I am 5'5", 50 y/o 175 lbs. looking for a bike for comfortable fitness/century riding.

My question is: will the double butted tubes of the Axiom (vs. straight guage-Alaris) improve comfort or ride quality?

If so, in what way?

Thank's for your help.

Probably not enough for the mere mortal to notice.
My wife was blown away at the amazing ride of her new Alaris.

You'd probably notice way more regarding your choice in wheels, seat, post, bars, etc.

I am in the middle of the build process with Seven and based on my pre-build research I would think that the Alaris would be perfect for you. I am going with the Axiom because I am big (6-4, 195) and will be using the bike for both racing and centuries. I agree with Padre that other components, especially wheel choice and tire inflation will allow you to really dial in your ride. I test rode an Axiom and it was very smooth even in comparision to the Specailized Roubaix that I currently use for my long rides and my guess is that if your concern is comfort Seven can easily build what you're looking for.

You choose a butted frame instead of a straight gauge frame because you are big? If it did matter, then wouldn’t it be better the other way around; having a straight gauge frame, which is beefier to stand up better for your extra mass and power.

I am in the middle of the build process with Seven and based on my pre-build research I would think that the Alaris would be perfect for you. I am going with the Axiom because I am big (6-4, 195) and will be using the bike for both racing and centuries. I agree with Padre that other components, especially wheel choice and tire inflation will allow you to really dial in your ride. I test rode an Axiom and it was very smooth even in comparision to the Specailized Roubaix that I currently use for my long rides and my guess is that if your concern is comfort Seven can easily build what you're looking for.

You choose a butted frame instead of a straight gauge frame because you are big? If it did matter, then wouldn’t it be better the other way around; having a straight gauge frame, which is beefier to stand up better for your extra mass and power.

Well, I guess I misspoke a bit. I have two friends that work at Seven. After discussing many frames with them I chose the Axiom based on their advice and the fact that one of them is a former pro who rides an Axiom, has very similar dimensions to me (except he's 25 pounds lighter!) and knows my riding habits/skills/needs.

Since budget wasn't really an issue they could have pushed me higher up the Seven line. I'm not really into mixed material frames and they both felt that due to the many tubing choices they have available they thought they could build me the best frame using the Axiom platform (we did discuss the Alaris).

If I bought with my heart it would have been a custom white De Rosa Idol. The comfort factor of having a friend who understands my needs and abilities outweighed the sex appeal of the Idol since I decided this bike will be about performance, not looks. I'm picking up the Axiom tomorrow so I'll post some pictures and a review.

I think you made a good choice to take the advice of your buddies. Since they ride with you AND they work at Seven, they should be able to make an even better recommendation as to what would work best for you. First hand observation of the intended user is always a major plus in any custom application. I'm anxious to see the pics of your Axiom.

I was in your position not too long ago. I am pretty happy with the alaris, no regrets, no buyer's remorse. (I'm 5-11, 160lbs, 28yo).

I agree with the others that the componentry probably has more importance in ride characteristics. Seven is pretty good as designers: I spec'd a moderately light, but BB-stiff (I gave a priority score of 9) frame, and they delivered. it's 3.4 lbs, which is on the heavier side, but coming off a columbus thron frame, it's still a big improvement.

I specc'd up on wheelset and group with the savings, and I am happy with those choices too.

BTW, on a side note, when you get your bike, GO WITH THE SEVEN RECOMMENDED HANDLEBAR HEIGHT / SEAT CONFIG. I put my bars lower for the first weeks and it was just painful. i went back to the seven measurements and it was fine. just so you don't make my mistake and think that something went wrong in the design process!

I am 5'5", 50 y/o 175 lbs. looking for a bike for comfortable fitness/century riding.

My question is: will the double butted tubes of the Axiom (vs. straight guage-Alaris) improve comfort or ride quality?

If so, in what way?

Thank's for your help.


Hi,

Just wanted to know why you choose the Axiom over the Alaris, did your friends have anything to say against the alaris.

How are you finding your axiom.

Thanks
Flip

I was in your position not too long ago. I am pretty happy with the alaris, no regrets, no buyer's remorse. (I'm 5-11, 160lbs, 28yo).

I agree with the others that the componentry probably has more importance in ride characteristics. Seven is pretty good as designers: I spec'd a moderately light, but BB-stiff (I gave a priority score of 9) frame, and they delivered. it's 3.4 lbs, which is on the heavier side, but coming off a columbus thron frame, it's still a big improvement.

I specc'd up on wheelset and group with the savings, and I am happy with those choices too.

BTW, on a side note, when you get your bike, GO WITH THE SEVEN RECOMMENDED HANDLEBAR HEIGHT / SEAT CONFIG. I put my bars lower for the first weeks and it was just painful. i went back to the seven measurements and it was fine. just so you don't make my mistake and think that something went wrong in the design process!

Hi,

Could you let me know what sort of riding do you do, what did you focus on when building your frame.

Thanks,

Flip

I ride about three times a week, 30-35 miles over 2 hrs or so. It's mostly flat, but there are some stiff climbs that come in once in a while. I don't race, I just ride for fun.

I decided that since this is the last bike i will get before I start a full time job, I wanted to make it worthwhile. Wheelset is the biggest improvement from my last set. I got the Mavic K-ES's, which are amazing. Beofer I had the mavic open-4 CDs, which really stank -- in retrospect. They needed truing after every 300 miles, especially after rough terrain. I've ridden my new set over big old potholes, and they are still straight and true. Also, very very light and stiff. Small downside is you feel a sidedraft more, but oh well.

Gruppo? Dura Ace. Just a sample of one: but it's been 10 months and whereas my old Ultegra started crapping out and ghostshifting around this time, the DA has had very few hicchups in terms of performance. Brakes are brakes, but the shifting is true, rapid and precise. We'll see how it holds up, nothing lasts forever.

The rest? Thomson post , FSA classic bars, Seven fork (good fork, basically a custom-sized Reynolds i think), Look KEO Ti, Fizik Arione saddle. And another great thing: Michelin Krylions: these things are on the heavy side, but they have given me thousnads of miles of puncture proof performance (stupid jerks litter the ground with broken glass around some parts of my rides).

i had the some conundrum. the guy at seven was plain honest with me: it comes down to cost and weight savings. if you want to pay extra to shave weight, that's it, but performance wise, they can tweak the heavier alaris to have about the same properties as its lighter brother.

if i had 800 bones to blow, i'd have gone up to the axiom. but i am pretty happy with my choice; i'm not good enough as a rider that that extra .4 lbs is really holding me back from winning the TDF....

show us all that new axiom you got...i'm sure it's very nice.

I were in your shoes about a year ago and decided to get the axiom instead I'm 5'9 and 170lbs. I chose the axiom mainly because in the future I don't want to think about the ride quality difference between the two, so I got the latter instead. I don't want what ifs to be at the back of my mind, hopefully you got my point. Whatever fits your budget go for it, its not like the alaris is a substandard model of Seven. Its way up there because it is customed for you and only you. Compared to other high end of the shelf frame the ride of the alaris would be definitely better imho. So go for it any Seven would put a wide grin on your face.