Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Bob
A guy I am doing some vinyl work for has 5 of these frames left.....various sizes. He is retailing them for $500. Includes seat stem, front fork and bearing. 2012 models he says.
What say the collective?
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Mike- I might be complete off base as I've never owned one or any criteria to judge them by. However, a LBS owner whom I often join in on club rides is a dealer. Overheard that he can get prior MY and or demo's for 50c on the buckaroo. And I'm assuming that's based on his wholesale cost. The deal is passed onto team riders who foot their own tab.
(I'm not in the market and never asked but probably could get a near type of savings or help in a referral. I recently sent him one customer and was blown away by the deal for a very late model but used bike.... quite sure it was sold $600 under current market and could have easily had that much more... it was a very kind favor by him.)
Back to the frameset. Thinking of getting one? Might suggest trying one that's fully dressed and see if the geometry isn't too harsh. Purely purpose built machines. The brand has an excellent reputation and I dig their CF frame technology. (Secretly, the devil is bribing me to get a CF with Di2
) Although when I look at their
aluminum frame models, the joints appear crude and reflects lower quality. It probably performs excellent and again, just a visual opinion.
Comparatively, my bargain find Giant with ALUXX SL fluid formed tubing looks and performs well beyond my expectations. The technology for an aluminum frame is way cool and the joints are beaut. (Funny, it does have a CF fork but because the joints and paint are perfect, I'm often get asked if its a carbon frame.) I can bear century rides / 100m on it, climbs like crazy and is all around a blast but I'll take a pass on it for the long haul. Much rather be on a traditional steel ride.
Lastly, the best bargains are two or three year old Tri bikes. I often see them listed by athletes who test and then bail out of the sport. More novice type frame / builds yet still may have retailed for $4k but now in that $1,200 range (with a lower end trainer wheelset). If your hooked on one of those S22 in your size, then shop for a used tri bike, could be an easy swap out budget build.