I’m dreaming about a new bike and for a while I’ve been looking at the Abici webpage ( http://www.abicibikes.com ) do you ride one of those? how do you like it? can you post a pic?
thanks,
daniel
My friend just bought one from them… the time machine.
http://www.abicibikes.com/Frame_Set2.asp?Item=Time+Machine+Road
He really likes the bike, but has had nothing but problems with their “customer service”. His is black and white. I think he may be selling the frame sometime soon due to the fact that our team is sponsored by Hed, and he is getting a Hed frame at cost. He has not decided if he is going to sell the Abici or not. But it is only a month old and I could give you his email address if you have more questions about Abici bikes in general.
Tish
Tish
Roy Knickman at ABICI was kind enough to offer me a prodeal on a Time Machine Road last year after I sent the company a race resume. After considering several offers, I determined that ABICI had the right combination of aerodynamic features, geometry, and, yes, price, for someone like me, who doesn’t require custom geometry.
These features include: aero tubing (Cervelo zombies please refrain from the usual comments regarding every company except Cervelo having inferiorly aerodynamic tubing… stop putting your lunch box on the front of your bike if you are really THAT concerned with being aero…), aero seat stays, seat mast custom cut up to just below the rails of your saddle, decent aero fork, internal cable routing and rear wheel cutout. The rear dropouts are vertical, but the clearance is quite tight, so you won’t be fitting anything bigger than a 20 or 23 mm tire back there (depends on the brand, I suppose).
It is a fast bike. Period. Don’t let the roadie geometry deter you. I have mine set up at around 76 degrees (seat tube angle… the actual angle is 74 with my seat set forward 2 cm), and even with a relatively steep head tube angle (73 degrees, I believe), I can ride no hands to zip my jersey, get food, etc. That means it is plenty stable and it goes fast in a straight line like a good TT bike should. My last TT bike (a GURU chrono, circa 2001) was fast but not nearly as comfortable (to be fair to them, the frame was too big for me…) Anyway, the ABICI TMR is quite forgiving and comfortable (I’ve done up to 3 hour rides on it). The head tube is short enough to allow a good aero position, but not so short as to make the front end less stiff.
I may get one of their new carbon road frames next year for road racing, but I am keeping the TT bike (a lot of roadies sell their bikes at the end of each season and start the next season with a new ride).
"stop putting your lunch box on the front of your bike if you are really THAT concerned with being aero…), "
hehehehe. Now that’s a good point!
You also didn’t mention how well you’ve done on this frame this year. 2nd in Quebec TT championship if I’m correct?
Congrats BTW.
Thanks. Best results so far this year:
2nd place in the GP Granby TT (GP’s are provincial races); 1st at a local club 15 km TT; 3rd place at the GP Gaston Langlois 41.5 km TT (personal best and also the fastest TT I have ever done at any distance (woo-hoo)); and, Masters A (30-39) Team TT champs (part of the team, obviously).
The provincial champs are in 3 weeks. It’s going to be tough to hit the top spot in the TT, but I am motivated, training hard, and truthfully, will be very happy with a podium spot (considering the top Masters A guys are beating most of the Cat 1-2 riders in TT’s this year).
BTW, I didn’t mention that the frame looks amazing, did I?
Hey Daniel,
I’m Tish’s buddy. The guy with the Abici. I just submitted a review to Triathlete.com which should be up in the next couple of days. But here is the long and short of it.
The frame/fork is amazing. Stiff, strong, comfortable, a good ride for a true TT, climbing a hill, sprint to IM distance. I really like the frame. The guys at Abici recommended I ride a SM for Triathlons, but said a M would do for straigh TT’ing.
As for the company. That’s another story. I truly believe I’m a rare occurrence as everything I had ever read or heard about Abici was top notch. That’s one of the reasons I went with them. Unforunately my experience was terrible. Abici screwed up numerous times and did not make a good attempt at rectifying the issues or following through. I’m still trying to collect the credit they promised me verbally and in writing and it has been over a month!! Although I love the frame. I am selling it and WILL NEVER buy another frame from them. I just can’t support a company like that.
If you end up buying an Abici I can guarantee that you’ll enjoy the ride and I hope you have better luck with them than I did.
Thanks,
Brian
My understanding is that Roy is no longer with Abici and since he left, there have been many problems with customer service.
I say go for it!
I love the frame, seems as aero as anything out there, light, stiff, geometry that suits me.
pic: http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=napptym&gallery_id=89437&image_id=162
thanks. I heard a similar story from another guy. He said that frames are great but customer service sucks. I don’t understand them, why would they do that?? I realized that their company is not really good with customers when I wrote them an email two months ago…
I don’t plan on buying anything soon. Not because I don’t want to, but because I don’t have the money…always same story…I just look around at the moment, kind of like a little kid going through all the toysrus catalogues before xmas. Bikes are so sexy!
thanks
Just a few quick points…
Abici will offer “Pro Deal” to just about anyone who asks…Don’t be shy. If you’ll aggressively promote them, they’ll take care of you.
I have 3 cycling teammates on TMs (and a number riding their road bikes). The TMs look very nice and are decent bikes. Every one of my teammates has had at least 1 win on a TM this season so they aren’t “slow” bikes.
Every one of my teammates had customer service problems (wrong/non-aero forks shipped, no derailleur hanger, etc.). Abici’s service is problematic. However, for $800 frame/fork (once you finally get the fork you want), they are a good value. Like anything, you get what you pay for.
If I were choosing between a P2K and a TM, I’d choose a TM. If I wanted to spend the extra money, I’d ride a P3. If I was in the mood to spend tons of cash, I’d buy a T2.