very inexpensive, stupid light.

Scott Addict

Giant TCR Advanced Pro or Advanced SL
Both should be light and stiff.