New Merlin is out and Fully Carbon
08-15-14, 12:17 PM
#26
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08-15-14, 12:42 PM
#27
SuperGimp
If you're going to be forking over that kind of change, I think it's safe to say most of us would prefer a Crumpton, Parlee or Calfee.
Not some fly-by-night, who-owns-it-now, will-they-even-be-here-next-year company.
08-15-14, 12:54 PM
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Yup, No Colnago 
Bike selection by team at the 2014 Tour de France
AG2R-La Mondiale - Focus (Izalco Max)
Astana - Specialized (Tarmac, Roubaix, Venge)
Belkin - Bianchi (Oltre XR.2, Infinito CV)
BMC - BMC (SLR01)
Bretagne-Séché Environnement - Kemo (KE-R8 5KS, KE-R5)
Cannondale - Cannondale (SuperSix EVO, Synapse)
Cofidis - Look (695)
FDJ.fr - Lapierre (Helius EFi, Aircode)
Garmin-Sharp - Cervélo (R5, R3, Mud, S3, S5)
IAM Cycling - Scott (Addict, Foil)
Lampre-Merida - Merida ( Sculptura, Ride, Reacto EVO, Reacto KOM)
Lotto Belisol - Ridley (Helium SL, Noah)
Movistar - Canyon (Ultimate, Aeroad)
Omega Pharma-Quick Step - Specialized (Tarmac, Roubaix, Venge)
Orica-GreenEdge - Scott (Addict, Foil)
Europcar - Colnago (C59, C60, V1-r, CX Zero, M10)
Giant-Shimano - Giant (TCR Defy, Propel)
Katusha - Canyon (Helium SL, Noah)
NepApp-Endura - Fuji (Altamira SL, Altamira, Transonic)
Sky - Pinarello (Dogma F8, Dogma K)
Tinkoff-Saxo - Specialized (Tarmac, Roubaix, Venge)
Trek Factory Racing - Trek (Domane, Madone, Emonda)
By the way my Alchemy Xanthus is tube to tube construction.
Alchemy Bicycle Co. - Home - Alchemy Bicycle Company
Bike selection by team at the 2014 Tour de France
AG2R-La Mondiale - Focus (Izalco Max)
Astana - Specialized (Tarmac, Roubaix, Venge)
Belkin - Bianchi (Oltre XR.2, Infinito CV)
BMC - BMC (SLR01)
Bretagne-Séché Environnement - Kemo (KE-R8 5KS, KE-R5)
Cannondale - Cannondale (SuperSix EVO, Synapse)
Cofidis - Look (695)
FDJ.fr - Lapierre (Helius EFi, Aircode)
Garmin-Sharp - Cervélo (R5, R3, Mud, S3, S5)
IAM Cycling - Scott (Addict, Foil)
Lampre-Merida - Merida ( Sculptura, Ride, Reacto EVO, Reacto KOM)
Lotto Belisol - Ridley (Helium SL, Noah)
Movistar - Canyon (Ultimate, Aeroad)
Omega Pharma-Quick Step - Specialized (Tarmac, Roubaix, Venge)
Orica-GreenEdge - Scott (Addict, Foil)
Europcar - Colnago (C59, C60, V1-r, CX Zero, M10)
Giant-Shimano - Giant (TCR Defy, Propel)
Katusha - Canyon (Helium SL, Noah)
NepApp-Endura - Fuji (Altamira SL, Altamira, Transonic)
Sky - Pinarello (Dogma F8, Dogma K)
Tinkoff-Saxo - Specialized (Tarmac, Roubaix, Venge)
Trek Factory Racing - Trek (Domane, Madone, Emonda)
By the way my Alchemy Xanthus is tube to tube construction.
Alchemy Bicycle Co. - Home - Alchemy Bicycle Company
08-15-14, 01:22 PM
#30
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Sarto has been around for 30 years, so they are hardly "fly-by-night".
08-15-14, 01:33 PM
#31
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Yes, I would have never called them fly-by-night. But despite the solidarity of Sarto as a builder, I just don't think the custom CF concept is capable of competing with monocoque construction at the highest level of performance. As you may have observed re: posts I have made in the past, I don't necessarily equate Italian workmanship with highest quality. Some Italian stuff is good, some isn't just like for American, Japanese, Taiwanese, etc. We love to romanticize Italian design and workmanship, but over there they still put on their pants one leg at a time (as they say).
08-15-14, 01:51 PM
#32
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08-15-14, 02:39 PM
#33
SuperGimp
08-15-14, 03:21 PM
#34
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I'm sure glad most people don't feel the same way you do.
08-15-14, 03:25 PM
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What really matters is that there are enough consumers out there to like it and sell enough frames/bikes to make money. Only time will tell.
08-15-14, 03:28 PM
#36
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08-15-14, 03:34 PM
#37
SuperGimp
08-15-14, 03:50 PM
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The Retrogrouch: Mercian Cycles - History and Tradition
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08-15-14, 03:50 PM
#41
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Take it easy, my friend. In the second post I said that custom CF was flawed at the outset (because it relies on glued tubes). In the first post I said that custom CF wouldn't be able to compete for the same reason. Two aspects of the same position. Where is the discrepancy?
08-15-14, 03:58 PM
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08-15-14, 03:59 PM
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For most people, no difference at all. But then for most people, no difference either between any two decent bikes. If you are going to make a big deal about a bike being a Merlin for whatever reason you think that is important, then shouldn't it really be the best? That business about Italian craftsmanship and a company that no one has really heard of in competitive bike circles called Sarto is really just a bunch of crap. How many Sarto's did you see in the TdF, let alone on the podium - this year or any year? Hype!
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08-15-14, 04:00 PM
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Take it easy, my friend. In the second post I said that custom CF was flawed at the outset (because it relies on glued tubes). In the first post I said that custom CF wouldn't be able to compete for the same reason. Two aspects of the same position. Where is the discrepancy?
Crumpton, Parlee, and Calfee are all doing just fine. If a buyer needs a lightweight custom frame, glued/lugged CF tubes get the job done.
08-15-14, 04:00 PM
#46
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08-15-14, 04:04 PM
#47
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08-15-14, 04:06 PM
#48
cowboy, steel horse, etc
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08-15-14, 04:10 PM
#49
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In your first post you say, "the custom CF bike is inherently flawed at the outset. A dumb idea that won't last very long. I give it two years max."
Crumpton, Parlee, and Calfee are all doing just fine. If a buyer needs a lightweight custom frame, glued/lugged CF tubes get the job done.
Crumpton, Parlee, and Calfee are all doing just fine. If a buyer needs a lightweight custom frame, glued/lugged CF tubes get the job done.
08-15-14, 04:11 PM
#50
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