Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

Does anyone have any information/reviews about Potenza bikes, in particular Potenza Rapido Carbon? Went to Bike Barn today and they have these runout models at a pretty good price but not too sure about the quality. They've got Ultegra Group sets so I suppose that's something...Can't find any info on the bike itself though

I got asked about these not long ago. I couldn't find any information which leads me to believe that is a fairly generic carbon frame from China or Taiwan. I does have Mavic Aksiums (about A$400) and a full Ultegra groupset. It doesn't mention what the bars are. The cheaper carbon frames tend to not be very stiff through the bottom bracket, this isn't a problem if you don't weigh much or have never ridden a stiff frame and can't tell the difference. My suggestion is go go out and take it for a ride, if it feels good then its a pretty good price. If you find you destroy the frame in 12 months then you can just get another frame and move all the parts across.

Would be worth making a comparison to Cell's Victor. Cell's Victor uses an OEM frame from Taiwan and may well be the same.

These bikes are generic frames branded by Bike Barn as Potenza. My brother has the Aluminium one with 105's and he likes it although its his first ever road bike so no comparison possible.

What you pay is usually what you get.

I would stay away from cheap carbon frames.

Go for Giant which have a life time warranty.

As far as I know no one gives a lifetime warranty on carbon frames. They generally have about a 5 year life span. A good carbon frame will set you back over $2000. The one I ride was only $800, its very light but not super stiff and I really only expected to get a couple of years out of it when I got it, so its half way through its expected life.

As far as I know no one gives a lifetime warranty on carbon frames.

Cervelo does but they're going to be over budget here.

Trek, Cannondale and Giant do a lifetime warranty on carbon. I have had many customers tell me about their fancy new carbon replacements with very big smiles.

Bianchi Carbon frames have been known to fail.

Bianchi Carbon frames have been known to fail.

Every brands' CF/steel/alloy frames have been known to fail.

Some sooner than others

It is a bit risky buying a second hand carbon frame.

Just ask Wallman.

For n=1, I wouldn't draw conclusions.

You could draw a conclusion that a steel frame bike would last longer than a carbon framed.

You could draw a conclusion that a steel frame bike would last longer than a carbon framed.

You can only draw a subjective opinion given Matt didn't ride a steel bike under exactly the same conditions.

The warranty will usually only cover manufacturer faults. I had a GT frame with a cracked weld, it was 7 years old but I figured I'd give the warranty thing a try anyway. They wouldn't cover it because the company had gone broke and had been taken over.

My Malvern Star Five Star technically still has a lifetime warranty. Not much use when the top tube needs replacing, since Bruce Small Pty Ltd has been out of business for decades!

These days, life time warranties are a sales gimmick, and typically seen on frames where there is likely to be concern about longevity. In the case of the Cannondale warranty, I know far more people that have been denied a claim than those few where Cannondale have honoured their warranty.

E.g. If you buy a new bike, and you upgrade the wheels a year later, the warranty is voided because you used different parts to what the bike came with. Take that to the legal extreme, and the first time you change your bar tape, you void the warranty!

E.g. If you buy a new bike, and you upgrade the wheels a year later, the warranty is voided because you used different parts to what the bike came with. Take that to the legal extreme, and the first time you change your bar tape, you void the warranty!

That's not true!

When I altered my Bianchi from flat bar to drop bar, I specially asked the LBS (Renegade) if I'll lose the warranty on the frame. The response was negative. The frame warranty will stay as long as it's being suitably used, similar goes for the Fulcrum wheels and other parts that came with the bike.

Based on forum reports, most of the refused claims were related to some form of mis-use. I have yet to hear a reputable brand denying a legitimate claim. Of course, legitimacy can be argued here and there and often are not black and white. The only caveat with "lifetime" warranty is that they are not transferrable. Meaningless with second hand bikes/frames.

Lifetime warranties generally only cover manufacturing or material problems. Don't expect to be covered if you let your bike fall over and it gets a crack...