I made a post recently asking about “open mold” frames. This time around, open door. Anything that’s under $1500 and is by a known brand with some data around it being a decent frame. I know some of the open mold frames would pass an eyeball aero test, but I live by data. It has to be faster.
As my bike ages, there’s just enough annoyances these days that I feel it’s time to start exploring what I’m going to do.
I cannot afford even a used P5 six. No way. I get that’s the fastest unicorn. Some of the details on newer bikes though seem kind of dated. The newer rim P3 even has the brake on the seat stay, and other bikes cable entries into downtubes! As of even 2015. My DA has cables behind the stem and hidden rear brake.
Suggest me something that is:
-faster frame than my DA (as pictured)
-fit a 56t 1x chainring without spacing it to avoid hitting chainstay (if I ran a 56 right now, I’d have to align it with the 13t cog)
-be Di2 compatible if I scrounge cash for that someday
-be at least equally as fast at yaw of 0-5 deg
-be faster at yaws larger than 5 deg
-be able to use my existing cockpit: stem, bars, extensions, cups, etc… (stem optional, so long as not another spline stem doodad)
-must fit 25mm rear tire on an HED c2 width disc wheel
-be rim brake
What is frustrating about my existing frame:
-the seatpost clamp is disintegrating (can’t see an identical part on Felt website and never got email back on inquiry)
-the seatpost has some scars from the seatpost clamp
-the seatpost and in general the frame wiggles like a limp noodle under good power
-the fork has dug into the head tube on the sides
-the cable routing for the rear brake means if not 100% perfect and newly setup, it’s spongy and vague
-I had to custom make a metal stem mount to replace the moron factory Felt piece
-eyeball test says it’s probably not great at yaws over 5 degrees (I’m about 27mph in the flats for a time trial)
-the clear coat is flaking off everywhere
Not looking for links to a FB or Ebay listing, but generally what to look for.
I’ve seen p5-6’s fully built selling in the low $2000s. Stands the reason that frames could be found near your $1500 price point, but I haven’t seen a single frame only for sale.
How about an IA frame? Definitely faster at yaw, though the geometry might be tough for your position. Currently a 2018 IA 16 on my local craigslist for $1800.
As for a new to you frame any newer Felt DA series or the current gen B series (that is based on the DA mold that is the successor to your frame but different front end/fork) would be an slight aero upgrade (based on them being a newer design compared to your bike). Do you want UCI legal or all bets are off and something like an Felt IA is fine?
I personally have lusted over getting an older Scott Plasma Premium myself (the early to mid 2010s years) are still one of the fastest around that is also UCI legal I believe. But finding a frameset for a good deal is a bit tough.
I’ve got a 2012 B12 and don’t plan to upgrade anytime soon. That is the same mold as your gen DA frame but with a different fork and regular stem (no bayonet). Just don’t race enough to justify it for now.
I should mention, I’m looking for TT frames. I deem the IA a triathlon frame with the larger tube profiles. I’m not under the UCI umbrella, but want to keep it in the TT family.
Yeah, I have the P5 in my “Feed” to send me notifications from places.
I lost an Ebay auction on a P5 frame just under $2k with di2 wiring and shifters in place recently.
Is this in your size? Sell the quarq and extra cockpit stuff and you’re somewhere around $1500.
I’m 5’ 10" and on a size 56 on my Felt DA.
It’s a hair big, but I’d think a small would be too small versus a medium.
I think I need them to be medium or medium/large sizes.
I found a newest generation P3 frameset on Ebay for sale, but…saw some bad reviews from a few customers. Like, rating is only 87%. It was my size and $1000 with shipping included. Brand new.
Is this in your size? Sell the quarq and extra cockpit stuff and you’re somewhere around $1500.
I’m 5’ 10" and on a size 56 on my Felt DA.
It’s a hair big, but I’d think a small would be too small versus a medium.
I think I need them to be medium or medium/large sizes.
I found a newest generation P3 frameset on Ebay for sale, but…saw some bad reviews from a few customers. Like, rating is only 87%. It was my size and $1000 with shipping included. Brand new.
Is this in your size? Sell the quarq and extra cockpit stuff and you’re somewhere around $1500.
I’m 5’ 10" and on a size 56 on my Felt DA.
It’s a hair big, but I’d think a small would be too small versus a medium.
I think I need them to be medium or medium/large sizes.
I found a newest generation P3 frameset on Ebay for sale, but…saw some bad reviews from a few customers. Like, rating is only 87%. It was my size and $1000 with shipping included. Brand new.
Bad review on the seller or the P3?
Seller.
87% rating out of about 150 sales. The bad reviews were all “item wrong, didn’t fix issue” or “item never came, no shipping info given”.
Is this in your size? Sell the quarq and extra cockpit stuff and you’re somewhere around $1500.
I’m 5’ 10" and on a size 56 on my Felt DA.
It’s a hair big, but I’d think a small would be too small versus a medium.
I think I need them to be medium or medium/large sizes.
I found a newest generation P3 frameset on Ebay for sale, but…saw some bad reviews from a few customers. Like, rating is only 87%. It was my size and $1000 with shipping included. Brand new.
Bad review on the seller or the P3?
Seller.
87% rating out of about 150 sales. The bad reviews were all “item wrong, didn’t fix issue” or “item never came, no shipping info given”.
There’s a workable condition size 54 on there right now for a good price.
I’m refinancing the house right now, so the cash has to stay in there for another week. So it will likely be gone.
But work bonus is coming up after that.
Is a 2014 or so P5 with my same fit worth the $700 or so premium over $1500 stuff? The aero tests always seem so favorable for it. Hard to ignore when I know I’m not gaining any more than probably 10w this year on fitness.
There’s a workable condition size 54 on there right now for a good price.
I’m refinancing the house right now, so the cash has to stay in there for another week. So it will likely be gone.
But work bonus is coming up after that.
Is a 2014 or so P5 with my same fit worth the $700 or so premium over $1500 stuff? The aero tests always seem so favorable for it. Hard to ignore when I know I’m not gaining any more than probably 10w this year on fitness.
I think a pure P5 frame isn’t much faster, if at all, than a P2/P3 frame. I think what makes the P5 faster is the cockpit, brakes etc which you can obviously change. So, I probably wouldn’t pay a premium for the P5 if I planned to use an Alpha One or the like and other fast components on the P2/P3.
There’s a workable condition size 54 on there right now for a good price.
I’m refinancing the house right now, so the cash has to stay in there for another week. So it will likely be gone.
But work bonus is coming up after that.
Is a 2014 or so P5 with my same fit worth the $700 or so premium over $1500 stuff? The aero tests always seem so favorable for it. Hard to ignore when I know I’m not gaining any more than probably 10w this year on fitness.
I think a pure P5 frame isn’t much faster, if at all, than a P2/P3 frame. I think what makes the P5 faster is the cockpit, brakes etc which you can obviously change. So, I probably wouldn’t pay a premium for the P5 if I planned to use an Alpha One or the like and other fast components on the P2/P3.
I’m running Planet X aero brake levers, Aeria Ultimate full aero stem, Planet X base bar for cockpit. I’m not sure outside of an Alpha One anything faster from the “eyeball” look from front on. I custom made a computer mount that puts it literally right behind my two hands. It’s not pictured below, I made it after I took those pics.
If I remove that cockpit and put it on another bike, without spending big money on a cockpit I’m not sure I’d gain much.
What makes the more modern bikes better at yaw over 5deg? Is it the NACA foil shapes being a bit more friendly? Cleaner bottom bracket with bearings press fit?
That’s where I would guess I’m going to gain around 10w or so, is greater than 5 deg yaw. Which is at least 50% of your rides usually. So, 10w gain half the time sounds good to me.
You are probably correct re: pure anticipated gains. The other “gain†would be in the ability to run wider rims/tires. You will gain some speed and certainly some comfort. If your only consideration is speed, then it’s probably not worth it. But, there are other reasons to upgrade your bike, and I think ~$700 is a relatively small amount of money for that update.
I have a 58cm P5-3 with P5-6 fork. Is that your size? Might be willing to part it out and sell it as a frame kit for the prices discussed above depending on whether you want the cockpit, crankset, saddle, etc.
I don’t know that a P5 would be a very good idea. Bar tilt can make or break an aero position and the P5 design is pretty old school and a clean modification is going to be hard. The Shiv and Speed concept are also fast frames, but the cockpits suck. If you do get one of these invest in a tubing bender.
I would steer you towards a Giant Trinity. It is a fast bike that the UK crowd use quite often, so they have figured out all the custom cockpit stuff.
I know you want to be at or under 1500 but there’s a brand new large trek Speed Concept in the classifieds for only 2200. That’s a great deal. You can probably sell your frame to help make up most of the difference.
