Hi everyone,
It is time to buy a new frame and I can't make my mind up. I am tossing up between a Time VXRS World Star, Pinarello prince, or a Scott addict R1.

I know that the Time is very expensive whilst the Scott is reasonably cheap. I have read no reviews on the bikes except for the Pinarello prince which they said was a good allround bike but would not recomend it for sprinting. I am going to build the bike up from the gound with Sram red. Currently I own a Look 595 Ultra which is a great bike but I am just after something new.

I am 6ft2, slim build and race Cat 1 in Australia. I would say that I am a sprinter if I had to classify what type of rider I am, however I can generally perform well on hills etc as well. I am looking for a light, stiff, responsive bike that will perform well in all situations. I am also after something that probably not be outdated when 2009 models come out. If anyone could let me know how the above bikes ride, or any alternatives they think would be better, that would be great. Thanks guys and happy ridding.

Cheers

The Time is streets ahead, but as you say expensive...is the extra expense worth it for your sort of riding?

/don't forget that LA won 7 tours on a Trek, so from a performamce point of view frame-sets matter very little.

What about a Cervleo SLC SL, Soloist carbon, or R3

+1 for Time.

+1 for Time as well. I've decided on buying a Time myself, albeit the slightly less costly Edge Racer. I'm going to be in France next year, and given the exchange rate between the Euro and the Yankee peso, I think I'm going to wait and buy one in France with my Euro salary.

I am also in Australia, riding Time Edge (2007, size small, for 14 months now). Enough said? 8^)

Seriously, at your height I would avoid any super-light frames/components. Which is to say Time or Pinarello would be my choice over Scott. Otherwise, buy which one fits you best. Mind the set-back!

PS I doubt any of these are any better than your Look 595 Ultra, unless your Look geometry/size does not fit you well. Time has a slacker STA compared to Look and even a little slacker when compared to Pinarello.

Save your money. The 595 is as good or better than the Time. A friend has both and likes the 595 much better. When 2009 comes around and the new Dura Ace comes out you'll want that.Unless you're a recreational shopper save your cash.

A friend has both and likes the 595 much better.

Just don't look inside at the mess of glue and rough cut carbon tubes. :wink:

Look have slightly different geometry to Time BTW, so this is also an issue.

I've Time Ulteam with me in my room and it's one of the softest frame I've written to date.
I own a shop so I've ridden most carbon and Ti bikes and I wouldn't buy them for that much cash. Also I've seen a thread regarding Time's low-end customer service so I'll never even consider them at this time.

When you test Time, try to hold your seat with your inner thigh and shake the handlebar side to side and you'll see how the frame flexes.

Compare with my Lynskey Level 4, Time is like a cup of asia noodle.

I just got it last week. I haven't ridden it yet but I'm going south to a train in the first week of March. I am expecting great things form this bike. Just looking at it inspires me to ride! I'll give you a full report from a sprinters perspective.

ridden almost all top end, own a C-50 a Derosa ,Merckx and a custom but I would say the 595 and Time vxr ulteam etc are two of the best I have ridden. the 595 for me I am in between sizes but the Time vxr ulteam/proteam is the finest bike frame I have tried. and the finish of the carbon tubes is the best bar none Colnago is close. But if I had a 595 I would not spring for the Time as they are close with the time an edge for fit. What a problem huh? will own a Time as next bike if ever.

When you test Time, try to hold your seat with your inner thigh and shake the handlebar side to side and you'll see how the frame flexes.


As a sprinting technique that will surley not be very effective.

I prefer to stand and stomp...stiffness across the BB and BB to headtube is more relevant...why would a bike need a very laterally stiff top tube anyway...assuming it as flexy as you claim on the Time...more likely your bong water needs changing.

After owning a 595 Ultra seems the only way to go is full custom -- Parlee Z1, Cyfac Absolu, Serotta Meivici, etc. Anything else would be splitting hairs with what you already have.