Weight - most bang-for-buck sub £1k

[roshi chris]

If I was after a race bike with weight the principle concern, and I had about £900 to splash, where should I be looking? Its been a while since i've looked for a new race machine so I imagine I can get more for my money than 5ish years ago. So:

Carbon?
Alu?
Other?

British?
Italian?
Well known cheap German brand?

Groupset? Sram worth looking at?

Lots of qs I know but its just a general inquiry at the moment, athough if I can get something impressive I might give the credit card some hammer.

 

[mr Mag00]

which sport, road mtb?

 

[gavintc]

IMO, no alternative to Planet X - £999 (carbon, Dura Ace, race ready)

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/SL_Pro_Carbon_-_Dura_Ace_Build.html

 

[mr Mag00]

hmmm i have heard mixed things about the frames not being v v good, any contradictions to this?

i would want to ride one before buying

 

[roshi chris]

yeah planet-x was my first idea, was thinking about the alu frame though, the carbon must've come down in price.

 

[RedBike]

IMO, no alternative to Planet X - £999 (carbon, Dura Ace, race ready)

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/SL_Pro_Carbon_-_Dura_Ace_Build.html

The planet-x is great value for money but it's not fantastically light.

Chances are the lightest £1000 bike still has an aluminium frame.

 

[roshi chris]

yeah i wasn't thinking carbon to be honest, alu is normally lighter at this price point i believe. Dura ace must save a few grams though!

 

[beancounter]

yeah i wasn't thinking carbon to be honest, alu is normally lighter at this price point i believe. Dura ace must save a few grams though!

I have a Cannondale Six13 which is a mix of carbon and alu, Ultegra groupset and Ksyrium wheels, it's very light indeed and if you shop around you may be able to get one around a grand.

bc

 

[fossyant]

Deda Scuro frame (Dolan / Ribble etc etc use it) with Ultegra would be light - might be a little over £1k though - maybe drop to 105 ?

Weight shouldn't be your main concern - get a good frame, and reasonable parts. It's the engine that counts.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Deda Scuro frame (Dolan / Ribble etc etc use it) with Ultegra would be light - might be a little over £1k though - maybe drop to 105 ?

Weight shouldn't be your main concern - get a good frame, and reasonable parts. It's the engine that counts.

Agreed. Overall weight isn't everything... where the weight is distrubuted probably more so, weight lost on Wheels and tyres has a far greater effect than the equivalent weight lost on the frame or other non-rotating parts for instance.
Frame comfort and flex should be a criteria, a stiff frame ideal for short sprints, short circuit racing/TT's might not be much fun on a day-ride.
How well the bike fits is a very important issue. Don't get too hung-uop on weight.

 

[gavintc]

In addition, I have found that fast wheels are not necessarily light wheels. Stiffness is a major component in speed achieved from the same effort expended.

I recently upgraded my carbon bike and was astounded at the increased speed from the larger/stiffer bottom bracket area.

 

[fossyant]

You can get light wheels from the hub weight - it's what's spinning about that counts.

My Ksyriums are bugger all weight for me - only the Equipe model, but with Mich Pro Race 2's are light, tough as old boots, don't deflect, power down...bet the double the price versions aren't much lighter at the rim - hub weight loss mean's nothing.....

Been 100% true for 12 months of abuse from me....not one spoke tweak to keep true........ a good mid price wheel set...not 'light' on paper, but I think the weight sits at the substantial hubs.......not the rim !...

Same with the Aksium..got these too...............