I want to spend my books/food/gas/entry-fee money for next semester on any one of those so badly.
How many people are going titanium?

does the Evoke come with a fork?

^^yes

Saw the Copper frame color on the Kestrel RT700 today at the LBS. Very sweet color!! the guy said they stole the color from Range Rover or Land Rover, I am not sure which one he said.

Somebody needs to talk me out of (or into) buying the Bottechia frameset which seems deceptively inexpensive. But if I want it to be a real upgrade over my current setup (105/Tiagra mix, aluminum frame) it's going to be fairly spendy.

Damn bikes.

Trust me, you will love the frame. It rides really nice!

sorry is that a full carbon fork?
thanks

^^yes

full carbon fork, full carbon frame

Is the RT700 a complete carbon fork?

BD should really update their site to say that they won't ship outside U.S.

BD should really update their site to say that they won't ship outside U.S.

Since when is Toronto outside the U.S.?

BD should really update their site to say that they won't ship outside U.S.
I'm pretty sure Toronto is outside the green area...unlike there was a major earthquake I didn't feel.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/ship_info.html

What is the 50mm tubulars made up of?
Gigantex rims? and what else?

Is the RT700 a complete carbon fork?

No. carbon fork, alloy steerer tube.

BD should really update their site to say that they won't ship outside U.S.

I thought Mike said they ship outside the U.S. all the time. I'm pretty sure it's in the group buy thread.

^^yes

full carbon fork, full carbon frame

One comment - could be aluminum steerer. Not sure about that.

One comment - could be aluminum steerer. Not sure about that.

Sure looks aluminum to me...

And if Toronto is outside the U.S. they should give up that MLB franchise.

And if Toronto is outside the U.S. they should give up that MLB franchise.

Surely you jest. Last time I checked U.S. means United States, of which Ontario is not one.

As for BD not shipping outside the U.S., that topic has been hashed to death. Mike has to abide by some very strict licensing rules that prohibit him from shipping certain brandnames outside of U.S. Not sure, though, if Kestrel is one of those brandnames.

Does anyone know if these framesets (specifically the Kestrel Evoke and/or the Botteccia) come with the headtube and bottom bracket shell already faced? How about the fork crown? From the picture of the Evoke frame in this thread, the fork
crown at least does not look faced (third picture on page 10).

Surely you jest. Last time I checked U.S. means United States, of which Ontario is not one.

As for BD not shipping outside the U.S., that topic has been hashed to death. Mike has to abide by some very strict licensing rules that prohibit him from shipping certain brandnames outside of U.S. Not sure, though, if Kestrel is one of those brandnames.

I emailed BD about shipping to Canada. They said that I would have to arrange the shipping from their warehouse to my house.

Meaning I have to arrange for something like UPS or Fedex to pickup from where they have the frame and then send it to me, and I will have the pay the full cost of shipping.

Oh and also, they will not accept credit card, only bank transfer.:(

That will not be cheap and I lose the free shipping from the group buy. This pretty much negates much of the good pricing.:mad:

Surely you jest.

Why would I ever post anything serious on BF? Silly Canuck. Back to your hockey and seal clubbing. I'm still waiting for a letter of apology from Ottowa for Canada exporting DocRay's posts to the USA.

I emailed BD about shipping to Canada. They said that I would have to arrange the shipping from their warehouse to my house.

Meaning I have to arrange for something like UPS or Fedex to pickup from where they have the frame and then send it to me, and I will have the pay the full cost of shipping.

Oh and also, they will not accept credit card, only bank transfer.:(

That will not be cheap and I lose the free shipping from the group buy. This pretty much negates much of the good pricing.:mad:

Find a Buffalo address - and drive there to pick it up. I've lived in Canada for 30 years of my life, and I must say, shopping in Canada SUX!

Find a Buffalo address - and drive there to pick it up. I've lived in Canada for 30 years of my life, and I must say, shopping in Canada SUX!
Docray says there's a special place in Canadian hell just for you.

for those of us that like our frames plain, would it be hard to remove the decals off of the Ti frames?

I shopped other Ti hard tail bikes. Example: Dean Scout hard tail with similar package: almost $4K, double the price. Once you get past the Faux Motobecane/Bottecchia/Really Taiwanese Lack of Bling Factor on these bikes it's kind of a no-brainer. And considering the fact that 98% of all bike industry stuff seems to be coming from the same Pacific Rim outsource factories, what's the difference? A Dean Scout is made by the elves @ Dean's shop here in the USA? As long as the BD bike doesn't snap in half what do I care? And even if it does they'll replace it as long as they're in business. I think they will be. The BD business model would appear to work. Every bike weenie wants another bike, and BD makes it much more affordable. I've wanted a Ti hardtail for 10 years. Never bought one, they were always too pricey for me to justify with my limited MTB use. But this price was too good to pass up.

I would also like an answer on the Ti frame decal question. Are they under clear?

After buying a light road bike this year, my 28 pound Giant Trance MTB feels like a tank. I'm thinking about the Ti hard tail, but I question if it will hold up with a 215 pound rider.

Judging from the photo gallery, it appears that the TEAM version of the Le Champion Ti has only 20 spokes in the rear wheel whereas the SL version has 24. I have checked the Richey website but can't seem to find a Protocol with only 20 spokes for the rear. I have not checked hub availablity. Is this correct?

I seem to remember someone posting a question earlier about spoke count and weight limits which should apply here as well. The brief specs provided by BD do not indicate a difference in the wheelsets between the TEAM and SL. What should the buyers of the TEAM version expect for spoke count?

OH, I see... the hubs are different... nevermind. :)

Thanks Mike! Just ordered the Vuelta tubulars, and sent Lindsay the e-mail. Happy Holidays...

for those of us that like our frames plain, would it be hard to remove the decals off of the Ti frames?

Obviously since these are not out yet, I can't answer for certain. I have owned 6 Motos so far and all of them have come with the decals under the clearcoat making it very difficult to remove. I always liked the way they look, so it never bothered me, but I know others don't care for the decals on the frames because they don't want anyone to know they are riding a Moto or because they like the frame to be bare metal.

I have seen on another forum where someone, I believe, carefully cut the clearcoat around the decal and was able to then remove them. After that, they lightly sanded and then sprayed it with a light coating of clear. Minor indentation was left behind if I remember correctly , but not very noticeable. To me, it looks as though the Ti models have paint instead of decals, but I'm probably wrong.

Mike, any insight on this? Are they decals or paint on the new Ti models?

Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think they would clear coat over bare titanium. The logo doesn't brother me and I dig the retro head badge too. I can't wait till I get the Titanium bike.

Steve

Any work on the sizing for the Ti road bike? I placed my order and I'm waiting for the official sizing info so I can tell Lindsay.

I'd love to know a few more details about the wheels (Rim is Gigantex? What is the hub? etc)
I am extremely tempted to buy the clincher wheels, but I'm having trouble justifying it based on a picture.

Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think they would clear coat over bare titanium. The logo doesn't brother me and I dig the retro head badge too. I can't wait till I get the Titanium bike.

Mike said in the other thread that they'd be clear coated over. You have been corrected.

I have questions which were probably already answered, but here goes anyway.

This is in reference to the carbon frames which are listed as "naked":

Can you see the carbon fiber weaves?

Is there a picture of the frame anywhere?

Lastly, what is the fork that comes with the frame set? Is it naked as well? As in you can see the fiber weaving.

I really would like to get this set, but buying sight unseen is always difficult.

I have a question which was probably already answered, but here goes anyway.

This is in reference to the carbon frames which are listed as "naked":

Can you see the carbon fiber weaves?

Is there a picture of the frame anywhere?

Lastly, what is the fork that comes with the frame set?

Naked refers to no badging or stickers.

Check the first page for images.

I am sure it has been asked somewhere in the two threads, but I didn't see it. When buying one of the full bikes, is there any way to specify crank length, handlebar width, and stem lenght? If so where?

Naked refers to no badging or stickers.

Check the first page for images.

There are no images on the first page. Try clicking the link and you will see what I mean. the only products without images are the "Naked" bikes.

I am sure it has been asked somewhere in the two threads, but I didn't see it. When buying one of the full bikes, is there any way to specify crank length, handlebar width, and stem lenght? If so where?

No, there isn't. It's all over the thread that there will be no customization - you take what you get.

For everyone who wants to strip the logos off their frame, bookmark this thread.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=92057

I can't see why it'd be any different on titanium than steel, but maybe someone else can set the record straight.

Also, stated in previous posts, stripping the logos off the frame will void your warranty.

Any work on the sizing for the Ti road bike? I placed my order and I'm waiting for the official sizing info so I can tell Lindsay.

+1

I realize some numbers were posted in the orginal never-ending thread, but would like to confirm. I just bought a Trek 1500 (54cm - if anyone can chime in on what that translates to in the Ti i would appreciate it) in August now I have to justify a Ti purchase. Perhaps an offset with a very nice christmas present.

.

Mike, any insight on this? Are they decals or paint on the new Ti models?

Some people remove decals
all of ours are under clear coat - as that is most professional looking

When removing decals; customers must weigh the cost in appearance and warranty
I think all brands void warranty on bikes stripped of decals [for obviuos reasons]
and reduces the resale value of a bike

The 2008 Moto sitre will be more clear cut on the this point

But if one must remove decals - Ti would be best; steel and aluminum next; I would never remove a decal on a carbon bike

We are going to import more 'naked' frames for the 'anti decal & branding 'set
in all materials

Did the Envoke gallery get put up today Mike?

thanks

+1

I realize some numbers were posted in the orginal never-ending thread, but would like to confirm. I just bought a Trek 1500 (54cm - if anyone can chime in on what that translates to in the Ti i would appreciate it) in August now I have to justify a Ti purchase. Perhaps an offset with a very nice christmas present.

The 51(M) Ti has an effective top tube(which is what matters since this is a sloping TT design) of 54cm and a stand-over height of 29.9 inches.
The 53(ML) has an ETT of 55cm and a stand-over of 30.6 inches.

I think a 54cm Trek 1500 has a top tube of around 54.5 cm. Dunno what the stand-over is for the 1500(probably close to that of the 51cm Ti bike though), but you can measure it easily enough. Looks as though if you'd like a Ti bike close in size to what you have or maybe a tiny bit smaller the 51cm would be the choice or if you'd like a Ti bike slightly larger the 53cm would be it.

There are no images on the first page. Try clicking the link and you will see what I mean. the only products without images are the "Naked" bikes.

Check again. The first post of this thread has pics. The third pic from the top is that of the Bottechia (but with the stickers applied). If you MUST see it as it comes without stickers, search Bike Forums for "Bottecchia Group Buy". There you will see not only the way they come from BD, but many pictures of how some folks set theirs up once they received them.
From what I remember of that thread, the weave is a 12k weave (similar to the way it looks on a Scott CR1) which means that the overlapping "squares" are large instead of the tiny squares you commonly see on most carbon forks, chainstays, etc.

Why would I ever post anything serious on BF? Silly Canuck. Back to your hockey and seal clubbing. I'm still waiting for a letter of apology from Ottowa for Canada exporting DocRay's posts to the USA.

It's Ottawa, not Ottowa. Almost like spelling Washington Woshington.

It's not Washington, in the midwest we say "Warshington"

Question: Do the Vuelta wheels have the decals clearcoated/epoxied over? Or are they removable? I sure hope they are removable...

Hmm... maybe it's been asked, but sifting through 12 pages isn't something I want to do =P

^^under clearcoat and yes it's been asked :)

Question: Do the Vuelta wheels have the decals clearcoated/epoxied over? Or are they removable? I sure hope they are removable...

Hmm... maybe it's been asked, but sifting through 12 pages isn't something I want to do =P

Click on the button that says "search this thread" and type "decals." I'm sure your answer will be revealed in a couple of seconds.

"Why would I ever post anything serious on BF? Silly Canuck. Back to your hockey and seal clubbing. I'm still waiting for a letter of apology from Ottowa for Canada exporting DocRay's posts to the USA."
Hey, I actually liked the guy!
You gotta admit, he did make some decent thought-provoking points (when he wasn't all fussed up & exchanging punches with a few, certain BFrs that is.)