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Culprit launches shipped-anywhere pricing, hints at “Superbike” wind tunnel results for Legend

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2016 Culprit RoaDi disc brake alloy road bike

Based in Taiwan, Culprit’s direct-to-consumer approach has thus far been hampered by shipping and import duty fees jacking up the otherwise very competitive pricing. Now, they managed to bundle those fees into the complete bike and frameset pricing, eliminating the price penalty. And, as usual, there are several bonuses thrown into the complete bike purchase that make it more tempting.

Each bike comes with a Culprit jersey and bibshort, mini-torque tool and your choice of trim colors and matte or gloss finish. The free-shipping-to-anywhere has a few limitations, but covers all of Europe, North America and most of Asia, and it’s offered on all of their 700c road bikes…

2016 Culprit RoaDi disc brake alloy road bike

The RoaDi (above and top) is their disc-brake-only alloy crit racer. It’s available in three complete builds (pricing below) and a frameset for $1,175 that includes frame, fork, headset, stem and a carbon seatpost and handlebar.

Both the RoaDi and Croz Blade now ship with 15mm thru-axle compatible full carbon forks.

2016 Culprit Croz Blade rim and disc brake carbon road bike

The Croz Blade, which we reviewed when it first came out, is their rim-or-disc brake road bike. The frame’s stiff and fast, using aero tube shapes and hidden brake mounts to slip through the air.

2016 Culprit Croz Blade rim and disc brake carbon road bike

Its design makes it a good option for budding triathletes that need something normal to train on, but something that’ll convert to a more aggressive, aerodynamic position for race day.

2016-culprit-bicycle-and-frameset-pricing

The youth bikes (Junior and S1/2) do not include “shipped anywhere” pricing, but they remain some of the best spec’d kids bikes we’ve seen. Check our review here.

2016 Culprit Legend triathlon bike with magnetic cover plates for rim and disc brakes

Culprit teased their upcoming Legend triathlon/TT bike at the Ironman World Championships in Kona this year. Designed to be the ultimate triathlon “superbike”, it can run rim or disc brakes, flat mount or standard, direct pull or a set of custom designed TRP brakes that aren’t even announced yet. That versatility gives you the ability to run whatever wheels you’ve invested in while being heavily future proofed, and it means easy-to-find repair parts no matter where you go.

Now, they’ve taken it to the wind tunnel and say it’s faster than everyone’s favorite benchmark, the Cervelo P5, in both rim and disc brake configurations. Part of the story’s on their website, but look for full wind tunnel test data to be made public later this year.

2016-culprit-legend-triathlon-bike-hidden-multitool

One feature not shown in the original info was the hidden compartment for a multitool, which puts everything you need to reassemble the bike at your race destination in easy reach. The bike’s designed to require minimal disassembly for travel and be so easy to put back together that (wait for it…) even a triathlete could do it.

CulpritBicycles.com

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Bald Ben
Bald Ben
9 years ago

Although I’m not the target customer, I am curious as to what happens when people need to warranty their Asian direct sales frames (there’s no local contact, who pays international shipping costs, etc.). If this is representative of the company’s ability to communicate (from the warranty page), I’m a little skeptical: “Culprit Bicycles can refuse the replacement warranty if it is detected that the bike is damaged wilfully or is of optical nature.”

Bald Ben
Bald Ben
9 years ago

Although if you’re into Latin men, the bike does come with a “Manuel.”

culpritbicycles
9 years ago

HI Bald Ben

We are currently in the process of setting up a USA center in a years time or so. However, I am the owner and an American based in Taiwan so communication globabally in English will not be a problem. What we have done in the past was we payed a local shop to inspect the bike and via phone calls and images a decision was made. If it needed replacements they were sent out and repairs were covered by Culprit. We are not asking our customers to ship back to Taiwan. However, what you are referencing was our crash replacement policy and that was written in order to prevent buyers from willfully damaging their bike near the end of the discounted period to get a new frameset. Any of our customers can attest to our quick support and customer service.

sd
sd
9 years ago

you can get a caad 12 ultegra disc for the same price….not sure why one would buy this. I thought consumer direct was supposed to be cheaper.

culpritbicycles
9 years ago

SD
You can get a cannondale for the same price. But it is NOT the same spec/ weight. etc. Look at the finer details on our site. You will find, the following upgrades. Carbon Stem, carbon handlebar. Wheels on cannondale are 300 USD retail mavics. RoaDi has 925 USD Reynolds Stratus Pro which are around 400 grams lighter. Also, jersey, mini torque wrench included and this is a total cost. Taxes included, etc. So, it is not the same bike for price. I am positive the RoaDi weighs in lighter as well. But unable to find a published weight on the Caad12. Bikerumor has a frameset on review coming in the future. I am sure it will be a positive review as all our customers who are riding the RoaDi love it.

Greg Devins
Greg Devins
9 years ago

I had a CAAD 12 and it creaked like an old dog. I now have a Culprit Roadi and it is the best road bike I’ve had in years, very responsive and compliant with no creaks.

Quickie
Quickie
9 years ago

Greg Devins- I find it unlikely that the CAAD 12 frame was the cause of any creaks you heard. More importantly, if you can’t track down and remedy a creaking bike on your own, you’re going to be in a world of financial pain when you take your mail order bike to the LBS for maintenance.

Culprit’s lineup does look nice though.

hpbiker
hpbiker
9 years ago

@Calpritbicycles “Taxes included, etc.” I believe you are wrong about the taxes. Your customer does have to pay the local sales tax if your state collects it. You may also have to pay a tax the USA for import tax.

Joe Blow
Joe Blow
9 years ago

I’ve owned a Cervelo S2 and a Venge. I took a chance and purchased a Croz Blade. The former two bikes rode harsh as you would expect with an aero frameset. The Croz Blade handled as well and yet has a smooth enough ride to be ridden for 6-8 hours on end. I have never considered going back to either the Venge or S2.

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

Greg – a CAAD 12, as in 10+2?
When did you get it and how long did you have it?

Clyde
Clyde
9 years ago

J-Bikes – I hear a callout coming but who cares when and for how long. I have loved every Cannondale I’ve owned, especially my CAAD 8, 9, and 10, and Supersix except, I’m building suspense here, every one of them creaked at the BB. Some straight out of the box. Some where warranted and some not but every one had creaky BB issues. It is a known and very common issue with any iteration of BB30/PF30. When I got tired of pulling, cleaning, re-greasing them every 100-200 miles I simply resorted to a few drops of chain lube on the bearing/frame interface as part of pre-ride readiness and moved on. Eventually I got smart and went to something with threaded BB and no more issues but I’m not on C-Dale anymore so who cares when and how long someone had their CAAD12. I doubt Cannondale solved any BB issues with an identical bearing interface.

Wes
Wes
9 years ago

@Calpritbicycles Any gravel/adventure bike planned that you know of? Can’t see the RoaDi replacing my Wilier but I’d be very interested in something more CX/Gravel focused.

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

Clyde – the CAAD 12’s may creak, but it was just a simple question since the caad 12 is relatively new and I want to ensure it wasn’t a caad 10. You may have left C-dale and don’t care anymore, but others may consider them. They may care regarding experiences and for how long the product was used.

Allan
Allan
9 years ago

@ Wes, good call. Looking at these bikes and the pricing, this seems to be kind of an in-between market. Most people (for better or worse) are going to want to buy a “name” brand for their higher-end ride, while others will go to the other end of the spectrum (BD/department store). Seems like a lot of riders (me included) are looking at gravel/cross bikes now, but don’t necessarily want to spend a ton. More selection in the mid-priced end would be welcome!

culprit Bicycles
9 years ago

@ Allan

The price list does not show our spec. I am sure if you look at what you are offered at what price. we are hard to beat. We are competitive with Canyon pricing for USA if you factor in their current global pricing + shipping costs and import duties + 200 or so more to cover the perks our bikes include of paint to order, kit, etc. So carbon bike pricing is on. Alloy, is competitive for the quality of the bike and other parts on them.

Of course, we are not a “name brand” as you say yet, but what new brand gets that qualification? How long do they need to be in the market, etc. Branding takes time and that doesn’t mean the little guy can’t offer a much better bike, buying experience, etc than the big boys in the market.

We are seeking riders who want that unique bike to ride. not a cookie cutter bike being pumped out by the 1000s. We are 100% made in Taiwan. There is no China manufacturing in our product line and we are proudly made here, living here and hands on with our suppliers and QC checks.

We are more than happy to discuss the brand with anyone personally, just email us at service@culpritbicycles.com

We hope that the bike buyer can see the value in supporting a family owned brand rather than the mass produced bike brands. Come join the Culprit family.

andrew
andrew
9 years ago

To answer some of the questions about the CAAD 12–I have the ultegra disc and it is utterly flawless. I came from a CAAD 10 force racing and liked that one too. The frame clearance for 28s is awesome, and I think the bike looks even better without the brake bridge and the si spider ring. The bike rides a bit better than the CAAD 10, but not too much.

I like how Culprit is including TA for the disc brake models. Thats one thing I think that Cannondale dropped the ball on.

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