Budget TT framekit. Any suggestions?

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

Slagter
Posts: 250
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:42 am

by Slagter

A friend of mine is looking for a budget TT frame in the Chinese frame price range. But it's pretty hard to find good looking budget TT frames.

He's not too crazy about the Planet X one. What else is out there?

Any suggestions?

User avatar
jekyll man
Posts: 1570
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:23 am
Location: Pack filler

by jekyll man

Have a look on slowtwitch.
There's a massive "whats this rebadged frame" thread, and a lot of people seem to have whatever the current stevens/vitus offering is. Can't remember which model it is in particular.

failing that, what about 2nd hand P3 or a P2? P3 is still the benchmark, and very few new frames exceed its aero-ness

Argon E112 are cheap enough if you look. Obviously not carbon, but function's what matters
Official cafe stop tester

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



audiojan
Posts: 795
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:38 pm
Location: New Hampshire

by audiojan

What your definition of "budget"?

Also, whenever it comes to TT or tri bikes, fit is absolutely crucial (not that it's not important on a road bike…), so instead of looking for a specific brand/model, start with looking at what fits YOU well and use that as your guide to narrow down the choices.
"Suddenly the thought struck me; my floor is someone elses ceiling" - Nils Ferlin

Rudi
Posts: 272
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:43 pm

by Rudi

I was in the same situation where I was looking at the Honfu/Dengfu type price range but found I could get a second hand P2 or P3 for about the same. I went for the tried and tested route and ended up with a P3.

Does mean you need to be a little patient to find something you want at the right price.
Cervelo R3 - 5.4kg viewtopic.php?f=10&t=142420

109er
Posts: 746
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:08 pm
Location: Oklahoma City

by 109er

I was in this same predicament about a week ago. After contacting Hongfu about their FM086 which is the same as a Vitus or Stevens tt bike, I decided to get that one. However upon questioning the stem, which is integrated and has to be used unless you swap the fork, I found out it would not fit. The stem length is about 75mm long. I would need a 120mm. So that option was out. I could get a Cervelo P2 from a local shop for a great price, however the aerobars, brakes, crankset, and saddle would all have to go. It was simple not cost effective nor would it be a great use of time. I looked to eBay to be my savior and it pulled through. I found an Argon18 E112 for 1299 and I could kit it out with Uberhund aerobars, 3T Arx Pro stem, Rival f/r derailleurs, 500 tt shifters, Force crank, Dia Compe BRS 500 brakes, TRP levers, and an Adamo saddle for less than 2k. That's a steal. It's all I want right out of the box. I already have wheels but if I wanted a good disc, HED discs are going for 700~1000 bucks and a front wheel could be built for 400 or so. If you search and search eBay, the deals are there.

Hope that helps!
green jacket, gold jacket...who gives a sh*t

JensW
Posts: 759
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:41 pm
Location: Uppsala, Sweden

by JensW

109er wrote:After contacting Hongfu about their FM086 which is the same as a Vitus or Stevens tt bike


is it the same, or does it just use the same mould? when it comes to carbon, two products can look the same, but when it comes to how it handles it can be two different things. Not saying it´s not the same, just wondered :D

109er
Posts: 746
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:08 pm
Location: Oklahoma City

by 109er

Hongfu still uses a Toray carbon. 700 I think. I'm pretty sure it would be nearly identical if you were to bust it down to the carbon but I could be wrong. Hongfu does actually build a nice, quality bike.
green jacket, gold jacket...who gives a sh*t

User avatar
53x12
Posts: 3708
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:02 am
Location: On the bike

by 53x12

What does "budget" mean? If the budget was large enough, I would probably go after a used P3/P2 frame depending what geometry was needed or even a Felt DA/B series frame. A Specialized Transition is another good option.
"Marginal gains are the only gains when all that's left to gain is in the margins."

User avatar
de zwarten
Posts: 896
Joined: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:32 pm
Location: belgium

by de zwarten

I got myself a Planet-X frame+fork for 400 pounds the other day. I can't think of a better frame set for that price, especially given that, less than 10 years ago, Evans got 2nd in the Tour riding the TT with a rebadged Planet-X. Proves again how over-rated those TT frames are.

User avatar
jekyll man
Posts: 1570
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:23 am
Location: Pack filler

by jekyll man

JensW wrote:
109er wrote:After contacting Hongfu about their FM086 which is the same as a Vitus or Stevens tt bike


is it the same, or does it just use the same mould? when it comes to carbon, two products can look the same, but when it comes to how it handles it can be two different things. Not saying it´s not the same, just wondered :D



They are the same, its just badge engineering (and mark up)
Official cafe stop tester

Rudi
Posts: 272
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:43 pm

by Rudi

Slagter, are there any specialist TT forums or even Triathlon forums in Denmark?

I know there are here in the UK and there are always second hand frames for sale as the "specialists" upgrade to the latest and greatest.
Cervelo R3 - 5.4kg viewtopic.php?f=10&t=142420

Slagter
Posts: 250
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:42 am

by Slagter

Hi guys

Thank you very much for the replies. There's definitely something to work with here.

To answer the questions; budget in this case is not more than 1k euros.

I'm not sure about TT forums. Haven't heard about any. But will look into it as well as the other suggestions - thanks :thumbup:

User avatar
LouisN
Posts: 3508
Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:44 am
Location: Canada

by LouisN

jekyll man wrote:Argon E112 are cheap enough if you look. Obviously not carbon, but function's what matters


E112 is a carbon frame. First version, with standard front brake. They sell dirt cheap and are a really great buy.

Louis :)

tranzformer
Posts: 846
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:36 pm

by tranzformer

I assume you care a little about aerodynamics as you want a TT frame. I would pass on the Argon frames. There is a reason they are so cheap. They have the CdA of a brick compared to other options.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



davidalone
Posts: 622
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:27 pm

by davidalone

If he's willing to go Alu there are plenty of options. I think the canyon speedmax AL at 1.4 euro for a full bike is a screaming deal. argon 18 E-80 is also cheapish ( newer and more aero than the older E-116) and looks fantastic. Felt S22, Cube aerium pro, orbea triton, dolan freccia/scala , raleigh singulus, trek equinox , and giant trinity are all solid effors and are pretty affordable.
if he's mainly a road racer like me who doesnt time trial that often theres no point rocking a really expensive TT bike that you're going to ride 10 times a year when a good alu bike and position get you 98% of the way there. invest the savi gs in helemt, skinsuit, wheels, and good aerobars. I get by fine on my alu orbea tt bike.

do remember that fit is the most important factor for the tt bike. a good fit gives you 90% of the aero savings while bars, skinsuits, helmets, wheels give you most of the rest in that order. frame savings are minimal.
Second hand good condition P2/3 is still a solid option if he has a spare groupset to build it up with though.

Post Reply