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Sexy top-end frames

by bashthebox
Wed, Aug 07, 2013 22:59
13

So I'm hoping that after a nice long contract, sorting out my accounts properly and generally saving some pennies, i'll be able to switch up the frame on my summer bike to something a bit top end.
The bike's currently running a mixed groupset of dura-ace with an ultegra rear mech, and a mix in that of 9700, 9800 and 6600. Which offends my OCD somewhat, but runs just fine.

So the obvious thing to do is swap the frame, keeping the group. The most sensible frame in terms of spending pennies wisely is the Canyon Ultimate SLX, which looks like a fucking flying machine but is a little on the dull side. The BMC Team Machine sets my pulse racing a bit more, but costs a lot more. And then there's Ritte frames, which look like sex on a carbon stick, but aren;t going to give me as much performance benefit as the other two.

The alternative to a new frame is a new bike. Expensive, yes, but I ought to be able to get a decentish wodge for my current bike, and if I keep an eye out I ought to be able to get either a top end Canyon on the outlet store, or browse endless classifieds to find the dream machine.

What to do, what to do. I just want more shiny things really. Shiny shiny.
Do BMC have an outlet store like Canyon?

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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13 comments

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ilovemytinbred | 11 years ago
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I expect they are fine. Bit of a lottery though as like you say you never know.. Knock offs of big name frames will use a more std (cheaper) carbon layup, so the ride feel can often be a bit dead. Basicly think of planet x/on one, that sort of thing. My carbon PX is fine but it is not close to my high end kit. I suspect a lot of it is getting better all the time though.
My gut instinct would be to go for a Canyon every time. Still good value, but you have a company that invests in RandD and produces a top class frame that wins a lot of tests and has A lot of fans.

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bashthebox | 11 years ago
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SO a bit of googling tells me that Ritte are rebadged and painted Hong Fu frames.

Which lead me to Hong Fu.... they've got some pretty tasty looking frames for not much money! Anyone ever thought about them, seen them, etc? It's REALLY hard to know what you're looking at though.

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bashthebox | 11 years ago
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Yeah I'm not sure I buy that. Classic italian steel - absofuckinglutely. Modern italian carbon? It's a bit guady, isn't it?

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matthewn5 | 11 years ago
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Have a look at a few Italian frames too. They know how to make things look good.

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MattT53 | 11 years ago
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Ritte, obviously. Who cares about performance when something looks that good! Most of the performance benefits from new kit is just placebo effect from how cool it looks anyway ....

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700c | 11 years ago
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Titanium is both shiny and sexy! You can usually get framesets only, as you have components to put on already.

Possibly even a bike for life, though probably not!

Bit of a weight penalty over carbon, but much more exclusive!

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Ashleyhoaken | 11 years ago
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Check out the eddy merckx -525 before you buy (super sexy cures). One of the most stable and stiffest road bikes out there.

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bashthebox | 11 years ago
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They are super awesome sexy. But I'm not sure performance is as good as some of the others?

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russyparkin | 11 years ago
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ritte! get one they are beyond cool

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Raleigh | 11 years ago
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Vo2 Pro:Carbon?

Dolan Ares?

Cervelo S2 (In new sexy black)!!

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ilovemytinbred | 11 years ago
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I doubt you will get a better frame than the Canyon, they really are impressive. But I would need to ride it first to see if it suited me.
I tried quite a few when I shelled out serious money and I was actually quite surprised by how different my top choices were.
I guess everyone is going to list their favourite frames so I will start and suggest the S-works Tarmac and the cannondale super six evo.

If you want really shiny check this out 1

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p4318/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-EVO-ULTIMAT...

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bashthebox | 11 years ago
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Yeah, I'd been thinking of getting down to Kingston to have a look at the outlet shop, good call. Same with Evans - though buying something top end from Evans seems so very, very wrong.

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Tjuice | 11 years ago
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I think Evans still have sole distribution rights in the UK for most of the BMC range, with the exception of the Impec, which seems really, really sexy and is available from Mud Dock (if you've got a spare £4K+!!)

Looks like there are some pretty sizeable price drops on the Team machine frameset at Evans at the moment!

I have a BMC (Racemaster SLX01) which I absolutely love. Got an absolute bargain buying a 2009 model in 2010, but I do note that since then, the BMC prices seem to have risen more quickly than other brands as they become more established in the UK marketplace.

I would definitely consider a BMC as my next bike (if/when) I ever need to replace mine. I would also very seriously consider a Canyon.

If I were you, for that money, I would defintely be keen to try both somehow. Trying a team machine in Evans should not be too hard, and I think someone told me Canyon have some kind of outlet in/near Kingston(?) if you can get there.

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