Seven vs. Habanero

[Velobambina]

I love my Seven Alaris. Can't comment on the other brand, but I tend to avoid buying anything made in China so I'm biased!

[bikerz]

Welcome back!

I love my Seven! I considered the Habanero, primarily because of the lower price (people who have them really like them), but once I decided to go custom, I really only considered the Seven. I just love how they look.

Chris did an excellent job on the fit and my bike felt (and still feels) very comfortable. In fact the whole process went really well.

I'd recommend a lot of test-riding - Chris had a a pretty good selection of smaller-framed bikes there that I tested: Seven Ti, Seven steel, a carbon something (Calfee?), and the Habanero, and that was very helpful.

Have fun!

[Trek420]

Hey, another TE Chis build. Yes, he's a great guy!

Habenero is a good bike or he would not stock them yet I got the impression he carries them for the cyclists who just haaaaaaas to have Ti with fancy stuff hung on it but can't afford the Seven. It's an affordable option.

Before this turns into another debate about imports/made in USA etc ..... I'm not saying don't get the Habanero but do look at his Sevens, Torelli/Mondonico & Calfee bikes he carries.

Torelli now has full carbon or check any of their steel, steel/carbon bikes

http://www.torelli.com/torelli/selvino.html

I love the Mondonico Futura Legero he built me. I'm 5' nuthin' and it fits like a glove. Just as important: no toe overlap, standard wheels and diamond frame. On most frames my size I'd have 650 wheels, toe overlap and/or slanting top tube. Even Antonio said I'd have a slanting top tube but full size wheels. It's as if he made it a personal challenge to build one my size and none a' that.

I happened into Chris's shop the day Antonio Mondonico was there. I met him and his son who now builds Torelli & Mondonico bikes. They went back to Italy and built mine. It's surprisingly light, zippy, peppy, and looks like an Italian work of art because ... it is.

I had a chance to briefly test-ride Bikerz's Seven and I like mine better but there's no comparison. My bike is well....my bike so of course it rides best for me.

I have a feeling if I tried a Seven, my Seven, I'd love it.

This is shallow really but I like the Monconico decal/typeface better which is of course the most important thing about a bike.

[7rider]

Another very happy Seven owner here. Actually, we have 3 in the house....my stock ti Axiom, my custom ID8, and my DH's custom ID8.
You absolutely cannot go wrong with a Seven.
The workmanship. The customization. The ride. Oh, swoooon.....

I actually know someone who got into a "discussion" - I won't call it debate - about the ride of Seven's titanium vs. a "stock" ti bike. The person I know was on the Seven, the other was on a Litespeed, I think. The Litespeed guy thought there was no way any bike was worth what a Seven is and that "ti is ti". They swapped bikes. They rode for a bit. The Litespeed rider came away a believer.

If you can go custom Seven (no more expensive than stock), I'd definitely do it. You won't be disappointed.

[mimitabby]

so trek420 when are we going to see a nicer photo of that Mondonico??

[Trek420]

Sometime soon. Right now I'm off work today, have an errand to run and plan to do this on my bike. So I have to get ready to go.

[dachshund]

Thanks everybody!

Aw gee, I actually have to ride them??? Just kidding. This should be a fun project.

Trek420, don't rush on that picture for my benefit. But I'll be happy to ooh and ah over it if you do!