rollin

It has to be blueberry, no actually I meant apple, hold on let's not forget pecan, yes pecan that's the one.

sced

Go ahead, post your bidet and that definition. You're missing an opportunity to help people. And remember to tell them that bike shops are best, brand names are best, and you get what you pay for.

datlas 

^^^ Guys, please keep this civil. Let's not turn this thread into a "BD vs LBS" rant. Been there, done that.

BTW, is it true that campy is better than shimano??? And SRAM is better than both??

sced

The correct answer has to be to take the best parts from all makes and optimally mix them. The same is true for frames and bar tape.

RichinPeoria

btw Im not an "go to the LBS" kinda guy. I avoid them as much as I can. Nearly every time I go to them I feel like Im diving into a tank full of sharks.

I subscribe to "get the best deal possible on what you like the most" not " you get what you pay for"

waterrockets 

Ummm. My power meter shows the same power profiles on a ride on my steel bike as carbon. You know that extra weight on a bike doesn't suddenly make you able to pedal harder, right?

datlas 

But WR.....you do go about 3 MPH faster with your carbon bike, right?

(that is, when you are not busting up its BB)

TTULaw

I own a custom painted and etched Lynskey (ti). It is my love. When I see it, it makes me smile. When I ride it, it is an emotional experience. When I compete in a road race, it is the bike I ride, but I may only race twice a year.

I also own a Felt B16 (carbon). It is my race bike. When I see it, I think I need to be out training or out swimming or out running. When I ride it, I think I need to be riding faster and training harder.

If you are wanting to buy your bike. Get which ever bike moves you. If neither of them do, look for another bike.

If you are wanting to buy a race bike. I would probably buy carbon. Some day I will sell my Felt. I will never sell my Lynskey.

waterrockets 

I dunno, I got four mass-start wins on the Ritchey (2008) as well as on the Madone (2009). Actually, in 2009 I got TX State TTT gold on the Ritchey (borrowing Racer Ex's sweet Token wheels)

Then again I was just out on the Ritchey yesterday and rode a 20 mile loop at over 23mph with fenders on it. I think they're faster the heavier they are.

Breal

What Lynskey model?

Should have added that I am 6'4 220, never had a problem with carbon on my bikes, just the cranks.....

WHOOOSSHHH...

Have had both. Just don't feel like I have to worry about the TI bike as much. In addition, you can upgrade parts instead of the whole bike. I've noticed with carbon frames, most people stop posting pics of their new rides after a year, as everyone has seen them. With Ti, upgrade, and shamelessly post!

RichinPeoria

hey who makes those wheels ?

bigtea

+1 ... I agree with that. It comes from the durable finish of brushed titanium. Once a month I wash my Litespeed with soap. It looks brand new all of the time. If I were told your Lynsky had five thousand miles on it, I wouldn't be surprised. They simply clean up that well.

RaleighComp

I like the Imron paint on my Spectrum. It's tough as nails. Only the drive-side chainstay is bare Ti.

Breal

That is beeeeeauuuuutifullllll........

calves2997

I have both high end carbon ( BMC pro machine) and high end Ti ( Litespeed Ultimate, Palmares and Archon). I find there is a greater amount of difference between the Ti bikes than between the carbon and Ti, so I think you need to go out and ride some bikes to see what you prefer.

I like the Archon the most, it is simply a fantastic ride, very stiff but remarkably comfortable. Also by far the fastest and most efficient bike I own. I think the BMC may have a lighter frame, but I don't feel as connected with it; sure it absorbs high frequency impacts well, but it feels like I am riding on carpet all the time, and I can't gauge the speed because of this.
Between the Ti bikes the all 6/4 Ti Palmares is by far the worst rider of the bunch, and is also the heaviest frameset. Not very aero either, so it feels like a bit of a pig. The ultimate is a much better bike, stiffer at the BB, still somewhat comfortable, but fairly aero and due to its low wheelbase very agile and responsive to inputs.

So in other words, there is no way to generalize between materials, because even within a given manufacturer you have such a large degree variation.

TTULaw

I have the 320. The custom paint is why I love the bike. I'm sure there are carbon builders who put as much love into a bike as the many ti builders (Parlee), there just arn't as many. I wanted a bike to be mine. I wanted to talk to the people who built it and who painted it. That is what I got with Lynskey. This can quickly turn into a Lynskey love-fest. But I will say, the other companies I talked to (Desalvo, Moots, and Temple) were all willing to answer my questions too. Lynskey was just more excited about making my bike.

My Felt. Who knows who made it. I don't even care. Again, I just think it depends on what you are looking for.

Breal

Seriously considering Lynskey.

Pics?

NathanC

2009 TdF, I think Skil-Shimano rode some Scandium-framed Koga's

Carbon Unit

Agreed. If you need one bike, then you probably need two. Since I already own a carbon bike, my next bike will be Ti. If I ever decide to buy a third bike--it will be bamboo.

Jurgen

So that's Kenny's excuse.