I am in the market for a new bike. My current bike is almost 20 years old . I am interested in carbon or ti. and there seems to be a lot of info on carbon bikes. But I am having a difficult time finding recommendations of Ti bikes. Itc ould be because of my price range, I dont know. I want to spend 1500 to 2300 or so. the less the better. I dont need the best out there, I only ride for pleasure, about 100-200 miles a week, and I do a century or two each year.
Anyone out there have good or bad things to say about a particular Ti bike they have or know about? any info would be helpful.
Bob Terrwilliger <bzt96XX@yahoo.com> wrote in news:23c331pqrqmbkkcrcs4avu12vcursi0kpi@4ax.com:> I am in the market for a new bike. My current bike is almost 20 years> old . I am interested in carbon or ti. and there seems to be a lot of> info on carbon bikes.
A lot of the "info" you hear is really marketing hype to justify the lofty prices of some of those bikes. Especially in the more moderate price ranges, there is not much performance difference between bikes made from the different popular materials. Some will handle differently from others, but the differences are more because of geometry and tubing diameter and componentry than because of frame material.
Craig Brossman 11 March 2005 21:39:25 [ permanent link ]
Bob Terrwilliger wrote:> Hello there.>
I am in the market for a new bike. My current bike is almost 20 years> old . I am interested in carbon or ti. and there seems to be a lot of> info on carbon bikes. But I am having a difficult time finding> recommendations of Ti bikes. Itc ould be because of my price range, I> dont know. I want to spend 1500 to 2300 or so. the less the better. I> dont need the best out there, I only ride for pleasure, about 100-200> miles a week, and I do a century or two each year. >
Anyone out there have good or bad things to say about a particular Ti> bike they have or know about? any info would be helpful.
Mark Hickey, who frequents this website, is too good a guy to recommend his own company, so I will.
For a enthusiastic rec. ride, I like the Habanero Ti bike. I purchased one for my wife 2+ years ago and she loves it. She puts a few thousand miles on a year.
If you are looking at spending several grand for a frame, then this may not be for you. There are better finished Ti frames out there, but you do pay for it. At $800 a frame, I feel Habanero is a very good deal and was please with the service.
-- Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado remove "mydebt" to reply
Bob Terrwilliger 11 March 2005 22:53:41 [ permanent link ]
On Fri, 11 Mar 2005 10:39:25 -0700, Craig Brossman <brossman@durango.mydebt.net> wrote:
If you are looking at spending several grand for a frame, then this may >not be for you. There are better finished Ti frames out there, but you >do pay for it. At $800 a frame, I feel Habanero is a very good deal and >was please with the service.
No..the cheaper the better! thanks for the recommendation and will look into it.
I do feel bad about going to a LBS just to get a proper size bike if I plan on finding the cheapest place to buy it. ( does that even make any sense?)
I do feel bad about going to a LBS just to get a proper size bike if I> plan on finding the cheapest place to buy it. ( does that even make> any sense?)
Not really. The main reason you're buying a new bike is to get a good fit. Frame "size" alone doesn't determine fit. For one thing, a "60 cm" frame from one manufacturer can be very different than a 60 cm from another. A good LBS will listen to you, get you on an appropriate bike, and then set you up with the proper saddle position, handlebar height, and stem extension. And most importantly, they'll let you test ride a couple of bikes for comparison. If that costs a few bucks more than a mail order bike, it's well worth it.
Try out a few bikes of different materials and different price points and see how much difference you notice. My guess is that an inexpensive bike that fits great will be just as much fun to ride than as expensive one.
The key is finding that "good" LBS. It isn't always easy. If there are bike clubs in your area, get some recommendations. Or just drop in to a few shops and see what the atmosphere is like.
I am in the market for a new bike. My current bike is almost 20 years> old . I am interested in carbon or ti. and there seems to be a lot of> info on carbon bikes. But I am having a difficult time finding> recommendations of Ti bikes. Itc ould be because of my price range, I> dont know. I want to spend 1500 to 2300 or so. the less the better. I> dont need the best out there, I only ride for pleasure, about 100-200> miles a week, and I do a century or two each year.
Ti bikes are usually expensive. You'll probably have a hard time getting a frame alone that will fit in that price range, unless you go with Habanero or Airborne or something. And then there are the components...
My question is, why do you think you need Ti or carbon? Why not go with a really nice, lightweight steel bike for thousands less? As others have said, frame materials matter less than other factors.
You say you don't like your current Al bike, but much of that is probably fitting issues, as others have commented. Psychologically, you want a change in frame materials, of course. Plus, you secretly want the "statusfaction" of having a high-quality bike. Fine. Let that push you towards high-quality steel. Just start saying things to your self like "steel is real", "steel is the classic material", etc. Soon you'll become insufferable. ;)
I testrode a DeRosa Neo Primato (steel) and it was as nice as any Ti bike I rode, plus very light. And yes, I did end up buying a high-end Ti/carbon bike, out of all the motivations sketched above (I, like you, had a mid/low-range Al Trek - the 1220). It's OK - considering what I spent. But I had to replace it, I might just go with the DeRosa .
I too am 6'2 and weigh 205 lbs. My frame is a 60 cm. I can also ride a 58, but a 56 is way too small. So make sure you get the right size. You should test ride some different-sized bikes to make sure.
"> Well. I guess I didnt give enough detail. My current bike is a trek> 1000 aluminum. It is a 56cm. I am 6'2" and 205 lbs. I guess at the> time I got it, I liked it. I dont know if I grew ( I do know my belly> has) but the bike just doesnt seem to fit. It seems small. And it> beats me to death. I want something that will fit. and something that> will help smooth out the rodes just a tad. And something that will> last me another 15-20 years.
Hi, I am of similar height and build. I wiegh about 195 at the same height as you. I got back into biking this past year and had the same issues. After deciding what price range I started riding different bikes. I must tell you I was impressed by the steel frames out there but I tried all but the TI. I ended up with a Specialized Roubaix 58cm combo aluminum and carbon frame. The model I bought has the 105 package and I am very happy with it. I have upgraded the saddle to a firmer Body Geometry with the cutout. The stock seat had too much flex and I was bouncing a bit too much. If price was no object I would opt for the all carbon version of the Roubaix. I test road one and it was so stiff but compliant over the bumps. I hope this helps and if you check your local bike shop you should be able to find a leftover carbon in your price range. I spent $1400 for the one I bought.
On Fri, 11 Mar 2005 14:56:05 GMT, Bob Terrwilliger <bzt96XX@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hello there.>
I am in the market for a new bike. My current bike is almost 20 years>old . I am interested in carbon or ti. and there seems to be a lot of>info on carbon bikes. But I am having a difficult time finding>recommendations of Ti bikes. Itc ould be because of my price range, I>dont know. I want to spend 1500 to 2300 or so. the less the better. I>dont need the best out there, I only ride for pleasure, about 100-200>miles a week, and I do a century or two each year. >
Anyone out there have good or bad things to say about a particular Ti>bike they have or know about? any info would be helpful.
"Bill H." <billjitsu@charter.net> wrote in message news:1110559642.279358.40150@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com... .>
Comfort should be addressed by fit and frame material. If you specify> that you want to avoid aluminum frames, you should be able to find> something comfy. Some road riders are happy with an aluminum frame but> add a carbon fork for dampening the bumps, so that might be an option,> too.>
Bill---
Lots and lots of people have logged millions of miles on Cannondale touring bikes, and they have big ol' aluminum tubes and aluminum forks. The material is not the issue, I think. It's a matter of geometry and fit.
Mike Jacoubowsky 12 March 2005 09:33:50 [ permanent link ]
No..the cheaper the better! thanks for the recommendation and will> look into it.>
I do feel bad about going to a LBS just to get a proper size bike if I> plan on finding the cheapest place to buy it. ( does that even make> any sense?)
It often doesn't work that way; fit isn't always something that gets nailed in one session. A good LBS might be worth a lot more than whatever savings might be had elsewhere, because they're going to go out of their way to make sure your bike doesn't live its life in the garage. Fit is often dynamic; what seems OK on a trainer or brief test ride might prove otherwise as you add on the miles. It's not about frame size per se; the trick is how to set up a given bike for the particular rider. Seat setback & height; handlebar reach, width & tilt; seat-to-handlebar drop and saddle choice all come into play when fitting somebody to a bike. I'm sure I left something out, but it was a pretty long day today at the shop, with the stunning weather bringing in a lot of people for bikes.
But my point was that all those adjustments I spoke of go far beyond frame "size" and often require fine tuning down the road. That can make the difference between a garage decoration and something that you can stand to walk past without wanting to get out and ride.
I am in the market for a new bike. My current bike is almost 20
years> >old . I am interested in carbon or ti. and there seems to be a lot
info on carbon bikes. But I am having a difficult time finding> >recommendations of Ti bikes. Itc ould be because of my price range,
dont know. I want to spend 1500 to 2300 or so. the less the better.
dont need the best out there, I only ride for pleasure, about
100-200> >miles a week, and I do a century or two each year.
Ron
After riding a GT steel bike for 7 years I just bought a Litespeed Siena--compact frame/ carbon seatstays. I do lots of centuries, double metrics and double doubles--all real hilly, and I was getting envious of the 16.5 lb bikes while I was on something pushing 22 lbs.
I tricked out the Litespeed, replacing most of the parts (for example RealDesign fork is supposedly harsh, so I upgraded to a Reynolds Ouzo Pro), and bought from a LBS--but I've seen a stock Litespeed Siena at REI with year old wheels for @$2700
Was the new bike it worth it, and is ti a magical material? The Siena is not the lightest ti out there as it has oversized tubes, and I didn't want something whippy. It came in slightly over 18 lbs, so I still lost 3-3 1/2 lbs from my old bike. On long climbs it feels better, but hard to tell. On short sprints/ climbs that I can power over rollers the acceleration is better than on my old bike.
On the flats acceleration also seems a little better, but I would be hard pressed to prove that I am going any faster. I haven't taken the Litespeed out for 100 mile syet so don't know if more comfortable than my GT 853 steel bike--but so far I haven't noticed any great "legendary ti feel;" in fact the steel bike may be a bit more comfortable. (but I'm still moving the seat around on each ride--now pushed way back on the tight frame.)
The biggest bang for the buck I've gotten has been on the downhills--the Litespeed tracks sooooo much better than the GT, I'm not scrubbing speed/ riding the brakes like I did on the GT. I feel like I am in total control. However this goes back to fit/ size/ geometry--not the bike's material itself.
Of course ti doesn't rust or scratch--but I negated the latter by having the bike painted orange--logically dysfunctional but asthetically necessary for me.
Bartow W. Riggs 12 March 2005 12:21:48 [ permanent link ]
A Cannondale T-2000. It is by far the most comfortable bike I own.
When this bike is loaded down it is _sooooo_ comfy
For Ti, I enjoy my Manhatten Project...
"Gooserider" <noway@mousepotato.com> wrote in message news:fhsYd.134462$qB6.84245@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...>
"Bill H." <billjitsu@charter.net> wrote in message> news:1110559642.279358.40150@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...> .>>
Comfort should be addressed by fit and frame material. If you specify>> that you want to avoid aluminum frames, you should be able to find>> something comfy. Some road riders are happy with an aluminum frame but>> add a carbon fork for dampening the bumps, so that might be an option,>> too.>>
Bill--->
Lots and lots of people have logged millions of miles on Cannondale> touring bikes, and they have big ol' aluminum tubes and aluminum forks. > The> material is not the issue, I think. It's a matter of geometry and fit. >
Lots and lots of people have logged millions of miles on
Cannondale> touring bikes, and they have big ol' aluminum tubes and aluminum forks. The> material is not the issue, I think. It's a matter of geometry and fit.
I agree, but point out that most, if not all, Cannondale touring bikes (I have one) use steel forks. I don't tour, but do "ultra-cycling" rides on my Cannondale. If the bike "beat me up" I certainly wouldn't.
Just wondering. whats the difference between the sheldon brown> habanero and one from the company direct? I mean besides sheldon sells> the ultegra equiped one cheaper than the company. ( I assume he does> this thru volume!)
Sheldon puts conservative, durable, 36 spoke wheels on the bike. These are almost impossible to find nowadays. Plus there's a custom cassette for more hill-friendly gearing. There's also a Brooks saddle, if you like that.
Just wondering. whats the difference between the sheldon brown>> habanero and one from the company direct? I mean besides sheldon sells>> the ultegra equiped one cheaper than the company. ( I assume he does>> this thru volume!)>
Sheldon puts conservative, durable, 36 spoke wheels on the bike.
I normally stay out of these threads, but can't help but point out the irony of Sheldon being more conservative than me...
Just wondering. whats the difference between the sheldon brown>>>habanero and one from the company direct? I mean besides sheldon sells>>>the ultegra equiped one cheaper than the company. ( I assume he does>>>this thru volume!)>>
Sheldon puts conservative, durable, 36 spoke wheels on the bike. >
I normally stay out of these threads, but can't help but point out the> irony of Sheldon being more conservative than me...
Based on his past off-topic posts and his support of the Cheney/Rove administration, I would call Mr. Hickey's politics regressive/reactionary, not conservative.
The US had a conservative president from 1993-2001, and the Republicans displayed much hatred for him.
David L. Johnson 14 March 2005 04:54:50 [ permanent link ]
On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 17:31:07 -0600, Tom Sherman wrote:
Instead of a simple, single-payer plan ("Medicare for all"), Hillary et > at came up with one that combined the worst features of the current > system and government bureaucracy.
Speaking as a die-hard leftist, I respectfully have to agree completely. The Clinton health-care plan was half-assed in many directions at once.
"Zoot Katz" <zootkatz@operamail.com> wrote in message news:qpte31phh9dlhv8eaggjehcsg5r6pkijs8@4ax.com...> Mon, 14 Mar 2005 23:52:58 -0900,> <9h8d31d43aub06hgr6bvsj8mgkrp5kj3ov@4ax.com>,> NO_SPAM_TO_dpharris@gci.net (Dennis P. Harris) wrote:>
On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 18:44:48 -0600 in rec.bicycles.misc, Tom> >Sherman <tsherman@qconline.com> wrote:> >
I will steel myself for the next bad pun on rec.bicycles.misc.> >>
"Zoot Katz" <zootkatz@operamail.com> wrote in message>news:qpte31phh9dlhv8eaggjehcsg5r6pkijs8@4ax.com...>> Mon, 14 Mar 2005 23:52:58 -0900,>> <9h8d31d43aub06hgr6bvsj8mgkrp5kj3ov@4ax.com>,>> NO_SPAM_TO_dpharris@gci.net (Dennis P. Harris) wrote:>>
On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 18:44:48 -0600 in rec.bicycles.misc, Tom>> >Sherman <tsherman@qconline.com> wrote:>> >
I will steel myself for the next bad pun on rec.bicycles.misc.>> >>
Neil Brooks wrote:> "Gooserider" <noway@mousepotato.com> wrote:>
"Zoot Katz" <zootkatz@operamail.com> wrote in message>> news:qpte31phh9dlhv8eaggjehcsg5r6pkijs8@4ax.com...>>> Mon, 14 Mar 2005 23:52:58 -0900,>>> <9h8d31d43aub06hgr6bvsj8mgkrp5kj3ov@4ax.com>,>>> NO_SPAM_TO_dpharris@gci.net (Dennis P. Harris) wrote:>>>
On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 18:44:48 -0600 in rec.bicycles.misc, Tom>>>> Sherman <tsherman@qconline.com> wrote:>>>>
I will steel myself for the next bad pun on rec.bicycles.misc.>>>>>
