wayneanneli
new member
Reged: 09/30/04
Posts: 11
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Ok, so I see that not many people are riding Seven steel road bicycles. Who knows, maybe only David and I will be the only ones owning a Seven steel... However, I do also have my eye on three titanium models, i.e. Alaris, Axiom, and Alta (the regular models, not the new race models for 2005, too much $$$). For those of you that have these specific models, why did you choose the model you did and do you have any negatives/positives that you would like to underline? Thanks. Cheers, Wayne
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terry
new member
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 47
Loc: Southeastern MA
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when not on the road i ride a sola ti. doesn't seem to be too many mtb'ers on this forum. bought my frame from a motivated seller-until that time had ridden steel HT's exclusively. as i get older i thought i should start making some concessions to my old bones but i hated the look/complicated design/'pogoing' effect of every FS i rode/saw. ti has been great though. i don't get beat up nowhere near as much as i used to on steel. of course, the design/build of the seven may have something to do with that, but ti is a great material for a HT. all-in-all i'm quite pleased with the sola, it's a rocket, i can't get the chain to rub, it's compliant for the trails i like to ride, has great steering & is quick in changing directions/switchbacks and the build quality is unsurpassed. i also have a ti serotta legend and i think they are both beautifully made bikes-definate keepers.
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PsyDoc
friend
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 37
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I ride an Axiom Ti and chose that model (2001) because I was not sure that I wanted another carbon hybrid (i.e., Trek 2300 - 1990?). I was also coming off of a Merlin Extralight that I had been riding for 8 years and just liked the look of an all ti bike. I recently sent the Seven back for a slight warranty issue that was remedied with a quick BB shell facing; Seven received, fixed, and shipped the bike out the same day!! Customer service is quite good, though I have heard a couple of negative stories. I had the chance to weigh the frame and it was 2.901 pounds for a 55.5 c-to-c frame that is plenty stiff! The only negative I can think of is that I am too over protective of the frame (e.g., not riding in the rain, concerned about traveling with it, etc.) cause it just looks so damn good!! The main positive is that the frame fits like a glove is very comfortable. While the bike was away, I was on my Redline "rain bike" and the difference in fit and comfort was noticeable...so glad to have the Axiom back. One other thing that I do not particularly like is the seatpost clamp. Do not get me wrong...the thing is nice to look at, but a little bulky. I recently switched to a Woodman clamp. The other thing I did not like was the headtube badge, so when I ordered the frame I asked them to leave it off, but send me the badge, which I use as a key ring. Most of these "negatives" are just personal preference type stuff. The frame itself has always performed like it should.
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wayneanneli
new member
Reged: 09/30/04
Posts: 11
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Thanks PsyDoc and Terry for the good comments. I also read a previous thread from another rider who bought an Alta, both the Axiom and Alta are really nice, though the Alta might be little too much $$$. Its hard to believe on a Seven Cycles forum like this that only one person has ridden an Alta, Axiom, or Alaris... kind of makes you wonder whether people who read this forum are actually riding Sevens.
Wayne
Edited by wayneanneli (10/09/04 07:46 AM)
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ifells7
new member
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 2
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I have a Seven Axiom Ti, Full DA, I bought this bike (frameset) from Alan Cotes (Bicycling/Outside Mag) it was a Demo bike, the frame was exactly my size so I bought it, a great deal too. I love it it rides like a dream, I had owned a Merlin Echo MTB so I was familar with the workmanship. I also own a Ellsworth Truth, and an IF Planet X Cyclocross bike(commuter), Riding is great here around Grand Junction, CO!
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macbyrd
new member
Reged: 10/12/04
Posts: 8
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I'm riding a 2004 Axiom Ti, full Campy. Got the Axiom because it is supposed to be the full on, do everything model. Light & rugged with a great ride. It is all of that without question. I think if I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I would go the extra bucks and get the Alta for the lighter weight. It's a really piddling difference I know but sometimes when I start fantasizing about a carbon frame, or one of the exotic ti/carbon frames, I say to myself "you should have gone for the Alta." That being said I am super happy with the Axiom. I don't think I've ever made it flex. It has snap & climbs just fine. I don't even know why someone would buy one of the new Race models. They're heavier and cost more. Why not just have a regular version built a little beefier?
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wayneanneli
new member
Reged: 09/30/04
Posts: 11
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Thanks ifells7 and macbyrd! ifells7, did you buy custom or signature? Macbyrd, the difference in price between the Alta and Axiom is, however, quite substantial at $600US. Isn't that quite a lot for the difference in weight? BTW, the Alta is an all titanium frame. Cheers, Wayne
Edited by wayneanneli (10/14/04 05:37 AM)
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macbyrd
new member
Reged: 10/12/04
Posts: 8
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I meant to say that the weight difference between the Alta and the Axiom is piddling. The $600.00 price diff is not. What I am suggesting goes something like this. If, in the back of your mind, you toss around a thought of how cool it would be to have a bike that's lighter than a lot of others then you might think a little harder about the Alta. You don't want to be kicking yourself down the road about $600.00. The Alta does ride differently than the Axiom. I have not ridden one because of lack of access to one in my size. However the Alta is more fragile than the Axiom. If you ride a smaller frame the weight diff is not much of an issue. The fact that I ride a larger frame does start to make a difference. That is why I would get the Alta if I had to do it all over again. I repeat that I am very, very happy with the Axiom though.
For a long while I was considering getting a steel frame Axiom to compliment the Ti version I have. Seven uses a wide variety of steel tubing from different manufacturers in order to produce the ride you like. They are not locked into using tubing sets. The Ti version I have was custom done and it was a huge improvement over a stock bike from a different maker. I contemplated a custom steel axiom until I found a stock frame that is almost identical to my Seven. Went for a test ride and found it pleasant enough. The stocker will be a backup, used on a trainer and on lousy weather days. If money were not such an object then I would seriously consider the steel Axiom as my backup. Hope that some of this helps more.
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macbyrd
new member
Reged: 10/12/04
Posts: 8
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Oh, I forgot to mention. I know that the Alta is all Ti. In some of my fantasies I think about Calfees, Parlee's and Ottrot's. Can't help myself. I put the Alta in those categories.
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wayneanneli
new member
Reged: 09/30/04
Posts: 11
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Hi macbyrd, I weigh only 63 kg (about 140 lbs.), so I'm a pretty light guy. The Alta makes my mouth water, no doubt about that, and I know what you mean about having second thought later on. BTW, what size frame did you get? I ride a 54, so the weight difference might be considered negligible, 2.22 for the Alta versus 2.77 for the Axiom. Still, half a pound is half a pound. Wayne
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macbyrd
new member
Reged: 10/12/04
Posts: 8
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Wayne,
I'm not around the bike right now, nor do I have the wallet sized custom spec card with me. The top tube is approx. 58.5 cm and seat tube is approx 57 cm. Headtube is 22 cm. They built the top tube at 4* slope. I went for a custom Serotta computer fitting last month with a Serotta advanced fitter. The $150.00 was worth it. Serotta set me at nearly the same specs as Seven did but recommended a slightly longer top tube at 59 cm. Alta or Axiom; you'll be happy either way, but just make sure you have lots of quality communication with your Seven factory person. Be honest & tell them all about about your riding. Ask lots of questions and resist the temptation to hurry. The results are worth it.
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rjcam
new member
Reged: 10/17/04
Posts: 2
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I have an Alta that I've been riding for about three months. I am coming off a Trek 5200 and thought I wanted a Calfee. I test rode the Calfee (Tetra Pro) and Alta and really liked the way the Alta rode. The ride is extremely supple/silky, but still stiff. I ride Mt. Diablo in the East Bay frequently and it's a great climber. After owning the bike for a few months now, I'm very satisfied with the bike.
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wayneanneli
new member
Reged: 09/30/04
Posts: 11
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Thanks rjcam for the comments. Just wondering... are you a small or big rider? Just wondering if it is more suited to a rider of 63 kgs (140 lbs) like me or someone bigger... How many miles have you ridden on it in the three months? and finally, did you get a custom or signature?
Thanks, Wayne
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rjcam
new member
Reged: 10/17/04
Posts: 2
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I've put about 1200 miles on the bike. I'm also a light rider, 135 lb. I went with the custom. I wasn't happy with the Trek because the top tube was too long, and I wanted to get the fit just right. I the fit done at Robinson Wheelworks in San Leandro, CA and they did a great job. If I were going to do it again, I would do a custom. Besides getting the fit right, I like being able to dial in the ride characteristics to my liking.
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macbyrd
new member
Reged: 10/12/04
Posts: 8
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So Wayne, here we are a little more than a month after your first post on this subject. How's the evolution of the selection process going? Just curious. I'm starting to gravitate back to getting a steel Axiom as the back-up bike just for the fit and the overall quality. Specialized has a slight bit of "attitude" when it comes to getting some of their bikes. Plus I'd have to make about $700.00, or more, worth of modifications to get close to what I really want. That and the fact that they have just butt ugly welds now is pushing me back to just getting the "right stuff". I'll have to see how financially creative I can be over the next few months. Tough with Christmas coming and all. But -- how are you doing with this bike stuff?
Macbyrd
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I learned a long time ago it is much cheaper to buy something once and not twice. By that I mean when you buy the off the shelf bike you could get components you really don't want. By the time you change them at some point you spent more than if you ordered what you wanted in the first place. Consequently I build my bikes from the frame up. I get what I want the first time out. In the long run I find it is less expensive.
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wayneanneli
new member
Reged: 09/30/04
Posts: 11
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Hi Macbyrd,
The story is that I will probably build a custom Axiom or Alaris next summer. I started a thread a while back on RBR about buying such an expensive bicycle through an eBay auction, see the attached link,
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=18090
As I wrote in my response, the answers that really got me thinking were those about just being a smart consumer and thinking about my other responsibilities in life (my kids, mortgage, food). And of course, not being able to try the Seven beforehand really was a deciding factor. The Seven Axiom that I considered buying is still around, the bicycle store selling it is not really in any rush. I still think about buying it, especially because the US dollar is so low right now compared to the Swedish Krona. Read the threads and tell me what you think you would have done and what your advice is.
Cheers, Wayne
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wayneanneli
new member
Reged: 09/30/04
Posts: 11
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Hi Lon,
Yeah, I know what you mean. See my reply to Macbyrd about the Seven I was, and kind of still am, pondering over. Another small problem is that I really like Campagnolo and this Axiom come with full DA. But buying new is so much money, and custom is even more money. It is true that you get the components you want, but that comes at price.
Cheers, Wayne
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rjklein
new member
Reged: 03/24/04
Posts: 2
Loc: Carmel Indiana
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Well I am addicted to seven. I fist bought a axiom with a compact frame. I like this bike so much I decided to buy another model. This time I went with the Elium. The measurment are identical, so this will make going from one bike to the other no pain. I should have my new frame in nine days, can't wait.
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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I have an elium and you will love it. It rides so nice that you may never ride your other Seven.
Jack
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wayneanneli
new member
Reged: 09/30/04
Posts: 11
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Hi Jack and RjKlein,
Yeah, I've thought a lot about the Elium too, but the price for the SG... $1500 more for a complete Elium SG than the Axiom SG. For now I'll stick with the Axiom. Thanks for your comments. Maybe, just maybe I'll have enough money one of these days...
Cheers, Wayne
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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No matter which way you choose, it will be a great ride. Enjoy!
Jack
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Looneytuna
new member
Reged: 04/13/05
Posts: 21
Loc: Brooklyn, NY, USA
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I ride an 2002 Alaris Ti with DA 9spd and am thinking to upgrade to an Elium soon. Not sure on the build yet, may go full DA, but not sure yet.
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Every Day is a Good Day!!!
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SurfsUp
new member
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 10
Loc: Tampa, FL
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I ride a 2004 Alaris. I also considered the Axiom in both Ti and Steel. I like the look of paint but like the idea of not having to worry about paint chipping, scratches ect, ect. I'm just a recreational rider and didn't think the 1/2lb I would save on the Axiom Ti frame over the Alaris was worth the extra ching. I knew they would all pretty much ride the same since it's a custom based off my preferences.
The bike came out exactly how I wanted, and I hope to be riding this same bike 20 years from know.
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Looneytuna
new member
Reged: 04/13/05
Posts: 21
Loc: Brooklyn, NY, USA
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When I bought my 2002 Alaris, the LBS said it would be the last bike I ever buy... I thought he was nuts.. I figured 5 or 6 years later I would upgrade due to technology.. I never thought that it would be 3 years... Well I did to an Elium SG in June 2005, 34 months after getting the Alaris. This time I went overboard...with Campy carbon Record,Zero Gravity brakes, Easton EC90 stem, bar, seatpost... but went for the Topolino wheels.. and been thinking of upgrading the wheels since.. not that I don't like the Topolino's but Zipps or Bora's, or lightweights sound better..  Geometry is totally different on the Elium vs the original Alaris... Changed the fork, stem and seatpost on the Alaris now to match the geometry of the Elium... sent it to Florida for the winter and it's pretty close. Guess I need to make about 6 trips a winter for about 8 years saving the $50 airline fee each way to make having an Alaris for a 2nd bike worth it.. totally crazy... but hey I gave up deep sea fishing for this.. and now I buy my fresh tuna from the fish store for $12/lb instead for catching it for $40/lb or more.. 
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Every Day is a Good Day!!!
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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You only go around once...enjoy it the most while you can.
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CampyLuna
new member
Reged: 03/30/04
Posts: 18
Loc: Florida
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Axiom STEEL with Seven 5fe fork. I love my bike. Custom paint from Hot Tubes. Gunmetal/Silver metallic flames fading into black metallic. Campy Chorus carbon with Mavic brakes, FSA carbon crankset, Campy Zonda wheels, Keo pedals. It's lighter than than a lot of the carbon crap out there and rides a whole lot better too. I was so blown away by the ride, I got rid of my Calfee Luna Pro to get the Seven...and that was a nice bike.
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Ain't fast. Don't care.
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justinf
new member
Reged: 10/19/06
Posts: 1
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first time poster. . .
I have a steel Odonata that's been converted to fixed. White (w/Eno) hubs, DT, Sugino, various Record bits, deda pista/newton. It is a great ride. cheers, j
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grumbledook
new member
Reged: 10/28/06
Posts: 4
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Seven Axiom Race Ti (painted  ), feat.: Shimano/Truvativ/Mavic/Velomax/Syntace/Michelin/Time
(see gallery).
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Ian_H
new member
Reged: 01/06/07
Posts: 2
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2005 Seven Ti Axiom 54 cm (frame unpainted) built and built up for long-distance riding (the frame build includes rear rack mounts and fender mounts). See the photo I posted January 6, 2007 (it's the one mounted on the trainer).
Component Spec: Seven 5E fork, Chris King headset, Seven Ti spacers, 3T 80 mm stem, Easton EC-90 Equipe Pro bars, 9-speed Dura-Ace STI shifters, 9-speed triple Ultegra crankset, Ultegra pedals, Ultegra 12-25 cassette, Ultegra front derailleur, Dura-Ace rear derailleur, Ultegra hubs/Mavic Open Pro wheelset, Michelin Carbon 700 X 25 tires (Conti trainer rear tire shown in photo), Campagnolo Centaur brakes (I didn't really like mixing components, but Campy brakes have more fender clearance than Shimano), Campagnolo Chorus Ti seatpost, Specialized Alias 143-width saddle.
I normally ride it without the fenders and rack, but it's really nice to have the options, and in my opinion, the aesthetics of the bike don't suffer at all with the inclusion of the mounting options. I had the frame built with a horizontal top-tube for a more traditional look.
With the components I spec'ed, the bike is heavier than I'd ideally like (it weighs about 20 lbs), but I wanted a reliable, durable component/wheelset spec where it would be a bit easier to repair/replace components in the field (i.e. either making my own repairs, or to find parts at some bike shop along the ride) rather than being stuck out somewhere with broken exotic parts. Also, although I've been able to develop a reasonable level of long-haul endurance, I could still stand to lose 20 lbs or so, therfore, much as I'm tempted to start buying exotic and expensive lightweight components, I figure I should shed my own weight first.
I love the ride characteristics of my Axiom and I love the visible craftsmanship in the frame and welds. It was a dream bike for me, and still is. IMHO it's visually gorgeous, silky smooth to ride, and it has a lively feeling in the frame. It's also very comfortable over the long haul. I get compliments on it from other riders on a regular basis.
If I were wealthy, I would love to own several of Seven's models, including the Elium Race, the Axiom Race, their new V.II carbon model, the Vacanza, the Sola, and a Ti Tandem.
Alas, I'm still paying off my Axiom, and it will probably be a good while before I can afford another bike of this calibre, so I had to specify a model and build that would serve a wide variety of uses. The Axiom does that quite nicely.
The only tiny complaint I have with my Axiom is that I wish I had specified a bit stiffer drivetrain compliance when I ordered the frame - I'm a 185 lb rider and I do get some BB flex when putting down some power - not a big deal, however, as I don't sprint too often, and sprinting is the only time I notice it.
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