3k on a bike - small time specialist or major manufacturer?

[Bloke]

I posted a while ago about a basso laguna, but I'm tempted to up my budget, depending on what I can sell my existing bike for. I was interested first of all in stepping up to the basso astra, which is a very pretty bike, in the pictures at least, and seems to come with a really nice finishing kit - flash bars, carbon stem and seat post etc - here's a pic: (wheels are extra )

But just asking around some cycling buddies, a lot of folks have recommended sticking with the major heavyweight brands - specifically Specialized and Giant, over a somewhat more unknown quantity like the Basso. I would personally have thought that mass manufacture would dilute quality if anything, but that's not what people are telling me. And these "people" are experienced cyclists, dealers and racers, who know what they're talking about, and also vote with their feet and wallets and buy the products they're telling me to buy, so I do feel like I should listen to them.

What do you guys think? - the personal science of my decision making so far doesn't go much beyond "I think the Basso Astra is really nice" .

If you had around 3 grand (euro) to spend on a bike, what would you be looking at? - You'd think on paper that that budget would be kid-in-a-sweet-shop territory, but it actually isn't. It seems that there are plenty of bikes around 2400 to 2800, and then the next price point is 3500+ and from there to the stratosphere.

FYI, I was interested in Felt's AR range - I test rode an AR4 last week (2800 euro over here) but I didn't like it.
Also - my wife has a cervelo R3 so I want something up to the task when we go for a spin together!!

 

[gavintc]

At £3k, I would and did spec it myself. Buy a frame, and then decide the bits you want. You avoid the problem of getting crap wheels or a weird handlebar shape. Start from the bottom up and you can decide when and where to make the savings. So, I would advocate stop looking at bikes, look at nice frames.

 

[Noodley]

I agree with gavintc's suggestion.

And Basso are well respected.

 

[fossyant]

Basso aren't unknown.........well respected frame builders for a very long time...obviously most of the kit they now sell, like others, is far east sourced.

 

[StuAff]

Don't know anything about Basso- but I'll take others' word for it. If you want a custom carbon frame, I'd suggest Viner. My own Magnifica was off-the-peg for its previous owner, but all the models further up the range are available in custom sizing at no extra charge. All available in various specs or as frame & fork. And if it's important to you, built (not just assembled) in Italy as well.

http://www.viner.it/

 

[simon walsh]

Was having a look at Slane cycles website and saw this http://www.slanecycles.com/scott-addict-r1-onroad-bike-2007-p-1253.html

A couple of seasons old but new and a great spec and really really light.

 

[Bloke]

Was having a look at Slane cycles website and saw this http://www.slanecycles.com/scott-addict-r1-onroad-bike-2007-p-1253.html

A couple of seasons old but new and a great spec and really really light.

(Thanks for the move - I hadn't even seen this section D'uh!)

I had a big reply written out last but the forum crashed with I went to post.

That Scott looks nice alright. Lovely spec. I must read up on the Scott's cos I know squat about them to be perfectly honest. The fact that it's 2007 is a but off-putting but you can't argue with the component quality.

As regards building v's buying. Building is certainly preferable but only if you have the budget. The thing about building is you're less likely to compromise on any individual part, so I just know I would end up over-budget. I would try and stretch to dura-ace over ultegra, I'd go nice carbon stem and seat post. Then there's no point in putting a cheap saddle on a nice seatpost. And it'd be a shame to hang dura-ace on a mediocre frame.... and how much are zipps again???

We built up my wife's cervelo and got a great deal - she was lucky with the frame, bought it from a friend who had gotten the wrong size and it was never used -a right time and right place scenario. And I built it up for her for christmas -fsa bars, ultegra 6700, nice seatpost and saddle, and she already had a set of zipp 404's from her old race bike. So we got a good deal. -The likelihood of my getting as lucky is pretty low - just happening across someone eager to sell a top quality frame, in my size, for a steal.

Having said that, I do have time on my hands, I'm travelling for the next month and a half so I won't be in a position to use a bike until mid march. I must keep my eye on the web for bargain components and see what I could build for my money.

Keep posting the links though if anyone has any other suggestions

 

[MadoneRider1991]

At £3k, I would and did spec it myself. Buy a frame, and then decide the bits you want. You avoid the problem of getting crap wheels or a weird handlebar shape. Start from the bottom up and you can decide when and where to make the savings. So, I would advocate stop looking at bikes, look at nice frames.

+1

 

[accountantpete]

With a frame you want the magic mix of comfort and stiffness which produces a frame with "life" in it- meaning that you get a satisfying surge forward when pressure is applied to the cranks.

This is down to materials and design at the end of the day.


Personally I'd go top-end specialist European for such a frame - but that's not to say that the Giant's of this world cannot produce good bikes.

 

[Tony Martin]

Try this website

Try the Condor website. All types and prices of frames. Made to measure, no problem. You control the price by specing the kit yourself. I know this will make some groan but check out my Condorn Acciaio under Tony Martin, it's steel but speced with top kit and made to measure, cost just over £3000, weighs in at 18lb. As anextra you obviously get a little more exclucivity with one of the custom brands. This months Cycling plus mag has a whole section on cutom bikes. You pays your money ect.

 

[Will1985]

Those Bassos look really nice. I saw a couple of Astras in green and black in an LBS last week....a new object of desire!

Wheels are pretty generic and feel quite heavy compared to other brands. Microtech is a subsidiary brand of Basso as Bontrager is to Trek.

 

[montage]

Check out pinarello's
I'd love a pinarello, just to say "I have a pinarello"

 

[Tollers]

The 2009 Scott Addict R2 is same weight but £300 more. Oh and Shimano rather than Campag http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bikes-5/road-bikes-18/scott-2009-addict-road-bike-10825.htm

 

[HJ]

If I were spending £2600 (3000 euro) on a bike, I would start be getting a made to measure frame and build from there. When you are spending that kind of money you might as well have something which fits you perfectly...

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I quite like the look of the Enigma Elite XCR

http://www.enigmabikes.com/index.html

Slobber drool