bags27
new member
Reged: 12/31/03
Posts: 14
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After waiting for what seemed an eternity, I picked it up yesterday (apologies to Michael Katz, whom I had hoped to share its maiden voyage with, but I had to get right back to Rhode Island the same day: maybe we can do that ride when I'm in the Philadelphia area again). I'm 56, average flexibility, and enjoy brevet riding. It's not supposed to be an explosive bike (a Merlin Extralight is still the fastest thing I've ever been on, and I've tested a lot of high end customs). Tom gave me a very relaxed fit with a long head tube and chain stays.
The bike is sedately stunning (pictures will be posted when my 11 yr. old teaches me how to use a digital camera), with a flecked light blue body (my wife says she wants a car in that color now, which made it easier for me to bring the bike home!) and Rivendell cream panels. I brought it into the kitchen and stared at it most of last night. Tom's a real artist, as we all know.
Only had time today for a brief 20 mile ride, but the bike performed perfectly. The ride was just as I had asked and as Tom assured me it would be. I climb better (much stiffer and a sloping TT) and the steering is amazingly accurate. Considering the dimensions and intention of the bike, acceleration is quick and powerful (to the extent that I myself have any quickness or power). I was in the drops as long as I wanted to be, and the fit felt absolutely spot on.
I invested a lot of time and money in this machine, and I feel fully confident that I can't do any better or have any better. Now, of course, when I'm struggling up a mountain or falling behind a pace line, I can't be thinking of how the next bike will help, but rather that I should be getting myself into better condition.  Hey, anyone want to buy a wonderful bike cheap?
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MichaelKatz
friend
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 26
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Congratulations on your new bike. I'm sure you will enjoy many thousands of exhilerating miles of rides! The description sounds beautiful. Will look forward to seeing the pictures.
Michael
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Spectrum_Bob
friend
Reged: 12/29/03
Posts: 33
Loc: MD
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Congratulations and welcome to the club.
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bags27
new member
Reged: 12/31/03
Posts: 14
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Hi all,
In thinking about what makes the Spectrum experience so special (besides the actual bike, of course, but others far more experienced than I can speak to that--though I will say modestly that after 200 miles I absolutely love it), it is Tom's openness and honesty. To those thinking about visiting him for a fitting, you're in for a real treat. In my case, Tom designed a bike like virtually no other: a brevet bike for a 56 yr. old, which still has a bit of the racer in it and will be comfortable for me now and for many years in the future. He listened extraordinarily well.
Yet, when I got back from the barn, I started to worry (common enough, I gather, when one orders an expensive custom bike). Maybe the fit in December wasn't going to be right for me in the summer; maybe I shouldn't try to have a bike for all things; maybe the seat angle was too slack; maybe, in other words, Tom hadn't listened to everything or thought of everything. So, I called or e-mailed occasionally, just to feel reassured.
Here's a tip to anyone ordering from Tom: call as often as you like. Tom is totally involved. As he said to me once when I apologized for calling: he was a sociology major in college and was trained to listen. He always had time for me and my dumb questions. He remembered everything that we had discussed the day when I ordered the bike and was able to gradually expand my understanding and appreciation of what he was trying to accomplish.
To me, that was an essential part of the process. I had heard this said about Tom from others: that he studied who you were, what you wanted (his first question to me, on seeing my other bike, was: you have a nice bike, so why would you want another?) and how he could help you accomplish it.
There are probably people out there who aren't as happy with their Spectrum (no person or process is perfect). But I'd be surprised to learn of anyone who believed that Tom didn't give it his absolute best.
Ken
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DGauthier
new member
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 21
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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Nice to hear you're enjoying your new bike so much! Now if you'd just stop riding long enough to post some pictures . . . 
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Kahuna
Forum Admin
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 162
Loc: Maui, Hawaii
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I suspect there are very few if any dissatisfied Spectrum owners. It's just not possible. You will never hear anyone say "Yeah, I went to visit the Barn. Tom beat me with a floor pump then sawed my frame in half". T'aint gonna happen no how, no way! We're more likely to see reviews such as yours and it's always great to hear from another satisfied Spectrum owner.
Hope you enjoy your Ti Super as much as I enjoy mine!
Aloha,
-K
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Tom_Kellogg
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 67
Loc: Lehigh County, Pa.
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Forum; I don't normally do this, but Gary asked me to post his recent letter to us on the forum in the hopes that it might be of help to someone else. Here you go...TK
May 1, 2004
Dear Tom and Jeff:
I want to take this opportunity to thank you and all at Spectrum for the fantastic Custom Super Ti. And to the endless amount of questions that you and Jeff answered with such patience. The entire process of buying a Spectrum bike is the most pleasant experience I have had in all my years of cycling.
As an owner of several Merlin’s since the early days of the pressed in BB’s thru the Pre-Litespeed Extralight, I thought a Ti bike is a Ti bike. Gosh, was I wrong!
While it is difficult to articulate the exact difference between your incredible Super Custom and other high end bikes I own, I think the fairest statement is that with your expertise and experience, you were able to translate my riding style into a machine that flawlessly accentuates my strengths and minimizes my weaknesses.
While many companies claim to build machines that are telepathic, Spectrum bikes are exactly that. From the moment I got on the saddle, I was “one” with the bike. It tracks as though it’s on rails. I can descend at 25 mph with no hands and no fear! And I am always using bigger gears and ending up going a lot faster then I do with my other bikes. Further, all my past problems, including hand numbness, saddle sores, lower back pain, are no longer an issue. It is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. I followed your recommendations and I couldn’t be happier.
In short Tom, you guys build the BEST Custom bike there is. Period. And after 20+ years of riding, I have a new found enthusiasm for this great sport, thanks in large part to Spectrum.
Thanks again from one very happy cyclist,
Gary Beker
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bags27
new member
Reged: 12/31/03
Posts: 14
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Well, it's true, Kahuna, that Tom never raised the floor pump at me, but Colby did seem to like rubbing noses. I'm an historian, and we're trained to qualify everything. So I can't say that everyone is perfectly happy with their Spectrum, though I agree that I've never heard of anyone who isn't.
Gary's letter highlights this in another way: I've heard of a number of people whose physical problems (usually backs) have been successfully addressed by Tom. For me, at 56, Tom was thinking of diminishing flexbility. The other day I pulled up to someone on a beautifully lugged Waterford. He looked at my bike and immediately said that I must have a lot of room there. He's right. Tom told me that there weren't going to be many bikes like it on road. A lot of builders continue to knock out similarly designed frames. And a fair number of people who buy them are going to be fitted improperly or inefficiently. But for a builder to start from scratch, that is, from the rider, not from the bike, and go the whole route without compromising, to my mind that takes a lot of courage. (I know of a couple of equally famous and talented builders who will modify their frames a bit, but essentially say that this is how they build, take it or leave it.) So when I look at my Spectrum, I see extraordinary care and intelligence. For me, it's the best that can be.
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