[jacksonpt]

I found out yesterday that I have a chance to snag a new roadie at a smokin price. The only hang up is that I can't ride them first, so fit and feel is a great unknown for me. That said, I'm pretty average in terms of height, build, etc., so most "off the shelf" 55/56cm bikes fit me pretty well.

I've always lusted after Look bikes, and I've wanted to try a nice carbon frame for a couple of years now. However, with the chance to get a Lightspeed or Seven Ti frame for basically the same price as the Look carbon, I'm thinking...

Right now I'm riding a steel frame. I like the solid feel of steel - not jarring, doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart under me, even on rough roads, etc. I love the ride, how it feels, but I would like something a bit quicker. Lighter would be good, though not essential, and I do have a touch of bike snob in me, so...

So with all that said, would you suggest carbon or ti for me? A lot of things will have to fall into place just right for me to pull the trigger on this, but is sure is fun to think about.


One other question, though on a different topic. What is the difference/advantages/disadvantages of a tubular wheelset vs clincher?

 

[indieboy]

there are tonsssssssssssss of bits and different angles this could all be looked at. the theory of certain materials producing certain ride qualities is long gone. if a builder knows exactly what they are doing with the material, tube variances(wall thickness, diameter, cross sections) then they can make any bike ride however you want it to.
litespeed is working hard on their newer products but still aren't on the same level as someone like seven, IF, moots, or serotta in terms of that material.
seven makes a great bike. they know what they are doing with the material selection they have and can hear you out on how to build what it is you want. but from what it sounds like to me is the seven was either a stock item or something that was built for someone else. not to say that isn't a great buy, it just might not be exactly be what you expect it to be.
the look is a great bike too and probably the lightest out of all the bikes. i haven't spent any time of their products so i can't vouch on em. they make excellent product, but that's about the intent on them that i can openly say.
where would you be getting these bikes, what type of condition are they in?
just me, i would probably pick up the seven. of the 3 bikes possibly the most durable in the long run.
as for the tubular/clincher debate....if you're not racing than tubulars are a pain in the ass. clinchers like the michelin pro race 3's are great tires and when set up right (not over inflated) they ride great. tubulars are very supple, tend to allow a wider range of air pressure, bit harder to flat, in most cases a bit lighter, but are difficult to set up espically if you get a roadside flat.

 

[jacksonpt]

there are tonsssssssssssss of bits and different angles this could all be looked at. the theory of certain materials producing certain ride qualities is long gone. if a builder knows exactly what they are doing with the material, tube variances(wall thickness, diameter, cross sections) then they can make any bike ride however you want it to.
litespeed is working hard on their newer products but still aren't on the same level as someone like seven, IF, moots, or serotta in terms of that material.
seven makes a great bike. they know what they are doing with the material selection they have and can hear you out on how to build what it is you want. but from what it sounds like to me is the seven was either a stock item or something that was built for someone else. not to say that isn't a great buy, it just might not be exactly be what you expect it to be.
the look is a great bike too and probably the lightest out of all the bikes. i haven't spent any time of their products so i can't vouch on em. they make excellent product, but that's about the intent on them that i can openly say.
where would you be getting these bikes, what type of condition are they in?
just me, i would probably pick up the seven. of the 3 bikes possibly the most durable in the long run.
as for the tubular/clincher debate....if you're not racing than tubulars are a pain in the ass. clinchers like the michelin pro race 3's are great tires and when set up right (not over inflated) they ride great. tubulars are very supple, tend to allow a wider range of air pressure, bit harder to flat, in most cases a bit lighter, but are difficult to set up espically if you get a roadside flat.

It's a contracted special order/employee discount thing through my work. The bikes are new from the factory, but the frames are not custom built (I don't think) to my measurements, specs, etc.

I'm not in the market for a new bike, and I have no REAL complaints about my current ride... but the employee order pricing is just way to good to pass up.

I'm pretty much looking at a Look 595 Origin Pro or a Seven Elium. The builds will be very similar, so no real difference there. I guess the core question is... which of these bikes will give a more comfortable ride while still being responsive. I'm not racing, I don't need race-responsiveness, especially at the expense of comfort. I'm sure both will be noticeably more responsive than my current steel ride, but can either of them come anywhere near my steelie in terms of ride quality?

 

[MMcG]

Damn - who's your employer? Cool little perk!

 

[indieboy]

i would go with the seven, honestly. just me though.

 

[OGRipper]

The Seven is both, so it's not really a "ti v. carbon" debate. If you go the full custom route, the folks at Seven will be able to tune the ride to your preferred mix of stiffness v. comfort. Since you won't be able to ride either beforehand, the Seven seems like your better bet for a satisfying ride. With the Look you get what you get, which might be perfect, but unless you ride one first it's a more risky bet.

Here is a super detailed review of the Seven I found with a quick google search: http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=3244

 

[jacksonpt]

Here is a super detailed review of the Seven I found with a quick google search: http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=3244

Thanks. I've read a bunch of reviews on roadbikereview.com, but they aren't terribly helpful, generally speaking.

 

[MMcG]

Seven!

 

[indieboy]

the problem with those reviews could be a few things. 1) the rider told the build general ideas they wanted but not thoroughy or 2) misused terms and got a bike that might not of been exactly what they wanted, assuming they knew what that was in the first place.

 

[James]

It's a contracted special order/employee discount thing through my work. The bikes are new from the factory, but the frames are not custom built (I don't think) to my measurements, specs, etc.

I'm not in the market for a new bike, and I have no REAL complaints about my current ride... but the employee order pricing is just way to good to pass up.

I'm pretty much looking at a Look 595 Origin Pro or a Seven Elium. The builds will be very similar, so no real difference there. I guess the core question is... which of these bikes will give a more comfortable ride while still being responsive. I'm not racing, I don't need race-responsiveness, especially at the expense of comfort. I'm sure both will be noticeably more responsive than my current steel ride, but can either of them come anywhere near my steelie in terms of ride quality?

If you don't want to sacrifice comfort, get the 585 over the 595. The integrated seat mast gives it a bit stiffer ride over the 585...

 

[The Toninator]

****dog said carbon and TI aught not to lye together****

I've never ridden a c***** bike, I’ve never ridden a TI bike and I most certainly never ridden a c*****/ti bike.
I totally understand al/c***** but I don’t understand c*****/ti combinations.

 

[DirtyMike]

As far as your wheels, get clinchers, Tubulars are just too much of a pain in the ass. If your not competeing there just not worth it, in my opinion anyways, If your looking for a better ride, maybe think about getting tubeless, or running latex tubes. Right now I have Vittoria Diamonte's with Latex tubes and they feel great. Oh and By the way I run Mavic Open pro wheels, Probably will never run another wheel again

 

[splat]

Tubulars , while they give a better ride, are a huge messy pain in the ass! between the glueing and if you have a flat , and pre stretching , its jut not worth it.

 

[loco-gringo]

That Seven kills it for me.

 

[MMcG]

Holy Moly - go for that Seven.