Planet X sent me an XL instead of a large. I should be getting the correct frame mid next week, so I'll measure it all when it shows up.
I unpacked and weighed the XL before I realised it was the wrong size. The XL, totally bare, was 1893g, which is a bit heavier than I expected; hopefully the L is a bit lighter. I'm no weight weenie, but my old 531c frames from the 1980s are a tiny bit lighter than that, so it'd be nice if the "new beaut" Columbus Spirit isn't a brick. . However, the Holdsworth Competition is built more like a chunky alu frame, with large-ish tubes and a tapered head tube, so I gather it's designed more for stiffness than a traditional springy steel feel.
I wasn't charged the VAT, I assume because I'm in Australia, so that brought the price down from 499 pounds to 417, which obviously makes it an even bigger bargain. Postage through DHL was 89 quid.
I only had a quick look at the frame before I repacked it, but the finished looked good to me. I guess a couple of the welds could've been better, but I've got little idea about that
I was a tad disappointed that no seatpost collar or headset came with it, considering that tapered headsets are slightly more expensive than the "free" box full of old standard ones I've got here.
Yes, the big headtubes are something I had to consider. A 175mm for the 57cm (effective) is a smidge on the large side for me (I'll have no spacers), but the medium, with its 155mm and 55cm effective top tube is too small
I unpacked and weighed the XL before I realised it was the wrong size. The XL, totally bare, was 1893g, which is a bit heavier than I expected; hopefully the L is a bit lighter. I'm no weight weenie, but my old 531c frames from the 1980s are a tiny bit lighter than that, so it'd be nice if the "new beaut" Columbus Spirit isn't a brick. . However, the Holdsworth Competition is built more like a chunky alu frame, with large-ish tubes and a tapered head tube, so I gather it's designed more for stiffness than a traditional springy steel feel.
I wasn't charged the VAT, I assume because I'm in Australia, so that brought the price down from 499 pounds to 417, which obviously makes it an even bigger bargain. Postage through DHL was 89 quid.
I only had a quick look at the frame before I repacked it, but the finished looked good to me. I guess a couple of the welds could've been better, but I've got little idea about that
I was a tad disappointed that no seatpost collar or headset came with it, considering that tapered headsets are slightly more expensive than the "free" box full of old standard ones I've got here.
Yes, the big headtubes are something I had to consider. A 175mm for the 57cm (effective) is a smidge on the large side for me (I'll have no spacers), but the medium, with its 155mm and 55cm effective top tube is too small