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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 ------ |
I've seen a Serotta Legend Ti on de bay go for ~$1200 recently. You just have to be ready to put our money down. I spent a huge amount of time futzing and lurking for a 58-60cm before I decided that it would be Merlin or Serotta. I've heard a scary story or two about some sizes of Lightspeeds having harmonic instabilities. Not interested! I finally snagged a Legend (polished no less) for more than I'd wanted to pay, but by the time I pulled the trigger I figure I put 60-80 hours looking! I've not been disappointed. The market is all droughts and deluges. Good luck in your search!
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Just saw this review on RBR :thumb:
Review: Motobecane Fantom Cross Team Ti Review: Motobecane Fantom Cross Team Ti Great parts spec make bike a solid value for racing or touring at just $2000, this bike a solid value for new CX racers or cross town commuters. Most associate Motobecane with antiquated French steel or budget road bikes available via BikesDirect.com. But there is more to the story. The Fantom Cross line has been popular among beginner cyclocross races for quite a few years, and for good reason. The titanium model equipped with full Ultegra 6800 11-speed weighs just 19.5 pounds out of the box (49cm sans pedals and reflectors) and is an excellent choice for someone looking for a capable cyclocross race bike without breaking the bank. It would also make a great commuter bike or touring setup... read more |
drool............
Trecià titanium, Super Record https://www.flickr.com/photos/ambro1...57633147166781 other: http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8396/...954c1e9547.jpg https://mozzonews.files.wordpress.co...815-011553.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8526/8...19a96b37_z.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4ZpzXwaJ8...ia2%5B1%5D.jpg |
I've never had the pleasure of riding a titanium frame bike. I have enjoyed the special ride of steel so I have no doubt that I'd appreciate the feel and whatever nuance titanium brings to the equation. I wouldn't even paint it. I'd be great! That said, as interesting a material as Ti is and no matter how tantalizing it may be to drop a few thou on a Ti frame, I know it'd come with a carbon fork and one of the most expensive and revered of Ti-bikes even has a carbon tail. So, I'd have to at least ask myself: why not a carbon bike? A lot of research money has gone into Ti because of the aerospace industry. A lot of research money has also gone into carbon... because of the bicycle industry.
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Originally Posted by McBTC
(Post 17946094)
: why not a carbon bike? A lot of research money has gone into Ti because of the aerospace industry. A lot of research money has also gone into carbon... because of the bicycle industry.
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Originally Posted by Salubrious
(Post 17946123)
... carbon frames don't last. If it gets a crack, the frame can literally explode...
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Originally Posted by McBTC
(Post 17946130)
...don't ever take up pole vaulting.
There are reports of people crashing on carbon frames where the frame was swept off the road into a plastic bag... |
+1, it's not the carbon, it's the resin that holds the carbon fibers together deteriorates with sun and heat, leading to as one bike mag. Indicated. 'Sudden and catastrophic frame and/or fork failure!
Cheers |
Not one mention of Dean? I loved my old Dean. They can be a bargain used also.
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Originally Posted by skoda2
(Post 17946304)
+1, it's not the carbon, it's the resin that holds the carbon fibers together deteriorates with sun and heat, leading to as one bike mag. Indicated. 'Sudden and catastrophic frame and/or fork failure!
Cheers But going back to the early monocoque Kestrel. They were heavier but remarkably strong and could handle hard hits. You could take chunks out of it and they'd be just fine. I only know from years of beating up an early CS-X 'hard tail' mountain bike. Also quite sure most steel frames would have been severely damaged on a few experienced endo's and frame slams. |
Teledyne Titan, Model # A3UR1. Serial #TL000357
I have two frames, one is cracked at the BB. Serial #TL000286 The seller (unterhausen) would like to see it repaired. Exploring options on that. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d7c011ff0c.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...36f77800b7.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8ca5c0341c.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...63dd4b69c5.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2890776952.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...09b295d52f.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8759d7c727.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9e79fbf732.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5aeda947aa.jpg |
Originally Posted by RobbieTunes
(Post 20647750)
The Cyclone shifters in particular fit well with the presumed weight weenie theme. The center pull brakes surprised me, though.. I was expecting something equivalent to the Weinmann 500 sidepulls, as they are often cited as a preferred lightweight set of brakes. What are the cranks? Dura-Ace? Always liked that first generation Dura-Ace, although I've never ridden it, it just looked good. :) Steve in Peoria |
There is nothing like the look of raw ti. I personally think my Lemond Victoire complete with a modern 11 speed group and modern wheels looks like it could have come off a show room yesterday... and it is from 02. It's my favorite in the fleet (only 3) and I am going to ride this thing into the grave and pass it on to my kids. I can't say the same of a plastic carbon bike/ toy.
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Originally Posted by steelbikeguy
(Post 20647825)
sweet! So nice and clean! Good to see the Japanese parts too... that was the stuff I was intrigued by back when the Titan was in production.
The Cyclone shifters in particular fit well with the presumed weight weenie theme. The center pull brakes surprised me, though.. I was expecting something equivalent to the Weinmann 500 sidepulls, as they are often cited as a preferred lightweight set of brakes. What are the cranks? Dura-Ace? Always liked that first generation Dura-Ace, although I've never ridden it, it just looked good. :) Steve in Peoria That is an early DA 7200 crank set, and it came with the bottom bracket that was in good shape. It's actually pretty darn light, a lot lighter than the Suntour GPX or Sachs Rival that I'd considered. Hi-E hubs are being laced to rims, so I'll lose a bit of weight in the wheels, despite the fairly heavy 5sp 13-21 freewheel. I may check those out, too, but the Regina's to which I've been recommended are fairly expensive. |
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