While running some numbers, it appears that I could get into a Landshark for about the same price I can get the Gunnar I have been looking at. This group seems to enjoy a good old fashioned bike comparison so I thought I would throw this one out there.

Landshark would obviously have an edge in the paint department but that isnt a great big deal to me. So how do you think the frames compare? Gunnar is OX Platinum or possible OX Platinum and 853 and the Landshark is Zero Uno. I am about 215lbs and will never be under 200 if that comes into play.

Part of me thinks the effort put into the Landshark is the artwork whereas the emphasis is on frame performance and ride quality with the Gunnar. Another part of the appeal to me is to work with the local Gunnar dealer with the fit process although I could just pay him for a fit to buy another bike with as well.

Any input is appreciated.
Thanks,
Just another obsessive/compulsive cyclist.

Are you planning to get the Landshark built custom, or a stock frame from GVH, or some place like that? I don't think either the Gunnar of Landshark would be more performance oriented. I think they would both ride very similar.

I had my Landshark built custom in 1997 (reynolds 853), and it was a great riding bike. I ended up selling it a couple of years ago, which was a big mistake. I know John is known for his paint, and they do look beautiful, but my frame if I looked at it wrong paint would fall off. I had a teammate that bought a Landshark at the same time, and he had the same problem.. We called it "quick release" paint. Maybe he has fixed the problem since then. The quality of the welds are awesome. There is nothing more beautiful than a fillet brazed frame. If you are looking for steel I would also check out Curtlo at curtlo.com. Doug? will build a full custom fillet brazed frame for around $700. A teammate of mine just received a mountain bike from him and can't be happier.

I am looking at GVH but it appears that I could get either a custom or stock frame. If I go that direction, I would have a fitting done to see if the stock geo works. If not I would use the numbers to go with custom geo.

I would love to know if others have had problems recently with Landshark paint.

At your weight I would definitely go the custom route--to make sure it is built on the beefy side. I personally don't like the looks of fillet brazed frames (unless they're personally done by Tom Ritchey) and think the Landshark paint jobs are a bit garish...

I must be missing something.
Gunnar...............$725
Landshark...........$1250

The landshark is in the price range of the Waterford R14 model
The Gunnars come with a clearcoat over the paint this year and last. You can also get a full Waterford paint job for $125. The color of the month paint job is free and is the same as the Waterford paint job (or better)
I'm sure that the Landshark is a fine bike, but the Gunnar is not the same. I guess that you could call it a top quality econobike.
At 215 pounds, the Gunnar would be fine for you to race on. ( 1 1/4 top tube and 1 3/8 down tube)
3.6 pounds.

Thanks for your reply. I know you have good knowledge of the Gunnars. Anyway, the Gunnar is $725 unless you go custom which adds about $350. GVH has Landshark frame and fork for $1050 right now. He also has Ultegra 9 speed Landsharks complete bikes for $1995.

The way I have it figured, it is going to cost me close to $2,000 to build up the Gunnar even using stock frame pricing. That is why I posed the question to start with. I am very impressed with the Gunnar but was just wondering if I would be missing something if I didnt consider the Landshark.

I think what you are saying is what I was eluding to. That the Gunnar is a high quality frame (from what I can tell it is the Waterford without the seat cluster lug) for a super price. I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts on how frame quality compares.

Thanks again

The Gunnars I have seen are nice looking. Nice TIG welds. They are definitely more utiitarian looking than a Waterford or a Landshark, but my guess is the ride is just as nice.

Part of the Waterford price is in the name. I can't see the seatcluster lug costing that much. Even if you add in $125 to the Gunnar for the Waterford paint job. That still leaves the Waterford costing $450 more than the Gunnar.

That sale price on the Landshark sounds almost too good to pass up.

. Another part of the appeal to me is to work with the local Gunnar dealer with the fit process although I could just pay him for a fit to buy another bike with as well.

t.

Here's what I would do: go to the dealer and get a fitting done FIRST. The fit is the most important aspect. If a stock size in the gunnar fits the measurements, do that. If not, then consider all manner of custom frames: gunnar custom, curtlo... etc. the list goes on.
Make sure the dealer does the fitting blindly, without looking at the stock gunnar numbers to fudge things. I had a buddy do this and he loves his gunnar. The cool thing was that the dealer did the fit, then found the geometry that worked best out of the sport, roadie, and cross models. It was a sport model. he got the chameleon metallic color of the month and it's gorgeous!
It sounds like the landshark you found is not custom fit for you. Get the measurements you need first based on your old bike and your body. the go from there.

Personally, I watch the color of the month. I have a few colors in mind that if they came up I would jump on it.

Yeah, I'm probably going to go ahead and get the fit done and then try to make a decision. Not sure what Im going to base it on though. :confused:

Go with Landshark, if fit is an issue for sure. Also at your weight, you may also want to go with the LS. Slawta can build the frame to your weight specs, so you'll be sure that you won't be riding something that is too light and flexy. Where you will notice this is climbing/accelerating and going downhill through fast turns. For what it's worth, my shark is pretty solid and stiff in the BB. It's not super light, but that doesn't matter.

As for paint, my shark seems to have fairly durable paint. I ride my bikes hard, and there are a couple of scratches on it. But that happens to all my bikes. Just get clear nail polish and touch it up. The frame will last a long time, especially if it is designed for your size and weight.

C72

I was unable to pull up the website here from work but I'm under the impression that GVH will give the same deal on a full custom landshark as a stock frame. The wait would just be longer.

I was unable to pull up the website here from work but I'm under the impression that GVH will give the same deal on a full custom landshark as a stock frame. The wait would just be longer.

Although I did not end up buying from him I have talked with Mr. Slawta and he can and will do any style paint job you want. I do agree that some of his stuff is over the top. He told me I could send a picture of any bike that I liked and he would match the paint job (minus stickers of course).

Although I did not end up buying from him I have talked with Mr. Slawta and he can and will do any style paint job you want. I do agree that some of his stuff is over the top. He told me I could send a picture of any bike that I liked and he would match the paint job (minus stickers of course).


That is almost the intimidating part for me. There are virtually no limits on the paint job which makes it harder. Sometimes its easier to just pick between three or four samples.

Getting a flashback from picking out pool tiles. :confused:

In the grand scheme of things I dont think I can go wrong either way. The Landshark the way I want it would cost me about $350+ more than the Gunnar because I want to get something other than the Ultegra 9 speed. Which I guess is OK if it turns out that is the bike I want. I started riding 2+ years ago and feel it is time to get into the bike that I want to ride for a while. I want to do it right because I dont have the luxury of replacing a bike every couple of years or building a collection. I have to save that for when I officially enter my mid-life crisis.

I just wish I could come up with something to push me over to one side of the fence or the other. Any other thoughts out there?

I just wish I could come up with something to push me over to one side of the fence or the other. Any other thoughts out there?

From what you wrote, I would go get fit at the LBS that you know and trust, and work with them. they will most likely encourage the bike they sell, gunnar, but you will end up with a great bike and they will get it running perfectly, and keep it that way (if it's a good bike shop).

i would get the gunnar for that reason. in the long run, the bike will be cared for properly and run smoothly.

From what you wrote, I would go get fit at the LBS that you know and trust, and work with them. they will most likely encourage the bike they sell, gunnar, but you will end up with a great bike and they will get it running perfectly, and keep it that way (if it's a good bike shop).

i would get the gunnar for that reason. in the long run, the bike will be cared for properly and run smoothly.


You know, that makes a heck of a lot of sense! I guess I've know all along that I would personally be more comfortable working with the shop all the way through but I kept hearing that music.

dundun ..... ........dundun...............dundun..dundun..dundu n............:eek: :eek: :eek:

Where are my manners? Thank you very much for your assistance.

You know, that makes a heck of a lot of sense! I guess I've know all along that I would personally be more comfortable working with the shop all the way through but I kept hearing that music.

dundun ..... ........dundun...............dundun..dundun..dundu n............:eek: :eek: :eek:

Where are my manners? Thank you very much for your assistance.

gunnar just posted the new colors of the month. sterling silver to wineberry fade
or big band blue.
the fade looks pretty nice...
http://www.gunnarbikes.com/gunnar_roadie.jpg

Yeah, I was just thinking I have some silver and red rims that would look really nice on that bike. :D

One great option is to have your name painted on the top tube to get rid of that silly "Roadie" decal. Last time I checked it cost $45 to do that.
At 200 pounds, don't worry about being too heavy for the Gunnar. I've got the older model with the
1-1/4" down tube and it's stiff enough for field sprints at 200 pounds. The new models have a 1-3/8" down tube.

...or good 'ol gunnar red, without the roadie decal (my 'ol 2003 didn't come with the clear coat so it was easy to remove the decal)

john

gunnar just posted the new colors of the month. sterling silver to wineberry fade
or big band blue.
the fade looks pretty nice...
http://www.gunnarbikes.com/gunnar_roadie.jpg

gunnar red

...or good 'ol gunnar red, without the roadie decal (my 'ol 2003 didn't come with the clear coat so it was easy to remove the decal)

john

Mine's also a 2003, but with the color of the month, it came with clearcoat over the decals. The new 2005's come with a clearcoat standard.

This is called Goldrush over Charcoal Silver.
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.
.
.
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Mine's also a 2003, but with the color of the month, it came with clearcoat over the decals. The new 2005's come with a clearcoat standard.

This is called Goldrush over Charcoal Silver.
.
.
.
.
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I think I've seen that picture before. Very cool color. :cool:

Maybe one of these days I'll get off my butt and get this done so I can show it off.

I just wish I could come up with something to push me over to one side of the fence or the other. Any other thoughts out there?

Sounds like you cold get a great bike from either. Often what makes me feel good about a purchase in the long run is the relationship with the person doing the selling. Get on the phone with each builder and than go with who you like best.


That is almost the intimidating part for me. There are virtually no limits on the paint job which makes it harder.

I'm with you there! I have a folder on my computer with dozens of bikes that I've seen and I liked. I was never sure which one I would pick if I went with Landshark.

As Mr. Grumpy said, you won't have performance issues with your weight on the Gunnar. I raced on a Hot Dog (precursor to the Roadie) all summer and I'm 6'4" and weigh in the 215 range. I had no performance issues whatsoever, the frame was plenty stiff even in field sprints.

Good luck. My recommendation would be the Gunnar, but you will get a fine bike either way. Just make sure the frame fits you well.