Frameset for winter / commute build

CantGetNoSleep

I've just impulse bought a new 5800 105 groupset and set of Shimano RS010 wheels on a second hand site near me - someone had taken them off a new bike.

I'd like to build up a winter / commute bike. I have a Cannondale Synapse with hydraulic discs that I had bought for this purpose but I'll upgrade the wheelset on that and keep it for sunnier days, a but expensive for what I want it for.

I'm thinking of a Genesis steel frame but looking for other suggestions. No real requirements apart from a bit of tire clearance and mudguard mounts, relaxed geometry if possible, not too expensive (mainly to allow me to lock it up outside on a rare occasion I stop off on the way home from work).

Don't commute every day and don't go out every weekend

Pinch Flat

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

I've just impulse bought a new 5800 105 groupset and set of Shimano RS010 wheels on a second hand site near me - someone had taken them off a new bike.

I'd like to build up a winter / commute bike. I have a Cannondale Synapse with hydraulic discs that I had bought for this purpose but I'll upgrade the wheelset on that and keep it for sunnier days, a but expensive for what I want it for.

I'm thinking of a Genesis steel frame but looking for other suggestions. No real requirements apart from a bit of tire clearance and mudguard mounts, relaxed geometry if possible, not too expensive (mainly to allow me to lock it up outside on a rare occasion I stop off on the way home from work).

Don't commute every day and don't go out every weekend

What about a dolan preffisio? Very reasonable and Comfortable frame and a workhorse commuter / winter bike

https://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-preffisio-aluminium-road-frameset.html

Eamonnator

+ 1 on the Dolan.
Two members of my chain gang have them.
Great value. Easy to work on, great tyre clearance,mudguard mounts. Paintwork seems to be good.
Not lightweight, but a great winter workhorse.

Had a look at that frame built up on their site there, it's lovely.

CantGetNoSleep

That seems to tick all boxes - will take a look at it thanks.

CantGetNoSleep

Any other suggestions before I click order on that? Build coming in at 600-700€ if I use that frame

Eamonnator

Would you consider one of these bad boys:

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/ZXRT58FRAMEKIT/planet-x-rt-58-v2-alloy-frame-kit-bundle

No personal experience, other than my sons and I have 5 Planet X bikes (all carbon) in our combined stables, which for the most part has been extremely positive.

Plastik

I like the updated Preffisio. It's hard to look past the value for something that's going to be used as a winter/commuter bike. This new updated version with clearance for 28's ticks a lot of boxes. It's not going to set the world alight in terms of weight though.

magicbastarder

people who ride heavier bikes are fitter, though.

CantGetNoSleep

Went to pick up groupset I had agreed to buy and seller had a set of brand new hydraulic brakes and shifters for 180€ so I couldn't leave them there.

So I'm back to square one with the same question - which frameset for a winter build ideally with thru axles as I have a set of thru axle wheels I'd use for it.

Will be my first build so discs might make it a bit more complex - will take it slowly though and have some time off work coming up to play around with it.

Any suggestions?

cunavalos

you could stick with dolan and get the rdx. Similar price to the prefisio although imo does not look as well. Currently discounted in orange and silver colourway
https://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-framesets/road-framesets-aluminium/dolan-rdx-aluminium-frameset.html

LCD

I built up a Kinesis alu frame a few years ago with disc brakes & proper mudguards. Very happy with it

C3PO

LCD wrote:

I built up a Kinesis alu frame a few years ago with disc brakes & proper mudguards. Very happy with it

I've just ordered a Kinesis RTD frame as the basis for my new winter/training bike - looking forward to getting it built up (when I can afford the rest of the build!!)

https://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Models/Racelight/RTD

CantGetNoSleep

Kinesis looks exactly what I'd like just high end of budget

CantGetNoSleep

I've decided to up budget on this given I'm going to effort of my first build - and consequently won't be using it for regular commutes (bought a Canyon Urban for that).

I'd like to get the frameset for 500-800€. At the moment I'm looking at:
Kinesis 4S Disc
Cannondale CAAD 12
Ritchey Outback (only one of the list that is tricky to find on sale)
Genesis - either Equilibrium Disc, Volare or less likely given usage, Croix de Fer

What are people's thoughts on the above? The Kinesis looks perfect as a winter build - but I have a liking for the steel options

magicbastarder

i would have thought there's quite a difference between the caad12 and the equilibrium, to pick one of the choices out?
i've no experience of the CAAD12, but i have an equilibrium and love it. disc frames are silly money these days IIRC though.

Weepsie

I've a croix de fer. Can run tyres from 23-37mm. Take it in road, gravel, canals and cx terrain. It's arguably the most versatile of the frames you mentioned. With that, I'd love to try a CAAD12

magicbastarder

magicbastarder wrote: »

i have an equilibrium and love it. disc frames are silly money these days IIRC though.

i should specify that i mean equilibrium disc frames. the difference between a disc and non-disc frame is RRP £300.

CantGetNoSleep

Agree they are not really all the same - spotted a CAAD12 new frame close to me for 550 which is why I think I'll go for that - not exactly what I set out to get but if I build a bike I want it to be something I really want.

I'd go for an Equilibrium Disc if I found one at a decent price but agree that the prices are a bit ridiculous and difference in disc and non disc doesn't really make sense. In previous years you could easily find the last year's version reduced but there doesn't seem to be any difference between the 2018 and 2019 models

CantGetNoSleep

So I went for the CAAD12 Disc in the end - 2016 model (I think) yellow frame but brand new and with lifetime warranty from a Cannondale store. Had QR rather than thru axles so needed to buy a wheelset which I wasn't planning to do.

Trying to keep overall build budget under 1100 - buying everything new but from second hand sites or Facebook groups.

So far I have
Frameset - 550
Shifters / hydraulic disc brakes (ST-RS505/BR-RS505) - 180
Mavic Aksium wheels - 150
Cannondale FSA SI crankset - 90
Stem - 25

Still need a saddle, 105 derailleurs and handlebars. I have limited bike maintenance skills so a lot of YouTube videos to come I think.

magicbastarder

i assembled a bike last year, was easier than expected (did not have to install the BB though).
though you might need some tools not already in your possession.

CantGetNoSleep

magicbastarder wrote: »

i assembled a bike last year, was easier than expected (did not have to install the BB though).
though you might need some tools not already in your possession.

Yeah I'm going to take my time with it - will be next year's winter bike so not in any real rush. I have a decent toolset & a torque wrench but will need tools to install the Cannondale BB30a bottom bracket and a hydraulic bleed kit. Headset is already in thankfully - frame seems to have just been stripped of groupset

Large bottle small glass

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Yeah I'm going to take my time with it - will be next year's winter bike so not in any real rush. I have a decent toolset & a torquhttps://wheelsmfg.com/bottom-brackets/cannondale-bb30a.htmle wrench but will need tools to install the Cannondale BB30a bottom bracket and a hydraulic bleed kit. Headset is already in thankfully - frame seems to have just been stripped of groupset

https://wheelsmfg.com/bottom-brackets/cannondale-bb30a.html

What's another €100 for a proper bb

CantGetNoSleep

Picked up CAAD12 Frameset and wheels today. Crankset I had sorted fell through so didn't really start the build. BB bearings already installed so hoping putting crankset on won't be too much of a challenge

Planning to do it in this order:
Finishing kit (still need to order stem, bars and saddle)
Crankset
Derailleurs and shifters
Hydraulic brakes