Allright need some help. BIG HELP
 

I have my tax return back, and am ready to start my next build. I am going to buy the frame first. I am heavily leaning toward a Moots Vamoots. I have ridden several sizes, and have enjoyed the bike. I also have tried out the Look 585, BMC Team SLT 01, Pinarello F4:13, and the Cervelo Soloist Carbon. I have also considered the Seven Axiom, and an Indy Fab Ti Crown Jewel.

Each has a unique ride. And I have enjoyed the demo of all the bikes that I have ridden. I guess I like the fast look of the BMC and the Pinny. I didnt think that the Cervelo had a very smooth ride. I like the overall feel of both the Moots and the Look. Again they both had distinct rides, but I really liked both bikes.

I want some feedback about the rides, and the aesthetics of the bikes. I'm shooting for about $2500-$3000 for the frame.

thanks
-j.

Those listed are all nice bikes and ride differently. I believe it makes best sense to narrow it down to which frame material you want it to be made of and then go from there. I believe most here would like to have one of each you named :D

You could always just sponser me. It is a good investment

Well, I'll give you my feedback and apologize up front if I ramble on a bit.

I owned a BMC SLT01 until about a week ago and own a Hampsten Titanio built by Moots for Hampsten Cycles. The bikes were not identically kitted out, so a true ride comparison will be kind of hard to make.

You didn’t say, but if you are going the custom Moots route, you will have a lot of input as to how your frame will ride (and that could be very different from how mine rides).

On the aesthetic side of things, there really is no comparison - one is the epitome of Zen-like simplicity while the other can range from stealth (as in the naked carbon with white and silver graphics I had) to garish (as in Phonak team colors). The other key aesthetic difference is in the composition - Moots will have round tubes with beautiful welds while the BMC will have those funky skeleton lugs and large diameter, crazy shaped tubes. So are you looking for simple style or boy racer pizzazz?

As to ride, again, you have two completely different stories. The BMC is fast. I often felt like I was being pulled along – like a little kid walking a huge dog who wants to get in a good run. It was also really stable and confidence inspiring. It almost felt like it a self-centering capability like a weeble wobble. For a racing bike it was also comfortable. It absorbed vibration but not the point of completely killing road feel. I think is the combination of carbon tubes with aluminum lugs. It also climbed really well given its BB stiffness and light weigth. The key statement (at least for me) is "for a racing bike . . .". In the end, while I am a pretty serious recreational rider and like to do long rides and centuries, but with no real intent of racing, it was just a bit too aggressive of a ride for me.

If you go Moots, as I went Hampsten, and go the custom frame route you will have a great deal of input into the ride characteristics of the bike. First it will fit your personal geometry and its stiffness and power transfer characteristics will be tuned to your riding preferences. I like climbing. I was able to get a frame that gave me good power transmission, a comfortable riding position for long rides but an overall drivetrain that has me well positioned for going up hills. You can try different stems, seat heights and crank arm lengths all you want to make an off-the-peg frame work, but it will never fit you like a frame built for you. The Hampsten doesn't have that unbridled fast feeling in the same was the BMC did, but is much more comfortable for the long haul. The titanium gives more road feel than the CF, but also kills quite a bit of buzz.

In the end, I chose the titanium Hampsten over the BMC. I guess it is kind of like getting married – you make the right choice for the long haul but never really stop thinking about that sexy, racy little number you knew in the good ol’ days.

first things first: there is no such thing as a "Pinny". I believe you were referring to a Pinarello.

pants = pantaloons
auto = autocar
car = autocar
photo = photograph
laser = light amplification through stimulated emmision of radiation
bus = omnibus
bike = bicycle
cycle = bicycle
Chevy = Chevrolet
Beemer = BMW
let's = let us
NSM = Nited States Merica
plane = airplane = aeroplane
dandylion = dents de lion = lions teeth
twit = nit-wit = naught-wit
Pinny = Pinarello
botto = bottom of the class; could do better. Petty attitude.

Umm.... What do you ride now? What kind of riding/racing do you plan to do? What are you looking for in this particular bike?

As far as the aesthetics, that's really for you to decide. Unless of course you are in fact seeking the affirmation of a bunch of anonymous people on the internet.

Currently ride an older CAAD4 Cannondale R2000. I do mostly solo rides- a couple hundred miles per week all year round. I race and get take a pretty bad beating 5-6 times per year in various local races. Mostly just enjoy to ride. Looking for something fairly fast that isnt punishing to ride all day on chip-top roads.