Well the time has come for me to pull the trigger on a frame purchase and I’m 90% sure I’m going with a Look 585. I have considered all the usual suspects but would like to hear what you would consider. The Price Limit is $3K (frame and fork) what would you buy? Lets have it, I'm hoping to spark a (campy vs shimano) type debate. Clearly no one answer will be correct but some will be better than others. Let the games begin.

Well the time has come for me to pull the trigger on a frame purchase and I’m 90% sure I’m going with a Look 585. I have considered all the usual suspects but would like to hear what you would consider. The Price Limit is $3K (frame and fork) what would you buy? Lets have it, I'm hoping to spark a (campy vs shimano) type debate. Clearly no one answer will be correct but some will be better than others. Let the games begin.

I'd buy a Look 585.

Or a Moots Vamoots.

Or a custom steel or ti bike from one of a couple of builders.

Well the time has come for me to pull the trigger on a frame purchase and I’m 90% sure I’m going with a Look 585. I have considered all the usual suspects but would like to hear what you would consider. The Price Limit is $3K (frame and fork) what would you buy? Lets have it, I'm hoping to spark a (campy vs shimano) type debate. Clearly no one answer will be correct but some will be better than others. Let the games begin.
i would personally look at custom steel, or a litespeed. I'm extremely happy with mine.
OR, a Colnago Dream HX looks very nice... Their Dreams ride like, well, a dream.

Trek Madone 6.9 SSL frameset. hey if Lance used it to crush those Look/French, it got be the best+bling factor. of course unless you're a French. lol if you don't like Trek for some reason, Cervelo or BMC look real sexy and both are lighter than Look. it's your money. buy what your heart tell you. GL!!

I'd buy a Look 585.

Or a Moots Vamoots.

Or a custom steel or ti bike from one of a couple of builders.


I just sold an 853 serotta to make room for something new. I have only had Nice steel bikes. Plastic or TI are the most appealing for this pass - . I like the Moots idea. Have always liked their builds.

I just sold an 853 serotta to make room for something new. I have only had Nice steel bikes. Plastic or TI are the most appealing for this pass - . I like the Moots idea. Have always liked their builds.

Well then, Moots or Look 585 - can't go wrong either way.

Or, there are several custom builders that would do you a nice ti frame well inside your budget.

Trek Madone 6.9 SSL frameset. hey if Lance used it to crush those Look/French, it got be the best+bling factor. of course unless you're a French. lol if you don't like Trek for some reason, Cervelo or BMC look real sexy and both are lighter than Look. it's your money. buy what your heart tell you. GL!!


Your post is classic - we could not possibly be friends :). I don’t find any of those bikes aesthetically pleasing. Although I love your references to Lance pulling a regular smack down on the Frenchies. Ok _ I guess we can be friends. At heart I have old school aesthetics but it’s hard to ignore the performance gain of new materials. I think it’s why I have gravitated toward the 585. New age materials old school looks.

i'd buy a BMC TT02...

i did steel, sold it all (nearly), and did the great carbon, and now am going to try my first custom steel, a steel 953. and I just picked up 2 NOS steel bikes to re-experience my love of steel until the 953 is ready. along the way tried some Ti. colnago, litespeed (x2), bianchi and merlin. to me TI is just not manipulated as well in those bikes as steel--maybe a custom Ti bike can be drawn, butted, etc to really make it something, but otherwise i have found the Ti is shaped to maximize weight and stiffness, at the expense of the ride feel. I test rode a moots at city bikes in maryland---it was less steel-like than my r33, which is very stiff and Ti-esque for steel (anyway the lightest and stiffest steel frame i've ridden).
but maybe that is what you want
so to help me afford that 953, you should buy one of my very, very gently used low, low mileage carbon uber bikes--if you ride a 56 tt. that way you would not have to spend 3k. I even have one that has DA 10 on it...the rest are correctly campy

if you don't ride a 56 you should still ride a bike exactly like mine: i don't think you can go wrong with any of:
c50, 585, vxrs, merckx mxm

and although i don't have one, i think the tarmac is pretty cool.
If i was to buy a production carbon i'd get a wilier le roi or a 595 and i'd buy it used to stay under 3k

good luck with your choice--what beats thinking about new bikes on valentine's day (rhetorical)

Calfee Tetra pro custom...you will not be dissapointed. Good Luck...:)

Trek Madone 6.9 SSL frameset.

Sorry.....I just threw up a bit in my mouth!:eek:

Sounds like custom carbon is the way to go for you. You get the latest greatest and the custom experience. Calfee makes some nice frames.

I would go with a Look 585. But I am biased as i have one. Seriously with that budget, i don't think you can go wrong with any choice. Buy the frame that most appeals to you, not the "best" frame everyone else says you should buy.

I also love a Moots SL.

If you are leaning towards a 585, you can get some killer deals on this classified websit or on Ebay on some new to almost new frames. I bought my 585 for $1500 and it had done under 100 miles. With a lot of people upgrading to 595, there are deals to be had. THe remainder of the cash get some hand built wheels or some bling ones (Fulcrum Zero, Campy Shamal)

Well the time has come for me to pull the trigger on a frame purchase and I’m 90% sure I’m going with a Look 585. I have considered all the usual suspects but would like to hear what you would consider. The Price Limit is $3K (frame and fork) what would you buy? Lets have it, I'm hoping to spark a (campy vs shimano) type debate. Clearly no one answer will be correct but some will be better than others. Let the games begin.

If it fits without going custom, then I'd probably get the Parlee Z4 $2950, I might be tempted by the Beyond Fabrications "Think Carbon" $3000 or for just a little more a 2006 Casati Marte $3200. A couple of frames you'll probably never see on your daily route.:thumbsup:

http://www.bullteksports.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BS&Product_Code=CASMARTERF&Category_Code=Casati

You should know better.

Anyone who asks 'What bike should I get?' will always get the same idiots answering custom steel every time. These same idiots answer every 'What wheel should I get?' query with either OP/DT Swiss/1.1 or call Mike G for some customs.

Get the 585. Great ride, and just to really piss 'em off, throw on some SL's.

:yesnod:

You should know better.

Anyone who asks 'What bike should I get?' will always get the same idiots answering custom steel every time. These same idiots answer every 'What wheel should I get?' query with either OP/DT Swiss/1.1 or call Mike G for some customs.

Get the 585. Great ride, and just to really piss 'em off, throw on some SL's.

Huh?:confused:

And you should ease up. He asked what people would buy so people answered. Some may always answer custom steel, but others will always say that you should get the latest, greatest, flavor-of-the-month carbon frame as though there are no other frames in existence.

You should know better.

Anyone who asks 'What bike should I get?' will always get the same idiots answering custom steel every time. These same idiots answer every 'What wheel should I get?' query with either OP/DT Swiss/1.1 or call Mike G for some customs.

Get the 585. Great ride, and just to really piss 'em off, throw on some SL's.

Yea and for every idiot recommending custom steel you get a moron calling those people "idiots."

Newsflash for you - people ask for opinions and that's what they get. The question was "what would you buy for $3G" and since we're dealing in opinions, there are no right or wrong answers. Only morons calling people idiots.

Trek Madone 6.9 SSL frameset. hey if Lance used it to crush those Look/French, it got be the best+bling factor.

This is when I like to refer back to Lance's famous quote ... "It's not about the bike". Lance could have beat them a Price Point Vincolo frame.

It's too bad you only have $3,000 to spend and thus are limited to off-the-rack frames. Increase your budget and order a Titus Exogrid FCR.

I think my sarcasm detector just went off.

Relax, people. It's impossible to be offended by a moron - unless you are a bigger moron than he.

Now, flames being safely extinguished, :D The correct answer is custom Ti. But that's for me, not for you.

There is no such thing as 'the' bike. Get one that's perfectly sized, it won't be right in the winter when you're stiff, out of shape, and wearing extra clothes. Get the tubes tuned 'just for you', and it'll be a miss when you add or subtract a few pounds, or when you ride a different set of roads.

Satisfying a want is far more important than any nuance someone deems as important - especially someone that is not you. Anything else would be trying to answer an emotional question with logic. Logic got rid of the wrong sizes and geometries, and what remains is pure emotion and lust. If there were a logical answer, you wouldn't have a question left. You want the 585, so get the 585.

You can't go wrong with the 585, but consider Bicycle John's on E-bay to save $700. I paid full price for mine, but I wanted the scarce special edition red/carbon paint. I splurged last year, since I was expecting a windfall from a bike wreck (took 18 months but I got $6,000). You could probably get a 595 for $3000.

The only thing I can say about the Look 585/595 is becoming so popular on these boards, it wouldn't surprise me that in 6 months people will be saying whatever people are saying about the Tarmacs and Madones now. I don't hear anything bad about the Tarmac or Madone, but just that they are common. Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

If I wanted an "aesthetically pleasing" bike, I would look at Columbine.
Though, it would probably cost more if I wanted to add gold and gemstones into the frame. John Murphy can do it, too.

Polished stainless steel, 50 years of ride.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tech/features/nahmbs061/Columbine_seat_cluster.jpg

"The Price Limit is $3K (frame and fork) what would you buy?"....... as many frames i could score on eBay, RBR classifieds or serotta forum, all in steel. The Moser TK2 Jimcav built looks cool. There's a colnago olympic master with a carbon straight fork that another poster just built that also has the looks. I'd chase a Fondriest x-status in a size 50cm. the one below was too big, would descend like demon and was sweet ride. my opinion.......

A custom Vanilla with polished, chrome lugs and steel fork. I'd get a purdy, light green color. And if i had extra $ left over, i'd get a custom stem to match.

yeah, he will have that all ready for him in 2 years...

But you did ask what would I buy.

one of these: http://www.surlybikes.com/pugsley.html

and one of these: http://www.surlybikes.com/longhaul.html

and a: http://www.surlybikes.com/steamroller.html

of course a : http://www.surlybikes.com/1X1.html

and for the fast rides: http://www.surlybikes.com/pacer.html


Is that 3k yet?

Oh gee I still have 800 dollars to spend... ummm a donation to Yellow Bike project? I dunno what else to spend it on.

How about Ridley Noah? I think you can go under $3k if you shop around
http://www.corearoadbike.com/bbs/data/WPhotoGallery/Noah01.jpg
http://www.corearoadbike.com/bbs/data/WPhotoGallery/666.jpg

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/images/products/thumb/lapcrbnfram.jpg

on sale at colorado cyclist. LAPIERRE 999 X-Lite FDJ Carbon Frame/Fork features Include; Includes Ritchey WCS Headset. Light, but strong 2.62 pounds frame weight. Price $1699.00 you could still buy another carbon frame..

seriously, why do people ask these sorts of questions: first, if you're serious enough to put down $3k for a frame, you should already know a lot about your personal riding needs/characteristics, which go a lot further than semi-random answers based on a generic question. The real answer is, how should anyone know.. and if you take the opinion of someone based on no further insight into your riding needs than your budget, then do yourself a favor and buy a cheap bike until you understand your own needs better.

A Look 585 is a pro-level frame, like just about any others people are going to suggest at that level (except the custom steel answers, which frankly are frames more about vanity). Unless you really understand what specifics about a frame's build and geometry are important to you, throw a dart 'cause you should be happy with just about any 3k frame you pick.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/images/products/thumb/lapcrbnfram.jpg

on sale at colorado cyclist. LAPIERRE 999 X-Lite FDJ Carbon Frame/Fork features Include; Includes Ritchey WCS Headset. Light, but strong 2.62 pounds frame weight. Price $1699.00 you could still buy another carbon frame..


Good buddy has one - we can not ride the same bike - but you are spot on it is a sweet ride.

This forum is great!

When I started this thread I simply needed a good gut check on the leading candidate Look 585.
From this thread alone I have now added for serious consideration The Parlee Z4, Ridley, and Calfee they are all pushing the budget but appear to be = to the Look. This thread has also confirmed that I have owned enough steel. Time to try something different. That said I live in Portland and see my fair share of custom steel bikes and Vanilla bikes (made here) stop me in my tracks every time. Just not this time.

Also interesting to me is the limited advocacy for nice Ti options. I have always found the Vamoots and Dean frames really attractive.

Time to ride than hit the bike shops. Thanks again for all the input

Look 585 :)

Or the Ridley if you can get it around that price. By the way, I like the pic of the Noah with those Boras wheels!!! :thumbsup: SWEEEET!

Or Parlee?

[QUOTE=GH-Mike] The Price Limit is $3K (frame and fork) what would you buy? [QUOTE]

I would buy a Lynskey level three brushed for $2500 and a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork from
Cambria for $124 (priced smashed) and a CK headset $129 and OHHH wait I already
did just buy that NO wait I mean I already did order that!!! The gruopo and wheels I'll
reveal when I post the build.

That's what I would....will get.

Veni Vidi Vici

(except the custom steel answers, which frankly are frames more about vanity). .


Please, do enlighten us with how you reached this stunning conclusion.

[QUOTE=GH-Mike]This forum is great!

When I started this thread I simply needed a good gut check on the leading candidate Look 585.
From this thread alone I have now added for serious consideration The Parlee Z4, Ridley, and Calfee they are all pushing the budget but appear to be = to the Look.

it was wayyy flexy (esp BB) in stock 56 compared to the 585, other than that, nice ride. i weigh 170 btw.
i find ridleys i have seen in person to be uglier or finished imperfectly than pics i saw (this is 2005s)--but the above pic looked good.
have never ridden parlee--saw one in a shop--very nice craftsmanship
add again vxrs if you can ride one--compares to the 585 which is my current all around benchmark

jim

Please, do enlighten us with how you reached this stunning conclusion.


terry, surely you remember...carbon is THE only material to be considered...because nothing else comes close...:rolleyes: Of course we've never really been told why that is, but, the marketing companies say so, so it must be true....:rolleyes:

"Custom steel is an exercize in vanity".....gimme a friggin break...:rolleyes: Guess carl, and sacha, and richard should all close up shop then.:eek:

How about Ridley Noah? I think you can go under $3k if you shop aroun

I'm liking that paint job on the Noah! The paint on the seat tube reminds of something Fondriest would do. That reminds me, for 3k, I'd get a Fondriest RP DUO
http://www.sport-bike.it/dettaglio.html?id=400

You can get a Colnago Cristallo for a little over $3K. I paid $2,500 for mine 6 months ago, but that deal is no longer around. I really like the frame, but I won't be racing on it because I cannot bare to wreck it. Bought a cheap Colnago Arte frame for racing.

There has been a lot of good advice on here, but int the end you need to decide which frame you want. I spent three months trying to figure mine out. I started with Italian, went to American, the Spanish, then back to Italian, and decided on the Colnago. I feel as though I made the right choice. Take your time and look at everything you can. Ride everything you can before deciding. Unless you are rich, you will be using this frame for a while.

Great Workmanship .

Ridley Noah

How much does a custom Holland Ti go for?