Carbon Fiber Frames -- Gathering info

[KSH]

I have a Specialized Tarmac Expert, 49CM, XS.

I picked it simply because I wanted:

1) A bike that was fast and responsive and that WOW'ed me the test ride- which is did!

2) A bike that was full carbon- which it was, except for the handlebars, but I put my carbon ones on already.

3) A bike with full Ultegra components- not a mix, but full- and it had that too.

4) A bike with a nice color scheme- and it was so pretty!

I test rode the Giant carbon, but was't WOW'ed by the ride. I also test rode the Ruby and liked it as much as the Tarmac... but it was $400 more... so I took it out of the running.

Thus far, I have only ridden my Tarmac 25 miles... dang weather! But so far... so good.

[roadie gal]

I have a Sampson Diablo set up as a tri bike. (In fact, it's the one on their web site.) I went with Sampson because I have one of their ti Silvertons and love it. Their bikes fit me perfectly.

I have also been extremely happy dealing with Eric Sampson. When you call to talk to them about getting a bike he's the one that answers the phone. He doesn't try to sell you anything. He chats about your style of riding, the road conditions, and any special needs you have. I called about 6 times before I ordered the bike. He was always very nice, never short or pushy.

I like the feel of their carbon bike. I had tried a Trek a few years ago and thought it was like riding a block of wood. The Sampson is much more responsive, but still dampens the vibration of the miserable roads we have around here.

I live in the mountains of NorCal. There is no flat. Everything is either UP or DOWN. This bike handles very well, even with the tri bar setup. It's nice and stiff without being abusive.

It was a *bit* more expensive than a lot of bikes. But it's spec's are top shelf. And I figure if I stop doing tris I can put some regular drop bars on it and use it as a roady.

[emily_in_nc]

I have a carbon Aegis Swift. They are made in Maine (I liked the fact that it was made in the USA). I bought the frame on eBay and had it built up with Campy Chorus and an FSA Compact Carbon Pro crankset in 2004. I believe Aegis still makes the Swift, but the price of a new one is high since you buy the frame/fork separately and then pick a build kit and wheels, so the price can skyrocket very quickly. I was only able to afford to build mine because I got the frame/fork for 2/3 off retail through ebay. It was a leftover (never built) 1999 model from a small California bike shop. The newer frames are lighter than what I have.

The frame comes in 44, 46, and 48 cm sizes only (or at least through 2005 or so it did; haven't checked since) and takes 650c wheels. I ride the 46 cm size but would probably have done better on the 44 as the standover is minimal. I am 5'2.5" with a 28.5" inseam.

Emily

[Derf]

I have a carbon Aegis Swift. They are made in Maine (I liked the fact that it was made in the USA). I bought the frame on eBay and had it built up with Campy Chorus and an FSA Compact Carbon Pro crankset in 2004. I believe Aegis still makes the Swift, but the price of a new one is high since you buy the frame/fork separately and then pick a build kit and wheels, so the price can skyrocket very quickly. I was only able to afford to build mine because I got the frame/fork for 2/3 off retail through ebay. It was a leftover (never built) 1999 model from a small California bike shop. The newer frames are lighter than what I have.

The frame comes in 44, 46, and 48 cm sizes only (or at least through 2005 or so it did; haven't checked since) and takes 650c wheels. I ride the 46 cm size but would probably have done better on the 44 as the standover is minimal. I am 5'2.5" with a 28.5" inseam.

Emily

Those look VERY nice. I am 5'3 and currently have a 50 cm Cannondale with 700c wheels. I wonder how it would be to go to the 650c wheels.

[emily_in_nc]

Those look VERY nice. I am 5'3 and currently have a 50 cm Cannondale with 700c wheels. I wonder how it would be to go to the 650c wheels.

I doubt you'd notice any difference at all. Smaller wheels actually accelerate slightly faster, and are lighter in weight. The downside is that not many other cyclists carry 650 tubes, so you have to make absolutely sure you have a tube with you (two if you're paranoid, or a patch kit) at all times. And the tires don't come in snazzy colors; they're mostly black or gray last time I checked.

It's easier to avoid toe overlap with smaller frame sizes and 650c's, though I actually have a little overlap on my Aegis since the top tube is short. I love the bike, though.

Emily

[Aggie_Ama]

IN a pinch you can force a 700 tube into a 650 wheel. My old bike had 650s and one day I had 2 flats and no patch kit. A mechanic happened to drive by with a 700 tube. You don't want go long on it though.

Emily- the cons you listed is what I hated about 650's. Otherwise, I was less paranoid about toe overlap with them.

[annie]

I have a Project One Trek WSD 5200, 650 wheels. I love the carbon. It is light. It is responsive. It helps absorb some of the road shock. I've ridden steel, aluminum, but never titanium. They each have their benefits. I prefer the carbon. Personal preference. I bought the Trek for 2 reasons: 1. I was working at a Trek shop and got a HUGE discount and 2. Same as one. ;-) Plus the bike is beautiful and it fits me to a T.

Annie

[ShannonG]

Those look VERY nice. I am 5'3 and currently have a 50 cm Cannondale with 700c wheels. I wonder how it would be to go to the 650c wheels.

My girlfriend had 650 c wheels on her Trek 2300 but we found she was always the one to get TWO flats on group rides, and the rest of us have 700c so couldn't help out. She loves the road sparkles!

[ShannonG]

I have a Trek Madone SSL 6.9. I have an aluminum LeMond Tourmalet that I love and I originally ordered a carbon Zurich, but there were really lengthy delays in production and my bike shop guy talked me into the Trek.
I have a beef with most of the bike companies not making a women's specific version of their best bikes. My bike is a men's 50 cm. I am 5'5", with kind of longish legs.

[Derf]

My girlfriend had 650 c wheels on her Trek 2300 but we found she was always the one to get TWO flats on group rides, and the rest of us have 700c so couldn't help out. She loves the road sparkles!

Thanks. I went to a couple of shops this weekend, both said I don't need the 650c wheels.

[Mimosa]

As you can see in my sig I ordered a Stevens SCF1 Carbon frame (56 cm) which is a german brand. It's designed in germany but manufactured somewhere in asia (like a lot of carbon frames). I choose that one because of the price/weight ratio and because I found loads of good reviews/tests about this frame (and I fell in love with the -almost- white colour). If what people say is true then it's a good responsive, fast, strong and comfortable frame. And it must be since I will drive mostly crits with it.

They (stevens) got a customization program but I stuck with what I knew and choose the put full Shimano Ultegra on it with Pro components (a daughter brand of shimano). I will post some pics when I get the bike which should be in a matter of weeks.