Skinny tube carbon frameset experiences?
05-07-23, 05:39 PM
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Skinny tube carbon frameset experiences?
TVT, Vitus Carbone 7, Giant Cadex, Centurion Carbon, Miyata, Alan, Peugeot, Allez, Look KG66, etc. Mostly aluminum lugged with tubes the same diameter as an SL tubeset. Not larger diameter like Trek 2300 or Calfee:
How does yours ride? How well did it hold up? My data points are all the Allez frame that ate themselves, the description of TVTs being frightening to descend on and a few rides I took on a Centurion Ironman Carbon that seemed pretty normal - but I wasn't exactly pushing it.
I sometimes look around for Look KG56 (actually fiberglass) or a Cadex. But I sure don't need another bike.
How does yours ride? How well did it hold up? My data points are all the Allez frame that ate themselves, the description of TVTs being frightening to descend on and a few rides I took on a Centurion Ironman Carbon that seemed pretty normal - but I wasn't exactly pushing it.
I sometimes look around for Look KG56 (actually fiberglass) or a Cadex. But I sure don't need another bike.
05-07-23, 06:31 PM
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I've got a Colnago C40. Aluminum dropouts, carbon lugs.
Bought as a bare frame, and built with a mix of more modern components.
It feels very good, and rides like a bike should ride. I have no regrets.
Bought as a bare frame, and built with a mix of more modern components.
It feels very good, and rides like a bike should ride. I have no regrets.
05-07-23, 06:36 PM
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One of the Portland members rides a vintage Look. @jyl?
05-07-23, 06:52 PM
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Does a Serotta Ottrot count ? Really great bike.
/markp
/markp
05-07-23, 07:31 PM
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I ride a Trek 2120, Alu lugs and rear triangle, carbon tubes. Tubes might be slightly larger than standard, 1-1/4" vs 1-1/8", I'm not positive.
it's a nice ride. Pretty stable, can take family picnic loads on the rear rack.
It doesn't have the spring and "wearing the bike" of my Ironman, but it's a little bigger, too.
it's a nice ride. Pretty stable, can take family picnic loads on the rear rack.
It doesn't have the spring and "wearing the bike" of my Ironman, but it's a little bigger, too.
05-07-23, 10:06 PM
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An Ottrot and 2120 would be examples of oversized tubing. I'm interested in the kind of bikes pros would ride painted to look like the steel rides.
05-07-23, 10:10 PM
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I have a beautiful 1986 Alan Record Carbonio in my collection with all original components: Dura ace 7400, Cinelli 1R stem and bar and aero Matrix ISO C-II rims. It rides a lot like my Columbus SLX road bike with very little flex. They’re both 56cm frames and I’m about 155 lbs.
From what I understand the small Italian company was the first to ever produce a ‘carbon’ frame.
From what I understand the small Italian company was the first to ever produce a ‘carbon’ frame.
Last edited by ntn007us; 05-07-23 at 11:52 PM.
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05-08-23, 06:41 AM
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I had a Vitus 979 and always felt like it was 'slow' and ate some of my pedal energy. A three tube carbon would still have those rubbery feeling aluminum stays.
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05-08-23, 01:10 PM
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I never liked the way it rode. My experience was similar to yours in that it just felt "slow". I wasn't too disappointed when it broke.
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05-08-23, 02:18 PM
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I had a Miyata CT 3000 (Carbon Tech 3000) pass through my hands. It was an aluminum frame, with the main triangle made from very light and thin AL tubes that were wrapped in carbon fiber. Then it had a bolt on aluminum rear triangle and an aluminum fork. The frame tubes were essentially just there to wrap the carbon around.
That was a race frame that came with 23mm tires, and when I tell you it was smoooth man, it was eerie! No road vibes made it through that frame, no chatter, nothing. It was too small, and a race frame it didn’t want a rack or anything like that on it, so I sold it on.
I had put a carbon fiber flat bar on a high stem, for a buddy who thought he wanted a vintage bike, but changed his mind. With that set up it was just a wheely monster 😂😂
It was crazy being upright on a very fast and responsive frame like that. But a lot of fun. 👍
Here it is!
That was a race frame that came with 23mm tires, and when I tell you it was smoooth man, it was eerie! No road vibes made it through that frame, no chatter, nothing. It was too small, and a race frame it didn’t want a rack or anything like that on it, so I sold it on.
I had put a carbon fiber flat bar on a high stem, for a buddy who thought he wanted a vintage bike, but changed his mind. With that set up it was just a wheely monster 😂😂
It was crazy being upright on a very fast and responsive frame like that. But a lot of fun. 👍
Here it is!
Last edited by Chr0m0ly; 05-08-23 at 02:34 PM.
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05-08-23, 02:29 PM
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I've got 1990 and 1994 Specialized Epics.
Always wanted one of the classic looking Allez Epics, and it rode nice enough that I picked up a "second generation" painted lug Epic.
The first run of the Epic had BB separation problems, but it was recalled quickly and I've never seen one without the dark anodizing on the BB. Those didn't separate.
I have seen some of the Allez Epics look corroded around the lugs. That looks ugly and dangerous, and makes the close to unsalable. The second generation Epic is painted over the joints and should seal them away from moisture.
The Epics are much lighter than the Allez Epics! I think they have much shorter internal lug stubs inside the tubes.
They both ride "pleasantly".
1990 Allez Epic
1994 Epic
Starting in 1992, Specialized was selling these against Trek's 2xxx bonded bikes AND the 5200 OCLV!
While you said you weren't interested in the 2xxx's, I think they are far superior as a performance bike, and feel like an aluminum bike with the harshness tuned out.
Always wanted one of the classic looking Allez Epics, and it rode nice enough that I picked up a "second generation" painted lug Epic.
The first run of the Epic had BB separation problems, but it was recalled quickly and I've never seen one without the dark anodizing on the BB. Those didn't separate.
I have seen some of the Allez Epics look corroded around the lugs. That looks ugly and dangerous, and makes the close to unsalable. The second generation Epic is painted over the joints and should seal them away from moisture.
The Epics are much lighter than the Allez Epics! I think they have much shorter internal lug stubs inside the tubes.
They both ride "pleasantly".
1990 Allez Epic
1994 Epic
Starting in 1992, Specialized was selling these against Trek's 2xxx bonded bikes AND the 5200 OCLV!
While you said you weren't interested in the 2xxx's, I think they are far superior as a performance bike, and feel like an aluminum bike with the harshness tuned out.
05-08-23, 06:09 PM
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But the two things that interest me is the look and a bike that flexes in an efficient way (unlike a Vitus 979). I've never cared for the way any of the aluminum lugged Treks look, and I've already owned a slightly oversized lug and tube Calfee. There is something fascinating about getting carbon to be useful with diameters the same as steel.
