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this is true - although I think the crankset is a rebranded SRAM crank (I think it's actually a version of the Apex one) and the brakes seem to be pretty decent despite not being part of the full group.
Either way - they're good bikes. Bikes snobs will no doubt turn their noses up at them, as they are aimed squarely at the sportive/cycling plus market but that doesn't stop them being good bikes. This one in particular is crazy value at £1350: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-rhigos02/ (SRAM froce and Kysrium Equipes)
...and the one above is just over 2k and comes with full SRAM red and ksyrium sl's!
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The Verenti are a very good brand, it get overshadowed simply because it's not a known brand, go for it if you can.
Riden many Ed, or are you just re stating Cycling Weekly for the benefit of this fair forum?
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Personnaly I think...
....The Verenti's Kilmeston is designed to be a versatile, all-year riding machine. With a full complement of mudguards it's ready for wet winter riding, and come warmer weather you can make use of the rear rack fittings and load up for a spot of light touring. Remove both guards and rack and it's light enough to tackle the odd sportive.
- **Frame: **Quality triple-butted aluminium, with geometry for a comfortably quick ride (8/10)
- Handling: Stable, confident and plenty quick enough (8/10)
- Equipment: SRAM Rival is hard to beat at this price. Only the saddle lets down the component package (9/10)
- Wheels: Solid, mid-range wheels that roll well are class-leading for their weight, and are shod with good rubber (9/10)
Bearing in mind the Kilmeston’s triple-butted aluminium frame and slim carbon fork, we were expecting a fairly firm ride. It actually does a very good job of smoothing out the high-frequency buzz of rough road surfaces.
The only real comfort complaint we had was with the Me3 saddle; its narrow, flat profile is at odds with the comfort of the overall package, and we spent plenty of time moving it round. We tried – and failed – to find a comfortable position we were truly happy with, especially on the climbs.
The tall frame and long head tube (195mm) combined with 40mm of headset spacers gives a fairly upright riding position. This can obviously be adjusted by moving the spacers. In standard trim though, the commanding position feels great for a bike that will undoubtedly be used for commuting and training.
Handling is confident, with the emphasis on stability rather than the snappy speed of a more race-orientated bike. This makes the Kilmeston an excellent choice if you want a dependable, comfortable and fun second bike for winter training.
It also makes sense if you need one bike that will handle commuting with ease, whatever the weather, and be light and fast enough for forays into distance rides and the odd event or sportive. We’d even recommend sticking a rear rack on and using the Kilmeston for light touring and long weekends in the saddle.
The SRAM Rival drivetrain paired with a Truvativ Elita compact chainset gives a very usable 50/34 up front and a 12-27 rear cassette – a wide spread capable of conquering most climbs you can expect in the UK.
Shifting is positive and quick. Not quite as rapid as SRAM’s top-flight Red group, but easily the equal of its counterparts from Shimano or Campagnolo.
In fact, the more we use SRAM’s mid-range offering the more we like it. Yes, it takes time to get accustomed to the ‘double tap’ shift, especially in a panic or under load, but the simplicity of one lever is great. Plus, the big pistol-grip hoods offer a great, comfortable shape.
The Me3 brakes paired with the Rival levers don’t have quite the same stopping power as SRAM’s top-class units, but they offer predictable progression when applying pressure throughout the levers’ movement. They're an understandable choice for Verenti at the price.
Like the saddle, the bar and stem are own-brand Me3, while the wheels are Verenti-branded Pro-Lites, hand built and shod with Vittoria Diamante Pro tyres. The complete weight of 9.5kg (20.9lb) for our large test bike – including pedals – is impressive at this price. It actually feels less because of the wheels: fast and tough rubber wrapped around a light rolling package gives the Kilmeston a sprightly feel, something that can get lost when compromises are made due to budget.
The Kilmeston’s strong spec and excellent wheel package make it a real bargain at £900, even more so given that Wiggle, the company behind Verenti, is currently offering it for £750. We’d recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone making their first foray into drop-barred bikes or wanting a second bike for commuting, training and touring.
The Kilmeston isn’t trying to be a fast and flighty bullet, and it’s all the better for that. It’s comfortable, confident, hard-wearing and speedy enough – just a great ride.....
....but thats just my opinion.
cough
- **Frame: **Quality triple-butted aluminium, with geometry for a comfortably quick ride (8/10)
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only thing I could criticise about the Verenti is that it's my first encounter with SRAM road groups and I thought that Rival shifters felt really cheap and the shifting was a bit heavy. It actually completely put me off swapping my posh bike over to SRAM Force and I've decided to stick with Campag for now.
But that's very much a personal thing - I know plenty of people who love those groups and I've been a bit spoiled by Campag Record
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But that's very much a personal thing - I know plenty of people who love those groups and I've been a bit spoiled by Campag Record
Mines really starting to sing. I find the main body of the Sram hoods a tad wide.
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Watch out for Lamborghinis
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Steve Hogg bike fitting blog and articles
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you have illustrated the problem of buying online when you have no idea of your ideal size/geometry.
once you know this a quick look at the geometry chart for that model will be all you need.
you could always go to a proper shop and get fitted but then you might end up paying more for the bike but obviously getting more in return.if you find a shop with that model in the size you think you need then at best you will get a quick sit on it but if it's unbuilt that isn't going to happen. is it really that much of saving when for a bit more you can get fitted properly and probably get the stem swapped to your ideal length too.
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I know i shouldn't be buying before trying a bike first. I've tried at least 20 bikes over last two weeks.
Those that i was hoping to buy in the first place didn't fit me as they have too long top tube.
Bianchi and willier seem to fit best but i can't find any good deals on them anymore. 2011 in my size sold out, 2012 too expensive.
I was told that colnago should fit me as well as they have slightly shorter top tube but i can't figure it out myself looking at the sizing chart. I find it too confusing with a sloping geometry.
I contacted Scherrit, hope he can help. -
you have illustrated the problem of buying online when you have no idea of your ideal size/geometry.
once you know this a quick look at the geometry chart for that model will be all you need.
you could always go to a proper shop and get fitted but then you might end up paying more for the bike but obviously getting more in return.if you find a shop with that model in the size you think you need then at best you will get a quick sit on it but if it's unbuilt that isn't going to happen. is it really that much of saving when for a bit more you can get fitted properly and probably get the stem swapped to your ideal length too.
Yep good point. My bike arrived at the weekend and having ordered it online I had not ridden it before I received it. I found a Cannondale size chart which gave a frame size of 58 for someone 6'0" to 6'2", a 60 for 6'2" to 6'6" and and 62 for 6'6"+.
As I am 6'2" exactly, I was between the 2 sizes so I done a bit more research that suggests if you have longer legs to body ratio, as I do, you are best off with the smaller frame so I went for the 58. Never having ridden a road bike before, I really don't know if it fits me properly yet, though it felt bloody fast on this mornings commute and comfortable. I believe that you really need to ride a bike for a while and get a feel of it before you can start changing bits and making adjustments. It took me ages to get my track bike exactly the right fit. Swapping stems and bars, but that is what the forum is for :) -
I was told that colnago should fit me as well as they have slightly shorter top tube but i can't figure it out myself looking at the sizing chart. I find it too confusing with a sloping geometry.
I contacted Scherrit, hope he can help.Use ETT (effective top tube length). Its the equivalent of a horizontal top tube mesurement, and is comparable across different brankds and geometrys.
Take care to also consider the sea tube angle. Eg. A steep seat tube angle will require you to use more saddle set-back. This then increases the overall reach of the bike.
I'm not convinced we all need £££ bike fits. But getting the right sized bike is'nt as simple as glancing at a chart either.
IMHO Any benefit from being able to afford a more flashy frame online. Can quickly be destroyed by having to over adjust the fit of the bike.
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I was told that colnago should fit me as well as they have slightly shorter top tube but i can't figure it out myself looking at the sizing chart. I find it too confusing with a sloping geometry.
I contacted Scherrit, hope he can help.look for horizontal top tube measurement, rather than actual.
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Look for stack and reach, it's the only truly consistent measurement system.
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Look for stack and reach, it's the only truly consistent measurement system.
Annoyingly, rarely stated.
(Note that the reach is independant of seat tube angle) -
Look for stack and reach, it's the only truly consistent measurement system.
that's fine if you know what they mean and how to interpret them, a lot of people don't
effective top tube + ideal stem length is what i use plus a look at the head tube height and seat angle. but then i know how these will affect my fit, surprising how many 'sportive' versions of frames are a no-go as 1small spacer and a flipped stem are still too high for me.
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Road bike recommendations
Posted by
@mashton
^ Yeah nice, versatile. Not that it really matters, but it's not full rival - crank, cassette brakes all other series / OEM rebranded. That's where they saved the money.