Cell road bikes?

jack06 said:

hi guys
what's everyone's opinion on the brand 'Cell' especially on road bikes?

They did a review in Bicycling Australia on the Cell Victor.

Summary, it is a great value bike, built for larger riders. It is very rigid and the high-modulus carbon transmits many of the vibrations. For this reason, it would throw smaller riders around. The finish was surprisingly good for that price, but some room for improvement. The full Ultegra groupset and other quality parts made it well specced. In-house branded finishing kit, and the R500s are [censored] wheels.

They are basically 'generic' open-market moulds and plans which are paid for by a company (CELL), who puts their name on. Then they sell it. Check them out further, even I am intruiged by them.

I was interested in them for a while til I found out the geometry (far too steep for me).If you can get to ride one (ie live in Sydney) and you want a low cost carbon race bike (too stiff for centries it seems) then give them a try. I swap everything but the fork and groupset thought, wheels and all the carbon wrapped parts look good but seem a bit dodgy. Replace them with PRO parts (which cell also sell).

Bicycle Australia gave their least flatering review for this bike, but it sounded mostly like bagging the brand due to sales methods than reviewing the bike (which seems ok for what it is).

I'm also not impressed with thier amateurish review of ceramic bearings in this edition. Different spec wheels and highly uncontrolled conditions. Gee no surprise he had nothing to report expect his doubts on the technology. Even if it is only 0.5% gain (in all situations), thats better than spending $1000 for a weight gain that nets you 0.5% only going up hill! And the ceramics last 10x longer than a lite weight frame or wheels etc!

How are those titainium bottle cage bolts going??

Phil- I think i remember you you were after a 60cm frame I think- how did you go getting a more relaxed frame??

As regards test riding, you will also be able to test ride this bike in Darwin and the Sunshine Coast as we now have dealers in these locations.

We are more than happy to swap around items on these bikes. Swapping to PRO kit will actually save you around 200 grams as well. It is good light and cheap stuff.

For example, PRO stems retail for less than $60 and are about the same weight as $400 carbon jobs. I would rather save the cash. Pity Shimano Aus keeps running out of stock!!!

Kieran.

Phill P said:

I was interested in them for a while til I found out the geometry (far too steep for me).If you can get to ride one (ie live in Sydney) and you want a low cost carbon race bike (too stiff for centries it seems) then give them a try. I swap everything but the fork and groupset thought, wheels and all the carbon wrapped parts look good but seem a bit dodgy. Replace them with PRO parts (which cell also sell).

Bicycle Australia gave their least flatering review for this bike, but it sounded mostly like bagging the brand due to sales methods than reviewing the bike (which seems ok for what it is).

I'm also not impressed with thier amateurish review of ceramic bearings in this edition. Different spec wheels and highly uncontrolled conditions. Gee no surprise he had nothing to report expect his doubts on the technology. Even if it is only 0.5% gain (in all situations), thats better than spending $1000 for a weight gain that nets you 0.5% only going up hill! And the ceramics last 10x longer than a lite weight frame or wheels etc!

How are those titainium bottle cage bolts going??

As others have stated, the Cell bikes are "generic" frames with good components. The Cell Victor (carbon) appears identical (apart from the paint and tyres) to the new DBR Podium Pro.

thanks guys,
have taken all comments on board and consider it a 'safer' idea to purchase a giant CRX 4
jack

Gee Kerien you obviously keep all your emails!

I haven't bought yet (30th bday in Jan). I've found a few brands in my price range and geometry, so will ride a few over the Christmas break and decide then.
The new carbon mono Azzurri s look really flash, and well priced
Argon 18 bikes also look supurb, and the dealer is trying to talk me into an Al/carbon bike for the value (I respect being talked down instead of up!)
They also run felt and they have some new "sport" carbon frames as well ($?)