Carbon Fiber Frames -- Gathering info

[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

[roguedog]

Giant TCR here..

I actually wasn't looking for a carbon bike. I wanted steel. I'd ridden another brands carbon and was unimpressed. I finally understood what people menat when they say that carbon rides like wood... just kinda dead.

Well, that is until I tried a Giant TCR. I liked that it was smooth like steel, with most of the liveliness of steel but light and responsive. It fit and was fun test riding. And during the test ride.. I just kinda had a "ah yes..." moment.

And ya.. it was cool looking. Natural carbon w/ clear coat. NOt too flashy and it was in my price range.

Sometimes I think getting a bike is much like picking wands at Ollivander's in Harry Potter.

So .. I love my Giant.

[BikeMomma]

I started looking for a new bike a couple years ago when I noticed that I had tweaked my Cannondale aluminum frame -- coming back into the sport with a bit more income than I did before allowed me to shop around with a carbon bike in mind. I lusted after the carbon bikes since they first came out on the market in the late 80's. So when I got my Fuji carbon, it was especially sweet.

I really didn't "shop around" too long. One of the lbs's in Merced deals Fuji's and knowing me, my riding style, my body build, etc., they recommended the Fuji right off the bat. The lbs owner was so thrilled to have me back riding with the them that they cut me a HUGE break on the cost -- and also they knew that if they sold me one, others might want one also (they were right, and sold two more -- whose owners both love the bike as I do). This bike is awesome.

I have the luxury of being tall and lanky with a long torso (sometimes I wonder if it's really a luxury, though, when it comes to fitting long-sleeve shirts/jerseys... ), so I'm able to fit non-WSD bikes (aka "guys" bikes) without much adjustment. I'm 5'9" with a 34" inseam. The bike size I generally ride is a 56cm, but I can ride a 54 with some tweaking. The 56cm gives great response in sprints and hills and corners well. It was alot more responsive than my old Cannondale at first, so it took a bit of getting used to, but is noooo problemmmooo now.

The Fuji carbon bikes are endorsed by the Toyota-United pro mens's team and the Team Lipton women's squad this year. That's Kristin Armstrong's team.

Anyhooo, I'd recommend giving the Fuji a try, but like the other ladies said, fit is first. Fuji does have WSD bikes, but I haven't looked into them too much (being too-tall-me & all).

Take care & have fun shopping...
~BikeMomma

[Derf]

Here's another question for you all. Say I want a frame that is not locally available. How does one insure perfect fit? Would I get an extensive fit done and then submit those measurements to the place that will build the bike?

[Mimosa]

When I ordered my bike they did some measurements (using a laserthingie) with 6 or 7 points of my body which (when run through a computerprogram) led to a framesize (and the rest of the components). Now I know this is just a 'best guess' and it will not allways work. But I knew the numbers from my 'old' bike so I knew that the numbers were correct. The frame has been ordered (and as I was told today has been delivered ... *yippie*) and they will put it all together. When I pickup the bike (hopefully on friday) we will look at my position on the bike if the stem length and height is correct (he ordered the fork 'uncut').

So yes I think you can do it as long as you are certain that the (frame)size you order is the correct size and you have the possibility to swap components like the stem, bars etc.

[JanB]

I have a 54 Specialized Ruby Expert and I love love love my bike. I've had it for about a year and it's been great.

[Batbike]

Here's another question for you all. Say I want a frame that is not locally available. How does one insure perfect fit? Would I get an extensive fit done and then submit those measurements to the place that will build the bike?

Personally i have learned from a combination of trial and error, LBS helping tweek a bike to fit me better (that I bought too big somewhere else), trying different combinations of heights & parts etc., and lots of reading and measurement taking! It has taken me YEARS to feel like I got it close to what is best for me -- I still fool with "this and that" occassionally -- raising my seat height just this past year. Based on what I have gone through -- lots of wrong sizes -- I feel it is best to know how to properly fit yourself, or get someone to do it for you, so that you get it right the first time (at least in the ballpark) ... much better that way!!

From what I have done and what I have seen, I feel the biggest mistake people make when buying a bike is buying it too big. Proper sizing is tricky.

So ... to directly answer your question: Many shops have customized fittings -- maybe you could find one of those; Customized frame builders usually have a method to get your measurements (give you a chart of what to measure and how and you fill it in and send to them); General search (google) could get you various web sites and different ways of measuring to help you take down measurements for yourself and start to get you thinking about where you "need to be" in frame size and measurements. Here is just one -- not necessarily the best, but can get you started thinking about it: http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/

Go to ANY customized bike web site and read about how they do proper fits. Do their measurements. I would suggest doing various sites fitting methods --the more info you have, the better informed you will be on what you need to buy that will work for you! A good site asks about flexibility and how you ride -- Serotta is an excellent site! Calfee and Cramerotti are good too!

Research ... research ... research ... Measure ... measure ... measure ...

[roguedog]

Hmm.. hard one, Derf.

I tried a lot of bikes. A lot of different bikes cuz I wanted to just keep an open mind. And then I started to gather literature that at first jsut hung out on the passenger seat.

However, after riding quite a few bikes I just started to notice that I liked some better than others. Hmmm...

Well, I went back to the little pile in the passenger seat and sifted out the ones I liked. Weird. When I looked at the geometry specs of the bikes I liked they were similar in build.

So, I guess what I'm saying is.. in theory you could do this long distance after you ride quite a few bikes and see what it is your body seems to respond to. I don't know if this works for everyone or if it was just how it worked out for me.

Of course, the best way like everyone says is a fitting and just riding but not sure everyone lives with so much shopping near them like me

[Derf]

Hmm.. hard one, Derf.

I tried a lot of bikes. A lot of different bikes cuz I wanted to just keep an open mind. And then I started to gather literature that at first jsut hung out on the passenger seat.

However, after riding quite a few bikes I just started to notice that I liked some better than others. Hmmm...

Well, I went back to the little pile in the passenger seat and sifted out the ones I liked. Weird. When I looked at the geometry specs of the bikes I liked they were similar in build.

So, I guess what I'm saying is.. in theory you could do this long distance after you ride quite a few bikes and see what it is your body seems to respond to. I don't know if this works for everyone or if it was just how it worked out for me.

Of course, the best way like everyone says is a fitting and just riding but not sure everyone lives with so much shopping near them like me

I live in Los Angeles, so hoping that I will have good luck in finding a wide variety of brands to ride. I know there's a place in Burbank that has a wide variety of bikes from smaller manufacturers and I know there's a some store out near Ventura that does fittings for Serotta. I guess I'm going to have to commit to driving around the greater LA area to investigate! P.S. Your user name caught my eye as my dog's name is Rogie. He was named after the Rogue River in Oregon!

[Crankin]

I have a Kuota Kredo carbon bike. It's an Italian manufacturer, and they are just starting to sell a lot of bikes in the US. They are mostly known for tri bikes, but mine is a regular road bike. I bought the frame and then built the rest of the components with a lot of help from my husband and the LBS. Now, I am 5' 1" with a 29 inch inseam and it's a 51 cm frame. However, my arm length is sort of average, not really short and my hands are not extra small either. I had an extensive computer generated fitting. It is not a WSD bike, but the top tube is shorter than the one I had on my Trek 5200 47 cm. Frankly, I can't figure out how this bike fits me, but it does. I got 38 cm bars, just like I had on my Trek. I can reach the drops much more easily, though, because of some change in the geometry. The big change for me were the 700 wheels. The Trek had 650s and I loved my "little" bike. However, I was always in pain. On my tour in Europe a couple of years ago, i rode a 5200, 47cm, with 700 wheels. They had changed the top tube (sloping) to accomodate the bigger wheels. It took me awhile to get used to that, too. However, I now appreciate using tubes that eveyone else uses. My bike has all Ultegra components, which are basicaly the same as the older Dura Ace I had upgraded to on my Trek. I always had shifting problems on the Trek and the Kuota it is perfect in this respect.
The bike is expensive, but I will probably have it until I die (or go to the hybrid because I am like 90 years old). And, it is a big conversation piece on group rides.

[kerrybelle]

I have the Kuota Kharma. Love it! I went with that brand because it was the only one that would fit, without a lot of adjustments. I have very long legs, but not a long torso. The seet tube was too short in all the WSD and the TT was too long in the other manufacturers non-WSD. The Kuota has nearly the same lenght TT and seat tube. Works perfect for me!

My husband has the Orbea Orca. That is a very nice bike. Orbea makes a great bike and comes with a lifetime frame warranty! They are one of the few, if not only, manufacture that has such a warranty.

Good luck with whatever you decide and keep us posted.

Kerry

[SouthernBelle]

FYI, my Giant also has a lifetime warranty.

[stacie]

I thought I wanted a Trek and even convinced Trek to send one in my size to my bike shop that I could try. Brought it home for a week and just never felt much for it. I discussed my concerns with the shop owner, but he knew more about what I needed than I did and never really listened. I tried a cannondale, it was okay. I tried the specialized and liked it. I wonder how much it had to do with the fact that I ride past this shop all the time and the owner was familiar with me. He really listened and spent a lot of time fitting me. He also listened when I said I liked the bike but something was missing. I knew when I threw my leg over that sweet steel ride of his that I was in love. Everyone said I was crazy but I spent every cent I planned to on a steel bike. I haven't regretted it for a minute. Funny thing is, when I starte dbike shopping years ago this same person tried to steer me towards the steel.
I guess what I'm saying is find someone who knows the industry and is willing ot get to know you and your riding style.

[velocilex]

I have a 2006 Scott Contessa CR1. I had a 53 cm Lemond Etape that never fit me correctly (pushy LBS sold me stem risers, swapped out for a child's stem, adjusted the brakes so I could reach them-- told me this was normal). I was naive and rode it for a year before I started looking for something else. When I started shopping in earnest, I worked with my LBS and began to compare geometries of different brands, so if I had to order a model that was not on-site, I would have a pretty good idea of how it would fit. I was fortunate in that I had a bike (the Lemond) whose geometry *didn't* work for me, so I had something to compare other brands to. The Scott Contessa Speedster happened to be on the floor one day and fit me like a glove-- it was better than anything else I had tried. I ended up with the carbon frame instead of the aluminum because the owner of the shop made me an outstanding offer on the CR1. Carbon is an amazing ride and I find my enjoyment of riding was boosted immensely.

[aggiecorgi]

I have the 53 cm Orbea Diva (in pink!)

http://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?mi...duct&taxid=485

I just got it for Christmas and love it. My last bike was a Giant aluminum TCR0, and I could really tell a difference in the amount of vibration I felt between the two. I must say if you do like the Giants the TCR geometry was nice. The Orbea is my first women specific frame. My "personal" geometry is different than most women though, as I have a long torso and shorter legs for a girl. I'm 5'8" so that probably makes a big difference too.