Road Cycling - Which would you choose???

which would you choose and why?

Steel. It's cheap, and it's good for the types of riding I do (out in the middle of nowhere type of stuff). I'd go titanium, or one of those new LeMond hybridized ti/carbon/steel models if I had the money, but I won't for a long long long time.
Classic steel + eBay = affordable frame for me.

Steel. It's cheap, and it's good for the types of riding I do (out in the middle of nowhere type of stuff). I'd go titanium, or one of those new LeMond hybridized ti/carbon/steel models if I had the money, but I won't for a long long long time.
Classic steel + eBay = affordable frame for me.

if it's steel then i would probably be looking at surly bikes instead... since my friend is looking for a whole bike.

Titanium - cause I don't have it.

55/Rad

Titanium - cause I don't have it.

55/Rad

i was going to suggest that to my friend, but then i saw the crack on that beautiful litespeed on other thread and i didn't want him to go through that.. cuz then i wouldn't hear the end of it...

looks like right now steel is the winner... so does that mean nearly 30% or more of the people in the road cycling forum rides on steel? i know steel would be a bit heavier and stronger, but wouldn't the carbon ones be just as strong? my friend is leaning toward the Swork Tarmac... it's a nice bike.. but i've been telling him that he may be able to find better bike for lower price... doesn't have to be the high end with high price tag...

Wrong question. What kind of rider is your pal? Does he intend to try racing or touring or....?

Well I can't vote twice so I voted for titanium. I have only ridden two road bikes and they were made out of Ti(Dean) or reynolds 853 steel(bianchi) both have a very nice, smooth ride compared to some Aluminum road bikes I tested.

Wrong question. What kind of rider is your pal? Does he intend to try racing or touring or....?

he's leaning towards racing... but i think he'd be doing touring more...

Well I can't vote twice so I voted for titanium. I have only ridden two road bikes and they were made out of Ti(Dean) or reynolds 853 steel(bianchi) both have a very nice, smooth ride compared to some Aluminum road bikes I tested.

humm.. he rode my sirrus and thought it was nice.. just wasn't fast enough... even on the largest gear (48x38x28). so this thread is pretty much for him to see what kinda frames are out there for him.

Steel. Because it's the best and most practical choice for 95% of all riders.

which would you choose and why?

Ti because I already did.

Oh I forgot I have a steel bike also.

Thats it though, because I have the two best and they are both nice, very nice.

Steel, because I intend to pass all these classic machines down to my grandchildren.

None of the above. After seeing it in a group ride, I want the Magnesium/Aluminium Pinarello Dogma :D

I put my vote in for carbon...I have a steel bike and love it. I have a scandium bike and it's pretty trick. But my kestrel is the choice for any ride over 60 miles. It's one smooth ride! The steel bike is great for the shorter rides; the added weight means I get a good work out and it's a great handling steel bike. The scandium is built for climbing. It is super light, super responsive and the compact cranks all add up to plenty of snap when I stand on it going up hill. But if I had a nice 100 miler to do, the carbon is the ride of choice. :D

Titanio:

If I could only have one good bicycle, it would be steel. After that, I would be interested in Titanium and carbon in that order.

Steel, I can afford it, and it can take the abuse.

For a road bike, I chose Al/Carbon, because Carbon is too expensive, and the steel frames either didn't fit, or the components on the bikes weren't what I was looking for.
If money were no object: Carbon.

For Tour/Commute: Steel. (Although my current commuter is an aluminum bike, I don't feel the harsh ride due to susp. fork and susp. seat-post.)

so some of you guys would choose a Litespeed frame over a Waterford then? really??

speaks really highly of Ti if so.

When people say added weight of a steel bike,what are we talking about,5 pounds?

Steel. I love the ride, strength, versatility. I would most definitely choose a Waterford over a Litespeed! From the bikes I've ridden so far (and could feasibly justify and afford), titanium would be my second choice.

ruirui - don't get yourself worked up about one instance of cracking on a titanium frame. Search the forums and I'm sure you'll find at least one thread about frame failures of some kind for all frame materials. In any case, the reaction from Litespeed customer service in that thread was phenomenal.

Racing and touring require very different attributes in a bike. He needs to decide what he really wants in a bike.

Not a meaningful question without context.

For what purpose?
At what budget?
Is durability a factor?
Made by who? (or is it whom?)

My next bike will most likely be steel, but I have a feeling that titanium is probably the best frame material for all measures except for price.

context?

we don't need no _stinkin' context!!

+)

A friend let me borrow his Serotta Legend (Ti with carbon fork). It was an incredible ride. The Ti was strong and light. I climbed like a fiend and my avg speed improved remarkably. I only wish I could afford a bike like that!

None of the above. After seeing it in a group ride, I want the Magnesium/Aluminium Pinarello Dogma :D

I agree after seeing one at the LBS. That is one of the sharpest frames I ever seen standing still. $4K without bits, yikes :eek: Still pretty. I'd choose any of the materials listed except Aluminum, for which I have lost all affinity.

Steel. I love the ride, strength, versatility. I would most definitely choose a Waterford over a Litespeed! From the bikes I've ridden so far (and could feasibly justify and afford), titanium would be my second choice.

ruirui - don't get yourself worked up about one instance of cracking on a titanium frame. Search the forums and I'm sure you'll find at least one thread about frame failures of some kind for all frame materials. In any case, the reaction from Litespeed customer service in that thread was phenomenal.

Racing and touring require very different attributes in a bike. He needs to decide what he really wants in a bike.

stubacca... i just want to strangle him. sigh! anyway.. he's a sports writer.. so he's bz all the time.. too bz to do his own damn research. anyway.. how can you say no to a childhood friend.

well, he said he's leaning toward racing now. and most likely will be doing just that. he like the idea of carbon, because he saw the specialized roubaix comp got a great review and for a pretty decent price. but he's looking at other materials as well because he doesn't know if carbon will be strong enough. his budget is between 1.5K - 4K which is a big range. oh well.. after this poll is done.. i'm going to sent it to him so he can read up on it.

Not a meaningful question without context.

For what purpose?
At what budget?
Is durability a factor?
Made by who? (or is it whom?)

My next bike will most likely be steel, but I have a feeling that titanium is probably the best frame material for all measures except for price.

For what purpose? Racing
At what budget? between 1.5K - 4K
Is durability a factor? Yes. Wants durability + lightweight
Made by who? (or is it whom?) It varies, open to options.

thanks in advance.

so some of you guys would choose a Litespeed frame over a Waterford then? really??

speaks really highly of Ti if so.

I can afford several of the Litespeed models, but the Waterford I would like I can't.

well..

since he's got cash. imagine he bought a waterford.

do you think there could ever be a situation where he'd be like 'oh, man - why did i get _this bike?!' or a time when somebody says to him 'you got a _Waterford? well you could have done better than that....'

i'm gonna hafta vote for steel, but just on principle since i'm still saving for my first quality roadbike.

Steel because I keep hearing such great things about it.

I'd like to get a Rivendell a Waterford or a Richard Sachs

i was going to suggest that to my friend, but then i saw the crack on that beautiful litespeed on other thread and i didn't want him to go through that.. cuz then i wouldn't hear the end of it...


EVERY frame material has had breaks. So I would not count 1 picture as a big warning that they all do that.

Ti. I feel it is the best all around frame material. It is light, strong, responsive, and gives a smooth ride.

Ti. I feel it is the best all around frame material. It is light, strong, responsive, and gives a smooth ride.

Same here.... ...I bought my Litespeed frame new back in '93 and I still ride it today. Frame is practically indestructible and always polishes like new. Over the years, I've upgraded components here and there on the bike and will continue to do so. The frame will last me indefinitely.

EVERY frame material has had breaks. So I would not count 1 picture as a big warning that they all do that.

Ti. I feel it is the best all around frame material. It is light, strong, responsive, and gives a smooth ride.

Do the shops by you have a large selection of litespeeds?

Titanium cause I have one now and love the bike.

Boze, I have a custom Waterford and that collects dust as I ride my Ti bike 98% of the time.

treetrunk: Gotta love a Serotta Ti with carbon
:D :D
93 Colorado Legend Ti, carbon front fork w/Dura Ace groupo Ordered new. Me and the bike are growing old together. :)