sevenrider
new member
Reged: 12/23/03
Posts: 6
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Please help. I currently rider a Seven Axiom and love the ride but I want to go with a carbon frame on my next purchase. I have always admired a Calfee (saw a dragonfly at my shop...sweeet) but also have lusted after a Colnago. I am trying to decide on a Dragonfly or the new Colnago C50. Any inputs from this forum would be appreciated. I am also aiming for a really light setup. Thanks.
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RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
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The Calfee snob in me says, "yes, of course buy a Calfee. Wouldn't you invest with Warren Buffet if you could afford it?"
Seriously, in all fairness, I used to think Calfee was one of the few carbon frames that you could get w/ custom geometry. However, according to the famous "Jerk" you can get a custom Colnago if you try hard enough. One of the sharpest looking bikes I've seen on the web was a C40 which I presume is custom since it has a non-standard paint scheme. See for yourself at the Campy only website: C40 Azzura I've never ridden a C40 but I would be hard pressed to turn away if I found this at my lbs and gave it a test ride.
Of course, if I wanted to get divorced I would immediately get a new Dragonfly custom in the same paint scheme with Hyperon Ultra clinchers. I can not say enough about Craig Calfee and his team. This I know from personal experience. Calfee provides great customer service and they go above and beyond with ensuring owners are taken care of. I'm not sure you would get the same customer satisfaction over the Atlantic but I could be wrong.
As far as ride 'objectivity,' I have heard nothing but drooling over how good a Calfee rides. My tetra is comfortable for long touring, responsive on the hills (when I'm in shape) and sprinting. I've raced it and it was crit-worthy but only as fast as my mediocre lungs would allow. It's not about the bike I know but it surely wasn't the weak link.
Richard
Edited by RDP (12/23/03 07:17 AM)
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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If you go back to the Calfee read only archives there is a ton of material on this issue. Included if you search well are people that have either ridden or owned both. The Calfee was the consistent winner.
Even if you said everything was equal consider a 1 year warranty vs. a 25 year warranty; ease of service and the best service in the industry vs. shipping back and communicating with Italy; supporting our bike manufacturers vs. they won't be here if we don't; my LBS who just dropped Colnago and picked up Calfee instead; a lighter frame vs. one that weighs a little more; high tech boron/carbon vs. just carbon; the nicest people you will ever deal with vs. well my dealer did drop them in large part from meeting the Calfee folks; made in the USA vs. hopefully not Taiwan (there are many rumors); paying to support Colango's free bikes to many, many, many teams vs. just paying for the bike; and last but not least....you will never see a Calfee being closed out at Sierra Trading Post. Yes you can buy a Colnago from them. Pretty tacky on Colnago's part.
Since I have not ridden both I won't comment on that. I believe in first hand experince and information. Happy searching since I know it is there on the old forum.
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Kevan
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 70
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If you value your family life, don't do it!
My Calfee has been nothing but living hell for me.
I have to touch it when I walk out the back door, where it hangs nearby.
I have to sneak or steal a moment with the bike in order to clean or tune her without the mrs. finding out.
Just now, I'm wondering if I might be able to sneak out early Christmas morning for a short ride before everyone wakes up.
Mikemets is beginning to make me think I just might enjoy doing a double century this coming summer.
Its made me say stupid, impulsive things on this forum.
If you want to avoid the severest case of bike lust, go elsewhere.
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Suds
new member
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 22
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Excellent post Kevan.
Agreed.
Calfees beg to be ridden so much that you too may obsess over it once you get yours (and not the Nago) as many Calfee owners do.
So know you know where I stand on the issue - but I happen to enjoy the Calfee's precise (read: slightly quick)geometry.
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RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
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LOL...I must show this to my wife and my shrink. It's not just me. Does Calfee offer a seven-step program?
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It is about the bike.....BikeFanClub Forums
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Kevan,
Is it true that your jokes and lame attempt at humor is what crashed the old server?  That is the rumor that was going around.
We thought we made it obtuse and complicated enough that a person of your limited mental capabilities would not find your way here. Who gave it away? I bet it was Mikemets.
Seriously it is good to have you back. Now where is Bruce when we need him for a Dragonfly review?
Happy Holidays!
Lon
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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If your wife thinks you are a bike nut then you are definitely Calfee material!
Lon
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RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
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Speaking of our understanding spouses or significant others….shouldn’t we come up w/ some kind of award or means of showing our deep appreciation of their putting up with our obsession(s) with all things Calfee?
My wife has let me go on endless rides when I should have mowed the lawn, patiently watched le Tour both ‘live’ and through multiple reruns. She knows Euro team rosters better than I at times. She calls my obsession w/ seat-posts, “your little ersatz-pee-pee.” She’s got me pegged.
Best of all, she said when we retire we should get a mid-life crisis Calfee tandem with a candy red paint job. Not bad for a girl who rides a Merlin extralight…huh? Anyway, three cheers for Calfee widows.
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It is about the bike.....BikeFanClub Forums
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sevenrider
new member
Reged: 12/23/03
Posts: 6
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I got the best answer from Craig himself in my email today...he says.."...all I know is that we get alot of requests from Colnago owners asking us to repair their frames..."
Ok so the deed is done..I am getting a Dragonfly..now..what fork combo do you guys recommend? I've tried Ouzo Pro...but its a bit heavy...and I currently have the Easton EC90 Superlight...350grams..stiff and awesome...Any sweet setups including stem, post, bar combo recommendations will be appreciated.
Its funny cause ...when I got my Seven...I did the same thing...literally admire it 24/7...i hope to feel even more lust for my Dragonfly...
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JamesC
new member
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 19
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Quote:
RDP wrote:
.... Calfee provides great customer service and they go above and beyond with ensuring owners are taken care of. I'm not sure you would get the same customer satisfaction over the Atlantic but I could be wrong.
I've heard this before on this forum, but have not had the same experience. I'm assuming you guys live nearby Calfee to visit them? What is the secret in getting an email reply from them? The last two I've sent asking about getting my Luna's chainstay fixed/repainted have gone unanswered.
I'd buy a Colnago in a heartbeat, if not for the price tag. I think (but don't know for sure) that the geometry would suit me better. But I'm going to try another Luna this year (drop down to the next size) and see how that goes. While the fit on my current Luna hasn't been good, the ride characteristics are exactly what owners describe.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Call Dean on the phone. That is what I did when I had mine refinished. He is a great guy.
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sevenrider
new member
Reged: 12/23/03
Posts: 6
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Why would you buy a Colnago in a heartbeat? Do I hear someone who isnt a Calfee fanatic?
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bfd
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 77
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James C states:
<I've heard this before on this forum, but have not had the same experience. I'm assuming you guys live nearby Calfee to visit them? What is the secret in getting an email reply from them? The last two I've sent asking about getting my Luna's chainstay fixed/repainted have gone unanswered.>
First, as others have stated I would CALL Calfee about your problem. Emailing is good for information, but if you're really having a problem, and a chainstay that needs to be "fixed/repainted", sounds like a problem, CALL THEM NOW. They have an 800 number (see website).
Second, Calfee is very, very good about supporting his product. I have an older Carbonframes tetra custom, the ones with the ti bands for the shifter and water bottle mounts, that I bought used. When one of the bands came loose, Craig not only repaired it, but for a nominal charge, he upgraded my bike to current standards. Further, I also got a new paint job. Calfee will "work with you" on any problem and can repair and resolve yours. CALL NOW!
As for fitting, any "blame" shouldn't be on Calfee, but whoever fitted you! If your Luna doesn't fit because you require/prefer a short top tube, which Colnago geometrys are known to have, this should have been discovered at the fitting stage, not after you bought the bike. If the fit isn't correct, get your Luna repaired, sell it and buy a Colnago or something that fits. Remember, fitting is the most important factor in selecting a bike because if it doesn't fit, you won't want to ride....
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RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
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Agree...Calfee works with folks. It also helped that I had wonderful mechanic at the time who understood exactly what I wanted.
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It is about the bike.....BikeFanClub Forums
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JamesC
new member
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 19
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Quote:
bfd wrote:
As for fitting, any "blame" shouldn't be on Calfee....
Hey, I never blamed them for fitting issues! I never "blamed" at all. Please don't attribute words to me that I didn't say.
Sure, I will get around to calling when I order a new Luna.
The Calfee web site lists the 800 number in general, but for specific categories of questions they post the individual email addys. So I just assumed....
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Tyrone
new member
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 16
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Don't think you can go wrong with either choice. My first carbon bike was a Vitus (flexy, flexy, flexy). I then bought a Kestrel 4000 (super..super ride, but heavy). then the titanium bug hit and I owned 2 Merlin Extralights, an MTW custom, etc...but they never were as good FOR ME, as carbon. I returned to Kestrel with a 200EMS (wonderful bike) and then bought a Colnago C40 (Gold model of which 400 were made for 2000). Also bought a Tetra Pro ( in all fairness, a little large for me and outfitted with Shimano Dura Ace...I prefer Campy Record..just my pref.). BOTH the Colnago and the Calfee were terrific. I give the nod to the C40 for comfort and stability (it never gave me a problem of downhills at just over 50mph...assuming my speedo was correct).
Since the Calfee was a little large, I sold it and am in the process of building a new Tetra Pro in my size with full 10speed campy record. The two bikes will have same Record equipment and only the wheels will be different. I suspect that for the price, the Calfee will be the winner. Of course, I can't compare to the new C50 or even the newer C40 (mine is pre "B stay"). All in all, I would probably stick with the Calfee for service and all...although, I have not had a single problem with the C40. I do however continue to wonder about the 300EMS that Kestrel has now stopped building due to costs..would love to compare....I am still a Kestrel fan, having a Rubicon mountain bike...but not real taken with their new road offerings. As such, will keep the C40, Calfee and perhaps add a 300EMS if I can find one at a reasonable price.
Have never ridden the Dragonfly, but am sure it is world class and you will have a GREAT ride.... and, you will surely admire it anywhere you store it when you are not riding. Best of luck with your new ride.
Tyrone
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sevenrider
new member
Reged: 12/23/03
Posts: 6
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Has anyone had any experience with a Giant TCR Composite? Rodabikereview.com people give it rave reviews on ride, stiffness, $$$ value. As far as weight goes..lighter than most Calfees and Colnagos...with good ride..at half the cost...and although Giant bought their way in to the new T-Mobile team (formerly Telekom) I'm sure Jan, Vino, Zabel and the rest would ride junk...just wondering if anyone here has any experience with Giant?
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Bruce
contributor
Reged: 12/27/03
Posts: 133
Loc: North of NYC
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I have the Alpha Q sub 3. Very happy with it.
Since you are going for the DFly, are you trying to go for a "light" bike, or is weight not a major issue? It is pretty easy to get under 16lb on smaller frame sizes.
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