milkss
new member
Reged: 03/19/05
Posts: 3
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Seriously.
I've been considering a Calfee and figured you guys (gals?) would be the ones to ask.
I'm upgrading and finally, after over 14 or so yrs of riding, it's time to throw in some $$ for my passion.
I'm most interested in comfort. I'm not a fast biker, but am very flexible, and find the tri geometry well suited to me. I mostly just do long rides and have trained for an ironman... I know that a road bike can be *mostly* modified to make my tri geometry work, ...
I am really interested to hear what you all have to say about other tri bikes you've had and comparing them to your calfee??? (ok, throw your road bike comparisons in there, too...i haven't COMPLETELY thrown those out, yet).
I am fully intrigued by these bikes, and don't really want to do anything except carbon (comfort), so...
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and expertise!
Deb
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Stay tuned
I got to see my custom Calfee Tetra Pro partially assembled at my LBS on Friday, March 18. I had a weekend engagement to go to so I could not wait until the bike was assembled. My bike is customized to my body measurements and riding style to be a very comfortable bike for long riding sessions. When I pick it up I will have to hold off riding because storms are in our area and I do not want to do the commisioning ride in the rain. 
I will be taking my bike home today, Monday, March 21. As soon as I can I will take some detailed pics to post in the Photo Gallery. I will also ride it and afterwards post my impressions for everyone to read about. As my weekend engagement beat me up physically if I get to put a long ride in soon I will definately be able to evaluate the comfort of the bike soon. 
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Limace
journeyman
Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 54
Loc: Oregon
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Never tried a tri so no idea how the comfort translates from a road frame. HOWEVER, that being said, my first impression of riding my Calfee will always stay with me.
Over roads which I've ridden many, many times on aluminum frames my Calfee was unbelieveable. The only things I was aware of were the saddle (yes, it was an early season ride) and my legs pumping. Everything else was just enjoying being along. Even more comfortable than sitting on the couch with my legs up watching a guy flick.
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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Quote:
Insightdriver wrote:
Stay tuned
I will be taking my bike home today, Monday, March 21. As soon as I can I will take some detailed pics to post in the Photo Gallery. I will also ride it and afterwards post my impressions for everyone to read about. As my weekend engagement beat me up physically if I get to put a long ride in soon I will definately be able to evaluate the comfort of the bike soon.
Take the shots outside. Makes for better pictures.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Due to other things going on in my life I was unable to pick up my bike this Monday. I'll be picking her up on Tuesday. Unfortunately it's been raining a lot here and it's not as bright outside as it could be for taking pictures. I'll see what I can do, though. 
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Pintsized
journeyman
Reged: 02/27/05
Posts: 90
Loc: Corvallis OR
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Hi Deb,
The first Calfee and carbon fibre bike I ever owned is being assembled. So I can't tell you what it's like, yet! For what it's worth, I fully expect to be as satisfied as the other regulars on this list.
I can tell you I have ridden an alum Cannondale for years and test rode a couple of newer Cannondale and Trek aluminum bikes. Actually, I liked my Cannondale quite a lot, and I got a lot of bang for my buck. Nevertheless, I see what people mean about feeling road shock. I gather that carbon fiber just dissolves a lot of that. All things equal, carbon fiber also cuts weight. On the one hand, I have never really experienced the bouncing around as horrible discomfort --really, no kidding-- but that may be because most of my riding and racing is 50-60 miles or less at a time. Very fast, I hope, but not very long distances. I tried a couple of Ti bikes, which I didn't like in the least. This may be completely subjective, but they feel very heavy and un-snappy to me.
Let me give you an analogy. When I bought my car, which is a Forester, I drove both the Forester and the Outback. The Forester had a stiffer ride. Yeah, I felt the road, but ultimately I thought it handled better so I took it. The Outback was cushier to sit in, but I didn't think it was all that responsive, even for a wagon. There wasn't a compromise I could think of, so bought the Forester. I expect that an aluminum bike is sort of like the Forester, and the Outback might be like a Ti bike. Carbon fiber I think of as the compromise that didn't exist (at the time, anyhow) in the Subaru car world.
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milkss
new member
Reged: 03/19/05
Posts: 3
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I bought me a Calfee.... more news when it actually arrives, etc (lots of work to do to it, parts to buy, etc...) yippeeeee!!!
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