Road Cycling - Thoughts on the Interloc Scandium Elite?

Thinking of building up a race bike this summer... What do you guys think about the Interloc Scandium Elite? It's 800 bucks, 2.5 lb. All the reviews on roadbikereview are favorable. My bike mechanic friend really likes them. I figure i can get some older dura ace stuff off of nash bar for like 600 bucks, and some nice wheels for 400-500. So the whole bike would be a little under 2 grand, and really light. Plus, it'd be nice having a bike that's not flashy and one that not everybody has either. And it should be damn light.

Unless you guys can think of some other bikes, or frames. I don't really want another bianchi. My spending cap is going to be about 2 grand. I really like the lightspeed firenze, but i have never ridden on titanium or scandium, for that matter. How do these materials compare.

Oh and i don't really want a carbon frame. I want a bike that'll last many many years.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am partial to look frames. Is every frame they make carbon fiber though? How do they perform, even their cheapest frame, the kg 451?

I'm not a big fan of the Look carbon frames. I owned an Credit Agricole team replica. The problem is that they made only a size few lugs to join all the size frames they produce. My size 56 ended up with a slack seat angle and steep steerer. Bad combination. I've read recent reviews that have the same complaint.
Scandium is comfortable but a little whippy.
I don't own one, but Cannondale seems to make great frames with a lot of pricepoints.

Im also looking at new road bikes and considered the Scandium. As best as I can tell, the Scandium is an aluminum bike with a small amount of scandium added to make it stiffer and in theory more durable. I was not quite sure that they have it down at this point and am leaning more towards the Cannondale. Carbon should be as durable or even more so than aluminum. One other reason to maybe look at something else is that should you have any problems, you'll have to deal with people over the phone and a distance away (unless of course you live near one of their stores) and won't be able to avail yourself of the personal attention you might get at your LBS. Good luck in your hunt.

If you've ridden aluminum, scandium is basically the same thing. Can't tell a damn bit of difference.

Carbon will keep it's original characteristics longer than any other material except titanium.

*Magnesium-I have no idea what the characteristics of this material is, except it is very easy to ignite.
I've never heard of Interloc

Interloc is known around the bay area i guess.

I have ridden aluminum. My daily beater is an older specialized allez (aluminum frame) with shimano rsx and 600 stuff. I hate how it kicks me in the ass over minor road imperfections. If that's how scandium rides, count me out. Although, my plan is for this to be my race bike only. I'll still have my bianchi to train on and stuff.

My 20 year old bianchi with 2003 campy rides smooth as a magic carpet, compared to aluminum.

What do you guys think of the cheaper colnago and pinarello stuff? I can't afford any of their carbon stuff, but colnago makes some cheaper steel and aluminum. I'm kinda interested in the master x-light frame, but i dunno. My whole point was to build the lightest fastest bike i could with my pricepoint (2 grand), not to get another comfortable steel steed.

The aluminum Colnago Asso and Active look pretty sweet to me. What do you guys think?

www.competitivecyclist.com
These guys carry the frames i'm talking about.

Pinarello Galileo is a nice bike. Light, fast and looks good.

Not a big fan of Colnago for racing (unless you start hitting the high pricepoints). Zonal tubing on the Asso...seems like you're paying more for the name, not value on the lower end Colnago stuff.

Cannondale CAAD7 frame is better than your pics and within your price range. The Galileo looks sweet though.

$800 for an Interloc frame is a bit much (unless that includes a fork). If you look around you can get it cheaper elsewhere. Here's an example:

http://store.yahoo.com/momovelo/roadscandium.html

$650

Bulltek Sports also sells these frames.

I've seen these frames in person and was surprised at how well built and finished they were. I think the Soma (steel) bikes come from the same factory also (Taiwan). Both of these bikes had better finishes than a Lemond, which are built by Waterford.

As for Scandium vs. Ti, I'd go for Ti. Ti rides so smooth, yet stiff enough, and can easily compete with aluminum in terms of weight. Aluminum/Scandium will fatigue faster than Ti. I've heard many stories of Aluminum cracking, but very few for Ti. Ti will outlast aluminum, but then again, how long are you planning on holding on to this frame? In 5 years the technology will change considerably and the tech-geek in you will want the latest and greatest :D

Some thoughts: Scandium is whippy when the tubes are skinny, and I think the Interloc has skinny tubes. The Colnago MasterLight is a beautiful bike, but steel, and quite a bit heavier than the other bikes mentioned. Titanium is excellent but heavier than alumium, probably 1/2 lb. in your price range.
Excel Sports has some Gios aluminum frames that look pretty nice if you want the Euro look. Never ridden one though.

Interloc's scandioum frame is a pure XC frame. They have been largely a component maker for the past ten years. I remember their micro adjust seatposts, and seat clamps. THey were always real solid stuff. Kind of like what Onza, Zoom, and Kalloy Uno did 12 to 15 years ago. They are not a big name yet, but make some sweet stuff. Their Black Lightning cassettes and chains are real nice.

The Cannondale frame is covered by a lifetime warranty. If it cracks, they'll replace it.

I just got a Litespeed Firenze. Only one real ride so far (40miles) and I would just like to say:
WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!

Under 18 lbs, under $2000 (Ok, not with tax, but I had mine changed to full Ultegra triple), lifetime warranty. You will find the ride VERY smooth. It also accelerates and climbs like crazy.

I took a look at the Interloc on the internet. That is a beautiful looking frame. Oversized tubes should really help the stiffness. The carbon seatstays are also a nice touch. My brother has a scandium frame with OS tubes and really likes it. Looks like a winner.

Btw, the interloc comes with a fork. And the site claims that the frame and fork weigh 2.5 lb. Total. If that's anything close to the truth, wow.

So the cheaper colnagos aren't any good? Ok, i'll keep that in mind. The pinarello galileo looks pretty sweet to me.

Also, what do you think about merckx frames? As you can see, i don't want a Trek or a Giant, or even a Bianchi. I'm looking for something a little less common.

I really need to test ride that pinarello though.