[Closed] PSA - Planet X London Road frameset for £150

I didn't have to bodge anything on mine nor did I have any manufacturing defects so I'm happy.

I have also not bodged a thing, a normal seat clamp has worked perfectly.

And even if you did have to shim it, it's £150 F&F!! Carbon forks at that. show me another F&F set at that price that is so much more betterer.......

That was on first batches, people seem to be happy with the later ones?

I'm not bodging mine, if there's any quality issues it's going back to PX, cycling in London is bad enough without having to be conscious that the bike may injure me itself...

Each to their own. . .I wouldn't buy a pair of £10 jeans expecting to then have to pay £10 for them to be fixed so wearable, others are happy with that, so it's okay.

Try one if you can. For the price, it is a great bike.

But if it was a £20 pair of jeans for a tenner, that might need another pound spending on them , you've still got a bargain!!

Like you say each to their own, I reckon £150 is a good price.

Enjoying mine tbh.

It's a parts bin special how I've built it up, BB7 mountain, tektro drop levers, cowbell bars + bar end shifters. 40c nanoraptor tyres + 29er wheels.

Singlespeed was fun but a bit much for me, so now it's 8 speed. Might find some more chain rings one day.

I'm riding it on fire roads and single track, hardly any road.

EDIT, I should say, PX were good about exchanging my frame and even let me swap up to an XL in green from the original silver. No slippage so far.

Cchris2lou we did and got 2 both utter crap quality and not worth £150 IME. Maybe there is a better batch out there now, but I would rather pay money for quality than something cheap I then had to bodge. Not a fan of Planet X their customer service is appalling!

how do these compare to the kaffenback's, both frameset are £150 at present and i fancy one to build as a commuter that will take guards and a rack. Did have a pompino many moons back that i liked.

LR has been back up to 179.99 for a couple of days now...

I agree munnqe-chic PX's customer service is shockingly bad, but now I have it I do love the bike Brant thingy made a good one though what the longevity of it will be is any ones guess those bends in the chain stays are rather severe and some of the welds crap.

think we should stop saying positive things about it if PX are putting the price up again 😳

I'm really happy with the look of the LR, everything has pieced together nicely. Apart from the crown race I have (wiggle/lifeline), is flush with the bottom of the forks steerer but it lifts the frame slightly due to it's design (as mentioned previously on this thread), there's no play in it and it feels secure, it just doesn't look as pleasing on the eye...

Call me naive, but the last frame I built came with a bottom bracket gear cable guide, bottle bolts and clips for the rear brake cable..Also wasn't happy with leaving the fork pannier bolts exposed so I've stuck some black rotor bolts in there.

Looking forward to taking it for a spin when my pedals arrive. 😆

Well my olive geen frameset arrived today looks better in the flesh than on line . Looks very nice welds all neat and the paint looks good.,so just need to build up. Will have to buy a seat post and headset but that'll have to wait a few weeks.I will keep posting as I get the bits and the build happens.

^^^ If it helps I *think* this is the correct headset.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-1-18-15-integrated-headset-with-alloy-cap/

From earlier in this thread (page 7):

brant - Member

Wiggle Lifeline headset isn't FSA No.42 ACB spec. It has a 52.2mm diameter lower bearing, vs the 51.8mm spec on the FSA. That'll be why it needed tapping out :-/

[img] [/img]

As above, the lifeline isn't the right one. You need one with s 51.8 bearing.

I bought a cheaper Aerozine one that i thought was the same as the FSA No.42, and that also got jammed in the frame...

THis looks the same though, maybe worth asking Alpkit
https://www.alpkit.com/products/love-mud-rumour

nathb - Member

Call me naive, but the last frame I built came with a bottom bracket gear cable guide, bottle bolts and clips for the rear brake cable.

Think yourself lucky it came with a dropout tbh! (OK seriously, it should have come with this stuff, give them a bell)

CP,The lifeline is fine and fits mine well,far better than the FSA that planet x sold me !

he lifeline is fine and fits mine well,far better than the FSA that planet x sold me !

The spec isn't correct, but then if the head tube is out (oversized) then it'll work OK.

My bad!

I've actually got this one on mine: http://www.edgesportsuk.com/store/edge-design-integrated-headset-11-8-1-5-tapered-is42-28-6-is52-40.html?SID=rt4cme34b8vnoebh9djb51ugd4

Don't know if it's technically the right one but it does fit. The only problem with it is the top cap doesn't sit completely flush to the top of the head tube, there's a small gap, but apart from that it's been ok.

Think we should have a poll here to see who uses which headset .. still seems to be various ones, some work some dont in individual bikes ?
My lifeline is great , fits fine ... no issues 🙂

Stumpy_m4 = lifeline

Northwind - Member
nathb - Member
Call me naive, but the last frame I built came with a bottom bracket gear cable guide, bottle bolts and clips for the rear brake cable.

Think yourself lucky it came with a dropout tbh! (OK seriously, it should have come with this stuff, give them a bell)

I ended up ordering separately..I already bugged them messing my original order up. 😆

stumpy_m4 - Member
Think we should have a poll here to see who uses which headset .. still seems to be various ones, some work some dont in individual bikes ?
My lifeline is great , fits fine ... no issues

Stumpy_m4 = lifeline

This is as flush as my lifeline headset will fit: http://tinyurl.com/j6q8qam

But:
Stumpy_m4 = lifeline
Nathb = lifeline

That's about as flush as I've seen forks get to the frame.

That edgesports one is *technically* the right one, but it's pretty apparent that some frames take the larger 52.2 bearing of the likes of the Lifeline OK. In fact, if it's oversize enough to the take the lifeline bearing without having to force it in, it's probably a better option, though theoretically shouldn't matter as the bearing locates on the taper portion.

Nice thing with the edge sports one is you get the steerer bung too.

Lifeline for me also, went in fine. Haven't tried to take it out yet though...

I've done over 1000 commuting miles on mine, it's ace - apart from a little problem I've come across in sub-zero but slushy-in-places conditions where the mech cables freeze up around the BB cable guides - which is surprisingly effective at stopping shifting capability.

It's only happened twice, and I guess it's a more of a problem problem with under-BB cable routing in general than a design problem with this specific frame - but has anyone else come across this / managed to find a way of preventing it?

It's only happened a couple of times so far, but is a little annoying - especially as it has only happened when I'm in the big ring and have a climb coming up 🙂

Just been on the plant x site and the frames are down to 149.99 again, colours limited though.

Tot up up the cost of the build first, including the frame and bits you won't have in the spares bin, be honest... compare that cost against the equivalent Arkose, grade or LR full build... Then decide...

Very happy with my LR, not everyone else is, I built mine cheap, had relatively low expectations which have mostly been exceeded, finish ain't great though...

£24 posted for a PX mech hanger?! Any one found another that fits?

PS Nano Race 40s (which are actually up to 42mm) fit a treat, still loads clearance.

Okay mine is suffering in the seat post/clamp department.

Can't get it to stop creaking!!

Do I really need to cut open a can of beer/coke and make a shim? It does seem like the seat post diameter is a tad too big..

(Yeah yeah I should have listened 🙄 )

Some needed shimming, others didn't.

My mate had a go on mine and so impressed he built one for himself. Large black, Flat bar (600mm) with hydros & bar ends, XT 1x10 40T 11-36, Compass Barlow Pass 38c (std), Hope/Crests, Lifeline £10 rack, Charge spoon.

[img] [/img]

Oh yeah and on mine, mudguards fit fine over Nanos, plenty clearance.

I'm using a 31.8-27.2 shim with a 27.2 post.

That's a good idea Horatio!

I even went out and bought the official planet x 31.6 seat post. Definitely more wiggle room with the post than any other bike I've owned.. But it looks so good 🙄

Okay mine's going back to PX for them to sort out the seat tube, the creak is too much for me... 😳

I would love to see the correspondence between PX and the manufacturer of the first batch because I am sure the first batch was shite and PX must have told them so.

Okay mine's going back to PX for them to sort out the seat tube, the creak is too much for me

good luck. The pic of my first one is back on page 7, it was laughably out of spec, not just the 0.2mm that some people sorted with shims. The replacement was better but still out so I had a full refund.

The theory was that it was only the silver ones (that were the only ones reduced to £150) that had the issues, but then people buying full bikes were likely to have had the seat tube binder tightened up in the warehouse before the bike was shipped and be less likely to notice.

good luck. The pic of my first one is back on page 7, it was laughably out of spec, not just the 0.2mm that some people sorted with shims. The replacement was better but still out so I had a full refund.

The theory was that it was only the silver ones (that were the only ones reduced to £150) that had the issues, but then people buying full bikes were likely to have had the seat tube binder tightened up in the warehouse before the bike was shipped and be less likely to notice.

Thanks!

I wouldn't have minded the issue, if it hadn't have creaked and I'd gone out of my way to buy PX branded parts to try and solve it instead of the stuff I'd already had. But every slight movement on the saddle causes it - which is unacceptable on a road bike imho.

At least it's an opportunity to strip down and rebuild a bike - quite enjoy doing it. If they do replace the frame the seat post is the first thing I'll be checking, if it's out again then I may ask for a refund and get an FM079 😆

How long did it take with their warranty team?

So has any one loaded up their LR with panniers and toured yet ? ho did it handle ?

Has anyone pulled the trigger at £140 this weekend?

Sorely tempted here, my old cdf is feeling very heavy on the hills these days... Humm...

wicki - Member
So has any one loaded up their LR with panniers and toured yet ? ho did it handle ?

I'm tempted but not sure on what size to go for
5'7"tall with 30" long legs , I have brakes and bars for a flat bar setup but would still like to be able to run drop bars is I change my mind.
small or medium ? any ideas or thoughts?

@ wicki

Will be bike packing Ridgeway double next month, some other stuff, then Torino Nice Rally in Sept.

Now flat bar, hydro brakes, SLX 11-36t & 38T N/W; Nano Race 40c.
(5'11 on large, 56cm ETT)

[img] [/img]

Iam 5'9" and wanted the same dual purpose choices as you, got the recommended medium and its to small to flat bar with out a stem that looks like a boat tiller..its 54 virtual not actual ....i wish manufacturers would settle on one convention for frame sizes.

They publish the effective top tubs don't they?

fwiw I went from drop bar 80mm stem to flat bar 100mm stem.

Mine's still with the warranty team 16 days later 😆

Pushed the button last night. At £140 it is cheaper than the forks I was considering for my other frame. Man maths has a lot to answer for, again.

I'm tempted but not sure on what size to go for
5'7"tall with 30" long legs , I have brakes and bars for a flat bar setup but would still like to be able to run drop bars is I change my mind.
small or medium ? any ideas or thoughts?

You'll be a small.

Price has just gone up

How long did it take with their warranty team?

Mine's still with the warranty team 16 days later

to be fair they were very quick with mine - I sent em photos and they sent a replacement frame pretty much as soon as they'd got the old one back, and the refund on that was quick too.

crashtestmonkey - Member

to be fair they were very quick with mine - I sent em photos and they sent a replacement frame pretty much as soon as they'd got the old one back, and the refund on that was quick too.

TBF with a frame like this with such known defects, quick would mean sending it out before they had the old one back. It's a different deal to one-offs. Unless yours was a different issue to the standard ones?

no, I think I won the Clown's Pocket Award for most laughably out of spec seat tube

[img] [/img]

Yeah mines out of spec too, not as much as that though!!

The issue is it's causing a huge creak, which was highly annoying.

Some of stuff they have said so far though.... 🙄

Are you sure the creak is coming from the seatpost clamp of the frame? Mine was similar to crashtestmonkeys, and even that didn't creak at all. Is it a carbon post or dodgy saddle rails or something? You mentioned you had the lifeline headset in, which is slightly out-of-spec, it could be that too. If the headset is not in the cups properly it will creak with the slightest movement of the steerer (this happened to me until i got the correct headset).

Yeah definitely seat clamp area - confirmed by placing a clamp on it and tightening (by hand) just until it bites - makes the same creak.

Before doing that test I tried:
2x 31.6mm seat posts
3x seat clamps (Hope/BB/PX)
Carbon pasted/greased/dry
2x different saddles (one brand new, one from my road bike so confirmed it doesn't)

WHY did they put the price up?! 140 was on, 170 is too close to 200 for my liking! They were clearly selling too fast. Fingers crossed they fluctuate the price down again, come on p x !!

crashtestmonkey - Member

no, I think I won the Clown's Pocket Award for most laughably out of spec seat tube

Like throwing a sausage down a close, that.

Mine's still with the warranty team 16 days later

24 days later

Latest reply 26th May. I've sent two email messages, called twice and online chatted since then. 😆

Interesting that they are still suffering the same oversized seat tube issue, must be a fresh batch by now, shouldn't be a problem anymore... Piss poor QC...

cookeaa - Member

Piss poor QC...

It's not a QC issue, it's a not giving a shit issue. Factory and seller are totally aware but have just decided to sell them anyway. Their manufacturing and QC is functioning exactly how they want it to.

@Northwind you are probably right, it just seems like the blowback from the previous shite batch wasn't enough to motivate them to actually address the issue. It's a shame, I really quite like my London Road, but would never recommend one to anyone else, quite an odd thing to say isn't it:

[i]"it's a great bike... But buy an Arkose"...[/i]

I wasn't going to show this, but PX are really hacking me off now.

My original email to them stated that the seat tube was over sized, this is their response:

Hi Nathan

We have never had a problem with this at all it is a first.I would recommend sending the frame back so the warranty team can inspect that.We can arrange collection for you.

Regards

Therefore you guys with seat tube issues have photoshopped them! 😆

Anyone fancy ordering a full London Road bike with the 700x50C Schwalbe Century tyres option and when it arrives, ask them why the wheels won't spin? 😆

@nathb that is an outright lie, I have a customer service acknowledgement from PX dated 18/06/15 related to "[i]London Road frame seatpost size[/i]" where I reported the issue of oversized seat tubes and linked this thread... Flick back a year or so and you'll find my corresponding posts...

OMG the company just gets better and better 😆

Ticket History
------------- (Client) Posted On: 18 June 2015 07:01 PM

Hi there, following this thread on STW:

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/psa-planet-x-london-road-frmaeset-for-150/

I bought a 31.8mm seatpost to check the fit (description says 31.6mm), the
fit of the 0.2mm larger post is significantly better, and measurements I
have taken indicate the tubes ID is 31.8mm.

I am still perfectly happy with the frame but thought that planet X should
be made aware of the discrepancy as it may affect frames already in use.

Regards,

-------------.

And the response:

Hi -----

Thank you for your email

We appreciate the feedback in this matter and take it very seriously, we are currently testing our frames to assess whether this is an isolated incident.

Again thank you for bringing this to our attention

Kind regards

Robert

So yeah. It's all news to them... Again.

Received June 11 2015 in response to sending them my pic then returning my frame...

Hi David

Our technical department has asked me to contact you regarding your frame,

An assessment has been made and the seat tube is over sized,

Due to this I have arranged for a replacement frame to be shipped to the address on your returns form as soon as possible.

I apologise fro any inconvenience that has been caused.

Kind Regards,
Naomi

I made a coke-can shim. Yes I know - it's not the point - but less trouble than sorting out a return/replacement.

I bought a bigger diameter post, and the frame has been fine for the last year (about to exit warranty period I think).

The point is, while I was happy to accept substandard goods for a (fair) bit of a saving, I would have hoped that future customers wouldn't have had the same problem to face, especially after it was highlighted by multiple customers over a year earlier...

I still have no idea why people buy sub standard crap from this company.

At least in the past they were a bit lame but sorted you out in the end, now they just don't give a crap, would sell you anything they had no matter how badly made then lie about it afterwards.

Additionally, if they can't get a simple thing like a seat tube made the right size, how do you know the hidden stuff is any good? I just couldn't trust it.

Thanks for the responses, links back abd reassurances that it's not just me being a picky g*t 😆

I'm not really up for shimming it so standing firm on a refund now - I specifically bought the PX seat post and clamp (along with 2x wheelsets + all the bits required for the frame that usually come as standard from other companies such as cable clips, cable guides etc) so it would all match. I did stupidly ask for a credit note so I could try one of their RTD framesets - but I'm beyond that now and don't wish to hand them anymore money.

It's more annoying that this was perfect for commuting, such a nice ride and looked great too. May try a chinese carbon frame instead. 😀

[quote=robdob ]I still have no idea why people buy sub standard crap from this company.
At least in the past they were a bit lame but sorted you out in the end, now they just don't give a crap, would sell you anything they had no matter how badly made then lie about it afterwards.
Additionally, if they can't get a simple thing like a seat tube made the right size, how do you know the hidden stuff is any good? I just couldn't trust it.
Cheap, innit!

Any one want to swap a large frame LR for a medium?

Medium on this frame is a bit small for me and I don't feel its fair to sell it maybe another owner is in a similar position with a large.

nathb - Member

We have never had a problem with this at all it is a first.I would recommend sending the frame back so the warranty team can inspect that.We can arrange collection for you.

The thing that honked me off most, when I was going through their cycle of theft and lies, was the lack of quality control in the lying. A good lie's a work of art- it's plausible and durable and takes a bit of effort. On One would happily tell a blatant lie, I'd point out that it contradicted the info on their website, so without pausing they'd just tell another blatant lie that contradicts the website AND the original lie. Their bullshit is as finely crafted as their bikes.

Lie #1, in that case, was exactly the same lie as you just got incidentally.

Northwind - Member
The thing that honked me off most, when I was going through their cycle of theft and lies, was the lack of quality control in the lying. A good lie's a work of art- it's plausible and durable and takes a bit of effort. On One would happily tell a blatant lie, I'd point out that it contradicted the info on their website, so without pausing they'd just tell another blatant lie that contradicts the website AND the original lie. Their bullshit is as finely crafted as their bikes.

Lie #1, in that case, was exactly the same lie as you just got incidentally.

Yeah, the annoying thing is you have to wait 4-5 working days for a pointless response from them.

Right now I'm in limbo as they still haven't responded to my emails since the 26th May. Even after 3/4 calls and a couple of online chats, I just get told they'll call me back or email me back as it's with another department.

No idea how to proceed from here to be honest. 😕

[quote=nathb ]I just get told they'll call me back On One/PX have no outgoing phonelines. FACT!

scotroutes - Member
On One/PX have no outgoing phonelines. FACT!

Excellent - I'm going to speak to my credit card issuer (bank) and see if they can reverse the charge. I think I've been patient enough!?

nathb - Member
Excellent - I'm going to speak to my credit card issuer (bank) and see if they can reverse the charge. I think I've been patient enough!?

Done, I've just got to wait for the paperwork now.

This is the full transcript I've had with them if anyone's interested: http://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=106647&sid=6718e63e55a3337ae7402e239db0977d&start=15#p1020329