bfd
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 77
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Check out the thread on the Serotta board. It first started out as a Parlee vs. Calfee thing, which is OK. But then,
"Fast", some now call him *Fat*, Freddy Markham started posting his negativity and well, its actually pretty funny if it wasn't so sad.....check it out:
http://www.serotta.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4828&page=1&pp=15
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Did I miss something? I clicked the link but all of the discussion was normal. Did someone nuke it?
Thanks.
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dfcas
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 143
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I just clicked on it and it worked OK.I posted a positive review of my Calfee earlier in the day to try to offset that negative stuff.
The bad stuff is on the third or fourth page.
Dan C.
Edited by dfcas (10/18/04 11:58 PM)
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Jeff
friend
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 68
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Try page 2 post #27 I think.
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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It is a Fast Freddy throwdown! I think it is odd that he says that Calfee's bikes don't ride straight becuase the one I have rides straighter than any of the 10 bikes I've owned over the last 15-20 years. That was actually my first impression of the bike, how easy it is to steer straight!
He says that the tubes separate. I've heard of a Carbonframe (Tetra Pro 90ish) that had a loosening dropout screw but that was easilly fixed. Anybody heard of the tubes falling apart?
I'm sorry to hear that (according to one of the posters) Freddy has gotten fat. I rode one of the best sprints of my life against him and another hombre on the Santa Cruz Saturday ride about 15 years ago. He really was quite fast in his day. He held the HPV (Human Powered Vehicle) speed record back then on the Easy Racer tandem with ???. Anybody remember who?
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Sam Whittingham?
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Freddy has a personal and maybe legal issue with Calfee that he fights on the internet. He did it here on this forum a short while ago until his diatribes got nasty and somewhat libelous and were pulled.
It's too bad that his "issues" overcome his accomplishments, and make him seem like a petty and whiney person
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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BikeWNC
new member
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 23
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I have to say that these rants can damage the image of a company. As a propective customer, I have many choices as to who I might contract to build a bike frame. I felt that I needed to talk to Craig before I could proceed. We had an open and honest discussion about the bikes he builds. I felt comfortable with his answers to my questions and ordered a Luna Pro. Also, it helped to have a friend that loves her Luna.
Another issue I have is with these bikes being refered to as crit bikes. Most modern road frames are built around a BB drop of 7 cm +/-. If I wanted a touring frame then a lower BB would be in order. IMHO, if you think 7cm drop is high or contributes to a twitchy ride then you need to get out and ride more. That way what once seemed like very quick handling simply becomes responsive.
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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Quote:
Dave_Thompson wrote:
Sam Whittingham?
Actually I think it was John Howard.
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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Quote:
BikeWNC wrote:
Another issue I have is with these bikes being refered to as crit bikes. Most modern road frames are built around a BB drop of 7 cm +/-. If I wanted a touring frame then a lower BB would be in order. IMHO, if you think 7cm drop is high or contributes to a twitchy ride then you need to get out and ride more. That way what once seemed like very quick handling simply becomes responsive.
Ditto. While youth may be wasted on the young, money is often wasted on the old (guys who get fat in winter). That is if you can afford a Calfee, you're probably a bit older, and you idea of what is a comfort bike (see latest Bicycling Magazine) and what is a Crit Bike might not be really objective. I find the ride of the Dragonfly to be extremely stiff, but by no means unforgiving. And you get used to it. I had a Spectrum track bike that I thought was going to kill me, but after awhile I thought it was awesome. Furthermore, you can always tune a bike with the parts: seat, seatpost, wheels and tires to give it the ride characteristics that you desire. I actually found after a little adaptation that the Dragonfly allows me to ride farther because I find it very comfortable in the way that it absorbs road vibration.
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
BikeWNC wrote:
Another issue I have is with these bikes being refered to as crit bikes. Most modern road frames are built around a BB drop of 7 cm +/-. If I wanted a touring frame then a lower BB would be in order. IMHO, if you think 7cm drop is high or contributes to a twitchy ride then you need to get out and ride more. That way what once seemed like very quick handling simply becomes responsive.
Just curious, where have you read (or heard) that Calfee bikes are crit bikes? Could it be that these people are coming from a mt. bike background?
Personally, I think the bike's turn in is fairly fast for a "road race" geometry, but I certainly wouldn't call it "crit quick". I've ridden those types of frames (in steel) and I think they require too much concentration for long rides. I'm not able to relax as much. My Tetra Pro however is a great blend in fast handling, stability, and comfort on long rides.
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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BikeWNC
new member
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 23
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skuke,
I agree with you. But I have read in several independent threads that some people think that the Calfee's are made to some American crit geometry (as opposed to European road geometry). My idea of a crit bike would have shorter chainstays, shorter headtube and perhaps a steeper STA for a particular size than the Calfee geometry, which IMO, is just good responsive road geometry. I'm no expert in the nuances of tweaking a frame but the Calfee geometry is very close to my current ride and I happen to like how that bike handles.
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dave_donielson
friend
Reged: 02/03/04
Posts: 32
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DaveThompson..
Thanks for the warning about fast freddie on the Serotta website. It is clear that the guy has accomplished more than I ever hope to do in biking. It is also clear he has a lot of issues and has an ego bigger than the out-of-doors.
I don't think gained any friends or respect on the Serotta board. He might have made some people think twice about Calfee which is too bad as they are such great bikes.
Dave
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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It is really too bad as 'Fast Freddy' really earned his name. But for him to take his falling out with Craig Calfee to the internet forums really diminishes his accomplishments and makes him appear petty, vindictive and perhaps a little weird.
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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dave_donielson
friend
Reged: 02/03/04
Posts: 32
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I think weird is the best description I've heard.
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SpinDoc
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 35
Loc: Columbus,Ohio
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Weird is being nice, I'd simply call this guy a low class jerk with about zero credibility considering reality paints a completely different picture than this guy does.
Greg Lemond has long been an athlete I both admire for his accomplishments but also respect because of how classy he's been and conducted himself throughout his storied career. Just like this Freddy guy though Greg went down pretty far in my eyes by proving how wrong I was about his posession of "class"(I'm referencing Greg's comments concerning Lance and doping). Greg proved that being a superstar athlete in no way makes you immune to succumbing to petty, childish and downright embarassing behaviour. This one killed me too, I've met the guy several times and had at least one extensive conversation coming off feeling my "idol" was a justified choice. If I met him again I couldn't help but voice my disappointment...there's simply no excusing it even if the charges are accurate.
Freddy do yourself and what semblence of fans you have (based on how you conduct yourself I'd be shocked to learn you have any) a favor and shut your piehole in the public forum. You might have had some bad experiences but the overwhelming majority of us have experienced the opposite and pretty much resent your smear campaign. Then again maybe you don't mind coming across as a sanctimonious, bitter, spurned ex employee with an unjustified axe to grind. Don't give us the "I've been at it for 30 years" bunk either, there are plenty of us who can say the same and have a completely different perspective bourne of a healthy outlook grounded in reality.
Bottom line, I have yet to meet a Calfee owner (I see a new one at least every two weeks at races) who wasn't thrilled with their bike. I myself have a steel, Aluminum, and Carbon rides in my stable and have had MANY different makes over the years. The Calfee leaves every single other frame in the dust, it'
s not even close...on any terrain in any conditions.
So Freddy save it, you aren't fooling anyone.
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skagwayroadie
contributor
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 141
Loc: Alaska
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I agree with Spin Doc.
Why even glorify the whole incident by commenting on it. People like that are looking for supporters for his bs cause...no ore no less. It makes him feel better.
One comment about LeMond and others like him...we all say things now and again that should not have been said and or didn't mean. We are also allowed to have our own opinions...we can either listen and go along with or ignore and move on. Anything else is a waste. In my opinion his comments were not rational and wrong, but it does not take away from what he has done for the sport, nor how he has motivated me to ride all these years.
Cheers...Mark
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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There is now a reply on the Serotta Forum that explains what Freddy's problem is. It basically comes down to a business dispute and Freddy is not happy. This is how he is taking revenge even though the settlement of a law suit had that neither party were to make bad comments about one another. This is one more indication of they type of person we are dealing with in Freddy.
It is in the Parlee vs. Calfee thread on page 5 made by CalfeeFly.
Happy riding.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Freddy's posts that were against Craig are now replaced by a Dancing Banana. Could anything be more appropriate? The edit was done by Serotta Alyson. She also closed out the thread. Definitely one cool person.
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