I'm torn between two bikes. I had planned on buying Don's bike, but it's a 2002 frame (he says a new 2002 frame - I dunno how that can be). I just happened to be Talking to dana and he offered me his bike for 500 more. I need your opinion on the two bikes. For the 500 extra, Dana has offered to upgrade a NEW bike to a triple crank and a carbon tiller. If I get Don's then I get discs front and back but an out of warranty frame, yes? So what would you do? I hate trying to make decisions :)
Here's don's description of his bike:
brand new 2002 model with many upgrades. Upgrades include a carbon fiber seat, carbon boom, Velocity Thracian wheels, Avid Disc brakes, Ultegra front deraileur, SRAM PC-59 chain, Sram X-9 rear deraileur and X-9 Rapidfire shifters, Avid Speed Dial brake levers, Shimano 105 triple crank(black), Shimano XT 11-32 cassette, Optima seat cover, my own special graphics package on the frame, and parts to drop the chain. The bike is bright yellow, but unfortunately has one small scratch on it. I built it up from a frameset and found that the fork was defective, so I ordered a new fork a for it.
Here's a link to Dana's bike, though he's installing an extra large carbon seat, the carbon tiller, and a triple crank.
I'm torn between two bikes. I had planned on buying Don's bike, but it's a 2002 frame (he says a new 2002 frame - I dunno how that can be). I just happened to be Talking to dana and he offered me his bike for 500 more. I need your opinion on the two bikes. For the 500 extra, Dana has offered to upgrade a NEW bike to a triple crank and a carbon tiller. If I get Don's then I get discs front and back but an out of warranty frame, yes? So what would you do? I hate trying to make decisions :)
Here's don's description of his bike:
brand new 2002 model with many upgrades. Upgrades include a carbon fiber seat, carbon boom, Velocity Thracian wheels, Avid Disc brakes, Ultegra front deraileur, SRAM PC-59 chain, Sram X-9 rear deraileur and X-9 Rapidfire shifters, Avid Speed Dial brake levers, Shimano 105 triple crank(black), Shimano XT 11-32 cassette, Optima seat cover, my own special graphics package on the frame, and parts to drop the chain. The bike is bright yellow, but unfortunately has one small scratch on it. I built it up from a frameset and found that the fork was defective, so I ordered a new fork a for it.
Here's a link to Dana's bike, though he's installing an extra large carbon seat, the carbon tiller, and a triple crank.
Yes, Dons frame is a new frame from older stock. He got it from a company who went out of business. I don't know, its up to you. Either bike seems like a good deal to me. it may be a bit more hassle getting the one from Dana because you would still have to ship it to the horsey while Don would be bringing it up to you. I can't make that decision for you.
aikigreg
05-12-05, 05:47 PM
do the 02 frames have the gusset do you know?
lowracer1
05-12-05, 07:21 PM
No the 02 frames didn't have the reinforced gusset. The newer reinforced frames are .35 heavier also though. You may want to concider how long you will keep whichever particular bike you get. It took almost 3 years for my frameset to show any signs of fatiuge at the headtube area.
lowracer1
05-12-05, 07:24 PM
No the 02 frames didn't have the reinforced gusset. The newer reinforced frames are .35 heavier also though. You may want to concider how long you will keep whichever particular bike you get. It took almost 3 years for my frameset to show any signs of fatiuge at the headtube area.
If you are like me, you will be upgrading in another year or two anyhow, so is 500 bucks extra spending worth it now.......or use the 500 bucks towards other upgrades or accessories......... hydration packs, tires, tubes, chain......... the consumeables. I would expect you to have a carbon bike within a couple years anyhow, so spending extra now? hmmm I don't know. 500 bucks could get you a rotor crank setup on Don's baron for a nice upgrade feature.
aikigreg
05-12-05, 08:00 PM
yeah I thought about that too. Heck Dana's got a vk2 with rotrcranks for 3900 he's looking to sell, but afters some research, I see the vk2's aren't much for the street riding. I actually still want to be able to make turns on a two lane road with my bike. Otherwise I'd be getting his vk2.
So if I buy don's bike and spend the 375 for just the new tiller, I'm at only 125 less than Dana's bike. Therein lies the dillemma. However, I'm also thinking the sram componentry on Don's bike is going to be better than the currently componentry on Dana's, with whatever triple crank he finds to throw on there, y'know?
lowracer1
05-12-05, 09:02 PM
uhhh........where'd you get the idea that vk-2's weren't that great for road riding? You've got it backwards. The vk-2 will turn in a smaller radius than a baron. I can turn around in less than one lane with the vk-2. The nocom on the other hand is a totally different story.
Because the vk-2 has a slightly shorter wheelbase plus the offset fork, tighter turns are easier to do compared to the baron. I've got a baron and a vk-2, so I know this statement to be fact.
BlazingPedals
05-13-05, 05:46 AM
Here's my take: If you have Dana take off the Rotors and install Ultegra, you might end up getting Dana's cheaper than Don's. But the most important detail is the color. :) Don's is yellow.
aikigreg
05-13-05, 03:45 PM
When ti comes down to it, I think I can't NOT go with Dana's. I hate to have wasted Don's time, but a newer, under warranty frame plus the carbon tiller for only a little more just sells me on it. It is also screaming yellow :).
Will you guys help me put it together and drop the chain with one of Don's idlers? You don't lose much turning ability with it, do you? And gain a lot of efficiency, yes?
BlazingPedals
05-13-05, 08:23 PM
You lose a little maneuverability, but nothing you'll notice outside of the parking lot. Chris and I have a few difficulties with the hairpin at Kensington (about a 30 degree acute-angle corner,) whereas before I dropped the chain it was a non-event. Otherwise it's no problem. For your troubles, you gain a *little* in efficiency. It's a tradeoff. I'm considering putting my chain tube back on the power side, because the chain still gets the fork every time I use the granny ring.
aikigreg
05-14-05, 06:49 AM
Is there a way to use an idler that won't wear down and NOT drop the chain, then?
Also, I've actually got the go-ahead from my wife to buy the VK2, but I can't afford a tailbox. I know I can't use a seatpack like the carbom slim - I guess there's basically no clearance between the seat and the tire.
You guys know a clever method to carry a few things - energy bar/gel, two spare tubes, small pump - that kind of stuff? I was thinking about maybe buying a second fastback ls and taking the bladder out and installing it on the right side. Would that be big enough? I haven't gotten my first one in the mail yet.
BlazingPedals
05-14-05, 07:28 AM
Greg, I used my Baron for years without dropping the chain. With a Greenspeed or Terracycles idler, the system works fine. The chintzy stock power idler is really the biggest problem. If you get the VK2, I think you should still be able to use the Carbon Fastback LS, with the proviso that Chris will have to verify that the chain doesn't get in the way of the straps.
Trsnrtr
05-14-05, 04:17 PM
OK, I've been following this soap opera for awhile and have a couple of questions.
How small can a VK2 be configured? I'm 5'7" with a 40.5" x-seam.
Is Don's Baron advertised somewhere or is it word of mouth?
I've got lowracer lust but haven't been able to run in to too many available bikes. I do know of a NOS Discus south of Chicago but that's about it. I'd consider a road trip if I knew of an available bike, though I'm not sure I'm ready; more of a dreaming state at the moment.
-Dennis
aikigreg
05-14-05, 06:21 PM
email me at aikigreg@hotmail.com and I'll give you all the info.
aikigreg
05-14-05, 08:02 PM
Hey Chris, can you email me your phone number, if you don't mind, and I'll email you mine - I've just got some questions that take too long to answer here. Considering taking the plunge and getting both the vk2 and the tailbox, but I'd need your help to get it all straight for the horsey.