thenomad

Hope I don't regret it...

How much stiffer is this scandium frame going to be than the steel?

Will a carbon fork really be a good investment on the redline?

I just put the Lemond Poprad frame on Ebay and I'm picking up a Redline Conquest Team frame tomorrow. The Lemond is a 55cm with 56 top tube and the conquest is a 54 with 54.5 top tube so I'm hoping it fits me better. The 56 reach is just too much for my short arms and I feel stretched out.

I hear the Conquest has a relatively high standover though so I may still be snug but am hoping the reach feels better.

Cynikal 

Last season I went from a 05 (white and blue) Poprad to a Cannondale CX9 and it was a big difference. I did keep the Poprad and occasionally race it a single speed or a nice commuter. I can't imagine selling and you may regret selling yours. Just my $.02.

thenomad

Well, the Poprad is amazing to look at but it doesn't fit. I jumped on the 55 when I saw it and come to find out the top tube is a 56 and I feel real stretched out and need short stem, forward seat etc to fit it to me. I've ridden ill fitting bikes and I just can't do it. Fit is pretty important when you realize your back pain and fatigue is caused by it.

Sad for me but I'm hoping the Redline is a better fit.

So it was "different" but you didn't say in what way?

Cynikal 

The Cannondale felt much faster and that was the stiffness in the frame and the weight difference was significant. My CX9 is 18.5-19lbs where my Poprad is 20 as a SS. If I were to chose a frame to race on only, it would be Alu. I still prefer my steel rides for the all-rounder.

moralleper

I have a conquest pro and love it. The bike is responsive and predictable. Right now I have full fenders and rack on it for commuting duties. Come CX season those will be coming off for racing.

electrik

Poprad disc? Hmm.

Scandium as frame material article.

Cynikal 

After reading the article above I thought I would add more to my "the Alu is stiffer" comment. Stiffness is something I am leery of in road frames. I tend to feel "beat up" after a long ride on one. But for a CX frame, a stiff frame equates to a fast frame. There is no need for any frame flex on a bike with 32mm-34mm tires. The tires soak up the bumps.

thenomad

That's another aspect I don't have much experience with yet, the tire size. I have 28c tires for commuting I'll use when I build the frame. I know there can be a significant difference over the 23 I use to commute with now on my 531 steel bike.
So no CF fork then?

Cynikal 

I'm not I understand your question about the fork. I have the Easton EC90X on the CX9 and it is great, very light and stiff.

thenomad

Sorry, I was referring to the necessity to get a CF fork on the redline.
I just picked up the frame and it's nice and light, even with fork. I'll just keep it as is for the time being and maybe upgrade down the line.

moralleper

what year is the redline? I have an alloy fork on my '06 pro and it is fine.

thenomad

not sure of the year. I'm thinking 99 or something early. It is a redline conquest team.
The fork is light and alloy. I can;t imagine a CF fork (in my budget) being lighter than this so I've got no reason to swap now except for vanity. And that's just not me.

thenomad

Nearly done with the build. The bike is together, ready to ride sans bartape. I want to try the bar I have before swapping to the compact bars I plan on using. 44cm wide feels good on my road bike. I have 46cm on now but it has a deeper drop than I want. I'll see if i like the wider stance.

Bike feels nice and light compared to my other rides. Can't wait to give it a good workout.
Tomorrow it calls for rain and I'm not hardcore enough to commute in that.