Timberline

Here's the link:

https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/223...-Road-Bike.htm

Does anyone have any experience with this bike? I was set on buying a couple of different bikes, but then I found this bike, and this one --- a Tommaso Mondial: https://www.giantnerd.com/tommaso-mon...ermediate.html

I want a light alloy frame with a good component group. I'm not buying from a LBS (can get more for my money online, and I can do the wrenching myself).

Mainly, I'd like to know about the Sette Durata or Sette bikes in general, since I can't seem to find any reviews anywhere online, even after googling it. Check out the component group on the Sette though - full Ultegra!

Any info would be great! Thanks.

dtrain

I've only seen Sette stuff on Price Point. So I'd assume it's their house brand. That bike is pretty nicely spec'ed for the price. It's rare to stock Ultegra calipers and cranksets anymore.

Timberline

That was exactly my thought! Trying to find reviews online for Sette road bikes, though, seems like trying to bleed a turnip, so that's why I turned to you all to see what your thoughts are on the bike. The more I look at it, the more I like it...thinking about pulling the trigger on it!

UCIMBZ

Open mold frames. Pricepoint's and Giantnerd's molds have been around and rebadged for a while and well tested.

tagaproject6

Go for it. I believe the Sette house brand of PricePoint has been reviewed by RBA back in 2010 or 2011. As stated, before, they are open mold frames. You'll be fine. Have you checked Bikes Direct?

Timberline

Yes. I like a couple of their bikes too, but I think I've settled on either the Sette Durata 1.0 or the Tommaso Mondial. I'm a little wary of the carbon seat stays on the Durata, being this is my first road bike, and I even looked at the Sette Forza Race (which is the same price as the Durata, just full carbon and Shimano 105 instead of Ultegra). I didn't really wanna go full carbon until I'm comfortable on a road bike (I'm going to fall I'm sure and I don't wanna damage a carbon frame).

UCIMBZ

Don't worry about falling and damaging frames. Buy the best frame for your budget. The difference in the two gruppo's performance is negligible.

Timberline

Here's some better pics of the Durata 1.0. It's a fine looking machine! IMO.

https://www.settebikes.com/DurataOne.html

milkbaby

+1... Good advice...

Personally I can't take the graphics on the Sette carbon bikes, but they probably ride just fine!

UCIMBZ

If you are set on the Durata, get the 105 and use the difference for other stuff you may need for riding like pedals and such.

Genaro

Both are nice looking bikes. I like the paint schene on the carbon though. Too much red out there.
I would go with the carbon. 105 is a fine group. I've fallen twice on my carbon frame and both times, only damaged myself.

Timberline

So, the Forza Race seems to be an overwhelming recommendation here...interesting. As far as money for pedals, helmet, pump, etc...no problem there. I already have all that covered. I was looking for the best bang for the buck. So there really is little perceivable difference between 105 and Ultegra? I had the misconception that Ultegra was significantly better and buying a bike with the best components on it was a better idea when frames are similar. I'm not going to get into a carbon vs alloy argument here, but after watching this video, I have been strongly leaning towards alloy for the durability:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLLJr0RChDg

rruff

I recently did a search for a friend who was looking for a $1k bike. After checking all the usual suspects online I settled on the 105 Sette Durata. Looks like a good frame and fairly light. The Sette parts are pretty decent... full carbon fork, full 105, Aksium wheels (which you can actually sell for decent money if you don't want them), etc.

rruff

I'm one that would not steer you towards the carbon frame... I think the aluminum is just as good, looks better, and is cheaper.

EDIT: Wait... I was looking at the Primo... the Forza looks great if you are good with the color. Don't know if it is worth $300 over the Durata though.

I agree with people saying that 105 is probably a better value than Ultegra at this price.

UCIMBZ

You are jumping all over the place now. In your case the frames are not similar.

Timberline

Trying not to jump all over the place. I'm more interested in the Durata 1.0 than any of the other bikes, at this point, but I mentioned the Forza Race being the same price earlier in the post and most everyone jumped on that bike as being the better deal even though it has lesser components. Honestly, I'm not sure a new road cycler is going to notice much difference in either frame, hence why I said "similar", but I'm all about getting the most for my money, and also having a bike that's fairly sellable on the used market, if I decided to upgrade in the future.

Timberline

Can you tell me why 105 would be a better value over the Ultegra? I looked on ebay, and the 105 groupset is $400 cheaper than the ultegra! Are you saying it's a better value simply because of the carbon frame? Am I confused, or wouldn't the alloy frame have more durability, and be, overall, better suited for a novice road biker? It seems there are two factions in the bike community when it comes to carbon or alloy frames, and it's tough for a newbie to figure out who's telling the whole story. From a practical sense, it seems aluminum frames are the smarter purchase for the beginner, but I'm open to ideas and advice, if it's not just a biased opinion, but has some basis in fact.

dtrain

105 is pretty darn close to Ultegra in terms of performance - and usually a fair amount cheaper. That's where the 'value' comments come from. Faced with that $400 difference you found on ebay, I'd easily point a newbie (or most anyone) towards the 5700.

But in this case, the price difference (on the Duratas) is only $300 and includes nicer wheels and bar/stem combo. I'd be tempted to jump for the 6700. Can't help you with the 'carbon and 105' vs. 'alloy and 6700' decision though. That's where a test ride and geo comparison would go a long way.

rruff

What I mean is that when you are looking at a $1000-$1300 bike, the premium for Ultegra wouldn't be worth it to me. 105 is fine stuff. All of them, both Duratas and the Forza like like good specs and prices to me though. So whichever suits your fancy the best.

Timberline

So basically a new roadie will notice little to no difference in Ultegra vs 105? If that's the case, then I can see why the frame and wheels would be the biggest difference. I can afford the carbon frame...heck I could afford the Forza Elite if I wanted to, but I don't want to spend more than $1000-1500 on my first road bike, because I don't know what things over the long haul will be the most important to me. If carbon is the way to go over aluminum, and that youtube video I posted earlier is really just B.S., maybe the Forza Race is the best option. It gets really confusing when you have two groups (carbon vs aluminum) telling you two different things.

dtrain

Frankly I'm not sure a new roadie would notice much difference between those two Sette frames either.

Sir Real

If you don't care about name brand, you can go for the Nashbar alloy frame with SRAM Rival for $799. https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...9#ReviewHeader

Or with SRAM Force for $1199. https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0052_533290_-1

garciawork

My first roadie was full carbon with 105 (of course upgraditis had me running full Ultegra not long after, allowed me to build another bike though!). I didn't notice much if any difference between 5600 and 6600, but the 6600 looked way cooler... I'd go for the carbon frame over alloy myself, doubt you would be able to notice any difference between 5700 and 6700 other than weight.

Timberline

Am I living in the mentality of the "old school" that say carbon bikes aren't durable? I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on the Sette Forza Race now, after all the great posts today, but I'm worried that first fall I take (I know it's coming), will be the end of the bike, and then I'll have to go through a whole, tiresome warranty process. I'm probably building it up bigger in my mind than what is reality, and I know it can happen to any frame material, but that's where I'm at.

dtrain

Don't overthink this. That seems like a great choice and it should hold up just fine.