Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09) | $2862.27
BikeRadar verdict
"It’s not the stiffest option, but its extremely smooth, lightweight and well balanced frame and forks make the Planet X an absolute bargain"
Online retailers Planet X have a reputation for belligerently priced bargains, and their SL Pro Carbon Dura-Ace has been one of the most prolific road and triathlon race winners in the UK. It's an absolute steal for smooth riders.
Ride & handling: Lightweight and comfortable, if somewhat flexy on high-speed descents
Considering the super-low cost you might expect some sort of compromise in ride quality but the Planet X's race results at the highest level and our test rides kick that idea into touch right away.
For a start, it’s a very light bike for its cost, translating whatever power and fitness you’re bringing into speed and giving bigger rewards than usual, particularly on long, steady climbs. Even when standing up out of the saddle, the Pro Dura-Ace produced an immediate throttle response.
The frame and forks are smooth and compliant. As a result, the SL Pro handled the rougher road sections on our local loop well – we never missed a chance to lash a smug grin at our riding buddies when things started to get rattly.
While it wasn’t quite as sharp carving on the corners as some rivals, the extra compliance means even more traction than usual from the sticky Schwalbe tyres.
Handling is as well-balanced, easy and vice-free as you would expect from designers and racers with the experience of Planet X’s squad too. This makes the SL Pro a very relaxing, stress-free long-haul ride and we never felt nervous ticking off the miles.
All these concessions to lightness and smoothness might lead you to expect a soft ride. And indeed, the softer frame feel does result in a noticeable shimmy on high-speed descents.
While it’s easy to get round this issue by pressing your knee against the top tube, we were never as confident when the road headed downwards as we were on stiffer alternatives.
There’s noticeably more mush in the frame and wheels when you brace the bars against the tarmac and go for broke too. We wouldn’t go so far as to describe it as noodley but it’s deinitely a bike suited to a smooth spinner who values comfort rather than a stomper and sprinter for whom rigidity means results.
With that in mind, we’d probably opt for a compact rather than conventional ring chainset and go for the kill on cadence rather than torque.
Chassis: Light, low and well balanced frame, and fork's a nice bit of kit too
Despite only costing £399, the naked carbon frame certainly looks the part (blue, white or pink colours are an extra £26) and it comes in at 1,124g. The four-size compact geometry range should encompass most riders.
The 145mm head tube enables you to get a usefully low position and main tubes and stays mix conventional round pipes with subtle ribbing and shaping to manipulate the mechanical feel.
Neat dropouts and a replaceable gear hanger link it all together and finishing – including particularly nice machined cable guides – is good throughout.
The matching Planet X Pro fork – £145 when bought separately – is a really nice piece of kit too, weighing just 389g thanks to a full-carbon top end.
Equipment: Top-end groupset plus quality own-brand kit, plus various parts options
Planet X have gone for the kill on equipment with a full suite of Shimano’s top line Dura-Ace stop-go gear. You can still pick various parts options as you work through Planet X’s online build-up list, to get the totally right size and ride style. It also means you can add upgrade tweaks such as the lightweight Vision clip-on bars (£60) included on our test model.
Planet X’s aero spoked Model-B wheels are understated but light and responsive, with Schwalbe tyres wrapping the rims in superlight, sticky style.
Planet X also provide the alloy stem, bars, seatpost and Arione-style saddle, none of which behave noticeably different to established brand-name gear.
Keeping it own-brand enables you to get the complete bike for an astonishingly low price. In other words, as unlikely a scenario as it seems, you don’t get what you pay for, you get much better than that.
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Manufacturers description
A Pro Tour Level Race Bike at an incredible price!User Reviews
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
Great! Thanks for a review... finally!
Could you get hold of the SRAM Red version and do a review of that too?
:]
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
The wobbly descending certainly puts me off.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
I wouldn't worry too much about "wobbly descending". I've taken my Planet X well over 40mph and it has proved to be exceptionally stable.
Maybe this article was written by a wobbly reviewer?!?
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
I've got one of these with SRAM Rival and the Planet X finishing kit. Totally awesome bike and sooo light (17lb with heavy Mavic Cosmic Elite wheels). I bought it as frame and forks with finishing kit - an absolute bargin.
I feel there is a slight flex at the front end, which I think is the Planet X stem, rather than the frame. It's only 110gms so I guess this is to be expected.
I agree with bogroll - the speed wobble business is to be taken with a pinch of salt - I've never experienced that with mine and I've had it up over 40 numerous times. The first thing to check on that test bike would be the alignment as that is the usual cause of such things, the author doesn't comment on that.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
Agree with the other posters. Never had a wobble problem on high speed descents on my Planet X.
Absolutely love the bike.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
i have one, and have topped out at around 50mph never had an issue with it and trust it with my life. great descender.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
Firstly, generally love the bike. Not much better bang for your bucks out there.
However, I occasionally experience the descending 'shimmy' with mine. Must admit that It's knocked my confidence somewhat. If it's not the bike per se, but instead is lack of 'alignmnent' that's the culprit then I'd love to know how to fix it?
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
IShaggy bit of a catch 22, just relax the death grip alittle and that should help with the high speed chatter problems, keep nice and relaxed else any bike can become nervy at big speeds.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
Again no shimmy on mine and had it up in the lake district on some crazy descents last week :) Built mine up from ebay with Ultegra for about £700 all in :)
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
No wobbliness from mine either. Suggest not jiggling the bars around at high speed in time with your iPod may stop this.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
I love my PX despite being told its a worthless piece of generic........
anyway ...side issue ..
what are the clip on aero bars in the picture, I have been looking for a compact set to use?
any ideas?
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
edit ! found them ...Vision I believe they are.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
hi guys,
thanks for all your comments. I'm really thinking of getting me a pro sl ultegra (the new one :-)). any comments from your side on the wheels?
I think they are building their own wheels..., calling them Planet X Model B wheelset - 20h/24h Shimano. Any experience to share??
Thanks, have a great weekend!
Cheers
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
I recently bought the Ultegra version (the £999 offer) of this bike and have now done a couple of rides. I agree with the reviewer about the frame. It probably is not the stiffest option available but it is Very Comfortable to ride. It climbs very nicely and feels good also when descending. Although the frame flexes a bit if you provoke it, I haven't sensed any risk of "speed wobble" with it. Top speeds in my rides exceed 40 mph.
The new Ultegra groupset works also extremely well. I find it very hard to justify the extra price of a Dura Ace groupset.
The "Model C" wheelset that I have in my bike, feels also OK. It's a bit heavier than the Model B set but I guess that's not a bad thing when the rider weights about 90 kg.
For the price, the bike is just incredible. It's a clear upgrade from my previous bike (Bianchi 1885 Alu Carbon Veloce) which btw is a more expensive bike.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
Great to get a good review.
Has anyone compared the Ultegra-adorned machine to other £1k bikes? I am interested in the Carbon Pro but am also considering the £1k Ribble sportive - although less chainset for the money I believe the frame is higher graded carbon than the Planet-X bike. I understand that the Planet-X is build on 3-graded carbon compared to the 12-graded carbon for the Ribble (and other similar machines). Feels like the decision is between frame quality vs chainset choice.
Interested a little concerned about:
a) The ride position and comfort - I am planning a few sportives next year - is this more a race machine?
b) Carbon frame quality vs other similar bikes
c) I am a larger rider at around 95kg. What is the chance that the carbon frame will suffer more than a top-end alu bike?
d) the £999 offer may not be such a bargain as the bike has to be built totally from scratch.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
I got the new 999 offer sent out to me in Spain. Local mechanic put it together for 50€, what a guy!
On to the ride. First thing I did was stick on a set of Fulcrum Racing 1 wheels so as to compare it fairly with my Canyon. Now my Canyon Ultimate CF Carbon bike was a good deal for a pro-level steed. The Canyon frame alone was 1500€ last year and it has Ultegra SL on it so it's a decent bike. It was also cheap in comparison to what you would pay for a peloton-level frame.
I was looking at the Planet X as a spare bike to rent to customers who come out to ride with me in Spain but it impressed me much more than I expected. I am 182 cms (6ft) and went for the large frame (Canyon is a 56cm frame). My early impression is that the Planet X is a more comfortable ride, perhaps because the set up is a bit higher at the front and I also selected the shallow drop handlebars. That makes a big difference to me, I can now look straight ahead while in the drops without my neck feeling like it is going to break.
The 2010 Ultegra groupset is superior in performance and in looks to the 2009 SL version - also a pleasant surprise. The carbon shifters look great as do the much more streamlined hoods. With the cables hidden, the front end is much neater too. Shifting feels a bit stiffer but I like that. Breaking is much improved - no question about that.
As for shimmy, I descended a cat 1 vuelta climb today at over 60 kph and never felt a thing (I weigh 83 kgs). I also thought it cornered better than the Canyon, again perhaps due to the more comfortable position in the drops.
So, in my opinion, on Fulcrum 1 wheels, it is a better, more comfy ride than a Canyon that on the same set up would cost nearly 3000€. Oh, and Cadel Evans just won the Worlds on that same Canyon frame!
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
While it is a great bike, fast and climbs beautifully, in my third weekend ride on mine I had a major shimmy on a steep descent resulting in a crash and a trip to A&E. Only cuts and grazes and a couple of stitches thankfully, and the bike was undamaged, also thankfully. I had it looked at after this and the bike mechanics could find no obvious reason for the shimmy.
But has really knocked my confidence descending. Of course there are question marks over whether it is the bike or my handling - I understand that - but was interested to read the shimmy comments after my experience.
I am 6'4", and wonder if my height on a light frame may have something to do with it. I've read about the knee/top bar tick, but it's hard to do with a sloping top bar.
But if you don't experience the shimmy, it really is a great ride. Whether I can now overcome the fear and plunge down hills on it is another question.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
To Benco4: Which wheels do you have in your bike? Some people have reported that the Model B wheels are a bit soft. Might that contribute to the phenomenon?
I have Model C wheels and haven't noticed any shimmy, although I am about as tall as you are and weigh 90 kg.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
TimoH: When I got the bike I put a pair of Mavic Elites on that I'd had on my previous bike for about a year. Since the accident I have now put the originals back on. They are the Model Bs though, so I'll bear your comment in mind should I continue having problems. Thanks.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
I have a pink frameset with full Dura Ace and Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels, was going to bling the components such as seat post and stem, bars etc. They are so light and comfortable especially the saddle I didn't bother, first bike I have not change in such way so speaks volumes, The bike rides really well is super light and comfortable on long rides I do love it and think it is a veritable bargain. Given that the rrp of Dura Ace itself is £1600!
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
I've got the ultegra set up with model B wheels and am absolutely loving it at the moment. Just returned to road biking after a few years of knobblies-only so i guess this isn't the most objective review you'll get.
I was surprised how comfy it was, very forgiving to ride but still goes uphill plenty fast. Have done a few fast descents around the moors on it and no sign of any shimmy on mine.
I can also vouch for the strength of the model B wheels; hit a pothole one night at a fair old lick (enough to yank the bars around in the stem) but no problems with the wheels. i'm 85(ish)kg so not exactly a lightweight.
Overall, i'm really, really happy with it.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
Great bike, get it pre-assembled unless you know what you're doing and have all the tools.
Tyre pressures are fairly critical, I've fitted conti force/attack which are great but need 110psi.
Very comfy to ride, have done several 100m plus but had to change the saddle for the long runs- a RIDO mark 1 is great (Mk 2 is not good) or now have a brooks swallow which looks lovely and will be comfortable!!!
Planet x after sales service is crap, needed a new spoke and planetx were rubbish, you can't phone them -have to leave a message and no-one got back to me and didn't answer e-mail (they have the spokes now) thanks to Sigma Sports by Kingston bridge who could not have been more helpful.
Model B wheels are great, still perfectly true after about 3000 miles over some pretty dodgy roads. They are not very rigid but this seems to make for a more comfy ride and with correct tyre pressures perform well.
I got the medium despite being 5'6" - they recommend the small, wanted a slightly more upright position and it seems fine.
If you want a fast comfortable bike which is exceptional good value and handles well then get one. If after sales service is important to you then try Sigma Sports.
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
Yep have taken to 50mph and kept it there with no wobble, too many variables to call Bike Radar's test conclusive
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0.3
User review of Planet-X Pro Dura Ace (09)
I got my wife to buy me this frameset for Christmas and it came to just under £500 for the frame / fork / headset(fitted) / spacers / seatpost / seatclamp.
I carefully shopped around and managed to build it up with a Campagnolo Centaur groupset for a total bike price of just under £800. Even with heavy Campag Khamsin wheels, the whole bike (size:large) weighs a svelte like 18lbs and rides like an absolute dream.
To buy an off-the-peg bike that I would notice any discernable difference with I reckon I’d need to spend something approaching £3K.
Fabulous bike, untouchable price!
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Specification
- Name:
- Pro Dura Ace (09)
- Built by:
- Planet-X
- Price:
- $2862.27
- Available Sizes:
- L, M, S, XL
- Available Colours:
- Carbon
- Weight (lb):
- 16.86
- Year:
- 2009
Frame & Fork:
- Frame Material:
- Planet X SL Pro monocoque
- Fork Model:
- Planet X Pro carbon
- Headset Type:
- FSA Orbit CE.
Brakes:
- Brakes Model:
- Shimano 7900 Dura Ace
Transmission:
- Cranks Model:
- Shimano 7900 Dura Ace
- Bottom Bracket Model:
- Shimano 7900 Dura Ace
- Rear Derailleur Model:
- Shimano 7900 Dura Ace
- Front Derailleur Model:
- Shimano 7900 Dura Ace
- Shifters Model:
- Shimano 7900 Dura Ace
- Cassette:
- Shimano 7900 Dura Ace
Wheels:
- Rims Model:
- Planet X Model B
- Front Hub Model:
- Shimano 7900 Dura Ace
- Tyres Brand:
- Schwalbe
- Front Tyre Model:
- Ultremo
- Front Tyre Size:
- 700x23C
- Rear Tyre Model:
- Ultremo
- Rear Tyre Size:
- 700x23C
Contact Points:
- Saddle Model:
- Planet X SL Team
- Seatpost Model:
- Planet X alloy
- Stem Model:
- Planet X Superlight Team 3D
- Handlebar Model:
- Planet X SL Triple Butted
:
- Top Tube:
- 56 cm
- Wheelbase:
- 98.5 cm
- Bottom Bracket Height (cm):
- 26.5 cm
- Chainstays (cm):
- 40.8 cm
- Seat Tube (cm):
- 48 cm
- Standover Height (cm):
- 78.5 cm
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