General Cycling Discussion - Titanium choices

I am seriously considering the purchas of a Seven Odonata, possibly the Axiom. I'm also very interested in hearing any opinions of which ti bikes anyone is riding they wouldn't trade for another. This is a lot of money and I want to explore as many makes as possible but at the same level of quality.
Thanks

you are considering a seven and want other opinions? seven is the one.

Check out Merlin, Litespeed and my personal choice.
Serotta. Bothe Merlin and Serotta have a Ti/Cf hybrid bike
(Cielo and Ottrott respectively).
I like the Serotta Geometries, and their build quality
but its mosly personal choice.
As long as you're in the stratospherically expensive frame
catagory you might check Colnago, Orbea, Fondriest
etc. for ti/cf bikes.

Good luck,
Marty

I bought Litespeed Tuscany couple of weeks ago and like it a lot. I tried Merlins and couple of other Litespeeds, but liked the Tuscany the best, but will probably wonder from time to time if I should have gotten something else. I actually did not like the Ti/CB hybrids as much as the Ti only bike (but they are all great). I am lucky that I am of "typical" proportions, so I can be fitted very easily with production bikes, otherwise SEVEN being custom has that special benefit. As a small point, the welding on the Litespeeds is out of this world, smoother and cleaner than many others. Anyway, the IMHO the most important is fit, otherwise it is just about impossible to make significant mistake if you pick any of these gorgeous bikes.

Good luck

Pavel

In addition to what Marty wrote, you can also get a Serotta Legend Ti with CF seat stays.

I have a Litespeed Tuscany. Wouldn't trade it for anything!! :love: :beer:
Well maybe I could be persuaded to trade it for a Litespeed Vortex. :eek: :D

My Merlin Agilis is very comfy and very agile. :blush:

Oh yeah... I've got a Serotta Legend Ti that I would not trade for a Seven.

I have a Seven Axiom Ti. Adore it. I decided to go custom with Seven because I am a short female with long legs and because I have a history of wrist problems. (carpal tunnel. whee.) Seven worked with my dealer to figure out what would fit and what won't bug my wrists. The result is a gorgeous Joyce-sized bike that rides like silk yet very lively and responsive. I wouldn't trade it for anything. :)

However, what works for me is not necessarily what works for you. As previous posters have mentioned, it'll come down to fit and personal preference. All the frames mentioned in this thread are fabulous. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

-joyce

The Lemond '03 Tete de Course is a combination of butted, shaped Reynolds Titanium and OCLV 110 carbon. The fork is a Reynolds Ouzo Pro with carbon steerer.

The Lemond '03 Victoire is butted and shaped Reynolds 3/2.5 tubing, mechanically butted W/butted and tapered stays. The fork is a Bontrager Race Lite Carbon w/110 GSM Blades. (Will be getting mine some time in the next week). :D


The head set for each is a Cane Creek Internal.

Lemond also offers a custom program that will allow you to build it any way you want!

http://lemond.hansondodge.com/options/index.html

You might consider Fondriest's line of Italian Racing framesets. My Titan Level 9 dream bike has 500 miles on it since purchase 2 months ago. :D

The main triangle is constructed of 3Al/2.5V titanium @53cm, with a hexagonal downtube for enough stiffness for the burly riders like me @210lbs. The Ti main triangle is built from US made Sandvik Ti and constructed in the main Fondriest facility in Padova. Headset is Fondriest Integrated and Fork is Fondriest Domin McFull Carbon Fiber, made by Mizuno. My Titan level 9 has a carbon fiber monocoque rear triangle with Carbon Fiber dropouts and is constructed in Fondriest Carbon production facility in Imola, Italy. Directionally-layered carbon fibers to pair comfort and torsional rigidity like no other ti frame. The two components are bonded together in Imola, then returned to Padova for final prep. Fondriest uses F1-quality ultra-high modulus carbon, the frame is very light, only 1.2kg for my 53cm frame. Being an old far*, :rolleyes: comfort is primary for very long hilly rides and once in proper shape, local old man racing :)

To many choices, so little time lift for riding. Good Luck!
:beer: