Carbon Frame selection

"h squared" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cat Dailey said:

if you feel you'd like to send out some happy thoughts to a hurtin'
cyclist pal ;>

well, of course, even though i still think of you as a skater 🙂 there's a
reason that i'm riding a stupid trainer instead of outside running 10 or
20 miles (dumbass knee of my own). i'm also terrified of surgery (not that
you should be, i'm just neurotic), so i can't help but sympathize and hope
it goes as well as it can for you.

heather

Thanks H! And it's been, I think about 5 years since I've even had skates
on! I was a cyclist long before morphing into a skater, now back to cycling
again. I originally bought a bike as rehab for a broken neck, so I know how
you feel about your trainer and running. My knee has been bad since a
volleyball injury in college, so I never did any running. I wish I had
another sport I could crosstrain with, but cycling is about the only thing
that my knee can tolerate ;< Anyway, take care of those knees, girl! The
trainer is not so bad if you have some decent music or some spinervals...

Cat

Quoted message said:

Cat Dailey said:

another sport I could crosstrain with

Rowing. You'll get great leg definition;
http://www.nlroei.nl/Fotoboek-display-2235.html

--
E. Dronkert

Cat Dailey said:

I wish I had
another sport I could crosstrain with, but cycling is about the only thing
that my knee can tolerate ;<

yep, it sucks..i'm often trying to come up with another sport we could
do too. all i can think of is swimming, which i hate and *absolutely*
suck at.

heather
(broken neck!? i promise not to complain about the trainer for the rest
of the year after hearing that!)

Cat Dailey said:

"Ewoud Dronkert" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cat Dailey said:

can you guys help me out with some brands that I should look at?

Best very light frame is the Scott CR1. (<- that's a period).
Don't get the elliptical chainrings, though.

--
E. Dronkert

Another great suggestion! See, I knew you guys could help ;> So far:

Time, Orbea, Scott

Cat

Also consider Fondriest:
http://www.fondriest-usa.com/
http://www.fondriestbici.com

Felt F1C

Stu Fleming said:

Bianchi.

Steel Bianchi.

Cat Dailey said:

but I was frankly a little confused by his post.

Sorry to hurt your feelings but I simply forgot to add the requisite
smiley face. Glad I didn't bow to standard RBR protocol and start my
response with a "dumbass".

;-)

The point I was making is that if you want a specific "something" from
an aesthetic perspective just go for it. However, since you are clearly
a serious cyclist then I'd expect you'd be more interested in the
performance attributes of the new bike and less so on aesthetic
qualities. Sometimes it's worth revisting the want vs the need. I
always go with "want" but it's a personal choice.

So, since you asked a question that seemed perfromance oriented, and
some of the bikes you are thinking about are not overly common, I
posted to provide you with a somewhat informed opinion (since we have
two Calfees in the garage and looked hard at which carbon bike to get a
year ago). My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it, but was
certainly meant to be helpful and there was no intent to "flame" you in
any way.

Back on topic, we have one guy here on a Parlee, which several others
in this group suggested you look at. I think the local fellow bought
Parlee as he wanted something different because when questioned he
really can't elucidate why he choose it. That said, if RS says look at
Parlee then you should look at it.

Ciao,

Mark

"Ewoud Dronkert" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cat Dailey said:

another sport I could crosstrain with

Rowing. You'll get great leg definition;
http://www.nlroei.nl/Fotoboek-display-2235.html

--
E. Dronkert

Can't unfortunately. Doing repetitive squats (basically rowing motion for
lower body) ain't too good on a bad knee ;<

Cat

"h squared" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cat Dailey said:

I wish I had another sport I could crosstrain with, but cycling is about
the only thing that my knee can tolerate ;<

yep, it sucks..i'm often trying to come up with another sport we could do
too. all i can think of is swimming, which i hate and *absolutely* suck
at.

heather
(broken neck!? i promise not to complain about the trainer for the rest of
the year after hearing that!)

H,

Yeah, I can't swim either. A problem for us lean chicks is low body fat and
water. I sink like a rock and I freeze my fannie off ;< It bores me to
tears and the kick is hard on the bad knee, believe it or not... And I am
lucky to be alive after the car accident where I broke C7, so I think
anything I can do is good stuff :>

Cat

"Donald Munro" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Stu Fleming said:

Bianchi.

Steel Bianchi.

Well, it was a good try, anyway ;>

Cat

"Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Cat Dailey said:

but I was frankly a little confused by his post.

Sorry to hurt your feelings but I simply forgot to add the requisite
smiley face. Glad I didn't bow to standard RBR protocol and start my
response with a "dumbass".

;-)

The point I was making is that if you want a specific "something" from
an aesthetic perspective just go for it. However, since you are clearly
a serious cyclist then I'd expect you'd be more interested in the
performance attributes of the new bike and less so on aesthetic
qualities. Sometimes it's worth revisting the want vs the need. I
always go with "want" but it's a personal choice.

So, since you asked a question that seemed perfromance oriented, and
some of the bikes you are thinking about are not overly common, I
posted to provide you with a somewhat informed opinion (since we have
two Calfees in the garage and looked hard at which carbon bike to get a
year ago). My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it, but was
certainly meant to be helpful and there was no intent to "flame" you in
any way.

Back on topic, we have one guy here on a Parlee, which several others
in this group suggested you look at. I think the local fellow bought
Parlee as he wanted something different because when questioned he
really can't elucidate why he choose it. That said, if RS says look at
Parlee then you should look at it.

Ciao,

Mark

Oh, please, not the dreaded "dumbass" and the day before surgery no less ;>
Seriously, though, I did not for a minute think you were flaming me, I just
wasn't sure *what* it was you were saying! And performance, shmerformance.
Like I said, I've ridden so many different frame materials, and I don't
believe any of the bullsh** written about frame materials and performance.
I have 3 specific criteria...
1. probably the ONLY one that matters, it's gotta fit right;
2. lightweight; and
3. it's got to say something to me, you know, whisper in my ear, kinda
(how's that for vague, non-specific, etc.)
Right now, carbon fiber of a certain type (molded carbon fiber) is
whispering to me, so that's going to be the next one. I buy a new bike
every three years or so, so I don't have to worry about being "married" to
it, know what I mean? For me, that's one of the true joys of cycling. Try
new stuff and ride the hell out of it ;>

Good riding to you and don't worry about being pc with me, I've got a very
thick skin...

Cat

Cat Dailey said:

Can't unfortunately. Doing repetitive squats (basically rowing motion for
lower body) ain't too good on a bad knee ;<

It depends on the load I guess. A rowing stroke is normally lighter than
your body weight (an unloaded squat). In my experience, rowing is easier
on the knees because of the lower frequency of the motion. Feet aren't
(very) fixed either.

Anyway, if it's that bad, I'm amazed you can still cycle with those knees.

--
E. Dronkert

Quoted message said:

Bettini and Boonen think TIME is not too bad a frame. And it has the
cut-once VERY CAREFULLY weird extended seat tube you crave.

this is a stupid design.

how are you supposed to fit the bike in a travel case ?

Cat Dailey said:

I buy a new bike every three years or so, so I don't have to worry
about being "married" to it, know what I mean? For me, that's one of
the true joys of cycling. Try new stuff and ride the hell out of it

Just as well you didn't post to rbt then; over there they expect you to
ride the same frame for 20 years.

Donald Munro said:

Cat Dailey said:

I buy a new bike every three years or so, so I don't have to worry
about being "married" to it, know what I mean? For me, that's one of
the true joys of cycling. Try new stuff and ride the hell out of it

Just as well you didn't post to rbt then; over there they expect you to
ride the same frame for 20 years.

My steel Raleigh is still going strong after 16...

Donald Munro said:

Quoted message said:

Just as well you didn't post to rbt then; over there they expect you to
ride the same frame for 20 years.

Stu Fleming said:

My steel Raleigh is still going strong after 16...

Yes, but is it still under EU warranty ?

On 11/22/2005 12:39 AM, in article
[email hidden], "Donald Munro"

Quoted message said:

Cat Dailey said:

I buy a new bike every three years or so, so I don't have to worry
about being "married" to it, know what I mean? For me, that's one of
the true joys of cycling. Try new stuff and ride the hell out of it

Just as well you didn't post to rbt then; over there they expect you to
ride the same frame for 20 years.

I'm surprised that no one has commented on the fact that the United States'
premier lugged steel framebuilder (Richard Sachs) posted in this thread,
suggesting a US made carbon frame (Parlee) ...

--
Steven L. Sheffield
stevens at veloworks dot com
bellum pax est libertas servitus est ignoratio vis est
ess ay ell tea ell ay kay ee sea eye tee why you ti ay aitch
aitch tee tea pea colon [for word] slash [four ward] slash double-you
double-yew double-ewe dot veloworks dot com [foreword] slash

Steven L. Sheffield said:

I'm surprised that no one has commented on the fact that the United States'
premier lugged steel framebuilder (Richard Sachs) posted in this thread,
suggesting a US made carbon frame (Parlee) ...

I figured he has enough business that when someone asks about a carbon
frame, he answered the question. And no one got the correct answer,
which is 'something red'.

Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, MD (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...

I agree the Calfee is my choice for a composite frame. Calfee has a
custom program. The other advantage is that it is one of the only
lightweight conventional frames with a 25 year warranty. Giants are
good frames, but I dislike the compact frame design. Treks are good
frames, but their warranty is only for 5 years and they want you to pay
a $300 replacement fee. Looks are good but their warranty is only 5
years. There is some other like the Merlin with the stainless steel
lugs. Interesting design, but I don't trust bonding. The italian other
racing bike builder like Eddy Merckx, Colnago offer a composite frames,
but they are made by other companies in most cases and have a limited
warranty as well.

Now some companies have a crash replacement fee policy and this is good
if you do a lot of racing.

Mark said:

Quoted message said:

I don't care for the webbed lugs of the Calfee.

Are you buying it to ride or to hang on your wall? With Calfee you also
have a chance that if you munch the frame they can fix it. If you have
an issue with a Euro frame you might get some help but good luck. I'm
biased since I ride a Calfee and just bought one for the wife, but one
really should choose a frame based on performance.

Choice in Carbon depends on what type of ride you want. Frames like the
Calfee and Look tend to feel more like a good steel bike than monocoque
frames. Depends what you like and I highly suggest real test rides
prior to shelling out the cash since the bikes you are looking at are
not cheap.

If I were looking at Carbon frames today it would come down to the
Calfee, Look or Scott frames. My dad is currently on the top end Giant,
and dollar per dollar that bike is a huge value.

You might do well to look at other materials as well. Carbon is great
for some applications and riders but if you'll be doing short races you
might want to go with steel or TI as those frames may feel more
"lively" to you. In TI I would personally go with Moots. In steel,
Richie is the master but I am enamored of the new Independent Fab
bikes.

Good luck with the surgery and very impressive mileage. I did 6K this
year and thought that was pretty good. 10K is way out there.

Mark

In article <[email hidden]>,

Curtis L. Russell said:

Steven L. Sheffield said:

I'm surprised that no one has commented on the fact that the United States'
premier lugged steel framebuilder (Richard Sachs) posted in this thread,
suggesting a US made carbon frame (Parlee) ...

I figured he has enough business that when someone asks about a carbon
frame, he answered the question. And no one got the correct answer,
which is 'something red'.

Yes indeedy. If someone wants the lightest frame available, Mr. Sachs
will not provide. How much that matters given that you could probably
build a UCI-illegal bike with a Sachs racing frame and judicious
component choice is up to the buyer...

Product differentiation and niche exploitation is the only thing that
keeps the Sachs/Parlee/Rivendell/Vanilla makers of the world away from
the commodification hell where myriad Taiwan-based carbon and aluminum
frame-makers live. From a market point of view, they are no more
competitors than General Motors and Mosler.

http://www.moslerauto.com/cgi-bin/mosler.pl?header=/mt900/header_pc.html&
content=/mt900/main.html

Sachs et al are set up so that the business can and does sustain a small
staff building bikes by hand. There are lots of other companies happily
chasing after the market for high-volume road bikes. The value and
performance offered by such bikes is hard to argue with, but you don't
get a custom-tweaked geometry provided after a conversation by the guy
who is building your frame, either.

I'm a functionalist: I bought myself a cheap-o aluminum frame off eBay
instead of a Sachs for my race bike. Of course, my budget for a frame
was about C$150 (actually, it was C$0 this year, but by judicious lies
of omission to my wife, the deed was done), at which price I'd better be
able to find contentment with the un-ridden Fetish frame I scored.

If I had a magnitude or two more of disposable income, I'd be able to
find out if I was a Sachs kind of guy. In the meantime, both Richard and
I are blissfully untroubled by our lack of a commercial relationship.

Well, maybe Richard is a little sad I haven't bought any Sachstoys from
him.

Sachstoys: just in time for Christmas:

http://www.richardsachs.com/rsachstoys.html

The dropout/keyring/bottle opener would totally work with the Livedrunk
lifestyle,

--
Ryan Cousineau [email hidden] http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos