Purchase Conflict

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Sherm
So, I am seriously conflicted over whether Ti or Carbon is the better material. ---Insert test ride suggestion here (I will be testing).

I also live in center city philly, so I need a bike that will hold up to the rigors of city riding (also, PA isn't very bike-friendly so I don't want to get hit by a car and toast a carbon frame).

You think any frame would not be toasted by a run in with a car? Get off the material trip and concentrate on one that fits well. Or maybe you should be thinking something more bullet proof like a Surly.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
You think any frame would not be toasted by a run in with a car? Get off the material trip and concentrate on one that fits well. Or maybe you should be thinking something more bullet proof like a Surly.

Actually, I did get fitted for the Litespeed. Cool process. The Giants are compact frames and that seems interesting. I've heard that mountain bikers like the compact frames for flickability reasons. Whatever on that...I think I just need to ride it for myself.

On another note...heheheh...Surly ;-) Love 'em, but not this time. I get your point though.

200lbs will be gone shortly after riding..
after i started racing i went from 210 to 175 so dont let ur sixe factor in..

I would mainly focus on the material
I ride and Airborne also Ti
and I have found it to be really rigid sometimes..
so try out the Litespeed then then giant
and If you can get one customized and the other you cant go for the one that is perfectly fit for you

I love my Ti..
but in a couple yrs i am going to get steel and carbon
just cuz its softer and better power transfer.

so overall
i say go for litespeed it should be aweome to have Ti buddy 8)

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by izzodesh
200lbs will be gone shortly after riding..
after i started racing i went from 210 to 175 so dont let ur sixe factor in..

My apologies for going off topic on this but izzodesh's post was just eye catching for me.

Replies from the rest are most welcome.

Izzodesh, I'm very very impressed with your weight loss due to cycling. I have the same problem as well. I'm 5'8" and weigh oh about 220. OK ok, I'm big and I'm heavy. (read as fat and obese)

How did you go about losing your weight? How long before the pounds began to shed? What is your cycling regimen?

Thank you!

I went from 195 to 150 over about 5 months, riding an hour or two a day. It also helps to eat right and watch your calories, such as with a program like CaloriesMadeSimple.com

I also have an Airborne Ti (after test riding some carbon and Ti bikes; yes the tet ride should be mandatory). The carbon EC70 seatpost absorbs the big bumps and I prefer the rigidity over my 32 year old steel bike. Wheels, tires, and other components can also drastically affect the feel of the bike, so if you find one that fits well, swapping out parts may give you the feel you like.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by izzodesh
200lbs will be gone shortly after riding..
after i started racing i went from 210 to 175 so dont let ur sixe factor in..

I would mainly focus on the material
I ride and Airborne also Ti
and I have found it to be really rigid sometimes..
so try out the Litespeed then then giant
and If you can get one customized and the other you cant go for the one that is perfectly fit for you

I love my Ti..
but in a couple yrs i am going to get steel and carbon
just cuz its softer and better power transfer.

so overall
i say go for litespeed it should be aweome to have Ti buddy 8)

That's funny. I'm just about your size -- I raced at between 182 and 190 lbs, and rode ti, than a custom steel frame. Then I gave up racing for 5 yrs and balloned to 225. I've been training with the thought of racing this spring. I've lost some of my excess weight, but I'm still 15 lbs from a weight that would at which I would consider entering a race.

However, I recently opted for a new Ti Bike. I now ride a Litespeed Vortex, which I chose for its big downtube, and very stiff BB. It's just as stiff as my custom steel (built with Columbus MS tubing/asymetrical chainstays, etc. -- very , very stiff!). But its far lighter, and just has a Ti feel that I love!

Frankly, I know I'll catch a lot of flack here for saying this, but IMHO, aside from appreciatig the artistry involved in handcut lugs, I see no reason to but a "traditional" lugged steel frame. Mine sure is pretty, and I will have it refinished someday, but I just can't see ever wanting to race it.