Anyone heard of Flight Bikes ?

[rodneycc]

Hi All, Anyway I've gone in all gun-ho and upgraded my road bike to a no name full carbon bike with Ultegra group from Goldcross cycles called "Flight - Podium 1". Its a Goldcross's home brand (and bit like Coles and Woolworths own brand stock - not quite as good as the branded stuff but does the job).

The bike rides really well and has a lifetime guarentee on its carbon frame so I thought it couldn't be that bad for $1400 (RRP $2500). The Ultegra Groupset was what I was looking for and it has Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels (which I'll probably update at a later date) which are OK wheels too for the kind of bike it is.

So I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about Flight Bikes? I didn't really realise how "No name brand" they were until I went searching on the Net after the fact and can't find anything about them other than on the Goldcross sales website. Even their own site http://www.flightbikes.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; hasn't got its Podium models on show (only their CR models)??

I'm happy enough I've got something good for my ability (maybe even exceding my ability!) but I'd be a lot happier/peace of mind if I can find some info on the damn thing!

Can anyone help me out with some details about this brand/company/experiences or comments ??

Cheers, Rod.

[MattyK]

I've found the same as you - not much out there on the web. As you say, it's Goldcross' home brand, so probably an open mould frame.

some info here, the original reference seems to have gone though:
http://velocosm.ch/post/view/2737/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rodneycc]

Thanks Matty Yeah I did see that article (and another by some dude that cycled around Australia on a Flight Cr1) but by the deafing silence I'm guessing I'm the owner of pretty unique bike Oh well it rides really well and thats the main thing I guess. Cheers.

[im_no_pro]

You have pretty much already summed it up, Flight is Goldcross' house brand. Has been for a few years at least now. I have bought two flight bikes, a flat bar roadie for GLW (Metro Comp) and a balance bike for junior_no_pro's upcoming 2nd birthday. Both seem to be pretty good value, but not exactly a decent comparison to what you have.

On the world record attempt by Dave Alley (alluded to in a previous post), I dont believe that he had a single mechanical at all during the trip. When the Flight roadies were launched a bunch of them were given to Goldcross store managers to ride in Around the Bay in a Day that year (2009 IIRC). All of them except one found them to be a nice bike to ride (the one exception was disappointed that it didnt compare to his bike, but failed to take into account his bike cost 5x more than the flight!). I would happily ride one. They are targeted at the enthusiast end of the scale, 1st or 2nd road bike type purchasers.

Disclaimer: I dont work for goldcross, but I do work for the company that owns them.

[rodneycc]

Thanks Mate, I've recently registered with this forum so I reckon I can classify myself as an enthusiast now so the bike fits well. I'm really surprised that goldcross or whoever controls the http://www.flightbikes.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; website doesn't update it for the Podium models (its funny because I have the web address actually written/painted on my bike but the web site has nothing on the Podiums!).

Its nearly impossible to compare geometry without any info as I can get the tape measue out but can't do much in the way of angles etc.

Anyway thanks for he post (Feel free to put in a good word with Sports Amart or whatever the new owners are to start advertising these bike a little better!).

Cheers.

[im_no_pro]

No arguments from me on the website, GLW's bike isnt on there either. I will see someone this afternoon who may know the Geo of the podium, will shoot you a PM if I can find anything out.

[rodneycc]

For anyone that might of been curious....

Courtesy of Chris Sponkson from Super retail group (who seems a nice bloke).

Flight Podium Frame Geometry

Size Head Angle Seat Angle Seat Tube Top Tube Head Tube Chain Stay Wheel Base
54 71.1 73.5 54 55.5 15.5 40.5 98.4

[MattyK]

Very relaxed steering...

[rodneycc]

Yeah thats one way to describe the steering (see my other thread on control problems out of the seat climbing!) But how did you come to that determination on just the Geo? But you are right...
Complete jet of a bike. Light, fast, smooth. Overall very happy.

[MattyK]

Well, it's always dangerous just to make assumptions based on a few numbers, but I said that principally from the head tube angle. 71.1 seems very low by modern race bike standards. Not quite a Harley chopper, but a typical race bike might be more like 73°. The steeper you go in the steering angle, the more responsive, twitchy and unstable it is.

[tt-01 mamba]

G'day,
I have a flight CR1 bought in december last year. Cracker of a deal, full 105 group set with carbon fork/frame for $1000, couldn't turn it down.

Have been using it as a commuter for uni, 80-90k a day for 3/4 days week plus a few crits and shorter rides for leisure.
After 7-8000km it's taken everything i've thrown at it, bumpy shared paths, rickety old wooden bridges, rain, mud, crashes, potholes etc etc.

[rodneycc]

G'day mate. Welcome to the Flight bike club. Might be a club of two people so far but nice to know someone else has a full carbon roadie model and hasn't had any probs. Be sure to stick yourself in the bike brands thread somewhere on here. So thanks again for the post!

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[rodneycc]

Ps - Must have a good set of wheels on her to do the kms you are doing. Those are the Ultegra wheelset on the cr1 wasn't it. Note I'd never heard of the Ultegra wheels until I saw the bike on the website ( which mind you at least yours is on yhe website!). But wheels must be good'uns.

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[Mulger bill]

G'day mate. Welcome to the Flight bike club.

You don't know the first rule of Flight Club?

[rodneycc]

And the secret handshake

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[rodneycc]

Oh I see what you mean now. Dropping the L. So OK we won't talk about the first, second or third rules of the Flight Club... or the secret handshake

[tt-01 mamba]

Ah my mistake, I have the CR2, the CR1 came with a complete set of ultra including wheels.

The wheels for the CR2 are Shimano WH RS20's. (an older model of the current WH RS21)
They seem like a good set of wheels, 16 spoke radial front has had no issues, wear indicators are still strong. The rear 24 spoke has had a few wobbles (80kg+backpack weight) now and again but nothing a few seconds with a spoke wrench doesn't fix.

Have recently bought some chinese 50mm clinchers for summer races/training when the commuting duties die down.

[im_no_pro]

LIttle miss 1yo turns two in a mere 3 weeks, so bike building night it was. Followed by bike testing night. Followed by taking out a knee on the corner of the doorway when flying down the hall. Yes im referring to me

[rodneycc]

You little ripper. Not even any training wheels. Stick that on the beautiful bikes thread. That is automatic entry to the club for Lil Chief!




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[im_no_pro]

Not even any training wheels.

Nor will there be while I am upright and breathing

[Mulger bill]

*snicker*...

[rodneycc]

So carbon fibre or Ti?

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[im_no_pro]

So carbon fibre or Ti?

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Not yet. Gotta leave room for upgradeitis to set in

[runnernomore]

I have a Podium 1, bought it on special at $1,400 because I thought it was worth it for the group set. I ride about 12,000 km's each year and already have a Verite Team S from Cycling Express with 18,000 km's on it and an EMC 2.4 with 20,000 km. I am using the Flight and Verite as horses for coarses. The Verite I have setup with compact cranks and 12:30 cassette for climbing and social rides and the Flight with its standard cranks and 12:25 cassette for flatter rides. I am using the Ksyrium wheels that came with my flight on the Verite with Gator HardShell tyres and have put my Fulcrum Quatro's on the Flight with GP4000S tyres on it as they are a little aero and lighter for the fast flat rides. I really like the Flight and have ridden some long rides and did spend a little time climbing with it and found it a great all rounder (I have a set of Ultegra compact cranks I used in it for a while). I have found the flight stable, quick, reasonably light but responsive and all round good quality and in fact my favorite bike in my stable. I have to admit I have only completed just over 4,000 km's on it to date but couldn't be happier!
If you want to know more about me you can check out my (poorly updated) blog at http://runnernomore.wordpress.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In short, great value, good all round weekend social and weekend warrior ride from what I can tell ! I love the bike!

[rodneycc]

Hi Runnernomore, very intetesting blog and back story there. A lot like my own journey (but you have one extra year on me!). I'm completely addicted now after year two. Like yourself the Flight was bike number two for me (mine is a medium 54). I bought mine as mentioned above from Goldcross cycles before they were swallowed up by Amart Sports/Super Cheap group. A super bargain for what it is and its components. It holds a bit of a special place this bike. My first really nice bike coming back into riding again (I'm nearly 45yo and rode extensively as a teenager and also a little dally in my 30s). The Flight is amazingly smooth (well after I chucked those conti race tyres!). The groupset shifting I dont know why its so smooth but it sure is close to a couple of my other bikes running 6800 ultegra and a lot smoother than my 2012 6700 on the Defy composite which should in theory be exactly the same but the Flight is super smooth in comparison.

Anyway enjoy that bike. Its a beauty.

Cheers Rod.

Ps my only complaint is doing a lot of hills on it. Yeah like you said more a flat fast bike.

Just realised its almost 12 months to the day of that post above. Gee time flies. I've learnt a hell of a lot in that time and since I've been on here. Its a great community. I've also gone completely stupid with purchases lately which Im trying to bring back into control! Bike #6 is just about built! I mean that in an untraditional way of I put most things together on it the way I want and the LBS tunes and torques it so it doesn't kill me!