Principia Ellipse SX

stiofan85

Hi guys,

Wanna get this to replace my damaged Focus Variado frame:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24212

What do you think?

I'm 6ft, 33" inseam, and the Variado in a 56 fits fine. Would you guys reckon the 55 or 57cm frame?

petethedrummer

Geometry for Ellipse SX is here:
http://bikeframes.com/principia.html

Ellipse SX is sloping geometry and is the first table.

(Don't know if thats for 2005 or not, should be close)

stiofan85

Ah cheers. 57cm is looking more suitable.

Shame it only comes in blue in that size, but sure feck it!

Dropped my focus on a small wall and put a few massive dents in the frame, then was replacing the bottom bracket and the threads from the frame came out with the original so the new bottom bracket wouldn't sit in it properly. Didn't bother getting the threads re-tapped so the frame's been in rag order for about a year!

Can't wait to build this up no!

petethedrummer

There's a very similar blue Principia bike downstairs in cycleways if you want to see what the colour looks like in the flesh. We were looking at it over the weekend. I liked the look of it but my mate didn't, so make of that what you will.

stiofan85

^^Thanks for that, I'll be over that way tomorrow at lunch - think I'll take a look!

Don't really care about looks though - the noise from the bb and the big dents and chipped paint have been enough to wreck my head for the past year!

Lumen

I can't help thinking that you could do better for the money.

A few bin ends here might be of interest.

stiofan85

Thanks Lumen - can I just ask why you think Canyon are so much better? I don't know much about them.

I like the look of this one, and the price tag is only €50 above the Principia.

http://www.canyon.com/_en/outlet/article.html?o=A1010438

Cheers!

Lumen

stiofan85 wrote: »

Thanks Lumen - can I just ask why you think Canyon are so much better? I don't know much about them.

Ah, perhaps my wording was poorly chosen. I don't know that the Canyons are better, they are just more appealing to me and worth consideration; Principia are a well established brand.

€550 is in that zone where premium aluminium and cheap carbon fibre (e.g. Planet-X) framesets overlap. I'm sure there are plenty of other good choices.

Michelin

A friend of mine had a principia the last few yrs until he wrecked it last year. He was totally in love with it. never stopped raving about it. still looks great. The principia company were leaders in developing top class aluminum frames. U wont go wrong with one at that price.

godihatedehills

King Kelly rides a Principia. 'Nuff said.

Lumen

godihatedehills wrote: »

King Kelly rides a Principia. 'Nuff said.

More importantly, according to the Principia website they were ridden in 1998 by one of the best named teams in the history of cycling, Team Chicky World.

godihatedehills

Lumen wrote: »

More importantly, according to the Principia website they were ridden in 1998 by one of the best named teams in the history of cycling, Team Chicky World.

The cycling top Dirk has been waiting for.....

petethedrummer

Just happened to stumble across this thread about these frames. The pdf brochures give all the geometries for those 2005 frames on sale on CRC. Some of them are 70% off at the mo!!!

fago

I've a bottom of the range Giant racer with the groupset upgraded (mostly ultegra I've got 2nd hand), Mavic aksium wheels etc.
I've got into cycling alot more this year, and want to give racing a lash next year.

I am looking at the 51cm principa ellipse on CRC, with 60% off http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24216

With that discount it seems like a great deal to just buy the frame swap everything over, and away I go.

Looking at the sizing charts 51cm should be okay for me with a 31 inch in seam, 5 foot 6 tall. http://web.archive.org/web/20061210120342/www.principiabikes.com/pdf/principia_05_brochure.pdf

petethedrummer

Does the one you're looking at come with a fork? if not there could be issues with the fork and headset.
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=51350

Nothing insurmountable I'm sure. I've been tempted myself by one, but the geometry looks a bit too racy for me. They are supposed to be great frames.

fago

The description says "as per photo" and the photo shows the fork included.

I'll contact them to check. I suppose its between buying this or waiting till the new year and perhaps getting someone's cast off when they upgrade.

peterako

But....no headset pictured.

I'm not sure if it's a 1 1/8" - 1 1/2" combination for the headset on this frame.
Worth asking too.

I bought an RSL (Principia) Frame last year and LOVE it!

Peter