Planet X Nanolight Frame...?
Discussion
I've decided this year I'd like to build my own bike. I'm competent at basic mechanical stuff, and am fairly competent at doing technical work on my car.. but I know it's going to be a learning curve!
I'm at the point of buying my first component (the frame) and want to spend up to £500. I've looked around and found several I like though noticed that Planet X have got their nanolight carbon frame down from over £1,000 down to £500 - including the fork. I'm not a pro cyclist by any stretch of the imagination - just enjoy some recreational riding and commuting.. but I want to build myself something I can enjoy for years to come. Anyone have any experience of the frame and want to recommend, or advise against it?
I basically just want to buy the best I can for the money and a £1,000+ frame reduced to over half price seems too good to miss!
Thanks.
I'm at the point of buying my first component (the frame) and want to spend up to £500. I've looked around and found several I like though noticed that Planet X have got their nanolight carbon frame down from over £1,000 down to £500 - including the fork. I'm not a pro cyclist by any stretch of the imagination - just enjoy some recreational riding and commuting.. but I want to build myself something I can enjoy for years to come. Anyone have any experience of the frame and want to recommend, or advise against it?
I basically just want to buy the best I can for the money and a £1,000+ frame reduced to over half price seems too good to miss!
Thanks.
Edited by Chicane-UK on Tuesday 4th January 21:02
I've seen many Planet-X bikes on sportives and they are generally well received. Go for it.
I've just built up two bikes over xmas. It was a lot of fun, but I've got stuck with adjusting the gears on one bike. Could be a problem with my setup.
I've got a great DVD given to me by a friend (was free with some bike mag) which runs through loads of simple stuff like bike setup, putting on handlebar tape etc. I found it very useful.
It's about 2.7gb but I could host it somewhere if you want to download it when I get back from hols next week.
I've just built up two bikes over xmas. It was a lot of fun, but I've got stuck with adjusting the gears on one bike. Could be a problem with my setup.
I've got a great DVD given to me by a friend (was free with some bike mag) which runs through loads of simple stuff like bike setup, putting on handlebar tape etc. I found it very useful.
It's about 2.7gb but I could host it somewhere if you want to download it when I get back from hols next week.
itsnotarace said:
is that the same geometery/frame?I would suggest having a look at the Kenesis Racelight, its not carbon but its a good price.
It's not the same frame as the Planet X if that's what you mean, but it is a rebadged far east carbon frame (google FM015) but there is a thread on here with loads of info, they do one with an ISP as well
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=...
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=...
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=...
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=...
jodypress said:
I've seen many Planet-X bikes on sportives and they are generally well received. Go for it.
I've just built up two bikes over xmas. It was a lot of fun, but I've got stuck with adjusting the gears on one bike. Could be a problem with my setup.
I've got a great DVD given to me by a friend (was free with some bike mag) which runs through loads of simple stuff like bike setup, putting on handlebar tape etc. I found it very useful.
It's about 2.7gb but I could host it somewhere if you want to download it when I get back from hols next week.
Good post - thanks! I've borrowed (and intend to buy) Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance as it seems to be very well reviewed.. and from what I can see is very comprehensive. If you could find somewhere to stick the DVD that'd be wonderful but no worries if it's a bit of a logistical nightmare!I've just built up two bikes over xmas. It was a lot of fun, but I've got stuck with adjusting the gears on one bike. Could be a problem with my setup.
I've got a great DVD given to me by a friend (was free with some bike mag) which runs through loads of simple stuff like bike setup, putting on handlebar tape etc. I found it very useful.
It's about 2.7gb but I could host it somewhere if you want to download it when I get back from hols next week.
Regarding the frame, glad to hear of some positive comments. I'm going up to their showroom on Saturday to have a look and try some built up bikes for size.. and if I like what I see, I'll just make a purchase on the day!
If I don't feel happy for whatever reason, I'll look to alternatives! I don’t have any comments on the Planet X but a few suggestions on building bikes as I’ve just put my first 2 together.
The hardest bits are the headset, chain length and gears. With the headset I would be very careful as you could easily damage the frame if the cups go in at an angle, I prefer to let a bike shop do this job as I don’t trust myself with a bit of wood and a hammer. The chain length is quite tricky as there are a few methods of doing it, best to look at a few vids on YouTube to see how the pros do it and decide what method you prefer. With the gears I found the front very easy. The back I found that setting the limit screws before fitting the chain and cable made everything easier as you don’t have the tension of the chain working against you. Then you just fit the cable, pull it tight and set the indexing with the barrel adjuster. The rest of the bits are a case of grease up and bolt on.
The hardest bits are the headset, chain length and gears. With the headset I would be very careful as you could easily damage the frame if the cups go in at an angle, I prefer to let a bike shop do this job as I don’t trust myself with a bit of wood and a hammer. The chain length is quite tricky as there are a few methods of doing it, best to look at a few vids on YouTube to see how the pros do it and decide what method you prefer. With the gears I found the front very easy. The back I found that setting the limit screws before fitting the chain and cable made everything easier as you don’t have the tension of the chain working against you. Then you just fit the cable, pull it tight and set the indexing with the barrel adjuster. The rest of the bits are a case of grease up and bolt on.
On carbon frames, you wont use cups on the headsets.. most of them you just drop in the bearings into the snug fitting steerer tube, so thats easy these days. On steel and aluminium frames, then yes you have to use the headset cup press ideally.
There is however a shedload of specialist tools you may want to get, but again final choice depends on what brand of components you choose. SRAM and Shimano share alot of the same tools, but Campagnolo do it their own way.
One BIG thing!! buy a bike specific TORQUE wrench that comes with all the usual fitings (4/5/6mm allan, Torx bits etc..) and some good carbon paste.
You will easily destroy the carbon frame and bits by not using one.. alot of bits must be wrenched to max 5-6nm and that aint alot if you are used to car bits. The Paste ensures non-slip and proper settings so recommended.
Dont use a starnut in a carbon steerer fork!!
There is however a shedload of specialist tools you may want to get, but again final choice depends on what brand of components you choose. SRAM and Shimano share alot of the same tools, but Campagnolo do it their own way.
One BIG thing!! buy a bike specific TORQUE wrench that comes with all the usual fitings (4/5/6mm allan, Torx bits etc..) and some good carbon paste.
You will easily destroy the carbon frame and bits by not using one.. alot of bits must be wrenched to max 5-6nm and that aint alot if you are used to car bits. The Paste ensures non-slip and proper settings so recommended.
Dont use a starnut in a carbon steerer fork!!
LRdriver II said:
On carbon frames, you wont use cups on the headsets.. most of them you just drop in the bearings into the snug fitting steerer tube, so thats easy these days. On steel and aluminium frames, then yes you have to use the headset cup press ideally.
There is however a shedload of specialist tools you may want to get, but again final choice depends on what brand of components you choose. SRAM and Shimano share alot of the same tools, but Campagnolo do it their own way.
One BIG thing!! buy a bike specific TORQUE wrench that comes with all the usual fitings (4/5/6mm allan, Torx bits etc..) and some good carbon paste.
You will easily destroy the carbon frame and bits by not using one.. alot of bits must be wrenched to max 5-6nm and that aint alot if you are used to car bits. The Paste ensures non-slip and proper settings so recommended.
Dont use a starnut in a carbon steerer fork!!
Spot on. I was a bit stumped at first with the starnut thingy. I have to say that most bike shops are happy to chat and impart their expertise. I got my torque wrench off ebay for £13 and works a treat. I found I used my 5 mm allen key the most. There is however a shedload of specialist tools you may want to get, but again final choice depends on what brand of components you choose. SRAM and Shimano share alot of the same tools, but Campagnolo do it their own way.
One BIG thing!! buy a bike specific TORQUE wrench that comes with all the usual fitings (4/5/6mm allan, Torx bits etc..) and some good carbon paste.
You will easily destroy the carbon frame and bits by not using one.. alot of bits must be wrenched to max 5-6nm and that aint alot if you are used to car bits. The Paste ensures non-slip and proper settings so recommended.
Dont use a starnut in a carbon steerer fork!!
Cheers for the tips. I still have a lot of reading to do and don't worry - I won't even attempt to start building until I'm 100% confident on every aspect of what I need to do.
Thankfully Planet X tip you off on the pages for their carbon frames about how you need to buy one of their "Planet X Carbon Fork Bung Centre Pull System" things as an alternative to the star nut.
Have to read up about the Carbon paste as well by the sounds of things!
Tools wise - yes, will buy whatever I need and aware that a bike specific torque wrench is one of the first things I need to look to buy! I'm aiming to go with a complete Shimano groupset - probably Shimano 105 5600 or 5700 depending on what I can find at the time and for how much. Going to stick with what I know. I think if I could afford to spend major money and I was going for the very best, I'd consider Campagnolo but from what I read the lower end Campag groupsets are outclassed by the equivalent Shimano stuff? Happy to be put straight on that though!
Thankfully Planet X tip you off on the pages for their carbon frames about how you need to buy one of their "Planet X Carbon Fork Bung Centre Pull System" things as an alternative to the star nut.
Have to read up about the Carbon paste as well by the sounds of things!
Tools wise - yes, will buy whatever I need and aware that a bike specific torque wrench is one of the first things I need to look to buy! I'm aiming to go with a complete Shimano groupset - probably Shimano 105 5600 or 5700 depending on what I can find at the time and for how much. Going to stick with what I know. I think if I could afford to spend major money and I was going for the very best, I'd consider Campagnolo but from what I read the lower end Campag groupsets are outclassed by the equivalent Shimano stuff? Happy to be put straight on that though!
Edited by Chicane-UK on Wednesday 5th January 21:26
Hm. The Nanolight might be off.. I read that they only have clearance for up to 24mm tyres 
I tend to run 23mm and, realistically, would like the option of fitting some Crud RoadRacers on too.. which isn't going to happen with this frame.
Still going to go up to Planet X showroom on Saturday though. They just announced a big ramp up of their sales and there are some good deals on frames to be had!
I tend to run 23mm and, realistically, would like the option of fitting some Crud RoadRacers on too.. which isn't going to happen with this frame.Still going to go up to Planet X showroom on Saturday though. They just announced a big ramp up of their sales and there are some good deals on frames to be had!
Well went up to Planet X today and did buy the Nanolight frame in the end. Went with the large frame size after measuring myself according to the guidelines in the Zinn book, and also talking to their sales guys.
Not sure I'd pay £1,200 for the frame but for £500 it's a bargain. And it was a bit of a shock the first time I picked it up - couldn't believe how light it was.
I've now started research into my groupset and, at this point, am feeling quite sold on the SRAM Rival kit. Seems to get near enough universal praise and reviews put the quality above that of the Shimano 105 groupset which I was previously thinking of going with.
Not sure I'd pay £1,200 for the frame but for £500 it's a bargain. And it was a bit of a shock the first time I picked it up - couldn't believe how light it was.
I've now started research into my groupset and, at this point, am feeling quite sold on the SRAM Rival kit. Seems to get near enough universal praise and reviews put the quality above that of the Shimano 105 groupset which I was previously thinking of going with.
Chicane-UK said:
I've decided this year I'd like to build my own bike. I'm competent at basic mechanical stuff, and am fairly competent at doing technical work on my car.. but I know it's going to be a learning curve!
I'm at the point of buying my first component (the frame) and want to spend up to £500. I've looked around and found several I like though noticed that Planet X have got their nanolight carbon frame down from over £1,000 down to £500 - including the fork. I'm not a pro cyclist by any stretch of the imagination - just enjoy some recreational riding and commuting.. but I want to build myself something I can enjoy for years to come. Anyone have any experience of the frame and want to recommend, or advise against it?
I basically just want to buy the best I can for the money and a £1,000+ frame reduced to over half price seems too good to miss!
Thanks.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brand-New-3k-full-Carbon-Road-bike-Frame-Fork-58cm-/160522778453?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item255fe73755I'm at the point of buying my first component (the frame) and want to spend up to £500. I've looked around and found several I like though noticed that Planet X have got their nanolight carbon frame down from over £1,000 down to £500 - including the fork. I'm not a pro cyclist by any stretch of the imagination - just enjoy some recreational riding and commuting.. but I want to build myself something I can enjoy for years to come. Anyone have any experience of the frame and want to recommend, or advise against it?
I basically just want to buy the best I can for the money and a £1,000+ frame reduced to over half price seems too good to miss!
Thanks.
Edited by Chicane-UK on Tuesday 4th January 21:02
I have one without the intergrated stem. Excellent frame and forks. He also does the headset to slot straight in...
Sub 17lb build when all done.
Mr F
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