road_warrior
new member
Reged: 08/22/04
Posts: 3
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I'm in the early stages of considering a custom ti road bike and Spectrum is at the top of my list so far (also considering Seven and IF and willing to check into others as well). I notice that Spectum has 3 ti models..."Custom Titanium", "Custom Titanium Super", and "Custom Ti/Carbon". I am curious as to the difference between the "Custom Ti" and the "Custom Ti Super". On the website I couldn't find anything describing the differences. I also would like to know what the advantages are of the Ti/Carbon model. I found nothing at all about this model on the website.
I am a 42 year old triathlete (who prefers a classic road bike over the funky tri/tt models). At 6' and 170lb I consider myself to be a very strong climber, however I don't descend all that well. I typically ride from 125-200 miles per week over hilly New England terrain, including some fast group rides. Typical rides range from 25-60 miles, with occasional centuries (maybe 1 or 2 per year) in the mix.
Any insight as to which of these models would suit my needs best would greatly be appreciated.
Ken
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Tom_Kellogg
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 67
Loc: Lehigh County, Pa.
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Ken:
Usually, I prefer owners of Spectrums answer questions like the ones you have asked. On the other hand, I didn't want you to have to wait too long for simple information. Essentially, I goes like this;
- The Custom Titanium is our straight gauge all Ti frame
- The Custom Super is our butted all Ti frame
- The carbon/Ti is our titanium frame with available carbon/Ti lugged top and down tubes and seat stays.
Now to the merits of each; Between the two all ti frames, it all comes down to weight v. price. Depending on size, the three hundred bucks extra for the Super buys you anywhere from about five ounces to a bit over a pound and a quarter. Because all of our frames are completely custom, we can adjust the ride and feel of each of our tube sets to any degree. We can make a butted or straight gauge frame feel exactly the same, except for weight. Our ability to spec. tubing diameter, gauge, butt location, butt length to any degree enables us to make either type of frame work any way we want (or you need). For example; we start with six basic chain stay tube specs, and can then custom butt any of them. Sounds kind of like overkill, and in fact, we generally use only five types of tubing for our chain stays, but you get the idea... The carbon/Ti frames gives you additional torsional rigidity at the expense of road feel. Unless you commonly find yourself in intense, rough and tight criteriums, you probably should stick with our all ti frames.
You mention that you don't feel that you descend too well... This is just the kind of information that we would need from you leading up to the design process. It may be that you are simply inexperienced, or that you have had a "bad" experience at some point, or that your current bike is of a poor design, or doesn't fit you well... there are lots of things that can come into play here and it is important that we figure out what is going on before deciding on the design of a new frame. The solution may be obvious and easy, but it is just as likely that it is not. In any case, it is worth figuring this kind of thing out before jumping on the next "hot" bike.
If you get a chance, give us a call. I'll give you any help that I can. Take care.
--------------------
Tom Kellogg
Spectrum Cycles
610-398-1986
http://spectrum-cycles.com/
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road_warrior
new member
Reged: 08/22/04
Posts: 3
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Tom,
Thank you so much for your response. That is exactly the info I was looking for at this time. As I said in my original post Spectrum is leading the way on my wish list. I have to say I'm impressed with your insight. You hit the nail on the head with your thoughts on my descending, I've only been riding for 2 years and I think my current bike is a bit too small for me. Then to top it off I had what you might call a "bad experience" last month when I crashed badly on a descent. If you heard about someone being badly injured at the Anthracite Triathlon in Jim Thorpe, that was me. I broke my back in the crash (among other injuries), which got me thinking that a custom frame could be my only chance to ride in comfort again. It will be another 6 months until I can ride anything, then I will see how the back discomfort issue pans out. To be totally honest, if my back feels OK on my current bike in the spring I don't expect to be looking for a custom.
I know you are a busy guy, and I really appreciate it that you took the time to respond.
Ken
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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Why would you ride a bike which was too small for you? That makes no sense at all. Sooner or later it's going to be uncomfortable and lead to injury or else you just aren't going to want to ride it. Fit is way more important than what it says on the downtube.
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Spectrum_Bob
friend
Reged: 12/29/03
Posts: 33
Loc: MD
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Vaxn8r
I couldn’t agree with you more.
The right fit on my bike has changed my entire cycling experience.
My body is not proportioned correctly for a stock frame – I have very short legs and arms and a long torso – I also have a herniated disc in my neck that limits my necks flexibility.
I always had to adapt a bike to fit me - usually through a tall stem or when I was younger I just dealt with it. My Spectrum totally disappears under me. On a 70 mile ride I did on Sunday I started riding with a guy at around the 50 mile mark and he commented to me that I looked so comfortable on my bike. Needless to say it started a conversation no my experience with Spectrum and the benefits of being fitted by Tom.
I used to not have confidence in my descending, it seamed that over 35 mph I just didn’t have the skills to handle my bike. What I learned from Tom was that it was my old bikes geometry that was the problem. I wish I could explain it as well as Tom did but it was the bike and not me. My Spectrum handles like its on rails – it’s a true grin machine, nimble, fast and confidence inspiring.
To sum all this up, I am a different cyclist today. This may sound corny but I bought this bike as a 50th birthday present for my self. Because of its comfort, fit and agility it has inspired me to ride longer and faster. I have dropped 30 pounds, I am very close to exceeding my all time best annual mileage and this is only August. I am able to ride with groups I could have never stayed with in the past. Cycling has become so much more fun.
Road Warrior, I hope you recover swiftly and completely from you injury. If there is one thing I have learned from my experience with Spectrum is that fit is everything.
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road_warrior
new member
Reged: 08/22/04
Posts: 3
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You make a great point. I have never felt any particular discomfort from riding, so I was considering the fit to be "good enough". Also, since I am new to riding yet I have no problem keeping up with the "A" riders in my local group (and I often have to slow down to allow them to keep pace on the climbs)I hadn't considered the possibility that my bike fit could actually be holding me back. I am now thinking that a Spectrum could be in my future even if my back doesn't hurt. I'll tell Tom to send a commission check your way if I buy!
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