[email protected] (Brink) wrote:
> I am considering a SEVEN brand bicycle. Does anyone have any experience with them?
No, although I interrogated them when I was shopping around for a custom frame.
> do you like them or not?
I decided they weren't for me. More on that further down.
> Any other bikes i should be considering if i am looking at SEVEN? I weigh 230 pounds (six feet
> five inches), so I want a frame that is strong with a strong warantee.
I'm 6 feet 8 and weighed about 300 lbs when I commissioned my custom bike. I was a bit concerned
when I talked to Seven that they did not appear to truly customize a frame; rather they were
willing to change a few elements of their production geometry formula and to spec different gauge
tubing as available. They were clearly not willing to match the bike's length and tubing diameters
to the proportions of the frame size. (Most "custom" builders are not willling to do this either.)
I was unconvinced I would be able to obtain a sufficiently stiff frame to make the endeavor worth
the money.
As to warranty, this is one area where major manufacturers are able to exceed the level of support
offered by a smaller builder. Some have even offered reduced-price replacement for crashed or
otherwise user-damaged frames. Talk to your LBS about this issue as they will be the ones
representing you to the manufacturer.
> No aluminum frames for me thanks.
My best-fitting and best-riding bike other than my custom, and my longest-lasting bike *by far* is a
68.5cm Cannondale touring frame ca. 1990. It's toted me tens of thousands of miles from when I was a
very fast and vigorous rider to the present time when I weigh over 350 lbs. and ride over horribly
broken streets. While I know of no similarly sturdy frame made in such a tall size any more, I
completely agree with Jon Isaacs's assessment that a stout aluminum frame can be the best possible
solution for a large, strong rider. If you should come across a custom builder willing and able to
make you an aluminum frame with appropriately hefty tubing, you would do well to consider it.
Chalo Colina