Steelman v. Seven

Hi, I've been a lurker for a while and I love reading everyone's thoughts and advice on this forum. So here is my "dilemma." I currently ride a 44cm Specialized Allez Vita with 700 cc wheels. Pro: it's light. Con: rough aluminum ride (and maybe the 700 cc wheels). My husband wants to buy me a new road bike for my birthday, but there are very few bicycles in my size with a 50 cm or shorter top tube. A custom bike seems to be the best bet and I've narrowed my choices to a Seven Alaris or a Steelman Stage Race, but I am torn between materials: titanium or steel/carbon? Any thoughts on these two bikes? I picked Seven because there is a Seven dealer near me and have heard good things about its bikes. I picked Steelman because it looks cool and it also seems to build a good bike. Thanks.

I have never ridden a Ti bike but I'm betting someone here has so they can answer that one. I Do however own 2 steel bikes and LOVE them!! I'm actually riding one of them today coz I rode the Alum on a century Sat and between the bumpy route, the alum frame and the heat I was just worn out! If I could have a custom bike - I'd take a steel ANY day! A Luna (the builder is 55 miles from me!) or a Rivendell (coz I Love the frames)!!

...and Rivendell puts 26" wheels on the 50 and 52s to avoid toe overlap of the wheels. And they are quite lovely, as Corsair says! www.rivbike.com

I ride a custom Stellar SL OX Platinum Steel and I LLLLOOOOVVVVEEEE it! http://www.rodcycle.com/

I can't believe how well it rides... the bumps, pot holes etc that I face on the way to work are so MUCH better. The bike really absorbs the shock instead of booting me off like my aluminum frame did (I have the scars to prove it :eek: )

My honey just went through the same ordeal of titanium vs. Steel. He went with the S3 (steel) and couldn’t be happier! Plus the bike shop is amazing working with Smiley is a hoot, my pink and lime green is pictured all over the walls there….. odd that I was the first to ask for a bright pink sparkly bike. Now its a regular color they offer!!!! :p

I love my bike I went from a once a week rider to an every day rider/bike commuter! :D

Thanks for your input. My husband thinks titanium is ideal for someone my size so I am surprised that so few women ride titanium and so many ride steel. Or at least it seems as if few women on this forum ride titanium.

SadieKate rides a Ti bike. Maybe she could give you some feedback if you pm her.

I ride a Ti Airborne Zeppelin and love it, but I really don't have a favorite frame material. I'm 5'7" so I don't have any issues with needing a small-sized frame, and was able to test ride stock bikes. I test rode steel (LeMond) and carbon (Trek) bikes before deciding on the Airborne. The next bike I buy could be any material - I'm particularly fond of lugged carbon right now...

Sheldon Brown, as usual, has a good brief summary of frame materials.

Hi there! I ride a 49cm Litespeed Tuscany... ti frame... I LOVE this bike... I had a Lemond Buenos Aires prior with a steel frame and while it was a good bike, there really is no comparison IMHO... the ti is more comfortable hands down... when I got it I picked up speed and my climbing improved.. not sure how much of that was mental, but I think it's the bike!!! :D

I'd recommend test riding both and decide which is more comfortable for YOU! What goes for one does NOT go for all... sigh... that would be wayyyyy too easy! Good luck and hope you're happy on the new ride! And what a nice DH!!! :)

Seven Ellium (Ti & CF) owner here, also have a Litespeed Appalachian cross (Ti). Love the TI and find the CF smooths out the ride. The Ellium has both Ti and CF making for a very smooth ride, but the CF fork took a bit to get used to. Also have the CF bars and seat post. I ride mostly mountains and downhill descents at 45mph were a bit scary at first, just need to get you weight off the front and then she rides smooth as silk. I do have to be careful with the CF, can't crank anything on the tubes and heaven forbid if I should wreck !! I say go with the Ti and accessorize with CF.

Also think about what roads you ride. I live in the mountains and I personally believe the Ti bike is the best bet for my riding/climbing conditions. The CF is for my aching 44 year old body and it is just so darned purty !!