Titanium Bike Choice

Airborne Manhattan Project(airborne.net) with Campy Record or Dura Ace....and a nice set of wheels. Approx. 18 lbs or a little less.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by srenda
I have about ~$3500 to spend on a new bike, my inclination is to go with a ti bike. Was wondering what people think is the best option for this price range. I really liked the feel of the Seven axiom and some of the Merlin bikes. The Axiom is out of my range, but I really liked the Merlin Cyrene, although not 'custom', it felt outstanding, and seems like a great bike that is good at lots of things, but not outstanding at one thing, i.e climbing or trialing. Thoughst on other ti bikes, Litespeeds, serotta [although they look like out of my budget as well], maybe a Lemond? I ride about 3x/week, about 150 miles total, do maybe 3 or 4 races/rides a year, I just like to ride and ride and ride. Live in San Diego, so I get my fair share of all types of terrain, hills, downhills, flats, rollers... Any thoughts. TIA.

SR

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by srenda
I have about ~$3500 to spend on a new bike, my inclination is to go with a ti bike. Was wondering what people think is the best option for this price range. I really liked the feel of the Seven axiom and some of the Merlin bikes. The Axiom is out of my range, but I really liked the Merlin Cyrene, although not 'custom', it felt outstanding, and seems like a great bike that is good at lots of things, but not outstanding at one thing, i.e climbing or trialing. Thoughst on other ti bikes, Litespeeds, serotta [although they look like out of my budget as well], maybe a Lemond? I ride about 3x/week, about 150 miles total, do maybe 3 or 4 races/rides a year, I just like to ride and ride and ride. Live in San Diego, so I get my fair share of all types of terrain, hills, downhills, flats, rollers... Any thoughts. TIA.

SR

I would take a reious look at Lemond. The frame geometry is superb, and the frames are awesome. It is a great ride for long hauls and it climbs with the best of them. I am someone who researches his gear before he buys. Lemond won hands down.
Good Luck!!🙂

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by srenda
I have about ~$3500 to spend on a new bike, my inclination is to go with a ti bike. Was wondering what people think is the best option for this price range. I really liked the feel of the Seven axiom and some of the Merlin bikes. The Axiom is out of my range, but I really liked the Merlin Cyrene, although not 'custom', it felt outstanding, and seems like a great bike that is good at lots of things, but not outstanding at one thing, i.e climbing or trialing. Thoughst on other ti bikes, Litespeeds, serotta [although they look like out of my budget as well], maybe a Lemond? I ride about 3x/week, about 150 miles total, do maybe 3 or 4 races/rides a year, I just like to ride and ride and ride. Live in San Diego, so I get my fair share of all types of terrain, hills, downhills, flats, rollers... Any thoughts. TIA.

SR

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by srenda
I have about ~$3500 to spend on a new bike, my inclination is to go with a ti bike. Was wondering what people think is the best option for this price range. I really liked the feel of the Seven axiom and some of the Merlin bikes. The Axiom is out of my range, but I really liked the Merlin Cyrene, although not 'custom', it felt outstanding, and seems like a great bike that is good at lots of things, but not outstanding at one thing, i.e climbing or trialing. Thoughst on other ti bikes, Litespeeds, serotta [although they look like out of my budget as well], maybe a Lemond? I ride about 3x/week, about 150 miles total, do maybe 3 or 4 races/rides a year, I just like to ride and ride and ride. Live in San Diego, so I get my fair share of all types of terrain, hills, downhills, flats, rollers... Any thoughts. TIA.

SR

I don't know if this is any help or not, but I purchased a Merlin Agilis last year - complete with DuraAce Group, when I lived in the Northern part of California - and I have been totally pleased with it. Living back here in Atlanta now I ride about the same as you - 3-4 times a week and 150-200 miles and, we have similar terrain that you have in San Diego(maybe a few more mountains). I have ridden on all the types of terrain you mention, and have not experienced any set backs - even in the mountains, it's like a mountain goat. I to did alot of research before purchasing, and the consensus of everyone I spoke with was that Merlin was one of the best manufacturers of Ti bikes - even better than their 'Big Brother' Litespeed.

Hope this helps in your continued search.

rlroadie

Thanks for the responses, I test rode the Merlin Cyrene & Agilis, a Seven Axiom that was probably just a tad too big, a Litespeed Tuscany, the Lemond Victoire, and an Independent that the guy in the shop owned and had there. I ended up going with the Litespeed Tuscany with full Dura Ace. The Seven felt fantasic, just out of my price range. The Lemond was good, but the Tuscany just felt absolutely sweet. Plus, I just fit better on the Litespeed than the Lemond, although the Lemond seat being further back was less pronounced than I envisioned before I saw a bike with my eyes. I really thought the Cyrene would ride better, but I felt noticeably better on both the Lemond/Tuscany. Anyway, if people want more details about the test rides, let me know, be happy to share my experiences. Tks.

SR

srenda,

even though you've made your choice, you still might like to read this...

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/features/litespeed.html

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by srenda
I have about ~$3500 to spend on a new bike, my inclination is to go with a ti bike. Was wondering what people think is the best option for this price range. I really liked the feel of the Seven axiom and some of the Merlin bikes. The Axiom is out of my range, but I really liked the Merlin Cyrene, although not 'custom', it felt outstanding, and seems like a great bike that is good at lots of things, but not outstanding at one thing, i.e climbing or trialing. Thoughst on other ti bikes, Litespeeds, serotta [although they look like out of my budget as well], maybe a Lemond? I ride about 3x/week, about 150 miles total, do maybe 3 or 4 races/rides a year, I just like to ride and ride and ride. Live in San Diego, so I get my fair share of all types of terrain, hills, downhills, flats, rollers... Any thoughts. TIA.

SR

Lemond Victoire. 'Nuff said.

Plus, your $3500 budget leaves you just about enough to buy a set of Dura Ace pedals and Sidi Genius 4 shoes.
Well, almost!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by srenda
Thanks for the responses, I test rode the Merlin Cyrene & Agilis, a Seven Axiom that was probably just a tad too big, a Litespeed Tuscany, the Lemond Victoire, and an Independent that the guy in the shop owned and had there. I ended up going with the Litespeed Tuscany with full Dura Ace. The Seven felt fantasic, just out of my price range. The Lemond was good, but the Tuscany just felt absolutely sweet. Plus, I just fit better on the Litespeed than the Lemond, although the Lemond seat being further back was less pronounced than I envisioned before I saw a bike with my eyes. I really thought the Cyrene would ride better, but I felt noticeably better on both the Lemond/Tuscany. Anyway, if people want more details about the test rides, let me know, be happy to share my experiences. Tks.

SR

I'm in a similar position, between Merlin Cyrene and Litespeed Tuscany. How would you compare them? Have ridden an Arenberg, which has the same geometry as the Tuscany, but having a hard time finding a Cyrene to test ride. Any details would be useful. Thanks!-K

I'm partial to LeMond, but Serotta is good too. Any of those bikes that you mention would be quite road worthy.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by hillclimber
I would take a reious look at Lemond. The frame geometry is superb, and the frames are awesome. It is a great ride for long hauls and it climbs with the best of them. I am someone who researches his gear before he buys. Lemond won hands down.
Good Luck!!🙂

If you had the choice between Tete de Course and Ghisallo which would you pick and why???

If I had the cash, I would definitely check out the ti frame from Independent Fabrications. I'm not sure how far the $3,500 would go but it would be worth checking into: http://www.ifbikes.com/

I live in El Centro and have been riding an old steel Bianchi. Same distances you mentioned. I want to get a comfortable bike but don't have that $3500, so I was looking at e-bay. I'm a little confused about sizing however, since the "same size" frames have lots of variety in actual measurements. You sound pretty knowledgeable. I'm 5' 8 1/2" and fairly long-legged in proportion. I'm looking at a 54 cm Cyrene on e-bay. Would that be an appropriate size for me?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by srenda
Thanks for the responses, I test rode the Merlin Cyrene & Agilis, a Seven Axiom that was probably just a tad too big, a Litespeed Tuscany, the Lemond Victoire, and an Independent that the guy in the shop owned and had there. I ended up going with the Litespeed Tuscany with full Dura Ace. The Seven felt fantasic, just out of my price range. The Lemond was good, but the Tuscany just felt absolutely sweet. Plus, I just fit better on the Litespeed than the Lemond, although the Lemond seat being further back was less pronounced than I envisioned before I saw a bike with my eyes. I really thought the Cyrene would ride better, but I felt noticeably better on both the Lemond/Tuscany. Anyway, if people want more details about the test rides, let me know, be happy to share my experiences. Tks.

SR

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by jacume
I live in El Centro and have been riding an old steel Bianchi. Same distances you mentioned. I want to get a comfortable bike but don't have that $3500, so I was looking at e-bay. I'm a little confused about sizing however, since the "same size" frames have lots of variety in actual measurements. You sound pretty knowledgeable. I'm 5' 8 1/2" and fairly long-legged in proportion. I'm looking at a 54 cm Cyrene on e-bay. Would that be an appropriate size for me?

Guessing your size or expecting someone else to guess for you is a good way to get an expensive hosing. If the Bianchi fits, use it's TT length and check manufactures websites for comparables,but that is not the whole story.