Reid are having a sale. The pick is the Falco Elite at $719.20. Thats full 105 for about the same as the whole bike ie buy a groupie and get the rest of the bike near free
http://www.reidcycles.com.au/falco-elite-road-bike.html
edit: corrected the price to $719.20 and changed the title
Actually may not be a bad thing. I have both and for everyday riding i prefer the alloy. For proper riding like beach road in Melbourne I like the carbon. Plus, do you really want a carbon frame this cheap as they need to cut cost somewhere.
If you are serious enough to want a good carbon frame then you would also be looking at Ultegra drivetrain and Mavic Aksium wheels. Di2 would also be nice, but then you are talking $1500+
just curious why you prefer the alloy for everyday riding? been thinking of treating myself to a new bike for the work commute. cheers..
I actually use my alloy bike for the work commute. Possibly more down to paranoia than anything else. The roads and paths in Melbourne are pretty bad with many pot holes. I find the alloy bike handles the sh!t roads better and I am less stressed about wrecking my bike.
I use my nice carbon frame bike when i know the road will be smooth and no potholes. It is an enjoyable ride on nice roads.
My alloy road bike with 105 is now over 15 years old and the main issue has been broken spokes due to the bad roads. Not sure how a carbon bike would look after 15 years of the same abuse.
Agreed - potholes and kerbsides don't mix well with carbon.
I'm still running an old school steel frame for commuting.
Mavic Aksium
Can't agree with you there. I dont' know if anything has changed recently but those wheels were pretty crap a few years ago when me and my riding group went through a few sets. busted spokes all the time.
Di2
totally agree, revolutionary. There are lots of naysayers from people without it. But I don't know anyone who has it and is unhappy.
I agree, Mavik Aksium are low end but better than no name wheels.
Most people who have had issues with spokes are either riding on poorer roads or are generally a heavier rider. Definitely not a commuting wheel and I would not use if i was over 100kg.
I am however talking about the lower end at the $1500 price range. Good wheels cost more than most people spend on a bike. Mavic Ksyrium would be better but cost more $$.
Good wheels cost more than most people spend on a bike.
Too true. Which is a shame. Over 80% of the performance of a bike is due to the wheels. Give me a crappy second hand alloy $200 bike with $1,000 wheels over a $1,000 bike and $200 wheels anyday.
Clearly you are not in to marketing. In the real world……
Dual Suspension bike for $200 (20kg) would sell better than a hard tail $200 (10kg)
Carbon frame bike for $1000 (Shit carbon frame) would sell better than a good alloy frame
Same goes with crappy disc brakes and good quality V brakes.
Though I am pretty sure 80% of the performance actually comes from the 8gram carbon bottle holder when used while wearing a race team top with matching lycra knicks.
Classic post :)
Yeah, and it's a shame there's not a free beer tap on every street corner.
It's a 105 groupset with a cheap frame attached, for less than the market value of a 105 groupset. Is that not enough to ask?
I was in the market for one of these about 18 months ago, to strip the components off, to build up my custom Chitanium frame (from http://www.xacd.com.cn/index1.htm ). Then suddenly there were no <$900 105 bikes on the market, and I had to build up with new and/or scrounged parts.
That would be my recommendation here - grab this bike and get yourself a $900 XACD frame built to swap in place of that one. The fork might be worth keeping - although you'd lose all your titanium cred riding a fork that says "Reid" on it.
But you can get the complete 105 groupset for $435 delivered from Ribble, and that's just the first place I looked. And you don't have to strip it from this frame.
If you were going to purchase your $900 frame, and then another $700+, then just get the Ultegra 6800 delivered for only a fraction more, (I just got mine for exactly $777) and now you are cooking with gas. I reckon the 105 gruppo is UGLY anyway. Not that it matters.
Personally, I reckon the REAL bargain in bikes at the moment is this:
http://www.bikebug.com/bikes-road-silverback-scalera-2-ulteg…
Ultegra di2, and full carbon, good wheels too.
" http://www.bikebug.com/bikes-road-silverback-scalera-2-ulteg…
Ultegra di2, and full carbon, good wheels too."
Looks a nice package for the price. di2 would be great to have.
Getting it from Ribble. I'd agree with you for someone who knows what they are doing.
But beginners should stick to local stores and get fitted to the frame properly. This is a good price for local stock and completly built up by a shop.
Yes, but it's a bit clumsy looking at the junction at the top of the forks and frame. How do you think that compares to one of these 2012 Giants for about the same price in good condition?
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/model/tcr.advanced…
For an experienced cyclist that knows their preferred frame size and geometry and who isn't afraid to chop and change parts to get the right saddle, right gearing, right stem length, preferred handlebar width etc then there is no question a good 2nd hand bike is great value, particularly if you have spare wheels/parts lying around that you can quickly swap over to get exactly what you want.
For a beginner that is just getting into the sport and possibly doesn't even know which size of frame to go for I think buying somebody else's 2nd hand carbon bike is dangerous. Better to get something from a Local Bike Shop where you can be fitted properly and get help with setting up pedals, seat & stem height etc.
Also there are a lot of frame manufacturers for whom the lifetime warranty is only relevant for the original purchaser. Crack the carbon on your 2nd hand bike and you might be left with a pile of bits.
Great beginners bike. 105 is a good drivetrain that will last for years.
Good deal, would want to change those wheels as soon as you can afford an upgrade though!
I've had one of these for a year or so (5000km) and I'm happy - though I haven't ridden much else to compare with.
I've replaced the wheels with pro-lite como's as the originals were popping spokes a bit too regularly for me but ymmv. I also replaced the rear cassette with a 12-30t tiagra cassette as the bike doesn't come with a compact crankset so it was a bit of a pain on the hills. (new cassette only $20-30)
You won't find anything cheaper than this with a full 105 groupset.
No matter what you can buy the groupset for - this is a bargain bike, thanks for the share :)
Good find OP. 105 for that price is great, couldn't recommend this enough to someone wanting to get into road riding. Upgrade the components as you go along, the 105 groupset will be good well into the future.
About 4 years back a mate of mine won the national road race Masters 2 on an old Trek alloy frame with 105 (and Mavic Ksyrium ES wheels)
Question guys - I'm a beginner who hasn't touched a bike in 10 years.
Is the small ok for a 5'1" petite girl?
I'm looking to give up the car and start commuting to the local train station. And to go joy riding on weekends.
Cheers
Reid has stores in many states. Are you able to get to a store?
Thanks. Yep I'll get out to the Melbourne store for a look.
http://www.reidcycles.com.au/bicycle-size-guide
Recommends the small frame starts at a rider height of 159cm so best go in and try one.
Darn. Am 152cm (I'm rather petite). Will see how it goes in store then. fingers crossed
Ok I had a look instore, and it's too big for me. The sales assistant was extremely helpful though and fitted me to a 105/tiagra falco advanced for $640 instead. Which I'm happy with.
However a quick Google shows the advanced was $520 in January https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/130085 . Should have jumped on that deal when I had the chance. Will wait it out til price drops again on the advanced.
Kudos op for the original deal!
What size frame for an average dude at 5'9" ? Scratch that - Reid says well and truly medium.
I'm unable to get to a store. Might be a good replacement for my Kojima Eagle lol
Bit of a shame its not full carbon….but still a good price. Thanks OP.