big bike spectrum: Bikefanclub.com

I hope you get a specific answer to your list of â€œbig bikeâ€ questions. Tom has an essay at http://www.spectrum-cycles.com/61.htm on "big bikes." I can speak to some of the differences between the Seven and Spectrum experience. The main difference is the process. With a Spectrum, if possible, you and your current bike go to the barn and meet with Tom and Jeff. They set aside several hours (yes, hours) to view your position on the bike, talk about your riding style, materials, physical problemsâ€¦During that time, Tom does a fitting on your current bike and sends you on your way with a more optimum position. Interestingly, Tom never breaks out a tape measure to take static measurements of your body. You pedal, he watches and makes adjustments. Itâ€™s a very personal experience between you and the two individuals that comprise Spectrum. My Spectrum took about 12 weeks. I asked Tom how many bikes he makes a year and he told me it was under 200.
With Seven, you meet with a well intentioned and trained local Seven dealer. They use a fairly extensive form which includes riding style, material preferences and body measurements. Your order is then placed and you will have one or more follow-up interviews from the folks at Seven. I personally know three guys 6â€™4-plus that are very happy Seven owners. I read recently, that Seven makes over 2000 frames a year.
Under the thread â€œhandling characteristics,â€ there is some discussion on the handling differences of Spectrums and Sevens by someone who owns both.
My personal and completely biased opinion is that no one makes a bike that rides like a Spectrum. Every Spectrum owner Iâ€™ve ever talked to, without exception, agrees. Most of these folks own several high end bikes and the Spectrum takes the prize. Spectrums are responsive-yet stable, stiff-yet comfortable. Least importantly, when you price a complete Spectrum, you will find that Spectrums are several hundred dollars less then comparable custom cycles. Iâ€™m sure that the difference resides in the dealer mark-up. Someone could use that savings to take a trip to the barn.