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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Carbon, titanium or both?

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Old 07-03-11 | 07:11 PM
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well hello there
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From: Point Loma, CA

Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

Carbon, titanium or both?

I’m semi-contemplating buying a new custom frame with, exogrid technology, from Bill Holland, who is a local frame maker here in San Diego. Bill built my current titanium frame and I love it.

I borrowed one of his exogrid loaner frames, and today got a chance to try it out by pedaling about 60 miles up the coast.

Here is what an exogrid frame looks like.

By nachomanh at 2011-07-02
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By nachomanh at 2011-07-02
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The workmanship is really beautiful.
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By nachomanh at 2011-07-03
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We had about 15 in our little group today.


By nachomanh at 2011-07-03
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But I ended up in the fast group of 6.

It’s difficult for me to describe the ride, because I can only compare it to titanium, which I own. I don’t own a carbon fiber bike. It was like a smooth, subtle titanium ride. It felt like the bicycle dampened more road noise and vibration. If you’re interested in the exogrid build process, check out the Bill Holland website.
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By nachomanh at 2011-07-03
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And this is my daughter’s guinea pig!
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Old 07-03-11 | 07:27 PM
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now that is a nice frame
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Old 07-03-11 | 07:30 PM
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Pretty, but I'm skeptical that it is worth the added complexity/expense over straight Ti.
What does the guinea pig ride?
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Old 07-03-11 | 07:34 PM
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From: Portland & Yachats, OR

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The Exogrid Hollands are pure works of art. I'd be interested in comparing the ride to the 2 ti/carbon combos I've had - the Opera Palladio and the Lemond Tete de Course. While I loved them both, I found I preferred the ride of a full Ti frame to both of them.

Without prying too much, what is the price range one might expect to pay for such a frame?
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Old 07-03-11 | 07:35 PM
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how much does a frame go for
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Old 07-03-11 | 07:48 PM
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well hello there
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From: Point Loma, CA

Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

The exogrids are $4,400.00. The isogrids, which I believe are similar to the Lemond tete, are $4,100.00. The pure custom titaniums are $3,000.00.
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Old 07-03-11 | 08:07 PM
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Bikes: Holland Exogrid & Holland HC

Hey Nachoman,

I visited Bill this past week with the intention of getting fitted for a Ti frame but ordered an exogrid. I talked with Bill and Cody extensively about the differences, costs, and benefits, and I also spoke with a couple of other Holland owners who ride both Ti and exogrid frames. Based on what I heard, I would be completely happy with one of Bill's Ti frames, but the road dampening characteristics on chip seal roads -- common where I ride -- and the fewer overall road vibrations for longer rides convinced me that exogrid has benefits that are worth the cost for me and my riding. I prefer the look of the plain ti frame, the more minimalist aesthetics, but I am sure that the exogrid will work fine for me. Good luck with your decision.....
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Old 07-03-11 | 09:26 PM
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well hello there
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From: Point Loma, CA

Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

Originally Posted by metalheart44
Hey Nachoman,

I visited Bill this past week with the intention of getting fitted for a Ti frame but ordered an exogrid. I talked with Bill and Cody extensively about the differences, costs, and benefits, and I also spoke with a couple of other Holland owners who ride both Ti and exogrid frames. Based on what I heard, I would be completely happy with one of Bill's Ti frames, but the road dampening characteristics on chip seal roads -- common where I ride -- and the fewer overall road vibrations for longer rides convinced me that exogrid has benefits that are worth the cost for me and my riding. I prefer the look of the plain ti frame, the more minimalist aesthetics, but I am sure that the exogrid will work fine for me. Good luck with your decision.....
Congratulations on your purchase! All of the guys over there seem like a great bunch to work with.
Also, if you look at the photo of my five friends pedaling down the coast, and then check out the Bill Holland website under "about us", you'll recognize someone.
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