I have been saving for (and hoping) to get a Blade frame for the bike I am building. But today I talked to semi local tri store (and litespeed dealer) and they have a great deal on last years Saber frame. I have always coveted the Blade but I have the dough for the Saber. Should I hold out or get the Saber?? Is there a big drop off? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks
Rover
The saber’s snazzy, but the blade is downright sexy.
How important is money to you?
Money is a little important, but I waiver on the instant gratification thing. I could have the Saber now, and maybe even use it at the Timberman, or wait awhile and get the Blade (and use the Cannondale R800 to pass people riding a Blade). The Saber is such a huge upgrade from were I am now though. I guess I could go on all day about the merits of both but just looking for something to help me make the decision.
Rover
I would go with the Honda Element.
Thanks for that advice, now what bike would you put in it??
If you live and race in pancake flat Florida then go for the Blade. If you live and race in an area with some hills, then the Saber may be a better choice. Both are great bikes. Blade is probably a bit more aero but heavier, Saber is slightly less aero but lighter and perhaps more comfy over longer rides since it is 3/2.5 vs 6/4 ti.
Mike
Both are great frames. Get the cheaper one. Other than the cool factor, how is the Blade that much better?
That’s what I was wondering. Is the Blade worth the extra money? Plus I live in NH with ots of hills, which I love, so maybe the Saber is the better choice.
Rover
I would choose your bike based on some questions about your size, your riding style, what is important to you in frame design, etc. There is a notion that the blade cannot climb. I think it more has to do with the rider then the bike. My blade (59) with Campy Record and Nimble Crosswinds weighs just about 18lbs. I am 202lbs. I like the fact that the blade is much stiffer in the bottom bracket area. Plus, using 3/2.5 ti on the top tube helps to smooth out the ride. Both bikes are very comfortable to ride. I prefer the stiffer ride of the blade however. I am not doing Ironman distances this year, however I have had some 80+ mile rides on the blade and was impressed with the vibration dampening over my aluminum tri bike. If you have the opportunity to ride both of the bikes that would help you define your parameters a bit more. Right now Litespeed is having a great promotion of $1k off their bikes. I believe it runs until the end of July.
Thanks for the info. I have ridden both but not for long distances or great climbs. I am 5’11" and weigh about 173. I have done one IM and plan to do more (signed up LP 2006) so comfort in the saddle plus the ablity to climb are important to me. But evaluating these things during the “test” rides is hard, especially coming off my Cannondale, which makes everything I test seem smooth.
Rover
What size do you ride? Make me an offer.
ok i had this problem at the beginning of the season, and finally I went with the teramo. but out of those 2 id wait for the blade.
too funny…
Okay, if you are worried about climbing don’t buy either.
If you can’t ride up a hill on a blade, a Saber won’t save you jack squat.
You want a climbing bike, by a road bike.
If you want a no holds barred, sexy, aero, race machine, by the blade.
If it’s what you want, just wait for it. It’ll be worth it.
Well, one IMPORTANT consideration is that the headtube on the Saber is pretty tall…if you are one of those Bjorn-like super low folks…the Saber might be too tall for you…its fine for most riders though…I had mine at a 12cm drop…and couldn’t have gone any lower without using a Look ergostem or some other adjustable stem… The top tube is a bit shorter as well, for a given size.
Thanks for pointing that out. I am heading over to ride the Saber this weekend, hopefully for at least an hour. I am leaning towards getting it, if the fit is right, due to the fact that the deal is so good. If all goes well I will have it for the TImberman.
Rover
If you are like 99% of humanity, you’ll go for the instant gratification, but end up kicking yourself for settling for your 2nd choice.
I was just like you last year. Bought the saber and loved it raced an IM on it. Then this past fall got a great deal on a blade was able to sell the saber frame and just moved all my parts over to the blade. Both bikes are great. My fit on the saber was better straight out of the box. The blade took a little more tweaking mostly with the front end. My LBS measured everything before we took the parts off the Saber but they just didnt match up exactly. I ride more aggressively on the blade. I also did an IM on the blade with my splits being very close when on the saber. I’ve gotten more comfortable on the blade as the season has gone along. I would recommend riding both and think how you want to ride and how you feel most comfortable. You wont go wrong either way, but if you want the blade after riding it get it you wont be happy in the end with the saber.
"If you are like 99% of humanity, you’ll go for the instant gratification, but end up kicking yourself for settling for your 2nd choice. "
Not at all. I saved up for my powercranks, got them and love’em. Saved up for a Comptrainer, I live in NH after all, got it and loved it. Bought my race wheels, my new T1 wetsuit, etc … it all took time but as long as you keep your focus it all happens. But now someone makes me an offer, were I can get a Saber, an 05 race ready bike, for less then the cost of just the Blade frame, well I have to pause and think it over. Is the Blade worth the extra money? How long before I can afford to build a bike around the Blade frame?
Every position you take in life, from time to time, warrants re-evalution. You learn things about yourself and what you want to accomplish along the way that may make an earlier decision obsolete. I learned after IMCdA that I do not want to do another IM on my Cannondale. So what are my options?? One is to take the Saber deal. Another is to put in more hours and get the Blade, but a what cost (lost trianing time and time with the wifey) and for what benefit. Obviously one of the great things about ST is the ablity to discuss these issues with like minds. But thanks for your comments, they like all the others help with my decision.
I had the same choice and went with the Saber. A bit cheaper, and in my opinion, just as good a bike. I like the carbon seatstays and the overall performance. I think the Blade would be better if you’re a competitive athlete who needs every advantage, uses an aggressive riding style and doesn’t mind sacrificing a little comfort for speed. I used my Saber at IMCDA and it worked great although I wish I had better gearing for those hills.
And I’ve never regretted not getting the Blade.