My wife says it’s her turn and only a nice Ti road bike will do. There is no way I’ll get my race wheels until her bike is ordered. Can anyone recommend a specific bike to add to my search? I noticed Merlin makes a ladies compact model with carbon seatstays. We have four LBS’s here (that carry most major brands) but they don’t stock any higher-end Ti bikes in her size (51cm or so). She is a strong club rider, does challenging tours but has little interest in triathlon. Since back from France she has left a XT rear derailleur with MTB cluster on so I’m thinking maybe build up a compact drive cuz’ she likes to spin.
Check out Omega, I just started dealing with these guys, the value dwarfs anything else on the Ti market.
b
I’ve been eyeing a Ti frame from Carl Strong at Strong Frames (www.strongframes.com). If I could just finish grad school I could buy myself a graduation gift.
You could also check out the standards for high end custom ti, seven, IF, serotta.
Andrew
Here’s what my wife rides in a size 51 cm. Don’t know about availability in your area since Aquila is another one of these small high end Canadian builders. It sure is a sweet ride. She’s just as fast on this when slammed as on her P2K steep.
Forgot to mention, hers is the Titanio Strado model. Really don’t see the point of the model above it with carbon seat stays mated to titanium. Her model is all titanium which IMO is the better way to go. Otherwise, the two bikes are the same.
I’ve always been fond of the original Merlin Extralight. Rode one way back when they were close to the only game in town, and never forgot the ride. Last time I checked they had a 49 and a 51. At 5’6 on a good day, the 51 fits me perfectly.
Seven owners are a particularly ecstatic bunch, and I’ve rarely heard any complaints at all about the company/buying process, and none about the bikes themselves. She can get a perfect fit with a custom ride.
Erickson in Seattle, Holland in So Cal, Moots in Steamboat Springs are a few of the smaller builders that make great bikes. Moots is about to take off. Tom Kellogg at Spectrum -cycles.com takes Merlins over the top at about the same price as a Merlin, Hope that helps. G