Has anyone regretted a high-end metal bike?
Discussion
I currently ride a 2012 Wilier Gran Turismo which I love, it's fast, comfortable and looks good, even 5 years on from purchase.
For my 40th next year I'm considering a custom stainless/Ti frame with geometry to match the Wilier.
The only thing is I'd be devastated if I didn't enjoy riding it as much as the Wilier.
Has anyone been left underwhelmed by high-end metal?
For reference I have a Genesis Equilibrium as my hack bike, it has similar geo and the addition of 28mm tyres, although pleasant to ride it doesn't have the 'magic' ride that I so often see associated with steel bikes.
For my 40th next year I'm considering a custom stainless/Ti frame with geometry to match the Wilier.
The only thing is I'd be devastated if I didn't enjoy riding it as much as the Wilier.
Has anyone been left underwhelmed by high-end metal?
For reference I have a Genesis Equilibrium as my hack bike, it has similar geo and the addition of 28mm tyres, although pleasant to ride it doesn't have the 'magic' ride that I so often see associated with steel bikes.
Get Karter said:
Why are you replacing the Willier if its so good?
Very fair point. It's 5yrs old, has served me exceptionally well and being honest, I don't need to change. Even tarting it up with Record and Boras I'm not sure would dramatically improve it.
A customised bike does massively appeal but I'd take enjoyment of riding every time.
My carbon road bike (Cervelo R5) is lighter, stiffer and comfier than my titanium road bike (Van Nicholas Ventus), which I bought as a "forever" bike, but have just sold on eBay today, having shifted the groupset and wheels onto a "nice" winter bike. The R5 is obviously about double the price, so not an entirely fair comparison.
The ti frame looked great, but it's for riding, not hanging on the wall. I wouldn't say I regret buying it, because I had 10,000 happy km on it. I should probably have spent a bit more money and got something even nicer - a Legend or something.
Don't feel that you are limited to metal because you want custom. The likes of Legend and Sarto will happily build something in carbon for you.
The ti frame looked great, but it's for riding, not hanging on the wall. I wouldn't say I regret buying it, because I had 10,000 happy km on it. I should probably have spent a bit more money and got something even nicer - a Legend or something.
Don't feel that you are limited to metal because you want custom. The likes of Legend and Sarto will happily build something in carbon for you.
I haven't bought into high end steel yet, probably in the next year once all the house refurb is done. When I do, I'm going here, it will have to be custom as off the shelf are too small for me. They do a European fitting tour once a year.
http://www.thevanillaworkshop.com/speedvagen-road/
http://www.thevanillaworkshop.com/speedvagen-road/
First question - why go custom then get the geometry matched to an existing bike?
The whole point of custom is that it can be made to measure, prefer a slightly longer top tube for a given size, no issue they'll make it etc.
I'm slightly biased but I love steel, I've got 2 steel bikes with one of them being a Colnago Master, so whilst not custom it's up there in the high end bracket, I love it.
I've also got an aluminium Colnago and a CF one, which one would I class as my 'best' bike, the Master.
My next purchase is going to be custom steel, either a Pegoretti or a Stelbel, fine choices if you want custom steel but at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to finishing.
Pegoretti's are all about the paint (not to discredit the frame as he is regarded as one of the best), go off the shelf or ciavete - giving Dario and his team free reign on your bike.
Stelbel are more understated but still classy, choosing to colour match finishing kit, a bit cheaper than Peg too.
Another option is Baum, my mate has a Ristretto which is a lovely thing, logistically more difficult though with them being based in OZ, he ordered his whilst on a long holiday.
The whole point of custom is that it can be made to measure, prefer a slightly longer top tube for a given size, no issue they'll make it etc.
I'm slightly biased but I love steel, I've got 2 steel bikes with one of them being a Colnago Master, so whilst not custom it's up there in the high end bracket, I love it.
I've also got an aluminium Colnago and a CF one, which one would I class as my 'best' bike, the Master.
My next purchase is going to be custom steel, either a Pegoretti or a Stelbel, fine choices if you want custom steel but at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to finishing.
Pegoretti's are all about the paint (not to discredit the frame as he is regarded as one of the best), go off the shelf or ciavete - giving Dario and his team free reign on your bike.
Stelbel are more understated but still classy, choosing to colour match finishing kit, a bit cheaper than Peg too.
Another option is Baum, my mate has a Ristretto which is a lovely thing, logistically more difficult though with them being based in OZ, he ordered his whilst on a long holiday.
Edited by Matt_N on Wednesday 30th August 08:36
When you say high end, how high are you thinking?
www.passoni.it
for instance, looks like it could knock out a rideable machine
www.passoni.it
for instance, looks like it could knock out a rideable machine
Matt_N said:
First question - why go custom then get the geometry matched to an existing bike?
The whole point of custom is that it can be made to measure, prefer a slightly longer top tube for a given size, no issue they'll make it etc.
I'm slightly biased but I love steel, I've got 2 steel bikes with one of them being a Colnago Master, so whilst not custom it's up there in the high end bracket, I love it.
I've also got an aluminium Colnago and a CF one, which one would I class as my 'best' bike, the Master.
My next purchase is going to be custom steel, either a Pegoretti or a Stelbel, fine choices if you want custom steel but at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to finishing.
Pegoretti's are all about the paint (not to discredit the frame as he is regarded as one of the best), go off the shelf or ciavete - giving Dario and his team free reign on your bike.
Stelbel are more understated but still classy, choosing to colour match finishing kit, a bit cheaper than Peg too.
Both of those are gorgeous bikes, the Pegoretti not far off from the vision I have in my head, personally I'd be looking towards Feather or Field in the UK, they are both creating stunning bikes at the moment.The whole point of custom is that it can be made to measure, prefer a slightly longer top tube for a given size, no issue they'll make it etc.
I'm slightly biased but I love steel, I've got 2 steel bikes with one of them being a Colnago Master, so whilst not custom it's up there in the high end bracket, I love it.
I've also got an aluminium Colnago and a CF one, which one would I class as my 'best' bike, the Master.
My next purchase is going to be custom steel, either a Pegoretti or a Stelbel, fine choices if you want custom steel but at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to finishing.
Pegoretti's are all about the paint (not to discredit the frame as he is regarded as one of the best), go off the shelf or ciavete - giving Dario and his team free reign on your bike.
Stelbel are more understated but still classy, choosing to colour match finishing kit, a bit cheaper than Peg too.
Buying a carbon bike is a far easier proposition, I can go into several shops in town and try Cervelo, Colnago etc etc and have a fair idea of what I'm getting.
I guess I'm just scared of the unknown!
Mosquito used to be the UK distributor and order point for Pegoretti but they've gone, you can order direct though and they're very good to deal with.
My LBS have ordered 5 directly with Dario.
Stelbel poc in the UK is Super Domestique in London, he also deals in Colnagos, often having access to limited edition colour ways.
My LBS have ordered 5 directly with Dario.
Stelbel poc in the UK is Super Domestique in London, he also deals in Colnagos, often having access to limited edition colour ways.
WinstonWolf said:
If anyone knows, Gruffy will 
I have a Canyon Aeroad and added a custom Ti J Laverack J.ACK 18 months ago. http://www.jlaverack.co.uk/transcontinental-jack/ If I've ridden the whippet for a while I find myself thinking "I don't want to stop riding the Aeroad". Then I ride it and start thinking "I don't want to stop riding the Jack". Crucially for me, they're different bikes doing different jobs. The Canyon is for going balls-out fast. The Jack is for everything else. It does ultra-distance, gravel/pavé/trail, carries luggage, winter duty, urban, cafe rides, night riding etc. I really love the way it rides. It's no slouch either. Some of my fastest centuries have been ridden on the Jack.
Designing and building a custom Ti bike is also a satisfying process. It'll last for life and still look crisp after I'm gone. Mine is unique and has a few touches that tailor it to the riding I do on it. This is one of the reasons I chose J Laverack rather than something like Kinesis et al, which are great bikes but off-the-shelf.
My steel bikes are generations apart. One is a Raleigh made from Reynolds 753 tubing & was built in 1986, the other a Condor Super Acciaio from 2014. Both ride beautifully. The Condor was a revelation after jumping off a Scott Foil that's for sure. Super Acciaio's aren't particularly expensive & I use mine quite rarely these days but when I do it feels special, light enough too at around 7.5kg. They do a stainless version that can be ordered with custom geometry.
I looked at Pegoretti but they didn't wow me as much as I hoped they would, I couldn't get over the paint schemes if I'm honest. The other one I looked at was an Independent Fabrication SSR . These are stunning things but as the steel was going to be a 2nd bike for high days & holidays both of these were double (& then some!) the cost of the Condor.
I looked at Pegoretti but they didn't wow me as much as I hoped they would, I couldn't get over the paint schemes if I'm honest. The other one I looked at was an Independent Fabrication SSR . These are stunning things but as the steel was going to be a 2nd bike for high days & holidays both of these were double (& then some!) the cost of the Condor.
Yeah often I ride my second hand cinelli for £300 and think I may aswell sell my other bikes and just keep this for simplicity , it's light and has the gearing I need - I'm as quick on it as my other bikes if not quicker
I've got a Wilier similiar to yours op and for me I wouldn't want to spend more as id be too scared to abuse or really push it due to cost of repairing !
That's me though I'm quite tight and not materialistic (not saying others on here are) so probs not the best one to ask !
I've got a Wilier similiar to yours op and for me I wouldn't want to spend more as id be too scared to abuse or really push it due to cost of repairing !
That's me though I'm quite tight and not materialistic (not saying others on here are) so probs not the best one to ask !
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