tekhna

So I'm looking to build a replacement to for my Specialized Allez that was destroyed when I was hit by a car a couple weeks ago, and in all likelyhood I will have about 1600 dollars to work with. I'd like to build with a Veloce/Centaur mix, but I am still pretty up in the air on frames. I've looked at the Flyte SRS-3, Pedal Force QS-2. Also given some thought to the CAAD8 and the Scott speedster frames. Problem is finding something that fits me-I think I need a 61cm frame. Flyte's 60cm seems like it would be too small, whereas I felt a bit stretched out on my 62cm Allez. The option of course is the Motobecane Le Champion-the 07 model specs are great for 1300 bucks.
Am I overlooking a really obvious frame that I should be looking at? Any suggestions?

Dubbayoo

I would put Blue on the short list. Rc4-al with the 15% discount is under $470

https://www.gottaridebikes.com/Mercha...roduct_Count=3

DXchulo

About as cheap as you can get, but it's also 60 cm: https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...egory_ID=3020#

phantomcow2

Leader makes a very nice frame, at a low price. I rode one for a while, was very happy. My bike shop was also impressed. Here is a closeout model with carbon stays
https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CARBON-ALUMI...QQcmdZViewItem
61cm, you can check their store for different sizes.

tekhna

I had thought about that-That's certainly an option, but I'm not a huge fan of the stickers all over the place. That's one of the draws of the pedal force. Plus they don't seem to have the geometry on their site, which is a little frustrating.

cycle17

I second the Leader Bikes frames. They even make a sweeeeet new all carbon bike for $1,400. I have one of there TT bikes and it's super nice. They are great to deal with also.

dekalbSTEEL

the Allez 62 has a 60.5 top tube, so maybe you need around a 59 top tube?

https://www.chucksbikes.com/store/indexfr040.htm

phantomcow2

Here is the leader bike cycle17 mentioned:
https://www.leaderbikestore.com/pd_ld_796r2.cfm#

Nice looking stuff...

DXchulo

Yeah, that whole paint/sticker scheme is ugly IMO, but it's cheap and seems to get pretty good reviews. I was thinking about one of those when I thought my Raleigh was cracked, but the Flyte SRS3 frames were on sale for cheaper (since I already had a fork), so I went with one of those. Now I know that my frame isn't cracked (it's just a paint issue), but that's a whole nother story.

FYI, Performance has a 15% off sale going on until tomorrow.

tekhna

How do you like the SRS-3? I just am not sure the 60cm would fit me. I am about an hour away from their center in Ohio, I wonder if it's worth the drive over to see if it would be.


I really like the looks of the Leader 736R

DXchulo

I haven't put the SRS3 together yet, so I'm not sure. I'm not even sure if I want to build it up anymore. I guess we'll see if my Raleigh catastrophically fails over the winter. Anyway, it looks pretty. That's about all I can tell you so far. I know a couple other forum members have one and they seem to like it.

As far as going to the Ohio Flyte store, I'm not sure how easy that will be. I thought I heard a story a while back that someone else tried to go check them out and Flyte didn't want any part of it. I think they just want to sell all of their crap and get the heck out of there. I could be wrong though. It's at least worth a call, because the Flytes are killer deals.

phantomcow2

Flyte has top notch customer service, at least in my ebay transaction. They would reply to emails within a few hours, usually 1. THey forgot to include a seat collar w/ my frame though. I sent them an email, it was no questions asked, shipped USPS w/ a tracking # the next day, no charges to me.

I am not sure 1cm in frame difference would make that big a problem. I am sure your seatpost could compensate 1cm. I would see if you can call Flyte first. I will say, their 58cm fits me perfectly. That frame is really nice. All threads were nice and definite, every race machined properly, BB shell faced. Also, most of the welds are very smooth, smoother looking than the Leader I had. Only complaints are...
The head badge sticker, the chainstay sticker, and a couple spots of paint where there was a small (.5-1mm diameter) bulge. These were not noticeable until I really inspected it though. Plus you may be able to get that deal where they include a bunch of goodies.

tekhna

Phanton-how tall are you that the 58cm fits you well?
They do have a great package deal with the bars, stem, etc...
Looking at it the effective top tube length is 605mm from my Allez, 597 on the Flyte. That's actually not that huge a difference.

phantomcow2

I am 6', maybe 6'1". I have long legs at almost 90cm for an inseam. But, according to the competitive cyclist calculator, this frame is right where I should be. Depending on the fit, I could have gone 1 or so cm higher. I think I went for the 'eddy fit'. Regardless, I am experience no pain in any way when I ride. Even with my neck, which was a concern.

blandin

Those Blue frames are really nice looking and I've read some good things about them. With the 15% off it sounds like a very good deal.