Seven Odonata/Alta, Serotta Legend Ti, Calfee, Moots Suspension? HELP PLEASE!

Hi Everyone,

I'm a long time aluminum rider (currently Klein Quantum w/Ultegra set up) who is thinking hard about
making the jump to either Ti, Carbon, or a mix, and in custom form. Primary reason: comfort (back
pain, hand numbness), fit, ride quality (silky smooth please).

I'm mostly a recreational rider who can be coaxed into a tri every now and then. Most rides are
between 20 and 60 miles with my base loop being around 35 and an occassional century. Average speed
around 15-16 on my base ride. I'm generally more of a spinner than a masher, though I like to drop
the hammer sometimes and really fly (especially downhill ). I'm 5'11, 185 if that matters in the
consideration.

I'm very new to the various advanced materials, pros and cons of each, why/when to mix them (if
ever), etc. I'd really appreciate any thoughts you guys have on the following makes/models, and why
I might prefer one to the other (cost aside):

-Seven Odonata (the Ti/Carbon mix) -Seven Alta (Ti) -Serotta Legend Ti -Serotto Ottrott (Ti/Carbon
mix) -Calfee (carbon) -Moots (Ti suspension)

Please don't flame me for being one of those guys with $5k burning a hole in their pocket. I know
I'm in a fortunate situation, and I'd appreciate constructive thoughts.

Best and thanks in advance, Tony

PS - please feel free to email me thoughts [email protected]

 

"Anthony Moody" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
Please don't ask this in this group. It's a question for rec.bicycles.tech. As is that long "best
steel road bike" thread.

And please everyone else, don't answer the question here.

JT

--
*******************************************
NB: reply-to address is munged

Visit http://www.jt10000.com
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Tony, I haven't had personal experience with those specific models, but hope you find some good
advice here on them. As you found out, there are some compulsive thread nannies who jump on anyone
who wants to have a conversation about something merely related to racing rather than directly on
racing, but not all of us feel that way.

Since there are knowledgeable (if sometimes grumpy) people on this forum who don't read the other
ones, it can make sense to ask the question here as well as elsewhere. Since you were quite clear in
your subject line about what you were asking, anyone who doesn't want to read it can simply skip
over it. Good luck!

 

"Mapei81" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Tony, I haven't had personal experience with those specific models, but
hope
> you find some good advice here on them. As you found out, there are some compulsive thread nannies
> who jump on anyone who wants to have a
conversation
> about something merely related to racing rather than directly on racing,
but
> not all of us feel that way.

Agreed.

There are many Freds lurking here.

 

"Kurgan Gringioni" <[email protected]hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Mapei81" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > Tony, I haven't had personal experience with those specific models, but
> hope
> > you find some good advice here on them. As you found out, there are
some
> > compulsive thread nannies who jump on anyone who wants to have a
> conversation
> > about something merely related to racing rather than directly on racing,
> but
> > not all of us feel that way.
>
>
>
>
> Agreed.
>
> There are many Freds lurking here.

Forgot:

ones who can't figure out they should be on rec.bicycles.tech

 

Try rec.bicycles.tech. That is the more appropriate newsgroup for this type of post.
-----------------
Alex __O _-\<,_ (_)/ (_)

 

You can add Merlin Cielo and Merlin Extralight to your list.

 

[email protected] (Robert Nicholson) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> You can add Merlin Cielo and Merlin Extralight to your list.

Yeah if you want a titanium bike made by Litespeed. Merlin just ain't the same since they were
bought by Litespeed, you can ask anyone about that. Although I can't deny that the Cielo is one
beautiful looking bike. Just on principle, I'd do without it. That and I'd never be able to afford
such a luxury Sunday bike.

Tom

 

What principle? Is the quality not good enough? Are the welders American? Is the designer American?
What's wrong with Lightspeed? They have the advantage over most other Ti builders in size, and that
allows them to have extremely high quality standards. Welding Ti is a skill not an art. Do you
choose your crankset by the person who makes it? How about your carbon fork?

This is sort of like the discussion as to who makes a great steel frame. If you want a custom bike
then go to the closest custom builder and go for a ride with him. Let him know how you ride and what
little extras you want. Don't just go for the name on the decal. If the name is that important then
go to a decal shop and get whatever name you want.

Here's my story: I wanted a custom Ti, so I went for a ride with my good friend, Peter Dreesens, who
has been making custom steel frames for decades. Since he doesn't make Ti frames I used his
suggestions to help me decide what to request. I don't need much in none-standard geometery so all I
asked for is lower BB, and longer stays then the usual racing frame, and some fender/rack eyelets.
It fits great and will likely last a lot longer then the decals.

-Bruce

"Tom Arsenault" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [email protected] (Robert Nicholson) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > You can add Merlin Cielo and Merlin Extralight to your list.
>
> Yeah if you want a titanium bike made by Litespeed. Merlin just ain't the same since they were
> bought by Litespeed, you can ask anyone about that. Although I can't deny that the Cielo is one
> beautiful looking bike. Just on principle, I'd do without it. That and I'd never be able to afford
> such a luxury Sunday bike.
>
> Tom

 

[email protected] (Anthony Moody) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I'm a long time aluminum rider (currently Klein Quantum w/Ultegra set up) who is thinking hard
> about making the jump to either Ti, Carbon, or a mix, and in custom form. Primary reason: comfort
> (back pain, hand numbness), fit, ride quality (silky smooth please).

Try some larger tires, Michelin Race 25s or Rivendell Rolly Pollys 27s, or Avocet 28s, all can be
run at 100psi or better. Gives that silky smooth ride. As for the bikes you listed, the comfort is
more a bike setup question, can you get the amount of weight on your hands and butt balanced so you
don't hurt. That is a reach and bar/saddle height relationship issue, not a frame material issue.

Scott Goldsmith race content, fatigue make you slow, ride in comfort.

 

For those with constructive comments, I thank you. For the rest, NYAH.

TM

 

Anthony Moody wrote:
> For those with constructive comments, I thank you. For the rest, NYAH.
>
> TM

I'm surprised you didn't get flamed worse than you did, Fred. If you want some help picking out
some Ti jewelry, go visit the local jewelry store, AKA LBS. They'll be happy to set you up for the
right price.

Bret

 

"Bret Wade" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:r%[email protected]...
> Anthony Moody wrote:
> > For those with constructive comments, I thank you. For the rest, NYAH.
> >
> > TM
>
> I'm surprised you didn't get flamed worse than you did, Fred.

No shit, this group has been a little soft recently.

 

"Kurgan Gringioni" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> "Bret Wade" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:r%[email protected]...
> > Anthony Moody wrote:
> > > For those with constructive comments, I thank you. For the rest, NYAH.
> > >
> > > TM
> >
> > I'm surprised you didn't get flamed worse than you did, Fred.
>
>
> No shit, this group has been a little soft recently.

You two ever wonder why no one likes you?

 

"Anthony Moody" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Kurgan Gringioni" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:<[email protected]>...
> > "Bret Wade" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:r%[email protected]...
> > > Anthony Moody wrote:
> > > > For those with constructive comments, I thank you. For the rest,
NYAH.
> > > >
> > > > TM
> > >
> > > I'm surprised you didn't get flamed worse than you did, Fred.
> >
> >
> > No shit, this group has been a little soft recently.
>
> You two ever wonder why no one likes you?

Dearest Fred -

Hang around this group for awhile longer and you'll figure it out.

Right now you are clueless (and I'm not being sarcastic)

 

I may be clueless by your measure ass face, but I remember a time when people were couteous and
helpful by default - not just online but in general. Guess that time is past. Why don't you take
your head out

Tony

 

"Anthony Moody" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I may be clueless by your measure ass face, but I remember a time when people were couteous and
> helpful by default - not just online but in general. Guess that time is past.

Hey dumbass -

There was never a time like that on this newsgroup.

>Why don't you take your head out

OK there, newbie.