I am 76" tall standing flat with no shoes...currently ride a 61cm Lemond and suffer neck / between shoulders while riding. I am by no means a 'serious' rider, but do enjoy getting out and doing organized rides between 27 - 50 miles. Unfortunately, my soreness kicks in at about 20 miles. I got off the phone with Seven and they said, just go all custom since there is no upcharge (which was a pleasant surprise). Any thoughts with Seven?

Based on my riding style and looking at the price of the frames, I am considering the following (in no particular order):
1. Luma
2. Axium
3. ID8

Note, whatever frame I go with, it will probably have about a 61-62cm effective top tube and a + 22cm head tube to keep drop below about 1" (my saddle height from BB center to top of saddle is 86cm right now)....


I am about 205-210 lbs. Will go with a 5E fork. Any thoughts?

And in general, what do you gain/lose by going from an Aluminum/CF frame (Lemond Alp D Huez) to all Titianium frame or from Aluminum/CF to Titanium/CF?

Regardless of what frame, I am going to have to 'sin' and put my 105/Ultegra group and Race Wheels from the lemond on the new frame/fork until some funds arrive....

Thanks!!

Consider A DEAN Ti frame.

They do custom, all Ti & Ti/CF. I'm getting one from them.

I'm 6'5" and had very similar discomfort. 5 years ago I went with a custom Axion Ti. 64cm effective seat tube, 61cm top tube with a little slope, and 28cm head tube. The head tube is key as it creates a much more upright position. This bike totally changed my enjoyment of the sport and has given my great satisfaction. Let Seven recommend your specs as they really know how to design for your needs. Ti is indestructible and was a dramatic change from Al. You will never regret an investment in a Seven.

I'm 6'5" and had very similar discomfort. 5 years ago I went with a custom Axion Ti. 64cm effective seat tube, 61cm top tube with a little slope, and 28cm head tube. The head tube is key as it creates a much more upright position. This bike totally changed my enjoyment of the sport and has given my great satisfaction. Let Seven recommend your specs as they really know how to design for your needs. Ti is indestructible and was a dramatic change from Al. You will never regret an investment in a Seven.

Wow, that is custom! You mind sending me or posting a couple pics!?!? Would love to see pictures!!

I have to repeat :

Call DEAN Ti Bikes. Hand made in Colorado.

They have Ti/CF frames too & will custom fit you just as well as Seven.
And you will have more $ left in your account.

Old pic of my bike that I described above. Setup is different now but you get the idea of the geometry. Upright position = no neck pain.

Thanks...that is a 'monster'. I am still doing research (including Dean)...may be asking some more questions...

Take a look at this: almost the same size as you need 21.5 HT 58.5cm actual ST, 60.9 TT 4 degree slope. Saddle height is at 84.5cm for comparasion. Hope that helps!!

http://homepage.mac.com/timlomax/.Pictures/Bikes/DSC00983.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/timlomax/.Pictures/Bikes/DSC00985.jpg

I have an Axiom that is a 64cm effective ST and ~30cm HT and our saddle heights are similar (mine is 83cm). Very happy with the frame, and rode the whole 260km of Paris-Roubaix and walked straight the next day with no neck, hand or butt pain. Fantastic frame. I find the fork very flexy, especially when braking, and am looking to upgrade to the Alpha Q Z Pro fork as shown on Lennard Zinn's website. If you haven't bought yet, I would suggest looking into this as the steerer tube is thicker and also has a longer "plug". The other option is Storck. I'm 6'4" and 180lbs, so if it flexes on me, it will on you.

http://i12.tinypic.com/2mg11rd.jpg
http://i13.tinypic.com/30conbc.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/2i8kqxd.jpg

Thanks....perfect timing!! I was literally going to send my lbs a note asking for a price quote...but your dimensions are leaning me more and more to a 64cm Madone. I hear they are VERY stiff and the performance fit has a 25cm head tube + 1cm cap + 4cm spacer which equates to a 30cm head tube. Just curious, what is your effective top tube? Madone has a 61cm effective top tube. Looking at your pics and your saddle height, it appears you have a shorter inseam than me (38" with a 86cm BB to top of saddle)

My ETT is 59cm and I have a 120 stem with a Thomson center mount post, so I have a relatively short torso compared to leg length. I also have about 1in of spacers and then the stem, so a 300mm steerer tube is out of the question. If Trek has that taken care of and has a 1.5in steerer, that could be pretty tight.

Thanks....perfect timing!! I was literally going to send my lbs a note asking for a price quote...but your dimensions are leaning me more and more to a 64cm Madone. I hear they are VERY stiff and the performance fit has a 25cm head tube + 1cm cap + 4cm spacer which equates to a 30cm head tube. Just curious, what is your effective top tube? Madone has a 61cm effective top tube. Looking at your pics and your saddle height, it appears you have a shorter inseam than me (38" with a 86cm BB to top of saddle)

Three thoughts:

1) There is no right or wrong choice.
2) Custom is custom, the rest are not. One will come close the other will really fit, be built (stiffness, flex etc) for you, and likely could be the last bike you own.
3) A madone will feel very very different than a Ti Seven. Only you know which you will prefer. I can't imagine making this call without a ride. I suggest a ride on both, regardless of their size because for ride characteristics it won't matter. You will understand these differences in the first block.

gl

I have to repeat :

Call DEAN Ti Bikes. Hand made in Colorado.

They have Ti/CF frames too & will custom fit you just as well as Seven.
And you will have more $ left in your account.

Doesn't look like they do custom tubesets. (?)

In other words - a 6'4 rider weighing 200lbs will get the same tubeset as a 6'4 rider weighing 250lbs.

I think this is where Seven separates themselves from other custom manufacturers.