I realize this many not be the proper forum to ask this question since spacers are frowned upon around here, but I am looking to sell my P3 SL (and its 650c wheels) and buy a less aggressive bike. I have a bulging disc in my neck so comfort and a relaxed position are more important to me than being aero.
I’m looking at a Kuota Kalibur and P2C. I’m curious about the Planet-X bikes but am not sure if they are too aggressive.
Any suggestions?
Perhaps the scott plasma - it has quite a lot more stack than the other bikes you mention and is suited to a less aggressive position
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the plasma, planetx and kalibur as pretty much exactly the same geometry, i dont know where you seen this? they are all 76 degres seat angle and yes, you can probably reach a very nice less agressive position on all these bikes.
so it depends of witch bike you like the most and if you are on a budget or not…if so…the planet X stealth pro carbon is probably the best deal starting at less than 2k for the shimano 105 model with full carbon frame/fork and TT bar but also…
there is a special right now with planet X stealth pro carbon for SLOWTWITCH, US$2499 for a dura ace build, by far the cheapest option of all for a top of the line Carbon super machine!!!
I realize this many not be the proper forum to ask this question since spacers are frowned upon around here
I wonder how this came to be - sure I have seen some bikes that had enough spacers to warrant moving to the next larger frame size but while a 15"-20" drop from saddle to aerobar looks cool, unless your name is Bjorn, Cancellara, Norman, or Zbriske, a big drop from saddle to bar is not going to work. I used to ride a larger drop but after nearly 25+ years of road racing, I never found the larger drop that comfortable and as a result of the lack of comfotrt, performance would suffer. Currently my TT bike, a 2005 Giant TCR Composite TT, has a 2 cm stack between the top of the head tube and the bottom of the VisionTech TriMax integrated carbon aerobars and I imagine the consensus here would be that I have too many spacers. On the other hand, based on TT performances this year, increasing the amount of spacers under the bars did not seem to inhibit turning sub 54’ performances in several 40Km TT’s this year!
This is probably because you actually sit on your seat, and it limits the amount of rotation that your hips can achieve while remaining in at a nice open angle. Most people who ride with 20cm or more drop are sitting on the very tip of the saddle.
Chris
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Do you know if there is a dealer in the Washington, DC area or East Coast where I could test out a Planet-X bike? That is a great deal.
I have a similar issue to you with not being able to go low at the front. What I found with bringing the bars up was that I needed to move the seat back and this becommes difficult with the current crop of tri bikes. In the end my fitter went for a custom frame (74 dgrees and zero drop to the aero bars) and this is a position that I can stay in all day and generate heaps of power (my HIM bike split went down by 15min).
So once you have a good idea of where you want the bars, seat and B to be - consider going custom.
http://www.zedsport.com/ is the usa distributor for planet X…there is info on the site about the bike shop that have there product…
i sended you by PM a adress of the office in UK…email them if you can find the answer you want…
if oyu were in canada, i would be happy to let you take mine for a spin!
I have this same problem. I’m selling my P3c and probabaly going with a custom Serotta Ottrott.
My disc problem is c6-c7. I’ve been considering fusion or disc replacement for the past 14 months. What are your thoughts about surgery for your disc issue, etc?
the plasma, planetx and kalibur as pretty much exactly the same geometry, i dont know where you seen this? they are all 76 degres seat angle and yes, you can probably reach a very nice less agressive position on all these bikes.
I have created comparison charts for all the brands, I understand that Slowman is working on the same thing for the main site. if we compare a Plasma M and a P-X large we see nearly the same stack but the P-X has 15mm more reach. There is more to it than just STA.
The only frames I know of with a higher stack/reach ratio than the plasma are the K-Factor, transition and saber. A higher Stack/reach ratio indicates that the bike is more suited to long legs/short torso or riders you do not wish to go very low in the front. Which is what the OP seems to be after.
The P-X is, across the sizes, a lower and longer frame. But I will agree that they are excellent value - if one fits you.
can you tell me what is the stack and reach? not sure i understand… thanks a lot
http://www.cervelo.com/viewkb.aspx?m=Support#3 - search for stack and reach or look under the geometry topic. They have a good explanation with diagrams which will help more than me burbling about it.
I have created comparison charts for all the brands, I understand that Slowman is working on the same thing for the main site. if we compare a Plasma M and a P-X large we see nearly the same stack but the P-X has 15mm more reach. There is more to it than just STA.
The only frames I know of with a higher stack/reach ratio than the plasma are the K-Factor, transition and saber. A higher Stack/reach ratio indicates that the bike is more suited to long legs/short torso or riders you do not wish to go very low in the front. Which is what the OP seems to be after.
The P-X is, across the sizes, a lower and longer frame. But I will agree that they are excellent value - if one fits you.
Cyclenutz, I am glad someone makes sense around here.
I would love to get a Serotta, but that is a little bit too pricey for my wallet right now. I was fitted on my P3 by Paul Levine so I hope one to get back to his studio to do it right and get a custom bike.
My disc issues are between C2-C3 and C3-C4. I did a lot of PT and neck exercises for about 4 months and then just the exercises and it seems to have gotten better. I still notice it, but it’s more of discomfort/annoyance. I will do everything I can to alleviate the pain before I would consider surgery. Good luck.
Funny you mention Paul Levine. I planning on flying out to him from Chicago to have him fit me for an Ottrott…I just can’t decide if I should have surgery first or try a new bike set-up first!
Sounds like the Blade would be a good option for you…
Get the surgery first, it’s probably cheaper than the Ottrott : )
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i have read the stack and reach… now, i have rode about 15 different bike over my life so far… all of them fit me really well, all of them where very different. I still have to find a bike that wont fit me. there is nothing spacer or stem wont fix for a bike. and i never had a problem with handeling
so, what is the difference between a plasma 54cm, a planet X medium or a medium kalibur. i can get the exact same position by playing with stem and spacer and position of the saddle. and wont have a problem with handling the bike in any races…
so why a bike model is more or less agressive when we compare these 3 bikes?
the main criteria when choosing a bike in a conversation between me and DR tommy was, 1. the bounding experience…to love it…feel special on it…desire it, your budget,the look of it, colors, carbon/comfort. I dont think dr tommy ever had a issu with handling a bike also and he s been on different bike every years…and he can ride fast!!!
i m just asking as curious about it…i ask tom demerly once but he never answered me…
Why do we say chose the bike that fit you the best? what is a good fit? …why not just say…pic the right size and them…adjust it!
Bjorn, Cancellara, Norman, or Zbriske, a big drop from saddle to bar is not going to work.
My name isn’t any of those, yet a big drop from saddle to bar works for me.
So wouldn’t the million dollar question be: If you found the large drop not that comfortable, did you try and ride a bit more forward? 
