Best frame/fork under $3k?
 

Despite the economy and a set of interviews where my new prospective employer actually got a chance to know me, I've been given a new job that's a pretty dramatic pay raise from my current one.

Naturally, the first thing I thought was that this would make an excellent time to upgrade one of my decade-old road frames.

I've done a bit of searching already, but I'm looking for suggestions from the masses here on BF. I'm a bit of a bigger rider (6'2" 180) who more of a fan of the town limit sign sprint than that 7.5 mile climb up Hogpen Gap in the N.Ga. mountains, so something fairly stiff to handle cranking it up on a sprint, but still comfortable for longer training rides.
I'm not a weight weenie, so I'll live if the frame isn't some sub 3lbs. carbon fiber wonder. Ideally, this would be a competent all-around bike, but I know at this price level, my abilities are unlikely to outstrip the limits of the frame.

I've already got a full group to go on the bike, so it'd just be a frame/fork.

What say you?

Tarmac SL2 frameset. $2900. Less if you negotiate well.

There are frames that are debateably better, but not for anywhere near the price.

/thread

Orca!

Thought those Orcas ranged more into the 5k dollar range.

He's just looking for frame/fork

cervelo r3 @ 3k

Cervelo S2 @ 2800.

It's way under your budget, but on paper (I haven't ridden it yet) the Pedal Force CG1 with the ISP and BB30 is a GREAT frame. The frame is around $900 I think, and you could get a nice fork (their forks aren't the best from what I've heard) for about $400, $1300 for a nice frameset.

Lynskey for an all around bike that is going to last you for a long time and rides like a dream.

Pedalforce?

Litespeed Siena with Easton EC90SL fork for $2100 from Realcyclist.com. Adequately light, definitely stiff, titanium comfort and it will last a lifetime.

Bianchi 928 SL.

I thought the Cervelo S1 looked like a great deal. Frame + full Ultegra for $2200 MSRP. You could probably even drop that some too if you found the right LBS or paid in cash.

Read the OP.

Giant TCR Advance.... 2K ?

+1 And since it will soon be replaced by the SL3 you should get a good deal.

I did. No reason why you can't sell your current group and buy a prebuilt. It is possible you could even wind up ahead, since when you buy already assembled, you usually save.

At that price point you could get a nice custom frame. Or a Lynskey.

I bought a Lynskey originally intending to keep the parts and sell the frame. I ended up loving the frame and aborting my selling plans.

wouldn't stop me from selling if i got a good offer (R320, ML) but I'm not intent on selling anymore. very light, nice understated looks, and built in the good ol USA.

You, being a big boy, should try to get a Storck Absolutist. List is $3200, but sacrifices must be made. ;)

http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/bl...ist-09-review/

I demo'd an Absolutist, and I don't think I'm big enough to appreciate the build. And I'm 6', 160. It felt like a block of wood to me. I think a bigger guy would be able to light it up with this frame.

You would noodleize an Orca. A buddy of mine who is very powerful has an Orbea Opal. That's prbly what would suit you. He's got HED Jet 60's with the big boy build.

Ignore the "custom build" crap.

The 2010 Canondale SuperSix might also be a good match for you.

Btw, I've got a Scott CR1 SL and a Parlee Z4. You don't want either one of those. The Scott is super light and has a massive front fork, like the Storck. But it is a Hogpen Gap type of bike. A vertical rocket. And the Parlee is far too well mannered. Even for me.

A fair point, but I'm a recent Campy convert and have a full group/wheels/etc. ready to roll onto a new frame. While I'd look at a full bike with a full Campy group, in this price range I feel I'd be comprising either on the group or the frame to meet the budget. Besides, why pay extra cash for a full group when I've got one ready and waiting? (My Specialized Allez frame is on its last legs, so it would essentially be replacing that in the stable.) The numbers would make it basically a wash anyways if I sold the excess parts, and put that towards a full build.

One I've been looking at is the BMC Racemaster, which seems to get some decent reviews for the characteristics I have in mind.

These are all good suggestions. While I lusted after several Litespeeds before they were Lynskey (and now they're another company), I'm always wary of bikes that are "the last bike you'll ever need."
I also don't see the specific benefits, necessarily, of custom. I'm a pretty normally proportioned dude (34" inseam) and stock frames have usually fit me just fine. Unless I'm craving that boutique cachet, I'm not sure about the benefits of buying, say, a boutique steel over a factory made Specialized, for example. Other than picking my frame color, naturally.

I know that I love my Trek 5200, but I figure in the last decade frames have to have made some progress, and my Specialized Allez is a cromoly noodle.

Thoughts? Keep 'em coming. This is way better than Pcad self-loathing, knuckle-gnashing threads about his eventual S2 purchase.

After you're done answering this guys can you please tell me which color is the best color in a box of crayons.

kthnxbai.

The cool blue one. Naturally.

Calfee Tetra Pro can be had around 3k for frame and fork. Different options/paint combos may go over the 3k mark... but you will have an awesome frame. Believe me :love:

This looks hawt:
http://bikesoul.com/2009/images/stor...on/corpus8.jpg

I think a nice Ti frame would be awesome.

I honestly can't list any frames that I would want right now. I'm more than happy with my race bike. I love the way Ti frames look though.

Or maybe something like this from BD. Sell the SRAM Red.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...t8red_2100.jpg

i super <3 the red gruppo

edit: just noticed on the lynskey site that they're doing the R330 with brushed finish and carbon fork for 1995. that's a great deal. I ride a R320 and it feels really stiff for sprinting, but is more comfortable and secure feeling over bumps and railroad crossings than my vintage 12 speed steel mbk or fixed gear conversion. I haven't test rode too many nice bikes, but with this frame it feels like when i push the pedal, it's hardly losing anything to the wheels.
http://www.lynskeyperformance.com/a/...blend-r330.php