This?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sOlWodcwF8...589e9fd4_z.jpg

Looks like a repair to me. I would rather the weld follow the actual joint. I had an old Schwinn with better integrated welds than that:

http://cdn.velospace.org/files/schwi...owntube_50.jpg

dan333SP:

Been riding singles since the early 1970s.
Started tandeming in 1975 and so far have pedaled TWOgether for over 230,000 miles (right amount of zeroes). We like the shared joy of riding as a team. We never have to wait to see if our riding partner made it through the traffic light, see if they had a flat or can make it up the hill/mountain.
The topic involved 'carbon', and yes our tandem and my single racing machine are both custom built 'carbon'.
We are not snobs, but know what we want/like and can afford.
But convincing you of our preferences is like you convincing a non-bike rider that you are having fun on your single bike.
At ages 81 and 78 we still ride thousands of miles every year on our tandem.
Wishing you a great cycling year in 2014!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

I prefer lugged steel, but don't really care what everybody else rides.

I've been to a Specialized shop and seen those welds in person. They are fugly.
However, there is an article in Road Bike Action magazine this month about Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge GranFondo. The 3-time winner of the race, Neil Shirley, won this year's edition on an S-Works Allez.
He could have ridden any carbon bike, but won it on aluminum. All about the engine, I guess, but just goes to show that alu is still viable and far from antiquated.
Great review of the alu Domane and Synapse in the issue, as well.
I think that gloss paint works better with the cosmetics of the Smart Weld, but they do still look like scars.


S

A fatty at work is carbon snob. I knew he cycled and asked if he knew anyone selling a vintage steel bike. He laughed and asked why would I know anyone who rides steel? And when he saw my aluminum bike, made a face. Course the joke is on him, for such an elitist cyclist, he looks due for a stroke.

You sure about that? You may want to look up what Specialized super weld is. It makes joints stronger than traditional welding, lighter etc. There really isn't any downside. And from what I read recently, Specialized will be switching all their Allez bikes to superweld next year.

I also been reading plenty of articles where the superweld s-works allez are surprising racers all over. Can be built to be under 15 lb and it's as stiff and responsive as the Tarmac SL4. That sounds to me, damn good welding and joints.

"Superweld" makes me chuckle. I wonder if you could create a new process for anything and just call it "superxxx" and get people to buy it. Not saying this welding technique is better/worse/same just laughing about the name.

Anyone want to buy some ice? They're supercubes.

That sounds great, until I remember that I haven't ever cracked a weld on a bike, and I am not lightweight or known to be gentle on equipment. My current race frame has is Al, plenty light and has been crashed twice now without cracking or denting anything.

And articles of surprised racers? Maybe I'm too cynical, but I really don't believe it.

Here's $1,000 and a new bike. Tell everyone how surprised you are by its "superwelds".

I am not a fan of the smartweld alum frames. They are similarly expensive as a full carbon frame, but does not have the same advantages of carbon (weight and vibration dampening). And, Alum is not more durable than Carbon (much less durable, in fact), except against abrasion.

What is the point?

It's "smartweld". NO $1000.00 FOR YOU!!!

Gah, zymphad was the first to call it superweld and I followed their post.

He should be careful, Specialized might sue him.

Thanks Rudy, I wasn't criticizing, more curious as I've never understood the "why" but you explained it well. Congrats on the mileage, that is incredible and I'd be thrilled to ride that much when I reach your age.

I'm a carbon-based life form... Not a snob. Lol

I currently own one carbon bike, one steel bike, and one steel bike with a carbon fork. I also have another steel bike on order. And if I have any money left over after that, Imma get another carbon bike. And then eventually I'd like to get a titanium bike.

I'm an inclusive guy.

Wuuut? Reread my post!

That's it; I'm holding out until I can chill my drink with hypercubes.

/mathgeek

I know a bunch of guys who are going to race those Spec Allez E5's this year. Despite what Keith Bontrager once said, they are light, strong, and relatively cheap. A self-sponsored racer could build up a hella nice race bike that won't break the bank. With a mid-range group like Force or 105/Ultegra and some 50mm tubulars? If I wasn't so in love with my Ridley, I would seriously consider it.

Carbon snob?yes and proud of it,,,steel sucks!

Person mentioned in this thread won the race... Obviously sponsored athletes are expected to promote the sponsor's product. But if the athlete wins with said product, that speaks for itself.

But as @caloso has mentioned, you can find plenty of anecdotes from other racers who wanted a more economical solution.

And my comment wasn't necessarily about how amazing the weld is. It's more likely the geometry, design of the bike. But person I was replying to was criticizing the weld and saying his old steel bike has better. I was replying, I highly doubt it. I would bet the smartweld is stronger and lighter and provides better strength at the joints than his double or triple butted steel. The smartweld to me isn't just smart, it just makes sense. And I expect all future aluminum bikes to have something similar to that.

I have been riding carbon frames on road bikes since the second generation 5500 OCLV Treks. As much as I liked the ride on my steel butted frames they couldn't come close on weight. The newest carbon frames do ride very well and damp out a lot of vibration for us older cyclists. I do like Aluminum for dual suspension mountain bikes.

Doesn't seem you are a carbon snob then :D

Every frame material has its place.

I don't think I am a carbon snob but I might be a road bike snob. If I see a bike on the road and if it doesn't have drop bars, I don't look it twice (except mountain bikes which are ok).

Does that make me a snob?