OldGlory

I sold my Domane so now I really need to find a replacement. Anyone have experience or info on these two bikes?

The BMC is more expensive $4400 for just the frame. The Wilier is their 2nd tier carbon. $2600 for the frame. Is the BMC that much better?

Anyone riding the Cento NDR?

Thanks!

FlashBazbo

It has been said that the harshest critic is often a person who was formerly the biggest fan.

I was a BMC enthusiast / owner / rider / racer for many years. Fast bikes. They fit me perfectly. And you can't beat them for subjective "cool factor." But my most recent TWO BMC experiences have soured me on the brand. (Two consecutive SLR01's were out of commission for months and eventually replaced under warranty -- one frameset and one fork.) I will probably never own another BMC. On the RM01, I would be cautious of the seatpost clamp. It looks cool, but it is a much higher maintenance item than it should be. If you don't re-torque the bolt on a regular basis (I put mine on my calendar for a monthly torque), it is likely to loosen over time and allow your seatpost to slip down. And if it slips down, the procedure for getting it to tighten and stay tight is pretty rigorous. Not a good design.

I don't know if the Willier is a better option, but I would never ever own another BMC.

cp88mb1

I have a Cento 1NDR. Love it. Stiff frame, with right wheels a really fast ride. Great handling with a somewhat racy geometry that has a touch of endurance to make it comfy. Happy to talk more if you want, feel free to PM me.

mgopack42 

When I was shopping last month, It was between the Cento (10) NDR and an Argon 18 Krypton (pro). I liked them a lot, but I settled on the Argon 18 Krypton Pro (same price DI2 Ultegra), mostly because of the higher quality wheels, and the superb documentation on the Argon 18 web pages. the Wilier came with Fulcrum racing 500 (alu) wheels, and the Argon 18 came with HED Vanquish 4 (CF) wheels. I have ridden Fulcrum racing 5 wheels,and they are so so at best. The Argon 18 was also lighter, which doesn't matter much to me, and has a lot of little extras like top tube bolts for a top tube bag, and an anti chain suck device on the top of the BB shell. This was a sight unseen purchase, so I took an expensive leap! the Argon 18 was also the endurance bike of the year in a test by granfondo-cycling.com, for what ever that is worth.

does you LBS stock the Wilier and BMC? test rides are important if youare unsure of the kind of ride characteristic you want and how the Geo might play into that.

OldGlory

I have been reading about the Argon it seem like a great bike. A nice balance between stiff race bike and a compliant endurance bike.

There is a somewhat local bike store that carries BMC I will be riding them. Wilier is not that easy.

OldGlory

That's exactly what I am looking for. A racy bike with a more relaxed geometry that is comfortable but not dead and pokey.

scott967

I've been looking at the the Cento 10 ndr. It's a bit more expensive but what really concerns me is it seems like you have to use their proprietary stem and bar? I might be leaning more towards the 1 ndr just to use a standard stem and bar if that's the case. But I did see a shop online in CA that will build a Wilier to spec that seemed to indicate I could spec a standard stem. I don't care about the "hidden" cables which seems part of the selling point for the proprietary cockpit. My impression is the BMC is a more race-oriented position geometry, but I can't say I've really looked at it super close.

I was also interested in rim brakes to use my existing wheelset supply, though I would have to buy direct mount brakes with which I have no experience.
scott s.
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mgopack42 

If you are looking at wrench science, that is where I got my Argon 18. Taylor is the Wilier guy I talked to several times. The Cento 10 NDR doesn't NEED. The "Barra and Stemma", but I thought the transition from the top headset race to the spacers looked bad.

OldGlory

The Cento 10 has better carbon (I think) but it has a suspension hinge in the rear which I don't want. I sold my Domane because of the "bounce" in the Isospeed Decoupler".

scott967

Those are the guys, yes. That's good to know thanks.

I'm not sold on the coupler, at least I don't think I've missed not having one at this point. I guess it has 3 material variations so maybe more controllable than the Domaine.

scott s.
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OldGlory

I was fitted today. The BMC is out . Coming down to the Argon 18 which they don't sell and the Cervelo S3 or Trek Emonda SLR.

How do you like the Krypton? Any negatives? I like what I have read about it but its hard to buy something like this without seeing it in person...as you know!

mgopack42 

Well, they just ordered it last week, and they are slammed with builds. I was quoted 4-6 weeks, and we are only 1 week in! I plan on a new bike day discussion of what I like or dont like about it when I finally get this bad boy.
Part of my decision was I didn't want to see my same bike every day on group rides, and the internal routing of the front end cables and hoses looks good. The big review I linked to describes it as comfortable, but more at the race end of handling, which is just what I was looking for. If you are looking at Wrench Science for the Argon 18, Taylor is also the guy. and of course the wait time I already mentioned.

OldGlory

I don't know if I could wait!

dr_max

Exactly my experience

Ihad 5 BMC over 12 years

BMC SLC01 Promachine made in Switzerland, my best bike ever
BMC TT03 Timemachine
BMC TT02 Timemachine
BMC Roadmachine 01 2016
BMC Roadmachine 01 One 2019

the 2 last one cracked their frame at the seat post top tub junction and my frameset warranty replacement is cracking too. The fork I set of my last one cracked and pullout.

mgopack42 

OldGlory what did you decide on? I am revisiting this thread, because Saturday is NBD for me! i am getting super excited to finally get the new machine, almost 2 months later.

OldGlory

Cervelo S3 Super psyched! Rides so smooth on those wheels. Way more responsive and lively than my old Domane.

Good luck with the new Bike Enjoy the Argon! I wish there was a dealer near me they looked like sweet bikes!

sfrider 

Are those the SES 5.6 wheels? Did you get them with the bike? I like the faded paintjob on the bottle cages to match the frame. Nice touch!

OldGlory

Thanks! Wheels were an upgrade. ENVE had a trade in program going on when I bought the bike so I traded in the stock wheels for the 5.6 ENVEs.

OldGlory

So how do you like the Argon?

mgopack42 

OldGlory So far so good. I need to write a NBD post for it, i have just been too busy. I want to like the Prologo saddle, but 70 miles into it, I am reasonably sure it and I will not get along. When I picked it up at Wrench Science, I picked it up and I was blown away by how light it is. I just got a bigger cassette, new bottle cages, and I lost 20 lbs in the last 2 months, so I plan on being a climbing fool ( or at least some sort of fool). I figure 10 Kg lost should help along with a 34 - 32 gear ratio!


As received

In the wild, I need a better seat bag, and have new bottle cages coming