Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Reisterstown, Maryland, USA
Bikes: Bike 1 - Bianchi 928, Easton carbon stem, bar & seat post, Ultegra 11/23 cassette. Bike 2 - 03 Lemond Buenos Aries. FSA compact crank, Sella Italia FSK sadle and Ultegra 12/27 cassette
Afeter reading all of this I hope you are compleatly confused, I know I am!!
I have aluminium and Steel. I could never see spending the money for Ti and the full carbon Giant TCR1 I rode didn't impress me all that much.
In my humble opinion, "Steel is Real!!" it is like riding on a cloud and iff you are looking for long distance riding, I don't think you can beat it. Look for Reynolds 853 and you will have a Steel bike with much the same ride charictoristics of Ti (strength, weight etc.) AND the comfort (flex) of steel (at least according to one of the fram builders in my area and he should know since he works in both).
Then again if you are a "gram freak" you might want to consider Ti or full carbon to get the majical sub 16 lb. bike. But then you can ask yourself if the extra pound of weight saving was worth it! Just think of all the other bike stuff you could get with the $$$!!! My Buenos Aires weighs 20 lbs with everything on it (computer, HRM, bag [loaded with stuff including a rediculusly heavy Topeak Alian] and water bottle cages). It is Ultegra and rides like a dream!!
Just my humble opinion