Planet X - can anyone advise please?

[CooperS]

Hi Guys,

Well the back story is I'm trying to find a bike to do my 25 mile commute each day on and do the evening rides/weekend rides on.

Now I'm not looking to spend big bucks, and was originally looking at the high street brands, looking at either the Trek 1.9's or Spec Roubiax Elites etc...

But then i read about ribble's et al and thought what about Plant X? Although thinking that they maybe a bit too much i was pleasantly surprised that they do a "budget" bike with Ulteraga kit for £1200 which is in between the first two choices....

So has anyone got a planet x? Any thoughts? I've not been able to find many reviews other than those owners who rate the frames and the business highly on forums such as RoadCylcingUK.com

Thanks in advance

Tom

[FAT MATT]

I'm in a similar position except I'm making my own bike up for the commuting bit. I have a friend who runs a Planet X bike and rates it higher. I've looked at the Ribble option that comes in at the same sort of price.

However I am being drawn upwards the boardman bikes available at Halfrauds. Once you've got over the shock of potentialy buying from there they are very good quality bikes. They're £649 bike has shimano 105 kit on it. 220 mag said the carbon bike is the best sub £1000 bike on the Market.

I'm going to go take a look at them this week as I am looking to get back into triathlons.

[Nick_F]

I have a Planet-X Stealth - it's terrific and I have a lot of time for the firm and its bikes. I've not ridden the SL carbon, though, and I'd suggest that you try it - and a lot of others - before shelling out.

You should also bear in mind that carbon isn't the ideal frame material for a knockabout commuter - if your colleagues are going to be chaining their bikes to it then get something else.

[anonymous-user]

never owned one but then again, never heard a bad word about a Planet X yet. Geoffrey Butler are doing a Planet X Carbon sub £1K bike at the moment with full campag veloce its not on the website so you are probably best giving them a ring or buying this weeks cycling weekely.

dont worry too much about carbon as a commuter, a vast majority of carbon damage can be repaired with no il leffects should the worst happen.

[fergus]

I've got a plasticine X superlight, which had to go back to the factory once due to partial delamination. Personally, I find that the frame also has very little torsional stiffness (now ride a cervelo soloist, which is significantly stiffer).

You get what you pay for (up to a point), therefore there is a reason they can knock out a well kitted bike for that price.

As others have said though, try and test ride one and make your own mind up. Put some power through it and feel it whip around under you...

[CooperS]

Does anyone know who sells them? i was under the impression that it was mail order only? i live in both Bristol and near Portsmouth so any shops that hold stock in between or near the two area's I’m more than willing to visit.

In regards to using a Carbon frame for my daily commute... the only reason why i feel i can consider it is that its all road between home and work (no cycle paths, just lanes) and that other than a shunt/fall i cant see it coming to much harm.

Thanks Again

[Nick_F]

They occasionally deal with retailers, but not often. When I was considering mine they brought me one to test, but that was a year or two ago and I don't know if they still do so. Try e-mailing them.

[CooperS]

Nick_F said:

They occasionally deal with retailers, but not often. When I was considering mine they brought me one to test, but that was a year or two ago and I don't know if they still do so. Try e-mailing them.

Thanks Nick.

Will send an email and see what they say.

[CooperS]

Saw one today for the first time in blue and it did look really nice didnt get a chance to stop the guy on it to ask any questions

[Crusoe]

have a full carbon superlight pro with matching carbon wheels, a bit bling to ride to work and leave outside so I just bring it in and have it sitting beside my desk. Bought second hand from their race team after one season for a great price and it has been a great bike. Have heard of some ordering them through halfords as part of the ride to work deal if you didn't want to mail order.

Edited by Crusoe on Wednesday 8th July 12:04

[Nick_F]

They had fallen-out with Halfords; may be okay now.