bianchi10

I started out my cycling with a bianchi via nirone. Now currently on a Ridley scandium (aluminum frame) with full ultegra 6700. I push myself to my abilities every ride. I'm a very competitive person and raced cat 5 last year but started late in the season. I didn't even try to win anything, just wanted to get a feel for the environment. Hoping to be a real competitor this coming season but we will see. My rides usually consist of 30+ mile hill climbs and 50-70 mile weekend rides with a century ride each month (this during peak season).

Since I have good components and a good enough wheelset (Boyd vitesse), I'm mostly interested in framsets and then transferring my equiptment over.

I know that each frame has a different geometry and what works for you may not work or feel great to me, not need to fill me in on that. What I'm really interested in learning is what are some options you would recommend that will be under the $2k price range (Frameset only).

So far my interests have been...

Specialized SL3
Cannondale supersix
Cervelo S3 (have to find it used)

will not even consider trek, sorry.

I want a carbon bike and would like to weigh in around 15-15.5lbs.

What are some other options I should consider? I know there a TON of other options. This will be something i will have to save for, possibly even pick up at the END of this season/early next year.

dleccord

hey bianchi10, im kinda in the same boat as you. when you raced cat5, were there slow people that were scattered towards the end or was there like a slow peloton and people just kinda stuck together?

bianchi10

There was a hand full of slow riders but I stayed with the main peleton. I think the slow riders came in a lap or two after we finished.

Hartlin

What's wrong with your frame now? Ridley Scandiums are pretty solid aluminium frames. Given that your a Cat 5 with little experience, why not ride your bike more and loose a few pounds through diet rather then upgrading? It'll save you a lot of money.

There's guys out there on 20LB steel bikes that are faster then you.

bianchi10

Yeah. I realize all that. I don't need to lose weight. 1/2 of the people on the forum don't need the bike/bikes that they have. I like my bike a lot but I WANT a new frame. I am rarely satisfied with things that I purchased for longer than 6 months. I have ridewn this for over a year now. Its still a great bike and in great shape, just want something new/better because I do.

echotraveler

If you want a super light bike. GO for the cannondale Supersix EVO

gundom66

Do you have a limit? Would you trust other brands like Rossetti? The Diablesse Frameset is only $1,295 and they claim it at sub 1000g. I dunno... it's just a suggestion since someone did post that this brand is pretty popular in Florida and PGJackson is pretty happy with Rossetti so far.

Grasschopper

How tall are you? I'm selling my Neo Exile frameset. Frame alone is 940g and it built up easy to a 15 lb bike. I laugh at myself because the Defy Advanced came out to be 1012g for the bare frame. LOL

Going with a name brand? Add the Giant TCR Advanced SL to the list though it may be tough to hit your price point. And go EVO if you can.

deyendznyr

So many options... are you looking for an aero bike, or are you more concerned with weight?
The Ridley Scandium was pretty light for a metal frame. You will probably only drop 1 pound (max) if you switch to the carbon frames you listed.

Nils

Pinarellos on sale at cc.

WarLordZ

If you can find a used S3 frame set for $2k grab it you won't be sorry!

abstractform20

custom ti from habanero, argon 18, fuji sst, gt carbon expert, although i think its under 2k for the full bike (very light and underrated),
RRVelo (former Calfee guy), custom Russ Denny (dave moulton apprentice), etc.

abstractform20

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2012-Arg...#ht_1025wt_905

abstractform20

parlee, and i doubt anyone will say it, but Giant

hammy56

you wouldnt consider a trek? Didnt you know Lance rides one?

KoYak

I'm a big fan of Scott bikes ( I ride a CR1, would consider the Addict if I can lose some weight and gain some flexibility). It looks like the Addict has been discontinued for 2012 and a google search shows that the Addict R1 frameset (top of the line, I think), can be bought for as low as $1500. Great price, IMO, for a frame that comes in under 800 grams. I think Cavendish won a handful of stages at the 2010 TDF on this frame.

EDIT - The 1500 for the frameset is probably too good to be true. Probably a scam website.

bianchi10

I do push myself and abilities. I am competitive. I didn't try to win, because I wanted to be smart and learn before focusing on giving all I had to miss technique on how to become better. With each experience I will push my abilities even more and do it safely. I cant afford to fix my bike if I crash, so I cant be so aggressive that it puts me in a dangerous situation.

I dont like Trek and i dont like Giant. regardless how good some people love them.

abstractform20

also, lapierre

BigAura

eippo1

I have a 2011 Tarmac frame fork for sale in the marketplace if it interests you. Great bike, stiff, comfy and fast