Gios Compact Pro ?

[jd73]

Hi all,

I am thinking of buying a steel frame road bike for training. I stumbled across this Gios, which looks like it has the benefits of an old steel bike, but is a new build. Price of $3,199 seems okay

Has anyone got one of these ? Or recommendations of somewthing similar would be appreciated

Thanks



http://sprockt.com.au/2011-gios-compact-pro.html

[humanbeing]

Looks pretty good out of the box
If you feel like building your own I put this together for a bit less cost;

The frame was used but in great condition, everything else similar specs to the Gios.
You could get a new King Of Mercia frame in Reynolds tubing from Mercian Cycles in the UK for $1300 delivered and build it with similar bits to the Gios.
I don't think you'll get as nice a ready to go off the shelf steel road bike as the Gios though.
Interested to know other peoples ideas as well.
Cheers,
Peter

[jd73]

Peter,

Thanks for the response. You have an impressive bike, must be even more satisfyingyou have put it together.

My hesitation of buying the frame is then trying to get all the parts also. A group set i guess will be the easy part to order. But what did you do with the stem, bars seat etc ? How easy was it to get the right size

Cheers
Jason

[humanbeing]

Jason,
This can help you find an idea of size.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

I started with another steel frame road bike that I got on ebay with older components. That frame broke so I found another frame in my size and initially swapped the components over. That was my first experience building a bike. When some of the components in the drive train wore out and I found would be problematic to replace due to obselesence I bit the bullet to modernize what components I could whilst retaining the retro look of the bike.
Groupset and wheels were easy to find, stem I just got one the same size as the old one, likewise the bars which were NOS from eBay.
Some bike shops will assemble your bike for you from components that you provide.
The Gios is a fine bike though.
BTW someone is selling a nice steel road bike in the market place on this forum at the moment.
Cheers,
Peter

[badger33]

Hey

I am thinking of a Compact Pro myself. Did you end up buying one. How does it ride?

[digby1985]

Hi Guys,

Just read a reivew on the current Compact Pro in the latest edition of Bicycling Australia. Well worth a read if you are considering one of these, sounds like a pretty impressive machine. It has got me thinking about getting one of these for my collection!!!

Cheers,

Digs

[sparkyscott]

+1

Something about the "but but old" that appeals to me...

[antipodean]

I prefer the look of this to the compact.
http://sprockt.com.au/Product%20Images/ ... _hires.jpg

[timbo]

It would be nice if they could remove a kg or so from the overall weight of 9.6kg (without pedals), but staying true to the theme probably means a bit more weight.
I just weighed my old Miyata 1200 steel framed road bike, and that came in at 10.8kg ready to ride, so 9.6kg is not that bad after all.

[roxii]

Must admit it was a lovely bike to ride. A real head turner.
I thought I would only use it for a few jaunts to the coffee shop or the odd sunny day ride, but found it to be so comfortable that I ended up doing a few 4+ hour rides on it and loved every minute.
The weight takes a bit of getting used to, especially when you are used to lighter carbon bikes, but when rolling along you do forget about it.

One big plus for me though was the acceptance among the older racers and commisaires at the club where I race. The commisaires spent ages oohing and aaahing over it and a few of the older racers, guys that actually raced on the original GIOS compact pro, thought it was fantastic, and a really true replica. So much so that one of the guys actually bought one, and the other is still contemplating it.

Park it outside a coffee shop and I reckon it will turn more heads than a Pinarello Dogma with Campy EPS.

[jd73]

Good spot, i have just just picked up the magazine and read the article myself. Good review and it is a fine looking bike.

I am still undecided what to do. I was after a steel frame bike to ride occasionally on weekends, keeping the existing carbon bike for racing and most training. I am down to 3 options;

1. Gios Compact Pro
- hard to fault, great looking bike, good price and ride away from the shop

2. Colnago Master X Lite
- not going to be cheap with a frame cost of $3,500+
- the final build will come in about $6,000

3. Hillbrick custom built
- a frame made to suit me by a good quality local builder
- i would go for a better level of frame tube than on the Gios
- will cost somewhere between the Colnago and Gios

Option 2 & 3 I would spec out with the same parts, most likely Ultegra.

I think I am leaning torwards the Hillbrick

[roxii]

Before spending your hard earned I would go and have a look at a GIOS in the flesh if you can. I havent seen how the pics for the review turned out, but I can guarantee the bike looks much better in the flesh than in any photo Ive seen of it!

[whitey]

Been looking for a steel frame for a while. Was considering a master x lite. That gios does look nice - the build is good as well for price.

[humanbeing]

Good spot, i have just just picked up the magazine and read the article myself. Good review and it is a fine looking bike.

I am still undecided what to do. I was after a steel frame bike to ride occasionally on weekends, keeping the existing carbon bike for racing and most training. I am down to 3 options;

1. Gios Compact Pro
- hard to fault, great looking bike, good price and ride away from the shop

2. Colnago Master X Lite
- not going to be cheap with a frame cost of $3,500+
- the final build will come in about $6,000

3. Hillbrick custom built
- a frame made to suit me by a good quality local builder
- i would go for a better level of frame tube than on the Gios
- will cost somewhere between the Colnago and Gios

Option 2 & 3 I would spec out with the same parts, most likely Ultegra.

I think I am leaning torwards the Hillbrick

If you order the Colnago online from the UK you can probably get the frameset for $2500 and may I suggest Peter Bundy as another local frame builder.
Peter

[Lynch23]

Hi Guys,

im actually looking to buy a Gios Vintage myself, its obviously on the lower end of the spectrum and i wont be racing but riding to work and on weekends.

It retails for $1299, i cant find a single review on the bike but it is also a very nice looking bike.

Has anyone here got any thoughts on the bike at all?

[Reman]

Bicycling Australia review of the compact pro is online at http://bicyclingaustralia.com.au/2012/gios-compact-pro-0. Looks very nice.

[jd73]

Finally decided and have a Colnago Master 30th on order. Could not resist the look and paint job with chrome forks and rear stays. Build time of 4-6 months reminds me of how your used to order a frame rather than buying off the shelf.

[humanbeing]

Well done!
Don't forget the pictures when it arrives.
Peter