Fifty Plus (50+) - Calfee Tetra Pro

I am returning to biking after a number of years. I will turn 51 this upcoming Summer. I have joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training to do the Century Ride in June around Lake Tahoe.

My current bike is a 2000, I believe, Specialized Sirrus that seems to already be "old school" with regards to fine adjustments - old style stem and seatpost. I also think the top tube is a bit short for my longer torso. I am 6' even with a 33" inseam, and the bike is a 58cm.

I have been offered the above mentioned bike in a 60cm frame - probably a 2002 version - for $2000. That's a heck of a lot more than I ever have paid for a bike, but I understand it is an excellent bike that will proabably outlast me.

I live in Fresno, so I am pretty close to the guy who makes them if there is a problem. The bike was recently tuned by the Calfee dealer in Fresno who reports that it is in phenomenal shape.

According to my wife, the only way I can get this is to sell something else I love. A beautiful, vintage, 1969 Gibson ES-330.

My question? Is it worth it?

Thanks,

Brian

Today is Valentine's Day. Did you get something nice for her? Serenade her with your guitar. Then why don't you ask for the bike?

I don't play. I simply collect. I believe she feels that collecting in one hobby at a time is all she is willing to support.

Well, we both ski, so there is a third hobby, but guitars and bikes is mine alone.

Do you sing? You could also hold the guitar for effect.

people tend to leave the room running when I sing.

I think the guitar's a gonner. I hope the bike is as good as everyone says it is!

???? Why not read some online reviews tonight of the Tetra Pro (e.g. Road Bike Review), then go ride it and imagine any adjustments in terms of saddle height and stem length that it would take to make it more comfy than your Specialized. If you discover it really fits-like-a-glove and is smooth as a magic carpet ride-- and it carries you around the Lake and on to greater cycling pleasure, then probably worth it. But to give up the guitar for a bike, as cf DuraAce slick as it may be, with a problematic fit will be very upsetting.

Check out this: http://fresno.craigslist.org/bik/276812409.html

It's a listing in Fresno for a 60cm Calfee Tetra Pro at $2200. Coincidence?

I expect to go ride it tomorrow and make the decision.

Nice searching! Are you a Librarian too? I am.

Using trumps collecting, so if the bike fits and you'll ride it, allow the Gibson to go to someone who'll play it. That's what they are made for, not just looking nice.

Would you like to do a century on that Sirrus?
Never the twang shall bike meet.

I expect to go ride it tomorrow and make the decision.

Nice searching! Are you a Librarian too? I am.

Good luck with the ride....and don't be swayed by the glamor of the bike as I would be. You're picking out a wife, so to speak, not a vixen-girlfriend........although some men are lucky enough to find both-in-one.

****Yes, I have a degree in Library Science, but currently am a classroom teacher. Perhaps we should have Melvil Dewey as our avatar?

Using trumps collecting, so if the bike fits and you'll ride it, allow the Gibson to go to someone who'll play it. That's what they are made for, not just looking nice.

The reality is, the best price will be paid by a collector. At the current price of a '69 330 regular players have lots of better options. The real question is, will the OP continue to ride and enjoy the bike after their century goal is achieved. If so it may be worth it. If he is not sure, perhaps a significantly cheaper bike that fits properly would be a better choice. Once the Gibson is gone it is gone, and its value is only going to go up in the future.

The reality is, the best price will be paid by a collector. At the current price of a '69 330 regular players have lots of better options.

I'm sure that's true and it makes good business sense, but it's a crying shame. Guitars should be played and bicycles should be ridden.

Pedal steel guitar

Pedal steel guitar

:lol:

According to my wife, the only way I can get this is to sell something else I love. A beautiful, vintage, 1969 Gibson ES-330.

My question? Is it worth it?

No way, my man, cuz once that Gibson is gone, you won't get it back.

There are many many bikes out there and since you are returning to cycling, ride the one you've got for awhile then upgrade. Two grand is a helluva lotta bucks for a bike by anyone's standards (there are many who will argue with me on this point) and lots of bikes that can be tested, ridden, sold, swapped that won't create the kind of investment conflict that this one seems to be making.

Of course, this is my opinion based on some beloved items I sold to get different items that just weren't worth it in the long term. Now I have neither...

No way, my man, cuz once that Gibson is gone, you won't get it back.

There are many many bikes out there and since you are returning to cycling, ride the one you've got for awhile then upgrade. Two grand is a helluva lotta bucks for a bike by anyone's standards (there are many who will argue with me on this point) and lots of bikes that can be tested, ridden, sold, swapped that won't create the kind of investment conflict that this one seems to be making.

Of course, this is my opinion based on some beloved items I sold to get different items that just weren't worth it in the long term. Now I have neither...

Keep the Gibson and keep the bike. The bike May be a bit old school and before trying for a new bike- Try a longer stem on it. The new sirrus will not be that different to the old one And If I had to get a nerw bike- I would find something cheaper and that would be as good. Then I would definitely keep the Gibson.

Bl&&dy H*ll- To me it is a choice between the Gibson and the wife- And the gibson would still be a keeper.

Bl&&dy H*ll- To me it is a choice between the Gibson and the wife- And the gibson would still be a keeper.

Keep the one you would use the most, not just look at.

tomorrow, and going 45 miles on my tuned and adjusted as much as possible Sirrus on Saturday.

I'll make the decision after that ride.

I tend to agree that guitars should be played and bikes should be ridden. I don't do the former, and I plan on doing the latter, so I'm leaning towards making the deal.

A bonus is that my older brother who lives about 3 hours away is interested in buying and playing the guitar, and giving me visitation, and re-purchase, rights.

Seems like having my cake and eating it too.

You'll l-o-v-e the c/f Calfee! Plus it'll make that Lake Tahoe ride/climb a bit easier too.

At 6' and a 33" inseam, I think the 60cm Calfee (assuming it's a center-top measurement) is probably the right size for your upper body (probably a 59cm top tube, but may be a bit large for the inseam. I'm 6'1" with a 34" inseam and a 58cm frame with a 57 or 58cm top tube is just perfect. It's always better to err on the small side; you can always get a longer stem or seatpost (although the handling might be a little squirrely).

The Gibson 330 has a big problem; the cutaway meets the fretboard at around the 12th or 15th fret, as I recall. The ES-335 and 345 (stereo model, the one BB King uses) meet the fretboard at around the 19th fret, so getting to the final 21st fret is no problem. Ya can't do that with a 330, which is why I've never considered it. The 330 limits what you can do, or at least makes it somewhat of a nuisance to play really high notes; I've never considered it a player's guitar, more of a collector's. (I play classical guitar, but I own a 1975 Les Paul Deluxe. All the Les Pauls let you get to the 21st fret, and they hold their value better).

- L.

At 6' and a 33" inseam, I think the 60cm Calfee (assuming it's a center-top measurement) is probably the right size for your upper body (probably a 59cm top tube, but may be a bit large for the inseam. I'm 6'1" with a 34" inseam and a 58cm frame with a 57 or 58cm top tube is just perfect. It's always better to err on the small side; you can always get a longer stem or seatpost (although the handling might be a little squirrely).

+1 I am 6 feet with a 33 inseam. I have a Trek Madone 56 cm frame with an effective top tube 56.2 cm and a angle of 73.5 deg. I suggest getting professionally fitted. The 60cm seems too big.

I'm not so sure it would be too big. One big factor is are we talking pant size inseam or true cycling inseam (from the floor in bare feet to a hard hit on the pubic bone)?
Also, I prefer to err to the large side for comfort. Makes it easier to get the handlebars at a reasonable height. But not to the point that you can't straddle the top tube.
<edit> but getting professionally fitted is still a good idea

I say no, don't sell the gibson.
late 60's ES330s are selling in the neighborhood
of $4000.
The Calfee will continue to depreciate (in financial terms)
but the Gibson will only get more and more expensive to replace.
Given the choice I would upgrade the Specialized and keep the axe.

marty

Don't you have anything else to trade besides the Gibson?

Why not take the Specialized down to a shop you trust, ask them to check it out for fit-- and what can they do to maximize its comfort for long riding. Maybe a lot, maybe not much. If they can help you get into higher mileage with it....then either your "need" for the Calfee will leave or your wife, admiring your hard won miles and commitment, will relent and agree to bike upgrade w/o selling the Gibson. There will be many a sweet bike come your way besides this particular Calfee.

It seems to be somewhat rare, but mine is one of the ones that meet at the 19th fret as opposed to the broader variety that meet at the 17th fret.

It seems to be a 1969 with a Cherry Finish - Blue book says it's worth between $2, 750 and $3,000.

I need $2,00 for the bike.

It is sweet. I can stand over the bar. It's tight but there is some clearance. The fit to the bhandle bars is far superior, and the bike rides like a dream.

It is the only bike I have ever seen that rivals, in pure beauty of the finish, that of the my Gibson guitar.

I have had the the Specialized fitted for me, with the handle bars raised. I ride 40 miles tomorrow on it.

I will decide after that ride what to do.

Someone asked if I had anything else to sell to get the $2K needed. On as easily. I have a beautiful Fender Princeton tube amp make in April 1964. It is a fabulous blues amp that is easily portable, but the value seems to fluctuate wildly. I have seen it as high as $1,500 3 years ago, but recently they've been selling on eBay for about $750.

I have two Fender Squire Stratocasters (black), a pink Ibanez Strat knock-off and an Ibanez Fender P-Bass knock-off - each of which is only worth about $100-$150 a piece.

Ooh, a pre-CBS Blackface Princeton. :love: Now that is something this harpoon man would never sell. I've been kicking myself for 10 years for passing up one of those.:cry:

had a Calfee - strangely never really like'd it - mainly cause it was green. & it did seem heavy. Now got a Madone. Love it!@!!!!I'd try both till you find the one you really can;t do without.

I spoke to Craig Calfee and he wants to have me bring it to him for "stiffening" before he re-instates the 25 year warranty. So, I'll be stripping it and driving it to his shop on Friday.

I spoke to Craig Calfee and he wants to have me bring it to him for "stiffening" before he re-instates the 25 year warranty. So, I'll be stripping it and driving it to his shop on Friday.

So, you bought the Calfee? Did you sell the guitar? How does "stiffening" work and why would they have to do it? If I were from Mars, I would conclude that repeated riding tenderizes and softens the frame. Or, Hardheadmandca, is this some velo-macho-erotico sort of thing. If so, we've all (female cyclists excepted) I'm sure experienced it. Hence, slotted saddles.

I pick up the bike on Thursday morning.

I sold the guitar and amp to my brother, so I'll get visitation rights.

As for stiffening, I assume they are adding more carbon to critical areas. Craig thought my size, 6' and 270 pounds, required it.

As for possible erotic options, that comes with the paint job, I guess. It truly is hot!

Great!

I got rid of my 70s vintage Raleigh Competition (talk about "old school") and not a day goes by that I don't regret it.

Bikes are a mature technology and bikes like my old Raleigh, far older than your Sirrus, are capable of giving satisfaction for years to come. Changes and improvements, while real, have been incremental and far less than the marketeers would have you believe. Replacement parts and upgrades are not that hard to find.

Keep the Sirrus and the Gibson. Maybe use the money you'd have spent on some guitar lessons?

Oh, dang, nevermind: read your last post. At least the Gibson is in good hands!