KevinF
new member
Reged: 06/02/04
Posts: 9
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I live in the Metro West area of Boston -- actually somewhat closer to Worcester, so Belmont Wheelworks is the closest LBS to me that sells Calfee's. I've been seriously considering selling the old Cannondale and buying a Calfee, but I've had some less-then-ideal experiences with some of the mechanics there. Seems to be hit-or-miss -- some mechanics are great, some aren't.
I've never bought a bike from them; however, I came across this thread from the "old" Calfee forum that lists some recommended fitters at Belmont Wheelworks. Anybody know if they still work there?
Any other comments regarding Calfee stores, fitting experiences, etc., in the Boston area? Anybody feel it's worth the trek into Boston to International Bike Center to work with them?
Thanks!
Kevin
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1centaur
journeyman
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 126
Loc: Massachusetts
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I bought my Calfee from Craig at International Bike and recommend him highly. First, they have painted Calfee tubes so you can see the colors - Wheelworks does not. Second, they gave me a test ride on a Calfee that allowed me to take the bike back to where I live, ride it for 30 miles, and then return it (it was a 60 and I ride a 58, but Wheelworks had a 54(?) for a demo). Third, they have several Calfees on the floor to look at, including a Dragonfly last time I was there, unlike Wheelworks. Fourth, they're a great shop, nice people, sell a lot of Calfees and have a good relationship with the company. Fifth, Craig's fitting on the Serotta fit bike has produced numbers I have used to great satisfaction on two subsequent builds from them - he used to ride in Europe and has good instincts, plus he's sold a lot of high end bikes to different body types. Mellow guy - easy to talk to. I found Wheelworks an absolute madhouse, packed with super-rich Weston types who just needed one more fit tweak on their Ottrot. Hard to get attention there in season. Note that I did all this with International even though it's an hour's drive for me to get there. Plenty of folks like Wheelworks too of course.
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"You never make a gift of Ventoux"
Eddie Merckx to Lance Armstrong
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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Kevin,
You actually do not live all that far from me. I live in NE corner of CT. Worcester is about 15 miles from me. If you want a superior and individualized bike shop go see Paul at fabish sports. This is his web site. http://www.fabish-sport.com
Great guy. Set me up with a wonderful fit. Not that far out of your way. Might be worth talking to him on the phone and then taking an easy ride to visit his unique bike shop. Good luck.
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audissix
friend
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 25
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Kevin, i live west of Boston and do most of my business at Belmont WW, some at Int'l Bike. I recently purchased a custom frame from Belmont and had a fitting with Thom Norton, a great guy, very knowledgable and a well trained fitter. The sizing on my bike turned out very well. Also, I just want to suggest that before you purchase a Calfee you check out the Parlee carbon bike frames. Parlee is located north of Boston so you could go visit him, see his shop and how things are built. Bob Parlee is a very nice guy, low key and will spend as much time with you as you want to talk bike frames, his staff is very helpful as well. I only suggest Parlee because he is relatively close to where you live, Calfee is in California, so you have actually see your frame being built if you like and any issues you have Bob is there to work out.Both builders make the highest quality product.
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SevenOdonata
new member
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 19
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You get a second nod on Paul Fabish. I was at the "shop" last fall, and made the 2 hour drive up from NY. The place used to be a hair salon and a sandwich shop, so it is unique as easypedaler indicated. I drove by the place thousands of times during my UCONN/ECSU days. Great guy, easy to talk with and definitely helped me to tweak my position and resolved the knee pain I was having.
Good luck!
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doubleD
new member
Reged: 05/06/04
Posts: 13
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Do yourself a favor and head up to Fitwerx. I've worked w/ Craig at Int'l and Belmont WW but neither compares to Ian's thoroughness up in VT. They do fits in Boston and Manchester, NH a couple of times per year if you don't want to go all the way to VT. Ian spent 4 hours getting my fit spot on. Have just ordered my Tetra Custom Tri through them. Check out their website www.fitwerx.com
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KevinF
new member
Reged: 06/02/04
Posts: 9
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Thanks all for the replies. I've exchanged a few emails with Paul Fabish, and we seem to be on the same "wavelength" for lack of a better term. I won't be able to see him before mid-July or so, which means I probably couldn't get my Calfee before mid-October or so. So next year out on the Bloomin Metric I won't be drooling over your Calfee's as I'll be on my own. 
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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Paul is just a great guy. His shop is very unique and his approach to bike fitting is superior. Good Luck.
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KevinF
new member
Reged: 06/02/04
Posts: 9
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I met with Paul Fabish the other day. Great guy. I have my new Calfee Tetra on order, and there's no doubt in my mind that it's going to fit perfectly. He had one in my size to demo and wow! it just felt like it was pedalling itself. I should have done this a long time ago.
Thanks again for everybody's insight.
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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I have been wondering how it went when you had mention a July session with the fabish fit master. Now the hard part...waiting for it to come in.
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KevinF
new member
Reged: 06/02/04
Posts: 9
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Well, it took a long while, but my Calfee finally arrived. I posted a picture in the image gallery section (I think), but a photo is at:
Calfee picture
The specs:
Cobalt blue custom Tetra frame
10 speed Campy Centaur drivetrain, Chorus hubs
50x34 crankset, 12x25 cassette
FSA carbon compact cranks
ITM handlebars / stem
Thomson seatpost
Velocity Aerohead rims
Weight: way lighter then any other bike I've owned 
Fitting done by Paul Fabish
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ChrisVT
friend
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 38
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Very nice. Congrats.
I ordered a Luna Pro (through Ian at Fitwerx) in September, so based upon your experience I'll expect delivery sometime in February.
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KevinF
new member
Reged: 06/02/04
Posts: 9
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You might get yours substantially sooner. Mine was a custom geometry; I imagine those take a little longer to come through due to lug work considerations, etc.
Also, the frame itself was finished back in October sometime, but Craig Calfee was having difficulty obtaining straight forks from Reynolds, so the frame just sat in his possession for a while. I eventually opted to have the frame equipped with an Easton fork, and then I got it.
As you're apparently in Vermont though, I'm not sure how much a "month earlier" matters... Roads in Vermont are pretty snow and salt covered during the winter!
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ChrisVT
friend
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 38
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Yeah, I won't get on the roads until late March at the earliest, so delivery time doesn't really matter. Still, I can't wait to see my new toy.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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One of the hazards of getting a new bike during the winter is that you will have entirely too much free time to spend thinking about how to set up your new 'toy'. And you won't be quite satisfied with one way, you will have to buy that new widget to see how it looks. And so on, and on, and on.
I speak from vast experience and I'm going through it right now with a Pegoretti I just got.
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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ChrisVT
friend
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 38
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I'm already on the "psycho" list at my LBS for the number of times I've changed my mind about parts/accessories. Now they know to wait a week before ordering any of my requests.
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