Super Fast - Extra Light - Just 3.3 lbs - Pound for pound - dollar for dollar - the Colonel Ti. 2001 is once again the best Ti. hardtail on the market!
Built with only the finest U.S. 3/2.5 Vr seamless radial aerospace grade titanium - cold worked and Stress Relieved for increased rigidity and durability.
New - The Colonel now features an oversized 1.75"(Med., Lg. and Xl. Bi-Axially crimped down tube - you get max stiffness and durability.
New - An oversized 1.375" (Med.,Lg. and Xl.) directional crimped and ovalized top tube.
New - An extra stout monostay rear-end.
New - S- bends on both the chain and seatstays. This year - it's extra stiff with 7/8" (Med.,Lg., and Xl.) chainstays!!!
New - I/S disk mounts - Upgrade $50.00.
New - The Colonel now features precision machined 6/4 titanium "Breezer Style" dropouts.
Strengths: light, sturdy, stiff. good, responsive company. quick geometry, aluminum insert in the seat tube to allow for TI seatposts. The thing seems to like to pound down technical trails and the faster the better.
Weaknesses: TI doesn't take paint as well so stickers are temp. Need only 1 seat stay set after 6mos of racing(9 races). Also, thick chainstays leave no room for mis-alignment of BB/crank/chain line. Don't let any knuckle-head do this for you.
Bottom Line:
I like the bike and company, which has put out a solid product. They came out with a resplaceable d-hanger, but that was aluminum and bent easily. They followed that with a steel hanger which seems much better. Overall, I'm happy and can see racing this frame for another couple of years with changes to components when needed.
Similar Products Used: similar? none really. steal frame was not as stiff but had a similar feel. T6061 Aluminum was painful in the rough and technical stuff and the DEAN is just as stiff or sturdy in the BB under load.
