I have been riding a vintage QR Superform USA, steel, Roadkill paint scheme 55 cm frame since 1990 and absolutely love the position at all triathlon distances. Due to rust accumulation, paint deterioration, wear and tear at all attachment sites of components/wheels etc. I have determined that it would be best/safest to get a new frame.
What prompted me to ask about this was the following:
Thinking that I could adapt in 4-5 months to a more traditional road geometry frame, I tried changing to a more relaxed seat tube on a road geometry with seat slid forward 700c Cannondale R1000 aero. (I had little $ at the time and got a great deal on this bike brand new, so I decided to experiment. I didn't think there would be that much difference after getting used to it) When I finally raced on it, I found that I had lost all sorts of power/speed on hills and flats, even after consistently training on it in the same manner that I had on the QR. Also the bike felt unstable with descending. So I sold that and went back to my old QR (Dan E. and QR did it right, imagine that.) I now realize that I should not change to a frame with a relaxed seat angle. I don't want to make another mistake like that as it relates to wheel size, handling characteristics and ride quality. And would prefer to stick with maintaining my position as closely as possible.
My question is: which are the newer frames which closely resemble the geometry/frame materials of my old bike enough to keep the ride characteristics: awesome descending, very stable cornering, smooth long distance riding while having geometry close enough to maintain the position that I have on the QR. Preferrable price range would be under $2500.00.
“It’s good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” - Ernest Hemingway
What prompted me to ask about this was the following:
Thinking that I could adapt in 4-5 months to a more traditional road geometry frame, I tried changing to a more relaxed seat tube on a road geometry with seat slid forward 700c Cannondale R1000 aero. (I had little $ at the time and got a great deal on this bike brand new, so I decided to experiment. I didn't think there would be that much difference after getting used to it) When I finally raced on it, I found that I had lost all sorts of power/speed on hills and flats, even after consistently training on it in the same manner that I had on the QR. Also the bike felt unstable with descending. So I sold that and went back to my old QR (Dan E. and QR did it right, imagine that.) I now realize that I should not change to a frame with a relaxed seat angle. I don't want to make another mistake like that as it relates to wheel size, handling characteristics and ride quality. And would prefer to stick with maintaining my position as closely as possible.
My question is: which are the newer frames which closely resemble the geometry/frame materials of my old bike enough to keep the ride characteristics: awesome descending, very stable cornering, smooth long distance riding while having geometry close enough to maintain the position that I have on the QR. Preferrable price range would be under $2500.00.
“It’s good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” - Ernest Hemingway