Planet X/Holdsworth Bikes

[_Hoppers]

Has anyone had any experience dealing with Planet X? Their Holdsworth appears to be good value but I’ve heard from a few people that their customer service is a bit naff.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBHOLSPSHIMR8000REM/...

I was originally looking at a Canyon AL 7.0 as I reckon aluminium is more durable than carbon, but the Holdsworth is quite tempting (despite the bland branding)

[anonymous-user]

bland branding? Holdsworth is one of the more significant UK brands in the history of cycle racing

fair enough, the retail version might not be quite so snazzy as the one Russ Downing rode in the reformed team (https://www.velouk.net/2018/02/16/bikep0rn-a-very-special-race-bike/), but bland?

If they have one in stock (check that very carefully before you order and then check again to be certain before you order ime), planet x service has been pretty good for me

presuming there is one in stock ready to ship because the website indicates that to be the case isn't something I would do (again)

[_Hoppers]

JPJPJP said:

bland branding? Holdsworth is one of the more significant UK brands in the history of cycle racing

fair enough, the retail version might not be quite so snazzy as the one Russ Downing rode in the reformed team (https://www.velouk.net/2018/02/16/bikep0rn-a-very-special-race-bike/), but bland?

If they have one in stock (check that very carefully before you order and then check again to be certain before you order ime), planet x service has been pretty good for me

presuming there is one in stock ready to ship because the website indicates that to be the case isn't something I would do (again)

Cheers for the info. I’m aware of the brand and its history but IMHO it does need an update!

[Your Dad]

Isn’t Holdsworth just a brand name now owned by Planet X much in the same that Dunlop et al are brand names that have been slurped by Mike Ashley?

[Jimbo.]

Your Dad said:

Isn’t Holdsworth just a brand name now owned by Planet X much in the same that Dunlop et al are brand names that have been slurped by Mike Ashley?

Yup. Buy “brand”, slap logo on Taiwanese catalogue frame, sell as old brand with all kinds if heritage guff.

[Sa Calobra]

I personally wouldn't be looking at Canyon or planet X in the same shortlist. Canyon will be a better ride with sorted geo etc.

I've bought a few things from PlanetX over the years. One of the standouts was a Carbon road bike that was average to ride and odd shaped rims that was impossible to mount/dismount tyres on without damage.

I found out later there was a batch of dodgy wheels probably sold in a batch and snapped up by px

Also be careful about a blinger looking groupset advertised on a build. Often it's the rear mech and chainset or rear mech and shifters sith the chain, cassette, brakes not being part of the full chainset.

A bike with a Ultegra rear mech on a build shouldbt blind you over a bike with a 105 if the 105 has a much better designed ride and handling. Canyon has a good rep.

Edited by Sa Calobra on Sunday 31st May 16:37

[Castrol for a knave]

Jimbo. said:

Your Dad said:

Isn’t Holdsworth just a brand name now owned by Planet X much in the same that Dunlop et al are brand names that have been slurped by Mike Ashley?

Yup. Buy “brand”, slap logo on Taiwanese catalogue frame, sell as old brand with all kinds if heritage guff.

Indeed- I have a 12 yr old Planet X Superlight. I think 4 years before it was a Ridley, then they specc'd a new model and sold the moulds. It then became an open mould frame that firms could buy and sell on under their own brand. Standard approach. I am pretty sure the Stealth TT frame was the Ridley Cadel rode in the 2006/7 TdF.

Yep - it was an open Mould that Ridley badged as their own. I have one - it's a decent frame, despite the engine lacking a few bhp.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/fi...

PX are ok - customer service can be wayward though. Others to try are Orro, Ribble and Dolan, the latter are decent and Terry* has decent customer service.

• not to be confused with the other Terry Dolan, who played for Bradford City.

[_Hoppers]

Sa Calobra said:

I personally wouldn't be looking at Canyon or planet X in the same shortlist. Canyon will be a better ride with sorted geo etc.

Also be careful about a blinger looking groupset advertised on a build. Often it's the rear mech and chainset or rear mech and shifters sith the chain, cassette, brakes not being part of the full chainset.

A bike with a Ultegra rear mech on a build shouldbt blind you over a bike with a 105 if the 105 has a much better designed ride and handling. Canyon has a good rep.

Edited by Sa Calobra on Sunday 31st May 16:37

The Holdsworth has a full Ultegra groupset, which makes the price a little bit too good to be true unless the frame is a bit budget?

[_Hoppers]

Castrol for a knave said:

Others to try are Orro, Ribble and Dolan, the latter are decent and Terry* has decent customer service.

• not to be confused with the other Terry Dolan, who played for Bradford City.

Cheers, will have a look

[Sa Calobra]

_Hoppers said:

The Holdsworth has a full Ultegra groupset, which makes the price a little bit too good to be true unless the frame is a bit budget?

It depends what you want the bike to do and what you will use it for.

The Holdsworths wheels can be bought for £110. The heart of a good bike(?) is wheels and frame.

I prefer 105 shifting as it feels more solid. Ultegra is lighter but feels flimsy to me. That's personal taste.

Same with axles- do you want modern bolt through or old school QR?

If I was looking for a new bike now I'd want something Abit livelier like a titanium frame or feels Abit cheeky to ride. Alot of modern carbon frames are safe but dull.

Have you looked at Cannondale etc?

[Justin S]

Sa Calobra said:

_Hoppers said:

The Holdsworth has a full Ultegra groupset, which makes the price a little bit too good to be true unless the frame is a bit budget?

It depends what you want the bike to do and what you will use it for.

The Holdsworths wheels can be bought for £110. The heart of a good bike(?) is wheels and frame.

I prefer 105 shifting as it feels more solid. Ultegra is lighter but feels flimsy to me. That's personal taste.

Same with axles- do you want modern bolt through or old school QR?

If I was looking for a new bike now I'd want something Abit livelier like a titanium frame or feels Abit cheeky to ride. Alot of modern carbon frames are safe but dull.

Have you looked at Cannondale etc?

If you look at Cannondales, then budget avoiding the BB30 bottom bracket or at least the cranks ( they run direct steel axle onto the inner races of the bearings). I changed mine to shimano cranks and adaptors to stop the continual creaking. Also changed my neighbours as driving him mad. But otherwise I do enjoy my Cannondale ( albeit waiting a warranty frame) and my neighbours both love theirs.

[_Hoppers]

Sa Calobra said:

It depends what you want the bike to do and what you will use it for.

I wanted a replacement for my ageing Campag/Reynolds 531 framed road bike.

After starting a family I'm starting to get some time to go out more now (the lockdown is helping too!). Working from home is a bonus as I can get an hour's ride in on a lunchtime! I'm only doing about 100 miles a week but on my lunchtime ride I'm working pretty hard to increase my average speed. I originally wanted a 105 equipped aluminium framed bike rather than a cheap carbon frame with a lower specced groupset. The Canyon AL 7.0 fitted the spec and also the budget and it's fairly light (although it's flexible for the right bike).

I've looked at the Cannondales but the Canyon stood out in terms of value for money. Only problem with Canyon is they're out of stock. Originally when I started window shopping stock was due end of August but as of this morning it's October.

Edited by _Hoppers on Monday 1st June 10:25

[Sa Calobra]

Have a look at Facebook marketplace. I recently sold a Cannondale Carbon Synapse disc on there for 700. They are good bikes to start with.

[milu]

I've had 5 PX bikes. They've all been spot on.
Still have 2,both have full group sets. Ultegra and Sram force

My mates are happy with theirs too.

[bakerstreet]

Sa Calobra said:

I found out later there was a batch of dodgy wheels probably sold in a batch and snapped up by px

Also be careful about a blinger looking groupset advertised on a build. Often it's the rear mech and chainset or rear mech and shifters sith the chain, cassette, brakes not being part of the full chainset.

A bike with a Ultegra rear mech on a build shouldbt blind you over a bike with a 105 if the 105 has a much better designed ride and handling. Canyon has a good rep.

Edited by Sa Calobra on Sunday 31st May 16:37

Other bicycle manufacturers will do mix ad match on groupset levels on single bikes

If the OP can tell the different between a 105 and an Ultegra chain, then he is a better rider than me!

I have a Planet X CX bike. Had it about five years now. Good bike, but the frame is pretty heavy considering its carbon. Their customer service on that was pretty poor and I bought that from Planet X's loan southern shop here in Hertfordshire.

I then bought a N2A frame which I had been wanting for years. Bought a damaged one from their ebat outlet and the damage was much worse than advertised and it was a bit of a fight for them to let me return it and get my money back.

Planet X are like the DFS of the bike world. They seem to constantly have a sale on with the Sports Direct approach to advertised list prices when in reality they have probably never sold that item at their fictional list price. I called them out on it on instagram once and they got quite shirty about it.

However, despite this, I have also been looking at their Holdsworth Coarsa Disc frame. Very good looking bike, but I think its quite expensive for a Planet X bike IMO.

[lufbramatt]

Justin S said:

If you look at Cannondales, then budget avoiding the BB30 bottom bracket or at least the cranks ( they run direct steel axle onto the inner races of the bearings). I changed mine to shimano cranks and adaptors to stop the continual creaking. Also changed my neighbours as driving him mad. But otherwise I do enjoy my Cannondale ( albeit waiting a warranty frame) and my neighbours both love theirs.

I've got BB30 on my CAAD, it's never creaked in the 6 years I've owned it, with two different sets of cranks (original FSA and a Quarq). Maybe I got lucky and got one with the BB shell within decent tolerances Bearing retaining compound works wonders.

[Captain Benzo]

_Hoppers said:

Castrol for a knave said:

Others to try are Orro, Ribble and Dolan, the latter are decent and Terry* has decent customer service.

• not to be confused with the other Terry Dolan, who played for Bradford City.

Cheers, will have a look

I have an Orro,

amazing bike and fantastic customer service.

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

Their customer service is abysmal in my experience. See you if you can easily find a contact number on their website to speak to a human being whilst you contemplate dropping a lot of money on an albeit very good value bike.

When you eventually do track one a number via alternative means, call them to ask a question about said bike...see how long it takes to speak to someone.

I recently placed an order for two items. Both of them, they got wrong. Two tyre inserts - one wasn't even for the same sized wheel!

They sell some great stuff, but getting hold of anyone if it isn't right is a nightmare.

[_Hoppers]

Thanks all for your additional input.

I had a look at the Orro bike, lovely looking thing, that's now on my radar.

I have a friend who's a competitive road racer, he put the feelers out to find a second hand bike. Someone has a fake Pinarello F10 with Ulterga for £1100, it's a great looking bike but not sure it's worth the risk.

Just found these Van Rysel bikes after seeing a Youtube Review

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/edr-af-endurance-road-...

Looks like they've perhaps knocked Canyon off the top spot for value?!

[Sa Calobra]

Don't get hung up on 'value'.

Value doesn't necessarily equate to great to ride. A cheap ride with great bits won't ride great.

Focus on frame/fork and wheels.

If you are tall/big look at wide bars too.

I've been accused of being a buy cheap but twice type before.

You ideally need to test ride a few bikes. Wait until Evans Cycles is fully open again too.