Hello,
I've been riding a carbon frame ever since I began riding. I'm currently on a Calfee Luna and have no complaints: I enjoy its handling, its springiness and its comfort particularly on longer rides. The nemeses of bike shops, Colorado Cyclist and Excel Sports, are offering deals on Litespeed and Merlin bikes. I was considering a Vortex until I realized that the 2005 model has been redesigned, made lighter and much stiffer. Although I do appreciate lightness I don't wish to compromise comfort for a couple of ounces. I understand the Extralight is actually a bit lighter but not as stiff. My Luna is 2.8lbs. Does anybody have any experience or feedback on the two TI frames?
Jo
Vortex vs. Extralight
Tue, 08/09/2005 - 6:57am
Tue, 08/09/2005 - 12:32pm
#1
Keep the Calfee
"""I'm currently on a Calfee Luna and have no complaints: I enjoy its handling, its springiness and its comfort particularly on longer rides.""
Then don't mess with another bike. What do you think the Ti bike will do that your Calfee won't?
""Chainwheel"""
Tue, 08/09/2005 - 1:33pm
#2
Indeed . . .
"you may not even get the few ounces. Per their respective websites, the Vortex and XLight both weigh in at 2.5 lbs. in the smallest size (49). So don't do it for weight.
Frankly, this is a case of ""if it ain't broke . . ."" If you do want to pursue this, find a way to ride them first -- any difference will be in the handling, and it probably won't be cosmic.
OTOH, if you really want to enhance your cycling experience, spend this money on a week in France in September or early October."
Tue, 08/09/2005 - 3:32pm
#3
Feedback
Well, I appreciate the feedback, but no one quite answered my question.
Wed, 08/10/2005 - 11:37am
#4
Both
I rode both when I was searching out a new bike, and they felt pretty similar to me. They both felt like they were Ti, if that means anything. Maybe I could describe it as a little more road feel and more vibration/action.
Being use to the Carbon feel of my old frame, I passed on Ti and bought another carbon frame.
Wed, 08/10/2005 - 11:42am
#5
Speaking of new bikes!
Ted,
So did you finally get your new bike?
Thu, 08/11/2005 - 7:22am
#6
Big Smile
Just short of 6 months. Don't rush those Italians. The wait adds to the allure...
Wed, 08/10/2005 - 1:25pm
#7
Both
Thanks for the feedback. It's hard to find a frame my size (49) to test ride. I'm leaning towards the Extralight as I believe it might be more forgiving than the Vortex.
Thu, 08/11/2005 - 7:28am
#8
Small
In a size that small do you ever feel much flex?
Makes sense to me that a small frame with a bit of flex would be more comfortable to ride.
Fri, 08/12/2005 - 9:10am
#9
I haven't felt much flex just a comfortable ride. Likewise I'm not accustomed to very stiff frames.
Fri, 08/12/2005 - 4:53pm
#10
Extralight - Spectrum (Merlin)
"I have owned a Merlin Extralight custom fit by Tom Kellogg (so its a ""Spectrum""- Tom's gives you a custom fit and specs it out and the frame is then built to his specs by Merlin) since Aug 1999 (six yrs this week). I have to laugh because as you dream of Ti I dream of a Calfee. I can't recommend the Extralight enough. I have owned a Colnago Masterlight (1994) and Waterford 2200 - terrific handling bikes, but the Colnago was quite jarring on long rides and while the Waterford is great, it just doesn't handle as well.
I have ridden a Tetra a short distance and loved it. I think it is a stiffer frame than my Extralight (of course in a 62cm its all realtive) -not as springy perhaps as my ride, but a very solid and light feel to me. The different ""tastes"" makes it fun to mix it up - plus its hard to ignore that every Division 1 pro team except one rides carbon. I was in France in July and its amazing - the Brits all lust for Ti frames and Trek carbons are hugely popular.
My only complaint about the Calfee's are that they are just not very pretty frames IMHO - I believe that they are the best ""value"" in a carbon frame and would probably get one when I'm ready to go carbon - just wish they had a little more sex appeal - though its the ride that matters in the end.
The best advice I can give you...if you can make it to Tom Kellogg's barn in PA - GO - a custom fit for pretty much the SAME PRICE - worth every penny - plus Tom's advice on everything cycling related is second to none. Check him out at www.spectrum-cycles.com
DB"
Sun, 08/14/2005 - 3:39pm
#11
Great input
Hi David,
You finally provided the kind of feedback I was looking for. I'll check out Spectrum's website; it might very well be worth the trip. As for the Calfee's design, it's all a matter of taste. Although I'm bold in other areas, I seem to gravitate more towards slim and simple lines when it comes to bikes; they seem to outlast supposed cutting edge enhancements. Oversized or otherwise angular aerodynamic tubes seem trendy and more of a marketing selling point than might be quantifiable unless you're a racer and every milligram counts (which I'm not). The Calfee has served me and many others with whom I ride well. It's less clunky than Trek and of equal footing. Jo
Tue, 08/09/2005 - 3:58pm
#12
Litespeed
"Jo,
I just saw a full page ad in the current VeloNews that Litespeed is coming out with the ""lightest frame on the planet"" on September 1st. You might want to take a look at that new technology before making any decision.
Ride before you buy.
RJ"
Tue, 08/09/2005 - 4:07pm
#13
Litespeed
Hi RJ,
Thanks for the info. I've already heard of the new Ghisallo. I'm not as concerned about weight, as long as its within the Calfee range. It's the combination between weight and comfort, and perhaps something indestructible that is warrantied for life and might outlast my Calfee. Of course, if nothing was on sale, we might not have been having this discussion as I was in no hurry to purchase a Ti bike; it was only a future dream.
Wed, 08/10/2005 - 10:17pm
#14
how about aesthetics?
plain round tubes, traditional (sort of) looking, probably more comfy ride = merlin
tricked out, parallelogram-cross-section, 6Al/4V, sheet-molded, glycogen-burning, rocket blaster = vortex (only problem is that idiotic head tube. Re-FREAKIN-diculous)
both wmd-proof, btw
