Did Giant make the CF frames for Specialized?
10-24-20, 04:36 PM
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Did Giant make the CF frames for Specialized?
Asking this question because I currently own a 1993 (or 4) Cadex CFR-3, which I like, but do not necessarily love : even though it's carbon it feels a bit too flexy and I am by no means a heavyweight. At the same time I've always liked the looks of the 1990's Specialized Allez/Epics. There is a 1991 Epic for sale right now not too far from where I live. Can't test ride it for the moment, but I'm curious, would it ride any different? I remember reading somewhere that Giant made Specialized's first CF frames. I reckon this is somewhat of an abstract question when the real solution would be to ride them both and compare, but I'd still be happy to gather more info on the two bikes/series!
10-24-20, 06:47 PM
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Paging RobbieTunes ...
10-24-20, 07:26 PM
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I Had an Epic. I don't know if it was made by Giant, but I do know that I hated that thing. It handled like a noodle, and weighed a ton. I traded it to someone, who sold it to someone who found it was Cindy Whitehead's old race bike. He rebuilt it, and everybody over on retrobike drooled over it, But I know that it's really just a piece of crap. 
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10-24-20, 09:40 PM
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From what I've always heard, probably, they were making Trek at the same time as well but that doesn't make the bikes all the same. Lug and tube dimensions as well as geometry effect things as well, steel vs. aluminum stays will effect ride and stiffness. All of them were a bit noodly but the Treks always seemed to get decent reviews.
10-25-20, 12:36 AM
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I have owned and raced the Cadex road which is the same frame as the CFR, the Specialized Epic road and SWorks mountain. My race weight was 215 at that time. All bikes purchased new. The Cadex was a stiffer road frame, at least in the 57-58cm sizing. I did not find it objectionally stiff when compared to the Epic road, but the Epic road did have a smoother ride overall. When hammered into corners in a race, the Cadex was a better choice, but that is up to rider opinion I suppose.
The Epic SWorks mountain was an 18" and very stiff. Did not find it noodly at all. Overall handling was very good, and one could always tell it was designed as an off-road performance machine. In comparison, I also had the first gen SWorks FSR and that thing was a noodle!
Edit: All the frames and forks I have mentioned were manufactured by Giant Bicycles in Taiwan.
The Epic SWorks mountain was an 18" and very stiff. Did not find it noodly at all. Overall handling was very good, and one could always tell it was designed as an off-road performance machine. In comparison, I also had the first gen SWorks FSR and that thing was a noodle!
Edit: All the frames and forks I have mentioned were manufactured by Giant Bicycles in Taiwan.
Last edited by TiHabanero; 10-25-20 at 12:48 AM.
10-25-20, 05:45 AM
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Having built and ridden a Cadex CFR-1 and an Allez Epic... the CFR is mo’ better IMO.
Cadex CFR-1: DA7700, can’t remember the wheels, FSA crankset. Lighter than normal and a really good handler.
Allez Epic: Shimano 5600 in black, can’t remember those wheels, either. A bit flexible and cushy over 50 miles.
I can’t think of a performance category in which I’d prefer the Epic to the CFR-1, but the Epic was cooler when hanging out, and for relaxed rides, I’d choose it.
Pretty much the same results as @TiHabanero.
Cadex CFR-1: DA7700, can’t remember the wheels, FSA crankset. Lighter than normal and a really good handler.
Allez Epic: Shimano 5600 in black, can’t remember those wheels, either. A bit flexible and cushy over 50 miles.
I can’t think of a performance category in which I’d prefer the Epic to the CFR-1, but the Epic was cooler when hanging out, and for relaxed rides, I’d choose it.
Pretty much the same results as @TiHabanero.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 10-25-20 at 05:49 AM.
10-25-20, 08:15 AM
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Having built and ridden a Cadex CFR-1 and an Allez Epic... the CFR is mo’ better IMO.
Cadex CFR-1: DA7700, can’t remember the wheels, FSA crankset. Lighter than normal and a really good handler.
Allez Epic: Shimano 5600 in black, can’t remember those wheels, either. A bit flexible and cushy over 50 miles.
I can’t think of a performance category in which I’d prefer the Epic to the CFR-1, but the Epic was cooler when hanging out, and for relaxed rides, I’d choose it.
Pretty much the same results as @TiHabanero.
Cadex CFR-1: DA7700, can’t remember the wheels, FSA crankset. Lighter than normal and a really good handler.
Allez Epic: Shimano 5600 in black, can’t remember those wheels, either. A bit flexible and cushy over 50 miles.
I can’t think of a performance category in which I’d prefer the Epic to the CFR-1, but the Epic was cooler when hanging out, and for relaxed rides, I’d choose it.
Pretty much the same results as @TiHabanero.
By any chance, do you remember what used to be the difference between a CFR 1 / 2 / 3 ? Do you have to consider them in this order? Was it just a matter of components?
