I had a Terminator. It was very comfortable from a ride aspect. Well made. I just couldn't get it to fit.

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Paul

The Terminator is just a Veteran with Molina's chosen component spec, right?

Since I know we're built similarly (long legs, pretty tall) and both ride with a decent amount of drop... What was it that you couldn't get dialed in?

Steve

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Steve

"If you ain't first, you're last." Reese Bobby Talladega Nights

Honestly I don't remember what was wrong with the fit. It just never felt right. I believe the Terminator is carbon not aluminum, but I could be wrong as I owned it many moons ago.

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Paul

I've got almost 10,000 miles on my Titanflex. It's a great ride and Tom's company is very good to deal with.

A couple of points:

1) The Terminator is Al, not carbon.

2) Older Titanflexes had a road-bike-like Front-Center dimension. So even with all the adjustability of the design, riding steep would put you very far forward over the front wheel. Note that they now offer a version with a stretched frame that is better suited for riding steep. (My frame is the original "stretched" prototype.)

3) I have had constant maintenance to keep the Ti boom from squeaking, but it's a minor gripe.

4) The internal cable routing has a fair bit of friction and some tight tolerances behind the BB, but is no big deal.

5) The 1" steerer tube limits your fork choices somewhat these days.

6) For better or worse, a beam bike will teach you to pedal "in circles" as it bobs if your stroke is not smooth. (After a few hundred miles, my stroke had changed and is now completely bounce free.)

7) I don't have aero data, but the bike is way more comfortable than any double-diamond bike I've ever ridden.

8) As I've become a stronger rider over the years, the design of the bike has allowed me to gradually adopt a more "aggressive" position (Sorry, Tom D...). I've incrementally moved from a 76 to an 80 degree seat angle, and dropped my elbows about 3 inches -- all on the same bike! The adjustability of the Titanflex is unmatched.

9) My Titanflex is distinctive! At races, it stands out in the sea of Cervelos. (Unlike in the jealous-cruel cyberworld of ST) it always garners positive comments when people see it in person.

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"100% of the people who confuse correlation and causation end up dying."

this is the most bling of the beam bikes:
http://www.carbonsports.com/CS_Ueberblick.lasso

>> this is the most bling of the beam bikes...

Beautiful!

But, non-adjustable, and the 700c frame is slack.

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"100% of the people who confuse correlation and causation end up dying."

What sorta maintenance have you experienced on the boom (to stop the squeaking)? Is it simply a matter of removing and greasing periodically, or ???

Would you happen to have any detailed pictures of the cable routing? From the pics I've been able to find, it's tough to tell exactly where which cables enter/exit the frame. Actually, most I've seen seem to have more cable exposed than usual. (Notice the two shift? cables that hang down below the basebar and enter the frame somewhere around mid-headtube height in the pic you posted.) It looks like the rear shift cable takes a pretty clean route down the right "seatstay" to avoiid having a tight bend, though. So, I assume the one you're referring to is the front shift cable.?.

I noticed the "stretch" models listed on their site, but thought they were only in size L. I'll have to go look again, and shoot them an e-mail. I want to confirm that the Terminator is simply a Veteran w/ Molina's spec, anyway.

And, for the record, I think you're bike looks really nice. It looks very nice with the black/white you've got going on. Is that an Adamo under a neoprene seat cover?

Steve

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Steve

"If you ain't first, you're last." Reese Bobby Talladega Nights

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"100% of the people who confuse correlation and causation end up dying."

I have a Transition frame (dual downtubes) and love it. I have mine set up more as a road bike right now with drop bars and a Syntace C2 clip-on. One thing I like about the Transition vs. the Veteran is the two bottle mounts within easy reach. As others have mentioned the Ti boom takes a little getting used to but once you do the comfort is unparalled. Agree also on keeping the boom tube lubed regularly. Not too sure about the aerodynamics of the frame but the downtubes are pretty thin.

If you have any questions about anything specific I would e-mail Tom directly. He has always been very prompt in responding and is very helpful.

Sorry, can't find any pictures right now.

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Formerly DrD

Steve, let me address any TitanFlex questions that you may still have:
1. Both models are aluminum frames with titanium booms. The Transition uses the 7005 alloy and the Veteran uses 6061-T6. The shape of the Veteran body is wing-like. I agree it's hard to see in two dimensions, but the leading edge (downtube) tapers to a thinner trailing edge.
2. The "Terminator" edition is simply any size black Veteran frame equipped with specific components that Scott Molina currently rides.
3. As MOP_Mike mentioned, I stretched the front of the large Veteran frame to accommodate his fit preference. The large size was orignally created for Gerry Tatrai, the Aussie who won the Race Across America on it in 1998. It replaced his 58cm Specialized Epic Allez.
4. Boom squeak is managed with an application of molybdenum disulfate (aka Dry Moly) spray. Removing the boom is as easy as removing a seatpost.
5. The cable routing has been reworked on all Veteran frames. All three now enter the frame on top just behind the headtube, out of the wind
6. Oval Concept's front brake caliper that mounts behind the fork is now an option.

Let me know if I missed anything. I'd be happy to send detailed images that are not yet available online.

Cheers,
Tom Piszkin
(619) 334-7222

I really like mine. No beam issues, good adjustability, good aero. +1 that Tom is a great guy to deal with.

Took a picture with my new front wheel- Gigantex 85mm Carbon Clincher.

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Formerly DrD

I've had mine since '02 and love it. Here are my thoughts:

Pros:
More areo than any "double diamond" bike (Felt, Cervelo, Trek, etc.)
Hyper-adjustable (get any effective seat tube angle you want)
Has a lot more wow value and people asking about it than any other bike
Doesn't bob like other beam bikes, but takes the edge off of rough roads (I'm 180lbs)
Good customer service/support

Cons:
A bit heavier than today's carbon steeds
Fit and finish (the welds are kinda chunky and the cable runs are high friction (took a really good tri LBS to get the shifting crisp). Overall it's not as smooth and sculpted as a carbon frame.
1" fork (more aero, but getting harder to find)

I keep getting tempted to get a Cervello or Felt, but I know these frames are slower and my $$ are better spent on component upgrades.

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ECMGN Therapy Silicon Valley:
Depression, Neurocognitive problems, Dementias (Testing and Evaluation), Trauma and PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

I have way too many bikes (4 serotta's including a Meivici),3 Lightspeed's( new blade and saber will be sold this year),CerveloP3(just sold-it was pretty good but not as good as my Titanflex),P4 ordered,Calfee,Kuota,Calfee dragonfly ,and probably a few others.I had a bunch of Softrides but their beams all delaminated and I got rid of them.They were way more bouncy than a Titanflex.I got my Veteran Titanflex 2 years ago prior to Ironman Florida since I was worried about comfort over that distance.It was great and since then I have done 3 more Ironmen and a bunch of Halfs on the Titanflex.I don't knowhow aero it is (and probably nobody knows how it compares to a P4) but I bought it for it's GREAT RIDE.I have 15 bikes to ride but I always take the same one -the titanflex.Ithought the Serotta Meivici I set up for tris was a great ride and it is but not as Good as the Titanflex.I would have saved a small fortune on bikes if I bought the Titanflex earlier.