ghostzapper
friend
Reged: 01/23/05
Posts: 29
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Are the stiffness differences between the regular, extra and super stiff Tetras that much? Has anyone ridden different stiffness Tetra Pro frames and felt a big difference between them?
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dah
new member
Reged: 01/09/04
Posts: 19
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I haven't ridden the extra or super stiff but I had a shim put in the bottom of the seat tube on my custom to stiffen the BB without adding much weight and it definitely made a difference. So I would think going a further step or two with the extra or super stiff frames would be quite noticeable, though comfort could be noticeably altered too.
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ghostzapper
friend
Reged: 01/23/05
Posts: 29
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Thanks. I was thinking that getting the extra stiff tubeset for a 58 would stiffen the ride comfort perspective for big hits, but for eliminating road buzz it would be the same as the regular tubeset because it's still CF.
I wonder if going to the extra stiff or super stiff tubesets changes the aesthetics of the frame at all? I have seen some Tetras in the gallery which look like the headtube area in particular was hand wrapped rather than the normal looking gusset. I wonder if this is what is done to create the extra nad super stiff options.
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BikerDoug
friend
Reged: 12/29/03
Posts: 88
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I have a 64cm Tetra. It came standard with the extra stiff tubes. The demo bike I rode was a 58 that also had extra stiff, so I cannot comment of the difference.
When I first got it, I noticed a little bit more flex in the BB than I would have liked, and regretted not getting the superstiff. But this spring I installed an FSA MegaExo crankset with the outboard bearings. That little bit of flex when away.
I agree with the post earlier that stated road-buzz dampening probably isn't a funtion of the extra/super stiff tubes. They simply make the frame stiffer. The cost though in additional weight.
HTH
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Insightdriver
captain
 
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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As far as hand-wrapping is concerned, from what was told to me, it depends on how much head tube extension is necessary. Originally I was speced out by my LBS at a 54CM seat tube but Craig came back saying that it would force him to hand wrap the head tube based on the length of top tube (shorter than normal) and stack height. Craig recommened a 56CM frame so the head tube would not have to be wrapped. I do not quite understand exactly but apparently whether wrapped by hand or not has nothing to do with stiffness of the frame, per se.
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ric
new member
Reged: 02/10/05
Posts: 1
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I was recently fitted for a Tetra 58 cm standard frame. While thinking about what components to fit it with, I slacked off a bit on my training rides & popped up from 180 to 185 lbs. I called the LBS & asked about upping the frame order to a stiff tube set. (panic reaction, admittedly...) They talked to Craig, & apparently he told them I was still well within the design specs for the standard frameset. And that the stiff tubing would affect the ride/performance of the frame. Just one data point, FWIW.
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Limace
journeyman
Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 54
Loc: Oregon
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My weight has varied from 195 to about 187 since I've had my stock Tetra. No difference noted, all good.
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