Frame / Frameset recommendations. diffuclty: carbon on a budget
 

About a year ago I, along with who knows how many other BF members, purchased the crazy screaming deal on the Flyte SRS-3 frame. It was my gateway to a modern build at a time when all I had was downtube shifters and steel frames. Still have 3 steel frames, two of which with downtube shifters, but it has just about come time to part with that aluminum Flyte.

And to replace it, I turn further still to the dark side, I'm seriously considering a full carbon frame. :eek:

Primarly I'm looking for a fast yet smooth riding frame to move my Campagnolo Centaur group over to. Wheels will be Fulcrum 5 Evolutions which by themselves are a fairly stiff wheelset, which when paired with the 6061 aluminum Flyte frame with the very tight rear triangle has the ability to beat me up after 40mi on the rural chip-seal roads outside of Dallas where I do a majority of my riding.

Options I'm currently looking at:

1) 06 Fuji Team Issue (very upper limits of my budget and then some)

2) BikesDirect Bottecchia CF 78 frame (similar to the Pedal Force RS, slightly heavier from my research, I hear it has a stiff ride, maybe too stiff for what I'm looking for)

3) Pedal Force QS2 (within what I'd likely be able to spend)

4) BD Moto Immortal Force (keeping it on the table, though not fond of the looks of the frame)

5) 07 Fuji Team RC or lower C4 carbon built Fuji Team frame if I can find one as a frame / frameset.

My plan is to sell the Flyte frame (or frame with Ouzo Pro fork), use some of what I hope will be a decent sized Christmas bonus, sell off a few other things, and just plain lay out some cash. I don't want anything too nice as it will be a bike that gets the bulk of the "bad day" rides when I don't want to take out any of the steel. But it also needs to be able to fill the duty as a fast club ride bike as I move up into the faster rides with my local club next year.

So, feedback on the options above, or other options I should add to the list?

btw: I ride a 56-58cm, 57cm being ideal, 56 being better than 58 esp if it has a long top tube. ;)

careful with bikesdirect. not the most reliable company.

qs2 is good.
not sure on others

I would suggest looking at the Kestrel RT700 frameset the folks at BD are putting together as a group buy. The link is http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=356390

There is a Cycle Spectrum shop in town (which is the shop that operates the BikeIsland.com website), so hopefully any issues can be resolved in person)

Did Mike ever post a price on the Kestrel frame / frameset only? I'm going to guess it's going to be $600+.

He said it'd be ~$850 for the frameset with the RT700. Pictures are in the thread somewhere near the end. He said the Evoke frameset would come in at $650 though if that's closer to your budget.

Yes, he did. I believe the cheaper model is the Evoke, and the more expensive model is the RT700. What he quoted is:

Famous Brand CF frameset in RED for $648 {list 1899} or this frame built up with really nice parts; WCS cockpit & wheels; Ultegra shifters/der, FSA SLK carbon compact crank for $1748. [probably ships Feb 08]

Famous Brand CF frameset in ORANGE for $848 {list $2199} or this frame built up with really nice parts; WCS cockpit & wheels; Ultegra shifters/der, FSA SLK carbon compact crank for $1948. [probably ships Feb 08]

I have found BD a pleasure to do business with. What is your basis for this statement? I bought the Bottecchia with Record Gruppo for $1500 and the Bottecchia Carbon frame for $470 including fork. Excellent products at excellent prices, both.

I've ridden quality steel frames since 1966 and find my new carbon frame smooth and quiet. It handles nicely and is stiffer than my Raleigh, Ron Cooper and Bianchi, but not at all too stiff. I do not race, but ride around 130 miles most weeks at 17 mph, solo. The terrain here is moderately hilly. I've experienced no hand or saddle numbness or pain.

Where is Cycle Spectrum Located? I have always wanted to tested ride their bikes and see one in person.

From http://cyclespectrum.com

TX, Plano
2901 N. Central Expressway
Plano, TX 75075
972-578-0586

That's the one. It's at I-75 (aka: Central) @ Parker, just off the south bound access road.

I need to find some time to try to test ride a Fuji Team RC / Issue some time soon, and get over to the Cycle Spectrum myself. Doesn't help I'm about to head out of town for thanksgiving for a full week.

No other suggestions?

Thanks, I may have to head up there next week.

Good luck

Would it not been a heck of alot easier to post the top dollar you are willing to spend? There have been some great deals on NOS Jamis carbon bikes. Assume the Google works on your computer as well as mine.

TCR comp frame off of ebay.

Well I've been trying to flip over couch cushions trying to find a loose $100 bill or two so I can extend my budget but here's where I'm at for a budget:

$200: Sale of Flyte Frame & Reynolds Fork w. stem, handlebars, etc.
$150: Sale of spare computer
$100: Stashed cash
$250: Xmas bonus (yeah, already spending what I don't have
---------
~$700 for the frame & fork.

Might be able to go a little higher, depending on the frameset, and how the bills shake out over the next month. I'm more interested in getting opinions on frames that will fit my riding style than anything else at the moment.

+1.

Here is another avenue you may want to pursue...

A local LBS carries some rarities and brands not often heard of here in the states. I was in the market for a new frameset/bicycle and dropped the hint that they think of me next time they came across a situation that would benefit the store as well as the customer, me. Called me up, said they got a smokin deal offered by a manufacturer on some 'NOS' 2006 Framesets. $400 later, I have a Scandium frameset to build, direct from the factory. Scandium frame, full carbon fork, headset, seatpost, seatpost clamp, RD hanger, touch-up paint, stickers...ooh-la-la