Which frame/bike would you buy…

Litespeed Vortex or BMC Team Machine SLT 01????

For argument sakes, let’s say both cost the same amount of money. How do they compare????

Weight:
Basically the same in my book
Vortex… 2.5 lbs
BMC TM… 3.08 (with fork)

Stiffness:
Vortex… has many a stage win to it’s name… can sprint and climb.
BMC TM… also has stage wins… HUGE bb area and multi-shaped tubing.

Ride Comfort:
Vortex… one word, Ti!!
BMC TM… also one word, carbon!!

History:
Vortex… new design as of 04’… record of improving with each new design.
BMC TM… new design as of late 03’/early 04’… few reviews on the bike.

Damage/Warranty:
Vortex… Ti can be fixed similar to steel… send to Tenn.
BMC TM… carbon is a throw away material?? Send to??

Looks:
Vortex… one sharp looking bike.
BMC TM… if anyone hasn’t seen one of these in person, do so!! WOW!!

Anything to add????????????????????????????????????

Ride Comfort:
Vortex� one word, Ti!!
BMC TM� also one word, carbon!!


I haven't ridden the Vortex yet, but I did a 30-minute test ride on the BMC TM. I recommend that you re-evaluate your perception of the BMC as a "carbon bike". The ride is not like any carbon bike I've ridden. The oversized aluminum BB, and downtubes, make the ride very stiff, with little compliance that one may expect from a "carbon bike". I agree that the BMC looks nice, and the near-total cable routing is cool, although I'm not sure how hard/easy it is to install/remove cables on that bike.

If super-stiff stuff is your thing, then this may be the frame for you, but if you expect the comfort amenities that comes from carbon bikes, you owe yourself a longer test ride on the BMC. For that price point, you can get a really nice custom frame, such as a Cyfac.

Just my 34cents.

I've only read a test of the BMC in the German Tour Magazin.

Conclusions:

Frame: very stiff and harsh manly due to the Easton fork
Finish: paint not considered very durable and looks sloppy near the lug/carbon transitions
Real weight size 57: 3.73lbs

They liked the design and stiff ride of the frame but expected a better finish for the money.

I haven't ridden the Vortex yet, but I did a 30-minute test ride on the BMC TM. I recommend that you re-evaluate your perception of the BMC as a "carbon bike". The ride is not like any carbon bike I've ridden. The oversized aluminum BB, and downtubes, make the ride very stiff, with little compliance that one may expect from a "carbon bike". I agree that the BMC looks nice, and the near-total cable routing is cool, although I'm not sure how hard/easy it is to install/remove cables on that bike.

If super-stiff stuff is your thing, then this may be the frame for you, but if you expect the comfort amenities that comes from carbon bikes, you owe yourself a longer test ride on the BMC. For that price point, you can get a really nice custom frame, such as a Cyfac.

Just my 34cents.

I plan to get a ride on a BMC TM before tooooo long. What I have heard about the bike so far is very similar to what you have said... fairly stiff with a non-carbon feel. Pez is one of the only reviews I’ve seen so far (http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=2341).

JB

I've only read a test of the BMC in the German Tour Magazin.

Conclusions:

Frame: very stiff and harsh manly due to the Easton fork
Finish: paint not considered very durable and looks sloppy near the lug/carbon transitions
Real weight size 57: 3.73lbs

They liked the design and stiff ride of the frame but expected a better finish for the money.

Any link??

Thanks!!

JB

Just a link to the magazine website: www.tour-magazin.de

For me the nicest ti frames are made by IF, Serotta and Moots. For high end carbon I like the looks of the Time. IMO...

I'm pretty biased here, but the Vortex certainly is a proven long distance machine, will last forever, and probably represents the state of the art in Ti fabrication. The BMC may look about as up-to-date as a leisure suit in a few years, while the Vortex will still be recognized as a classic machine.

I'm pretty biased here, but the Vortex certainly is a proven long distance machine, will last forever, and probably represents the state of the art in Ti fabrication. The BMC may look about as up-to-date as a leisure suit in a few years, while the Vortex will still be recognized as a classic machine.


If I had to get the BMC, I would spring for the all black color option. The Phonak paint scheme looks bad today and won't look any better in a few years.

I like the Vortex. Its been around for at least 7 years and has always been a proven top-end bike. They manage to improve the bike almost every year. The only thing that has gotten worse is the use of increasingly larger and obnoxious decals. The good news is they are easily removable on bare titanium.

UK magazine Cycling + reviewed the bike last month along with a Decathlon and Trek Madone. They rated it as excellent handling and incredibly stiff. If you want a scan and can wait until this weekend, leave your email as a private message.

Any link??

Thanks!!

JB