Exercise R Us

Question:

Shaun, Another vote for Joe Breeze’s Jet Stream.  I’ve ridden on the Specialized and the Bontrager.  The Breezer beat both.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > ->> >I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they > ->> >are all high end steel frames. > ->[snip] > ->> >Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 > tubing, > ->> >so thin) > ->> >GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) > ->> >Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and > Ultra > ->> >light tubing) > ->> >Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) > ->> >Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) > ->> >Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe) > Talking ’bout steel custom frames you CAN’T miss Joe Breeze TIG welded > frames… really a nice piece of work done with superior tange tubes (the > one used by Ritchey for WCS series before he swithced to italian tubes). > More than that you get a very nice custom colour. > I am  very happy of my Breezer Jet Stream…. > C ya >                 //// >                , , #  ///ark (marco fumagalli): >                  ~ ) http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/4960/ >                 _/ ____ >                     ~_/  

ALSO don’t forget the best steel available, Aermet.  Aermet is a strong steel long known to the military as a good replacement for ti and a good armor plate material.  There are many companies that now use this material but the two companies I know offhand are Arrow or Jamis. Josh

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Note that the Trek 990 is a bit over 4 lbs.- something like 4.5 or 4.7. I   have one of their older lugged 990s and it weighs like 5.5 or so. On another note- go custom! Bike had an interesting review of a frame by Ralph cycles in the Oct 95 issue… total custom, they had him build up a Tange Prestige Ultralight at 3.5 lbs. $655. Or go Aermet- again custom for $855.

Response:

> Note that the Trek 990 is a bit over 4 lbs.- something like 4.5 or 4.7. I   > have one of their older lugged 990s and it weighs like 5.5 or so. > On another note- go custom! Bike had an interesting review of a frame by Ralph > cycles in the Oct 95 issue… total custom, they had him build up a Tange > Prestige Ultralight at 3.5 lbs. $655. Or go Aermet- again custom for $855.

        I tried calling Ralph cycles multiple times last summer…i was truly interested, and I could never get a live answer or a return call. I even live in Denver! Has anyone else been able to contact them? Rick

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> IBIS IBIS IBIS IBIS

MOJO MOJO MOJO MOJO

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> Someone will have to steal it for me to not ride it forever.

I’ll do it……

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>> Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe)

Reynolds 853, TIG i think… > Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe)

True Temper custom stuff, no lugs, TIG with gussets – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Shaun, the RM Altitude is on my very short wish list. It is one light, tough and responsive single tracker. The other bike which interests me is a Moots, with it’s unique full (ish) suspension. Cheers, Roan — Roan Hurst Partner and Director                  (613) 730 0891 Ottawa Valley Off Road Adventures     http://www.wp.com/ovora Guided Mt. Biking and City Tours

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I’d suggest you consider adding the Diamondback AXIS with Richey Logic tubing to your list of candidates.

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Hi KHS has pretty good steel frames. Montana Comp (94 Bike of the year). TT OX III, Delta linear etc. gak – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they >are all high end steel frames. I need any valuble info about these steel >frames in terms of durability(the following frame are all thin wall tub >constructed), stiffness,     and ride feel. I’m not quite worry about >the weight because most of them are very light, say around 4 lbs. >Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 tubing, >so thin) >GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) >Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and Ultra >light tubing) >Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) >Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) >Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe) >Thanx, >Shaun >My vote goes to the Ibis Mojo with the Moron tubeset 1.0/0.5/1.0. >Glenn

Response:

BREW 180 Proof or BREW 200 Proof. Awesome bikes reasonably priced when compared to other custom builders.  And you don’t see them all over the place either. AA

Response:

>>>I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they >>are all high end steel frames. I need any valuble info about these steel >>frames in terms of durability(the following frame are all thin wall tub >>constructed), stiffness,     and ride feel. I’m not quite worry about >>the weight because most of them are very light, say around 4 lbs. >>Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe)

NOne of the Bontragers have lugged construction, they are TIG welded with lots of sexy strengthening gussets at the vital, majot stress points.  My bet would be with the Bontrager, but take a look at Salsa and the beautifully made Fat Chance.  Have you thought about getting a custom built steel, they are not that expensive and you get something that will fit you perfectly.  In the UK a Roberts White Spider was going to cost about the same as the Bontrager (Bontrager actually does loads of sizes, not just the usual 16" to 20") Hope this lot can help Jonathan

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->> >I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they ->> >are all high end steel frames. ->[snip] ->> >Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 tubing, ->> >so thin) ->> >GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) ->> >Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and Ultra ->> >light tubing) ->> >Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) ->> >Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) ->> >Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe) Talking ’bout steel custom frames you CAN’T miss Joe Breeze TIG welded frames… really a nice piece of work done with superior tange tubes (the one used by Ritchey for WCS series before he swithced to italian tubes). More than that you get a very nice custom colour. I am  very happy of my Breezer Jet Stream…. C ya                 ////                  , , #  ///ark (marco fumagalli):                    ~ ) http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/4960/                 _/ ____                     ~_/  

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: I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they : S-works steel I got this frame on a xc-pro bike, and I LOVE it, I’ve ridden it daily for years, lotsa serious riding, it’s got a few small dents, but still going strong.  I love everything about it. I had a fisher montare quad butted steel frame before this, and in comparison it’s awkard, heavy, and dead. Very highly recommended, the fork I got with it, is a little on the flexible side for my tastes… — Linux is great.         http://ucdmath.ucdavis.edu/~broadley            PGP-ok

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> You forgot about Salsa, at least look into them.

You should also give Ritchey frames a look; I couldn’t be happier with my P-21 — especially nice in team colours.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they >are all high end steel frames. I need any valuble info about these steel >frames in terms of durability(the following frame are all thin wall tub >constructed), stiffness,     and ride feel. I’m not quite worry about >the weight because most of them are very light, say around 4 lbs. >Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 tubing, >so thin) >GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) >Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and Ultra >light tubing) >Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) >Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) >Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe) >Thanx, >Shaun

pick one !! every bike listed is worthy –I personally would drop the trek– –and if you said aluminum I’d say buy trek– –but my trek steel bike was a pig– anyway, any one you list is good. trek is fun race angles, all around stuff, your basic great bike specialized, well, if you like the angles, get it (personally, I have a hard time driving specialized up hills,) (but one look at Ned Overend tells me it is my problem) (and not the bike) GT-is says GT on it, no?? That means…buy me.. Rocky-a worthy steed Kona-probably the fastest bike for a hardcore hammerhead Bontrager–see comments on Kona and double them -just my 2 cents but them all, dammit -edzo

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > : > > : > I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they > : > are all high end steel frames. I need any valuble info about these steel > : > frames in terms of durability(the following frame are all thin wall tub > : > constructed), stiffness,     and ride feel. I’m not quite worry about > : > the weight because most of them are very light, say around 4 lbs. > : > > : > Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 tubing, > : > so thin) > : > GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) > : > Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and Ultra > : > light tubing) > : > Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) > : > Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) > : > Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe) > : > > : > Thanx, > : > > : > Shaun > : You forgot about Salsa, at least look into them. > Ditto ….Rock Lobster

And don’t forget about the WTB Phoenix. A friend has one. The best bike I’ve ever ridden. ( I have a S-works M2 ) — Tom Hansen Owings Mills, MD

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they > are all high end steel frames. I need any valuble info about these steel > frames in terms of durability(the following frame are all thin wall tub > constructed), stiffness,     and ride feel. I’m not quite worry about > the weight because most of them are very light, say around 4 lbs. > Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 tubing, > so thin) > GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) > Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and Ultra > light tubing) > Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) > Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) > Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe) > Thanx, > Shaun

Shaun, Ibis is outstanding but very expensive. I believe that the VooDoo is a big up-and-comer. They’re designed by Joe Murray who designed the Kona’s and maintain similar geometry. I was very seriously considering the Kona, then Ibis, and finally opted for the VooDoo (I actually decided on their FS rig). lucky

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they >are all high end steel frames. I need any valuble info about these steel >frames in terms of durability(the following frame are all thin wall tub >constructed), stiffness,     and ride feel. I’m not quite worry about >the weight because most of them are very light, say around 4 lbs. >Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 tubing, >so thin) >GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) >Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and Ultra >light tubing) >Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) >Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) >Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe) >Thanx, >Shaun

I’d go for the Rocky based on my experience with them. They’re bikes have a lifetime frame warrenty. Stay away from fillet brazed bikes…they’re too heavy. The quality control, low production numbers of the Rocky make it a better bike in my opinion. They’re welds look better as well…but I don’t have an x-ray machine to check for microcracks to say for sure. Scott Smith WWW Homepage: http://www.infobahnos.com/~swsmith   "The older I get…the better I was"

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Heyya – I once had a steel Stumpjumper, which I hated. I currently ride a steel G. Fischer X-Caliber, which I love. Check it out. I would also recomend frames by Salsa Bianchi Dirtshark – completely custom for 850 (Prestige) Bontrager Rocky Mt. I personally am not a big fan of Trek or Kona. Viva Steel! – we shall ride no other! Good Luck BC Holicky, Boulder, CO We taste and feel and see the truth, We do not reason ourselves into it. – Yeats

Response:

> >I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they >are all high end steel frames. [snip] >Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 tubing, >so thin) >GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) >Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and Ultra >light tubing) >Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) >Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) >Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe)

As has been often said – what truly matters is the quality of the builder. The Bontrager is renowned for durability. I have known several team riders and they all had nothing but good things to say about the frame. Also, they are not lugged. KB has posted here in the past that he feels lugged frames are not adequate for the rigors of off-road riding. My second choice would be the GT. — Dave Blake http://www.keck.ucsf.edu/~dblake

Response:

I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they are all high end steel frames. I need any valuble info about these steel frames in terms of durability(the following frame are all thin wall tub constructed), stiffness,     and ride feel. I’m not quite worry about the weight because most of them are very light, say around 4 lbs. Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 tubing, so thin) GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and Ultra light tubing) Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe) Thanx, Shaun

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they >are all high end steel frames. I need any valuble info about these steel >frames in terms of durability(the following frame are all thin wall tub >constructed), stiffness,     and ride feel. I’m not quite worry about >the weight because most of them are very light, say around 4 lbs. >Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 tubing, >so thin) >GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) >Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and Ultra >light tubing) >Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) >Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) >Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe) >Thanx, >Shaun

My vote goes to the Ibis Mojo with the Moron tubeset 1.0/0.5/1.0. Glenn

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m considering one of the following candidates as my next ride, they > are all high end steel frames. I need any valuble info about these steel > frames in terms of durability(the following frame are all thin wall tub > constructed), stiffness,     and ride feel. I’m not quite worry about > the weight because most of them are very light, say around 4 lbs. > Specialized S-works steel (TIG tripple butted Prestige .8/.5/.8 tubing, > so thin) > GT Psychlone (fillet brazing True Temper tubing) > Rocky Mountain Altitude (TIG tripple butted Tange Ultra strong and Ultra > light tubing) > Kona Hot (TIG tubing is same as S-works I believe) > Trek 990 (TIG True Temper OIII tubing) > Bontrager Race Lite (Lug construction I believe) > Thanx, > Shaun

I’ve got an S-Works frame built up in our shop (with the rigid fork that is no longer available), and it rides VERY nicely.  Light and smooth-riding.  I would also check out Waterford as they are some of the finest frames that I have ever seen.  Waterford 1400 (Reynolds 753) is $1050.  Waterford 2400 (Reynolds 853) is $1250.  Both are lugged. Todd Tullio’s Big Dog Cyclery LaSalle, IL

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    If you want a really gnarly steel frame, try out the EASTERN WOODS  RESEARCH frames.  Incredibly durable (only one frame failure ever).  Extrememly responsive for slalom racing, and for tight singletrack.  my friend is the one owner of the small business located in bethlehem, pa.  he makes a downhill frame, x-country frame, and trials frame. all with  custom paint jobs.  price is about $750 and up.  Has been in business for more than ten years.  for more information call JAY DE JESUS                     at 610-868-9331                     EASTERN WOODS RESEARCH.  he’ll send you a brochure.  dan

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