Road Cycling - Seven Odonata, Serotta Legend Ti, Calfee, Moots Suspension? HELP PLEASE!

Hi Everyone,

I'm a long time aluminum rider (currently Klein Quantum w/Ultegra set up) who is thinking hard about making the jump to either Ti, Carbon, or a mix, and in custom form. Primary reason: comfort (back pain, hand numbness), fit, ride quality (silky smooth please).

I'm mostly a recreational rider who can be coaxed into a tri every now and then. Most rides are between 20 and 60 miles with my base loop being around 35 and an occassional century. Average speed around 15-16 on my base ride. I'm generally more of a spinner than a masher, though I like to drop the hammer sometimes and really fly (especially downhill ). I'm 5'11, 185 if that matters in the consideration.

I'm very new to the various advanced materials, pros and cons of each, why/when to mix them (if ever), etc. I'd really appreciate any thoughts you guys have on the following makes/models, and why I might prefer one to the other (cost aside):

-Seven Odonata (the Ti/Carbon mix)
-Seven Axion (Ti)
-Serotta Legend Ti
-Serotto Ottrott (Ti/Carbon mix)
-Calfee (carbon)
-Moots (Ti suspension)

Please don't flame me for being one of those guys with $5k burning a hole in their pocket. I know I'm in a fortunate situation, and I'd appreciate constructive thoughts.

Best and thanks in advance,
Tony

Tony,

You might also want to post inquiries here (http://www.hydromedia.com/) . There are many helpful and friendly people there.

Good luck,
Mike

Hey thanks so much...I'll do that!
Tony

[QUOTE]Originally posted by anthonymoody
[
Please don't flame me for being one of those guys with $5k burning a hole in their pocket.





I think very few guys would get on your case,on the contrary, most of us are jealous

I have a seven Axiom Ti and love it. If you know the kind of "feel" you want the bike to have, Seven can build it. I have never regretted my purchase and after 2 years, there is still no other bike that I would rather have.

I have a Serotta Legend Ti and love it. If you know the kind of "feel" you want the bike to have, Serotta can build it. I have never regretted my purchase and after 1 year, there is still no other bike that I would rather have. :D

SteveE

If I were in your situation (in my dreams :rolleyes: ), I'd be leaning toward one of the Serottas. And since comfort and ride quality are primary factors, you might consider one of their high end steel frames, too. I'd do the whole thing, including the Serotta fit cycle, and mix their results with your experience.

Do carbon bikes have a reputation for ride quality? I thought their strong points were light weight and stiffness.

Carbon rides well, though the ones I've ridden (Trek 5200, Look 381, Colnago) all felt mushy and unresponsive to me. Plus, we get a few Kestrels and Treks that crack. Litespeed also does custom geometry (for an upcharge but no more expensive than the brands you mention). The nice things with them is that they're actually shaping their tubing in order to control directional stiffness and also cold work their tubing, making it up to 45% stronger than other companies' ti bikes. I could go on about the little things they do, but you probably already figure they are paying me anyway.

at your weight you (we) are considered clysdales in the cycling world, at least when it comes to exclusively carbon frames. if you are over 170 and plan on being for the immediate future i wouldn't go with an exclusively carbon frame. Ti with carbon fiber stays is the way to go here. that being said, there is a butted Ti with carbon stays that costs more, so that is the difference in Ti w/ CF stays.
I am looking at the Dean CTi but the seven is sweet. YOU CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON COMFORT. i'd go with the butted (not seamless) Ti w/ CF stays.
enjoy the process. Seven will call you personally and follow up with your frameset. their customer service is unparalleled.

Those all sound like great bikes. I would lean towards the Seven, but truthfully one reason for that is I would like to go to the factory and talk to them and have them
do the measuring. My personal take is that if you are buying a nice bike, it should last. A ti frame should last decades, but there is a real question mark hanging over carbon fiber. The military regularly replaces carbon fiber parts. There are concerns both over durability, and the nasty tendency carbon fiber has to fail completely, and without warning. The difference in performance and weight is going to be microscopic. But there is a real chance you will be able to ride a pure ti frame years or even decades longer than one with carbon fiber stays.

"Carbon rides well, though the ones I've ridden (Trek 5200, Look 381, Colnago) all felt mushy and unresponsive to me." - Waldo

Well I'm no pro but I can't imagine that many riders would be able to make my carbon Calfee feel mushy, and it was by FAR the most responsive bike I test rode.

My Calfee seems to fit the bill in all categories and I find it thrilling every time I go for a ride (4-5 times/wk)