Considering either buying a Elite Joulus Road frame (roughly $2200) or Planet X (roughly $800). Is the Elite frame worth $1500 more or should I save a few bucks and buy a Planet X frame. All this considering this is a road bike and my true love is my Cervelo P2C tri bike so the road bike is my extra.
My rec would be a Cervelo Soloist team - fits nicely between those 2 choices price wise. And for the record, I have a Cervelo and a Planet X as well (and a Felt, Litespeed, Gary Fisher, …) 
those 2 frames are not competitors in any real sense - they exist separated by numerous price points, and categories of product. i am curious to know how you came to “narrow” the choice to them ( !! ). remarkable.
Unfortunately I don’t have lot of learned experience with Planet X but I like their sort of “grass roots” prescence in the sport and on the forums.
I do know about Elite bikes and I can tell you they are absolutely top notch with excellent customer service. I also don’t happen to sell them (now…) which may add weight to my endorsement.
We built a number of Elites for fine athletes and customers who purchased them elsewhere (our bad) and I was always impressed with how nicely the bikes went together and rode.
Likely they are both nice bikes but I have to say I have been consistently impressed by Elite.
I assume that “MadisonMan” refers to you living in or near Madison WI. If so, my wife and I both have Elite T-classes that we would be happy to show you if you want to check out an Elite before you buy. I agree with Tom’s statement about the quality of the product and ease of build. We bought my wife’s bike first and it seemed so sturdy and went together so well, I bought one. We both raced well on them this year.
pm me if you want to see them.
Andy
Something to consider…
I used to ride on a Kestrel Airfoil Pro, but was due for a bike change-out as I like to do every 4-5 years if I can swing it. A friend suggested that I get a geometry check done by one of the local gurus here in ATL that was not associated with a bike shop. Part of the deal was that he woudl give me a ranking best to worst of frames based on my measurements. Guess what? Number 1 worst frame for me was the Kestrel followed by the GIANT. Best frames were Pinarello and FELT. Ended up with the FELT B2 Pro based on the fact that the Pini was pretty pricey. Anyway…I don’t want to diss the Kestrel as I believe it is of the finest bikes made, but I seem to be doing much better from a comfort and power position on the FELT. I guess that I should say that I have no association with FELT other than I dig their bikes.
Oh, one more thing. The same guy did my fit on the Kestel Pro and FELT Pro so I don’t think that I can relate the comfort on the FELT to a better fit process.
lulu
When you would buy a new frame for road-racing purposes: Which frame would you use ? The cervelo team, the planet-x ( pro carbon sl?)? A canyon is also in the picture, i have read a lot of good about them, but they are a bit more costly… and i would like to be able to replace a frame without having to save for it when i crash…
There is a promotion going on at the time in Europe with planet-x, and i’m thinking of getting the pro carbon sl frame or bike. Is it reasonably comfortable and how is the stiffness compared to other bikes you have ridden, especially the soloist team ?I have heared that the soloist team is very harsh, … I would appreciate the info very much
Thanks, Tom
How a frame “rides” is definitely more a function of tires/wheels/pressure more than a frame. Any material can ride well or be stiff. Hard to have both.
The Planet X pro carbon SL is an awesome bike and well liked in Europe (esp the UK), but the Soloist is a “faster” bike if you buy into aerodynamic frames (I do and apparently most new companies to as well with the new offerings from Felt, Ridley, Look, etc.) I ride a Carbon Soloist and it is pretty darn stiff - but it is my RACE bike, not main trainer. So, it depends on what you are looking for I guess?
would you care to share who did that. i;ve been looking for exactly that type of service
I owned a Planet X but now own an Elite. Different bikes but I am so happy with my Elite. Planet X is a good bike. I had problems getting good service with PX when I had a problem but now there is a new distributor involved so I can speak for them. Elite’s bike plus the company and customer service is the best in the business.
When you buy an Elite you get much more than a great bike. You get the best customer service and fit around. My next bike will be another Elite. No question.