[swansfan]

Advice please!

Getting fitter now so looking to suppliment the Ribble winter trainer with a bike to join my local club with, but also to start doing ‘sportives’. Been looking at Cube Agree and other similar bikes, but have an opportunity to have a custom build on a Condor frame which could work out very similar on the money side of things. Frames mentioned were the ‘Italia’, ‘Squadra’ and the more expensive ‘baracchi’.Not intending to be a racer so comfort over the longer distances more of a priority.

Which way would you guys go?

Thanks! 🙂

Topic

[gazer117]

Hi, County Cycles are are a
Hi, County Cycles are are a good bike shop, but they’ll set you up properly on the bike if you wish. I’ve bought plenty of stuff from them before.

[thereandbackagain]

The Fratello is a great bike,
The Fratello is a great bike, a proper all rounder that covers you from light touring right through to club rides via commuting. I’d take that over the Acciaio any day of the week.

You can easily build one up that will be as light as the Acciaio, but has the added utility of being able to handle full mudguards and a rack if you want. Buy the frameset off them and source the rest of the parts yourself and you’ll be able to spend the significant savings on upgrades, if that’s what you want.

[harman_mogul]

Most of the roadies in the
Most of the roadies in the Central London CTC club have at least one Condor bike. The commonest is the Fratello, a do-it-all clubman’s (and woman’s) steel bike. You have to be pretty good to actually need better. Several also have a Baracchi and are not complaining.

Condor is not by any means London’s cheapest but it is knowledgeable and unfailingly helpful. It will build the right bike for you and set it up properly. In my opinion, and that of its many satisfied customers, that is worth paying for.

By all means specify and build your own bike, if you have the skill and tools…and be aware that final set-up, as ever, is subject to the Pareto principle!

[thereandbackagain]

As a counterpoint, I
As a counterpoint, I test-rode an Acciaio and found it incredibly underwhelming. It was fitted with some really nice kit (Mavic R-Sys wheels, Campag Record) but the ride was totally flat. Not road-smoothing steel, but lumpen and unresponsive.

I ride steel, carbon, and alloy bikes and the ride quality wasn’t anything special at all. Also, the actual finish wasn’t great either.

Finally, Condor don’t do any sort of discounts even if you buy the whole bike off them, pretty much all the parts will be at RRP, so it gets expensive.

You’d get a lot more value for money if you built something up yourself.

[Old Cranky]

Join the Rapha Condor cycle
Join the Rapha Condor cycle club which will give you a nice discount on some of the Condor bikes :B

[FatManonaBike]

The Condor Acciaio is THE
The Condor Acciaio is THE nicest bike I’ve EVER ridden. I swapped full carbon for the feel of steel, and it’s just plain lovely.

If money is important, don’t buy a complete bike from Condor, as you’ll be bankrupt. Buy frame and forks, then build yourself. If the money isn’t a huge factor, the build is amazing, with IMMACULATE attention to detail.

[consciousbadger]

Go Condor, you won’t regret
Go Condor, you won’t regret it. Excellent service too. I own a black and white Condor Acciaio and it’s the best bike I’ve ever ridden by far. Great for UK sportives.

[bendertherobot]

It’s divine. Super stiff but
It’s divine. Super stiff but also springy. If that makes sense!

[jammyminty]

That’s a beauty! How is
That’s a beauty! :B How is this condor bike to ride? I have been thinking of trying one out at condor. There isn’t much talk on the good old interweb of these bikes just old reviews, what’s your take on this bike? worth the £? A classic? Be good to hear what you have to say. Cheers.

[bendertherobot]

Condor, here’s
Condor, here’s mine:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/CLH007/P1020547_zps52b5f5a4.jpg

[allez neg]

I want a Condor – even if its
I want a Condor – even if its just an Italia RC which is realistically all I can presently afford.

There’s a bit of history behind the name, and I like that.

Enjoy your new bike.

[1860]

Congratulations. I suggest if
Congratulations. I suggest if you ever get the chance, visit the London shop, it is certainly worthwhile. In any case Port Talbot is certainly closer than where I live (Austria), and I still made it to Condor Cycles.

[swansfan]

OK here’s the update!
Made
OK here’s the update!

Made the shop visit to County Cycles today and had a very enjoyable morning discussing Condor frames etc. The result is that the order has been placed……but not for me unfortunately! No, ‘The Missus’ has jumped in before me and ordered herself an ‘Italia’! All this talk of a new bike has inspired her and she’s taken the plunge, and I now have to wait for mine! (typical innit! 🙂 )

Top class service from the people at County Cycles I have to say, for those of you who expressed an interest – very knowledgable and helpful.

I will be getting myself a ‘Squadra’ in the not too distant future, sorted all that out while I was there today!

Many thanks for all the advice and opinions, it helped no end to come to the final decision 🙂

[bashthebox]

well, here’s the thing – and
well, here’s the thing – and with the greatest respect to others posting, it would seem i’m the only one here who’s got a baracchi. It’s just too soggy to be too much fun to ride. A mate of mine got the same fram around the same time as me – and he feels much the same. He now rides a Canyon and uses the Condor for commuting. Carbon commuter? orverkill? Naaaaah.
I’ve got no experience with any condor frame but this one, so perhaps the Italia, Squadra etc are lovely.

Anyway, as I said, i reckon you can spend your pennies more wisely.

[swansfan]

Thanks to Gazer117 for the
Thanks to Gazer117 for the info, I’ll check it out, although travelling from PT to Bynea for the club runs may get old pretty quick maybe??? But if they’re that good a club, well…… 🙂

Thanks also bashthebox…. well balanced opinion I thought and your comments made sense, even if you are in the minority, here at least. As others have said, the best plan would be to try a few first, which shouldn’t be a problem with Trek, Specialized etc, not so sure about the Condors tho? They are not so thick on the ground are they!

[Author]

Replies