johnfward
new member
Reged: 12/28/03
Posts: 8
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I'm trying to decide between an Independent Fabrication Ti Planet Cross and a Moots Psychlo-X hardtail. I plan to use the bike for road & gravel/dirt trail riding on weekends and 30-mile round trip commutes to work on road & bike trail. I don't have any intention to cross race (at least not at present). Both bikes are outstanding - any thoughts on which might be the better choice for my use? Thanks.
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audissix
friend
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 25
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I just purchased a new IF Crown Jewel Ti. Although it's not the frame you are considering, when I checked out different bikes I looked at the Moots VaMoots and was very impressed. I simply liked the ride of the IF better. You can't go wrong with either. I also had mine painted, don't know if you are interested in that option, but IF does an excellent in-house job. I also live in MA. where the IF's are made and my shop has an excellent relationship with them, so that was a consideration as well. Let us know what you decide.
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dbrk
contributor
  
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 201
Loc: Finger Lakes, New York
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I have a Planet CX and a YBB Psychlo, which is not really a fair comparison in some ways. The ti bike with the suspension rear is just amazing at everything and, as we might expect, softer to the feel, grippier in the rear, and generally more comfortable. To make my comparison even less valuable, the Moots is custom because I had no intention of racing it, I asked them to lower the bb and lengthen the headtube to bring up the front end. The bike has about 4d of slope, a bit less than my VaMoots. I think the Moots is one of the very rides I have ever had and it's fantastic on gravel roads (we have plenty of those) and in nasty of all sorts. The IF is a fine bike but I confess that it's pretty much my go-everywhere-beater. It handles every sort of terrain well and is good on pavement, not something for which cross bikes are renowned. There is a world of difference in cost here, unless you are matching ti to ti. I would get the steel bike for savings, so the IF or I would get the Moots for ti because it also has the best welds of any ti bike I have ever owned (that's about 7 or so).
dbrk
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johnfward
new member
Reged: 12/28/03
Posts: 8
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I was matching ti to ti but wouldn't necessarily rule out steel. My previous CX bike was a used Steelman Eurocross which was great on dirt, gravel and pavement. I'm also rethinking my decision to go with a hardtail instead of considering the YBB. Any thoughts on how the Moots suspension works for larger riders? I'm 6' and 195-200 lbs.
John
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