Ever have one of those days?

[TrekTheKaty]

Ah. Bike Heaven. That sounds like a good place.

I missed the carbon frame part. Make sure the person that hits you buys you a new bike! Seriously

[Miranda]

Yes... the person that was the cause of the accident is responsible for the damage.

They owe you a new bike, besides what they will be paying for the vehicle stuff.

Glad you were ok yourself!

[sundial]

Ah. Bike Heaven. That sounds like a good place.

Got a call from the insurance company and will be receiving a check soon to cover the cost of a new bike and bike rack.

Now for the hard part: What kind of frame material do I want? I have a steel touring bike that is soooo smooth and a lum dum mtb. I would like to consider titanium or light weight steel for my road bike. I'd like one that climbs well since I will be using it for hill training and fast rides. My carbon fiber bike that I had served it's purpose but I felt as if I was riding a straw, lol.

Any suggestions or personal observations? Cost benefits of steel vs titanium?

[Blueberry]

Look at Lynskey's stock frames. If you can fit one of them, they're a pretty sweet deal.

DH has his ti bike built - and mine is still waiting on the fork to be tweaked (coming from a different custom builder). They're NICE!

[sundial]

Look at Lynskey's stock frames.

I actually emailed them and they were very helpful. I also took a looksie at a Moots Vamoots. Then I wandered over to Salsa since I enjoy riding my steel Fargo so much. The Pistola caught my attention and I think I could build it to be a light-ish bike.

[MartianDestiny]

Maybe also consider Independent Fabrications, Seven, and Serotta. All make custom in steel and ti (though custom steel can be had cheaper from smaller builders).

Lynskey is probably the best way to go for production Ti.

I've seen numerous scathing reports on Moots lead times. Everyone loves the bike once they finally get it, but apparently they are hard to get in touch with and can under estimate production times by months to up to a year!!

And, for the heck of it, ride some different carbon too if you want. It's amazing how many different feels you can get out of the material based on how you design (true for all materials), so you may just find a carbon bike you love.

Sorry the Specialized had to go to bike heaven

[sundial]

Maybe also consider....Seven, and Serotta.

I checked those sites as well and have ridden a Seven. Interesting about Moots.....thank you for posting their production time. I am not interested at this point in waiting months--even years--for a bike. Time is of the essence.

I forgot to add....Salsa makes a Ti cyclocross bike, the La Cruz. Not as finished looking as the Moots but not shabby either.

[Zen]

there is nothing better than steel.