Any new 2017 bike models that have caught your eye or got you excited?

[Racing roadkill]

Most new bikes are massively mehhhhhh. They've usually got all the latest knobber salivation inducing pointless tat on them, and really don't illicit more than a slight raised eyebrow from me, at best. I tend to look for something utterly groundbreaking on a new bike, it's been years since anything has met that criteria.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I've got my eye on the Mason BokehTi

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Ti bikes / frames are theoretically a great thing, unfortunately most of the ones I've seen in recent years haven't been built properly, and are prone to cracking / premature failure. It's mostly the welding / brazing that's never done properly, in my experience.

 

[sackville d]

] I had been considering getting the alloy version of the Ridley Helium frame-set recently. One deciding factor was inclusion of a new fangled threaded bottom bracket.
What will they think of next?
Anyhoo,kept searching around on the net for reviews ,opinions of ride quality etc.but there wasn`t much about Consequently the trigger did not get pulled on this one.

In the meanstwhile I came across news that Bowman had done a reworking of their Palace frame-set, Di2 or external cable routing AND threaded BB instead of PF.
As a certified home wrencher that is allsorts of good. So I am now expecting delivery around beginning of March of one of these

 

[IBarrett]

Hey @sackville d did you get and build your Bowman Palace R ?
I’m seriously thinking of getting this for my summer bike and wondered if you wouldn’t mind updating me on what you built it up with and how you use it.

Thanks
IanB

 

[sackville d]

Hey @sackville d did you get and build your Bowman Palace R ?
I’m seriously thinking of getting this for my summer bike and wondered if you wouldn’t mind updating me on what you built it up with and how you use it.

Thanks
IanB

Hi Ian,
Got it built up around 12 months ago with Dura ace 9000 . It is an excellent frame. Very good handling and when you put some effort in it really wants to go.
Be minded though that it is very much a race geometry. If you feel you might need something a bit more relaxed Bowman are just about to release their
Pilgrim X frame. £100 more but much more practical I would imagine (not that the Palace R is impractical)
The finish on the frame is excellent too, lovely vivid paint job (green on green) and I haven`t regretted getting it for one second.
If you do go for one though ,it looks like high summer before you will get your hands on one now. According to the Bowman website they will not be
shipping new stock until early May! Damn their popularity.

 

[IBarrett]

Thanks @sackville d for the update. It sounds like you’re enjoying your Bowman.
Im not sure about Race geometry. I’ve only had my old aluminium Giant Defy 1 since I started road riding. Having just been forced to ride my MTB because of injury I appreciate how well it works now I’m back on it. But I want something a bit newer without chips and scratches so I can make my Defy my winter bike as it has such good mudguards and is all shimano 105.
I like to be different if I’m honest so following the herd into carbon ownership doesn’t appeal, nor does owning a black bike which they all seem to be. So the aluminium green on green Bowman really appeals.
My other consideration is a Cannondale caad12 but the first thing I would do is get it powder coated with some colour.
It seems I’ll have to see if I can ride a Race geometry bike and see how different they feel to my Defy. I am after all 55 so chin on the handlebars isn’t the riding position I need.