What happened to Titanium?
07-24-05 | 02:56 AM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,276
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From: fogtown...san francisco
Bikes: Ron Cooper, Time VXSR, rock lobster, rock lobster, serotta, ritchey, kestrel, paramount
I have a kestrel ems for many years and I've ridden ti, alum, steel and scandium bikes. CF is the lightest and stiffest. someone that knows how can build a great bike from any of these materials, but to get a stiff bike that is as light as possible, you have to use cf. cf also provides a nice smooth ride. Look at all the ti frames out there...all but two litespeed bikes weight in around 3.3 pounds. I think the vortex is stiff, it comes in about 2.75 pounds, I have not ridden the ghisallo, but can really believe it's a stiff bike...anyone weighting in around 170 ride one?
07-24-05 | 07:43 AM
#53
Mad Town Biker
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 974
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Originally Posted by gabiker
Last time you checked they were owned by Trek and still are, but they are not Trek. Greg Lemond still has a say in there design and there Geometry's are still similar to the original Lemonds with the longer top tube.
See this article: https://www.cyclingnews.com/sponsors/lemond02/
However, it doesn't hurt that within Trek's facility the LeMond team has access to the kind of equipment that's hard to just pick up for pennies if you're a framebuilder starting out in titanium.
07-24-05 | 08:08 AM
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,049
Likes: 11
From: La Verne CA
Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike
I think TI bikes are still popular, but with the price point of Aluminum and Carbon bikes being so cheap, they have become cost prohibitive for many buyers..
When you can buy a Felt 55 w/ DA 10 speed for under 2000 and most namebrand TI bikes starting at about 3-4k it makes sense that they seem less popular.. I was real fortunate and got a great deal on a Litespeed Liege w/ Full DA group for under 2000.00.. The bike was used but in excellent shape..
When you can buy a Felt 55 w/ DA 10 speed for under 2000 and most namebrand TI bikes starting at about 3-4k it makes sense that they seem less popular.. I was real fortunate and got a great deal on a Litespeed Liege w/ Full DA group for under 2000.00.. The bike was used but in excellent shape..
07-24-05 | 12:03 PM
#55
Mad Town Biker
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 974
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Just off the top of my head, I know of at least 11 friends that are riding Ti including a couple Serrotas, 3 LeMonds, a Litespeed and 5 Sevens (my LBS is one of the top 3 Seven dealers in the world dispite being in Madison with a population of 200k). I think my next bike will be custom Ti due to the durability, comfort and weight advantages.
As for what the Pros ride, they ride whatever their sponsors give them. Lance rode steel before he joined Postal and actually road a Litespeed TT bike (with Trek decals) in the '99 tour. If their bike breaks, they get a new one. Pro riders have no concern for the durability at all, just weight, fit & comfort.
I think Ti as a frame material is alive and well, you just need to look in the right places.
-murray
As for what the Pros ride, they ride whatever their sponsors give them. Lance rode steel before he joined Postal and actually road a Litespeed TT bike (with Trek decals) in the '99 tour. If their bike breaks, they get a new one. Pro riders have no concern for the durability at all, just weight, fit & comfort.
I think Ti as a frame material is alive and well, you just need to look in the right places.
-murray
