You missed Quiring. Ti frame for $1900 and change. He'd be my first stop at your budget.
Sub 2K$ frame quest: Carbon vs Ti
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I just went through the exact thing you are...It's fun ain't it!
Anyway, I had my heart set on the Air 9 Carbon until the price came out & I was offended @ the $1900 price tag when the Superfly (with Fork) is $2100... That said, I moved past carbon & on to Ti. From what I've been told, I am convinced the dampening properties are better and I thought if I invested in something custom & Ti, I would end up keeping it much longer than the Air 9 carbon :thumbsup: Ti is also just slightly heavier (3.1-3.4 pound range.)
So I quickly moved past my "Dream Bikes" (Black Sheep & Eriksen) because I have the same price concerns that you do & landed at the True North & EverTi (See pictures.) I mean, that True North is BEAUTIFUL. After doing some more searching (Long story longer) I decided on Wily. Great Ti design that has the experience because they piggyback off the DEAN shop, excellent reputation, very approachable & well communicated builder, and best part- Cost. Their Hartail is $1800 but until ~ end of January you can get $300 off... It's good quality 3/2.5 Ti, custom, & they work with Spectrum Powder Works so you can take the money you save and get a badas$ paint or etchjob. http://www.spectrumpowderworks.com/
Hope this helps & whatever you do, enjoy it!!!
Anyway, I had my heart set on the Air 9 Carbon until the price came out & I was offended @ the $1900 price tag when the Superfly (with Fork) is $2100... That said, I moved past carbon & on to Ti. From what I've been told, I am convinced the dampening properties are better and I thought if I invested in something custom & Ti, I would end up keeping it much longer than the Air 9 carbon :thumbsup: Ti is also just slightly heavier (3.1-3.4 pound range.)
So I quickly moved past my "Dream Bikes" (Black Sheep & Eriksen) because I have the same price concerns that you do & landed at the True North & EverTi (See pictures.) I mean, that True North is BEAUTIFUL. After doing some more searching (Long story longer) I decided on Wily. Great Ti design that has the experience because they piggyback off the DEAN shop, excellent reputation, very approachable & well communicated builder, and best part- Cost. Their Hartail is $1800 but until ~ end of January you can get $300 off... It's good quality 3/2.5 Ti, custom, & they work with Spectrum Powder Works so you can take the money you save and get a badas$ paint or etchjob. http://www.spectrumpowderworks.com/
Hope this helps & whatever you do, enjoy it!!!
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Heh, yeah, Colorado no climbs here. But I ride only Singlespeed so there is not a whole lotta sitting most of the time anyway.rooster44 said:
I too love my aluminum singlespeed- Ventana (and I just cheat on cog size so I can sit while climbing but I think there is a lot to be said for Ti. ride quality... You agree, no?
but I think there is a lot to be said for Ti. ride quality... You agree, no?
Quiring - GLG do you have experience with this frame?
CRat - SIR runs a SS setup, I've changed and exchanged and flexchanged gears to SS so many times I've decided that enough is enough. I was looking at the Lynskey Houseblend Pro29 2009 which has a striking geo similarity (err identical) to MCR (mediums).
Very interesting your experience with the Air9. I just took an AIR9 for demo during the weekend, kicked the h_ll out of it and my impression was that it felt kinda bland. I got back with some lower back pain - maybe because it was a Large (I am a med), maybe because it was too harsh of a frame, maybe because I tried too much and kicked my own a_s. I was starting to form an impression that Scandium is not an option, I just may need to rethink this.
I climb a lot, technical and double tracks. Typically I climb standing up on my SS, having a 32x19 setup I have little choice. I plan to stand a lot on the geared frame as well, I found out that this builds a better endurance and is a better overall workout - my wife really likes my abs now
The really big question which bugs me - do I wait for a carbon or take the plunge with a Ti frame ?
CRat - SIR runs a SS setup, I've changed and exchanged and flexchanged gears to SS so many times I've decided that enough is enough. I was looking at the Lynskey Houseblend Pro29 2009 which has a striking geo similarity (err identical) to MCR (mediums).
Very interesting your experience with the Air9. I just took an AIR9 for demo during the weekend, kicked the h_ll out of it and my impression was that it felt kinda bland. I got back with some lower back pain - maybe because it was a Large (I am a med), maybe because it was too harsh of a frame, maybe because I tried too much and kicked my own a_s. I was starting to form an impression that Scandium is not an option, I just may need to rethink this.
I climb a lot, technical and double tracks. Typically I climb standing up on my SS, having a 32x19 setup I have little choice. I plan to stand a lot on the geared frame as well, I found out that this builds a better endurance and is a better overall workout - my wife really likes my abs now
The really big question which bugs me - do I wait for a carbon or take the plunge with a Ti frame ?
Got cut off there, sorry. One other thought is that if your still relatively new to riding, get a Niner if you love the geometry. I don't care what anyone says about Niner- They're a great company that makes a great product & have had very few problems relative to the # of bikes in use out there. Then down the road 2-3 years when the 29er market is completely saturated with Ti & carbon, you will have more choices at a lower cost & you will have a better idea of your custom spec's. IMO, of course
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If you're in love with the MCR dimensions, just have those exact numbers built in Ti. It will be comfortable, lighter & more forgiving, and you will own it longer too! Salsa has a new Ti El Mariachi too but I have a hard time buying off the shelf when you can get custom less expensive
Have you checked out the Spectrum Work? It's amazing...
Have you checked out the Spectrum Work? It's amazing...
Wow, these guys are pure art :thumbsup:rooster44 said:
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