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
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! 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.
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