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Originally Posted by FlatSix911
(Post 17182627)
Funny thing, how is the OP going to build a custom Ti frame from Serotta, Moots, Firefly, or Hollands at the $1,200 price point ... :lol::roflmao2:
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Can you post a link to a new Merlin frameset for $1,200?
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Originally Posted by FlatSix911
(Post 17182662)
Can you post a link to a new Merlin frameset for $1,200?
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
(Post 17169484)
Simple - and it should be in budget - Cambridge Merlin. At your budget - it's Merlin.
Let's not crap on the op's thread. A Bike Direct frameset may be suitable fodder for the road cycling forum, but let's keep the info stream relevant for the op. |
Originally Posted by FlatSix911
(Post 17180997)
Any interest in building your bike with a new Ti frame?
Frameset 3AL/2.5V Butted Titanium Frameset $999 High Modulus Carbon Fiber fork with Carbon Steerer Save Up to 60% Off Road Titanium framesets - Motobecane Le Champion Team Ti http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ameset_600.jpg
Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
(Post 17181138)
^^^ That is exactly the kind of ti frame I would not go near. Ti isn't something to do on a budget (unless used), if it's out of budget (and it's out of mine) I think you're best off buying used, or going with a different material. Ti frames are, in my experience, more variable in ride quality and build quality than other materials. I have ridden some truly uninspiring ti frames and I don't think many really design well with the material. Tom Kellogg has the voodoo, Serotta had the voodoo. Folks I trust say Moots, Firefly, and Hollands have the voodoo, though I haven't ridden one. A lot of really good frame makers don't - my De Rosa Primato is a much better ride than the titanio.
I look at it this way - you're really buying the builder, and some like to work in ti. Don't buy something just because it's titanium, or SLX, or 531, etc. A good builder can make a good frame with nearly any material - and a bad frame can be made with any material too. Just because it's ti doesn't make it special. A bikes direct ti frame? No thanks. While they might lack the cachet of a Moots, by most accounts they're competent and a great value. |
For C&V bikes stay away from this - mines a wall hanger because I don't want to break it
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...f/IMGP3869.jpg But definitely look at this if you can find one (I do see them on Craigslist once in awhile): http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...m/IMGP6341.jpg Tom Kellogg built, Merlin frame, fantastic finish and ride. This Spectrum is a 1989 model that probably had close to 25,000 or more miles on it before my dad passed it on to me. I would easily own another - no questions asked. |
I'd rather have an excellent steel bike for the same money as a competent ti one. I'd rather have an excellent used ti frame than a competent new one. As far as positive reviews - people also rave about lots of other bikes I don't like. So much of this is taste.
I also suspect that what ORA calls a flagship ti bike might not be one I think of as flag ship ti. I think I read they built the old Panasonic ti frames - I did own one of those...it doesn't change my perspective. Scooper - you are hands down one of the most knowledgeable here, but I think there's a reason that a dozen people have spoken about Serotta and Spectrum/Merlin and why not many are attesting to subcontracted ones. Tom Kellogg and Ben Serotta understood how to use ti. |
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a BD ti bike. With as many frames as BD sells, if anything about their construction were marginal you would know it.
Ti seems to have fewer variables to work with (non butted tubing, fewer grades, consistent means of joinery, etc). Even with fewer variables, if you know exactly what you want in terms of how it rides, then there may be offerings more closely suited to your wants than the moto. |
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Originally Posted by agchopz
(Post 17180076)
it haunted me in the shower
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Please don't think that I didn't listen to your advice, but I went against the grain a bit and picked up this 94-95 DBR (Diamondback) Prevail TT. I've used a friend as a facilitator as the seller was 5 hours away so I haven't actually been able to ride it. There is a chance that it will be too large, but at the selling price I know that I can get out of it really easy if needed. Without further ado here are the pictures my buddy just texted me, sorry for the poor quality. If you have any experience or knowledge of this model please chime in. Thanks!
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There is one of these parked on street near me all of the time:
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgaimqkql.jpg http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse2mpga3m.jpg Hope you enjoy it - let us know how it works out. This one says Sandvik built. http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...psk1bjeasj.jpg |
I'm not familiar with the model you found, so you get to become our expert on the brand.
Have fun with it. It's always fun to get a new bicycle. :) |
Not sure if anyone cares for an update but here it is. I finally got the bike from my buddy last night. I've tweaked it a bit; new saddle, seat post, handlebars, wheels, skewers, bar tape. Upcoming is a shorter stem and different pedals. Pics below.
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
(Post 17182853)
I'd rather have an excellent steel bike for the same money as a competent ti one. I'd rather have an excellent used ti frame than a competent new one. As far as positive reviews - people also rave about lots of other bikes I don't like. So much of this is taste.
I also suspect that what ORA calls a flagship ti bike might not be one I think of as flag ship ti. I think I read they built the old Panasonic ti frames - I did own one of those...it doesn't change my perspective. Scooper - you are hands down one of the most knowledgeable here, but I think there's a reason that a dozen people have spoken about Serotta and Spectrum/Merlin and why not many are attesting to subcontracted ones. Tom Kellogg and Ben Serotta understood how to use ti. |
Here are some photos of my Merckx built up:
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...psese5tz5s.jpg http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...psv2oevxaf.jpg http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...psirjyvqet.jpg |
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...psjfetzzza.jpg
2nd update. I finally gave up on the DBR, admitting it was too big for me. This is my new ti ride a 1999 Litespeed Tuscany. |
If You can Buy it New, is it C&V? so teledyne qualifies , Merlin/Lightspeed Lynskey won't. then this is just another Road Bike thread, .
so I guess this is another one of those .. carry On Kids.. OP was asking about a $1200 Titanium bike and these posts are in the bare frame will be more than that , Level .. so For a whole Bike OP look into frames made in China maybe those False Motobecanes from Bikes Direct would work for You. |
^Not sure I follow. There are many brands that have been around for a while. You can get a new Merckx, but that doesn't mean there aren't vintage ones. Merlin went away and came back. Just because you can get a new Merlin doesn't mean the old ones are no longer C&V.
Glad I was able to pick up my 1990 Merlin frame earlier this month (bought here on this forum). I still need to get the right parts for it, but, at the end of the day, I expect the total build cost to be around, maybe even under, the OP's $1200 budget. http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...pseykfpfha.jpg |
Originally Posted by fietsbob
(Post 17570698)
If You can Buy it New, is it C&V? so teledyne qualifies , Merlin/Lightspeed Lynskey won't. then this is just another Road Bike thread, .
so I guess this is another one of those .. carry On Kids.. OP was asking about a $1200 Titanium bike and these posts are in the bare frame will be more than that , Level .. so For a whole Bike OP look into frames made in China maybe those False Motobecanes from Bikes Direct would work for You. someone mentioned the Classic earlier in the thread as being too flexy --- i'm a Clydesdale category cyclists now and a track sprinter, and i do not find the ride bothersome. Its a supremely comfortable bike --- i'd still be riding it if not for the aforementioned Clydesdale physique -- it has long and low geometry that is just right for a slim, in shape guy to knock out the miles ------ |
As with steel And aluminum thicker tube wall and Larger outside diameter will adapt to a heavier load on the saddle ..
$ 1200 for a whole, ready to ride bike, I expect, puts you into a Chinese made Bike . in 2015. # 1 of 1 I'm interested in buying a titanium road bike for faster rides. I've got about $1200 as my budget. Any recommendations or words of wisdom as to preferred brands or things to keep an eye out for? Thanks in advance! |
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I owned an Eddy Merckx AX titanium bike for a number of years and it was my favorite bike at the time. The Merckx ti frames were designed by Eddy and built by Litespeed in the USA, and the geometry of mine was nearly identical to a Merckx Corsa 01 that I also owned at the time. Both bikes rode and handled very similar, and I never found the AX to be flexy. I thought the Merckx AX would would go to my grave with me until I picked up a used Waterford RST-22, which quickly became my favorite bike. However, if anyone is looking for used ti frames, the Merckx models are well worth a look and are generally less expensive than Merlins. I tried to sell mine unsuccessfully on this forum but sold it on the local Craiglist for my asking price.
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Originally Posted by DMC707
(Post 17570882)
The Litespeed the OP posted a pic of above has a 1" threaded steer tube ---- , so yes, in age, i would put it at the outer fringes of C&V realm --- On the flip side, my Litespeed Classic has a 1 1/8 threadless steerer and is much newer, -- so i wouldnt have much business posting it in C&V
someone mentioned the Classic earlier in the thread as being too flexy --- i'm a Clydesdale category cyclists now and a track sprinter, and i do not find the ride bothersome. Its a supremely comfortable bike --- i'd still be riding it if not for the aforementioned Clydesdale physique -- it has long and low geometry that is just right for a slim, in shape guy to knock out the miles ------ |
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