LEARSPORT

KSL said:

Just came across the LEARSPORT bike brand, anybody have any experience
on these frames.

KSL

I bought a Learsport 8000 a few years ago, freighted to my door for a
grand total of AUD 1320. It required only minor assembly - handlebars
on, tightening headset, feeding brake cables, etc.

At that time, bikes with carbon forks and 9-speed 105 (complete) were
RRP AUD 1700-1800 and the most I could talk a shop down to was AUD 1620.
It was to be my throwaround bike but it's been really reliable - I use
it in the wet and have stacked it a couple of times but no frame damage
- so I've actually taken to using it for crit racing as well.

I replaced the pedals as the Wellgo pedals, while okay, were not as nice
as the Miche pedals on my other bike, and I was also keen to give
Shimano SPD-SL a go, for commuting. I also found that with a compact
frame geometry and me having sensitive bits, I required a carbon
seatpost to ease out the bumps. I also needed a straight seatpost rather
than the setback one that came with it, so I bought a Woodman one for
AUD 160.

First time you get a full service, if you're not familiar it's worth
getting a bike shop to do it, as the bottom brackets on Learsport bikes
are often VERY tight (and generally if a bike shop breaks something
they'll replace it).

Learsport bikes are made in the same factories as some higher brand
bikes (in Taiwan). They use Columbus Zonal tubing and are well made
(although the paint jobs are generally less attractive than some nicer
bikes). The high end Learsports are Azzuri bikes - you generally find
these in the carbon fibre models. They are very popular at Ironman
Australia where the savings on the frame/components allows the owner to
buy a really good wheelset as well.

Tam