I am still thinking about buying a custom-made ti Independent. Any opinions that other comparably- priced brands are better? Most people that I have heard from who have ti Independents have said they are very happy with them. Also, any opinions on the advice that I have received from a few people that a ti Independent would not be any faster than my aluminum Cannondale 2000? I took a ti Independent out for a test ride yesterday (obviously not custom-made to my specifications), and it did not feel any faster (although I was feeling very tired when I rode, and I found out afterwards that the tires were only inflated to about 85% of max, which of course would slow the bike down). I did like the feel of the bike on the road better than with my aluminum, though.
By the way, does anyone know why the time stated for the messages on our Message Board is inaccurate (I am typing this one at about 6:20 P.M., but the Message Board states an earler time)?
custom-made ti Independent
"""any opinions on the advice that I have received from a few people that a ti Independent would not be any faster than my aluminum Cannondale 2000?""
Probably true. Why would one bike be faster than another? Two possible answers are aerodynamics and light weight.
Light weight will help when climbing. But will a 22-pound bike be 10% slower than a 20-pound bike? Absolutely not! You need to consider the weight of the bike AND yourself. Now calculate the % difference.
Aerodynamics is more important at high speeds (25-30 mph). If you cruise at 18-20 mph, don't expect much difference.
If you want to go faster, follow the advice of Eddy Merckx: ""Ride lots.""
""Chainwheel"""
"While an Al or Ti frame will typically (almost always) be lighter than the comparable steel frame, I can't think of any reason why a Ti frame would be lighter than the ""same"" frame in Al (and of course there is no such thing as the ""same"" frame). If anything, one would bet the other way. And the components and wheels weigh far more than the frame and fork in all of these cases. And the rider is some multiple of that.
But there is the possibility that the Independent could be faster -- not because it's Ti, but because it's custom. Custom isn't magic, but a good builder/designer/observer may set you up with a slightly more optimal position in terms of efficiency and/or versatility across all points of cycling (cruising, climbing, sprinting). Or he/she may produce a better fore-and-aft weight distribution. But if your current fit is good and your proportions aren't especially unusual, don't expect life-changing differences. In any case, this is fit and geometry, not materials.
The alleged ""greater comfort"" and ""sweet ride"" of Ti have been asserted -- and challenged -- repeatedly on this and every other forum on the 'net. Feel free to read the relevant archives. But I think we can all agree that super-stiff deep-section wheels will pretty much negate any such (real or perceived) benefit from your new Ti frame.
Peter Storey
""Steel's a steal, but they're all real""
"
> does anyone know why the time stated for the messages on our Message Board is inaccurate
The server appears to be located in Monterey, CA. So from our perspective, it's 3 hours off.
"""By the way, does anyone know why the time stated for the messages on our Message Board is inaccurate (I am typing this one at about 6:20 P.M., but the Message Board states an earler time)?""
The server that hosts this web site (EHOSTINGBIZ.COM) is in California.
""I found out afterwards that the tires were only inflated to about 85% of max, which of course would slow the bike down). I did like the feel of the bike on the road better than with my aluminum, though.""
Try lowering the tire pressure on yer aluminum bike and see how the ""ride quality"" improves. Better yet, switch to slightly wider tires.
""Chainwheel"""
Faster means many things, aside from the obvious- rolling resistance of the tires. Perhaps the bike you were riding was custom made and was built for a soft ride; it would flex when you applied power to the pedals and feel 'slower'. Likewise the wheels; were they ultra-rigid or not compared to your current bike? Was it road feel? Ti gives a great ride. Did you miss the rougher ride you are familiar with? There are a lot of variables. I have a custom Seven Ti, I got what I asked for. Its great but not perfect.
You live with your mistakes. Don't worry, if you spend enough and it will feel faster.
"When I got on my Seven for the first time was that when I would stand on the pedals and accelerate, there was no ""whooshing"" sound, from the spokes. My Seven has Velomax wheels which have very few spokes compared to my old bike- conventional 32 spoke 3X. I'd never noticed the sound before it was absent.
My guess is that as wonderful as the Seven frame is, the wheels make more difference than the frame when it comes to ""speed""."
"""My guess is that as wonderful as the Seven frame is, the wheels make more difference than the frame when it comes to 'speed'.""
What specifically is it about these wheels that makes you think they are faster? Aero rims (usually heavy)? Low spoke count? More ""rigid"" (please don't go there!)? Or do they just look faster?
Seriously, how much ""faster"" do you you think you go with them compared to your old wheels?
""Chainwheel""
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"Can't comment on Bill's wheels specifically. If you do want to make your bike ""faster"", the best way to do so is with the wheel selection.
For a fast club ride, I'd choose a Nothing Special TM frame with lower end components with Zipp wheels over a Seven/Colnago/Pinarello/whatever with DuraceAce/Record and a pair of Open Pro rims - everything else equal. Equipe such bike with an aero bar, even better (no pacelining, please).
The advantage of areo wheels is pretty well researched and documented. My current ride includes a nearly 2,000 gram (read: heavy) wheelset. For the type of riding I do it makes a big difference over the set of box section wheels I had on before, same bike. Areoness aside, having a bomb-proof set of wheels is a nice benefit for riding in this area, too.
"
My Velomax Circuit Comp wheels, the least expensive wheels made by Velomax, have over 6,000 miles on them and I've never had to true them. I'm shopping for a lighter set of wheels for racing, but I intend to use them for just that--racing--to limit their exposure to the cratered, delapitated ribbons of fractured concrete we refer to as roads. The Circuit Comps can take it, however.
..I'm shopping for a lighter set of wheels for racing..
For performance riding/racing aerodynamics should be the primary consideration. Wind resistance trumps weight in this regard. It's possible to not compromise on either design consideration, but doing so will definitetly lighten your wallet and possibly create a bit of (wind) turbulence of the verbal kind with your spouse/significant other. ;-)
Just got a set -- sweet!
