Let’s just say if: after years of saving for a bike you are ready to purchase a " dream machine". As a 155lb., 45 year old triathlete with 15+ years of racing, what would your choice be? The new, refined Ti Blade, second generation KM Airfiol Pro, or new, trendy, sleek P3C? Also, dura ace, or ultegra…
The one that fit best. Stop looking at brands and figure out what works best for you. And make sure to add Elite to your options.
Blade with Campagnolo… SWEET!
The One that fits, as many in here would say.
For arguments sake, I prefer the “trendy” P3C but you should try them all out to see which YOU prefer best. If it’s a dream machine then you should put DA and not Ultegra, but if you’re not worried about the name then save the cash and put on Ultegra.
Blade w/ Record+ Bora’s+HED cockpit.
The Ultimate Riding Machine IMHO.
Oh yeah…I’d also mount that Blade on top of an 06 BMW M5.
f i s h
Chris,
I am somewhat of an expert on your choices as I own some version of them all.
I have a 04 Airfoil, 05 Blade, 04 P3 (not the carbon) and an 05 GURU Crono.
The Guru Crono is hands down the best bike. Very lightweight. Stiff. And very, very cool. Made in North America with custom geometry.
The Kestrel is by far the most comfortable. Easy to run off of. I actually use it as a commuting bike on some days. Smooth as butter.
Don’t have a lot of miles into the Blade - but its bombproof ability is very nice if you travel a lot.
I am not a huge fan of the P3. But once again, I do not have the carbon version.
My vote is GURU, Kestrel, Litespeed, and then Cervelo. (Kestrel and the Blade can flip flop.)
But you have to use Reynolds wheels. Much better than Zipp or HED. Stiff and light.
new Blade on a new M5…wow, to think of all the color options
.
And for a truly shameless plug. Right now there are a 1000 reasons to get a Blade.
Herbert
Litespeed
Chris,
I am somewhat of an expert on your choices as I own some version of them all.
I have a 04 Airfoil, 05 Blade, 04 P3 (not the carbon) and an 05 GURU Crono.
Off-topic to the original post, but I gotta ask: Why have you purchased these things over the past year or so?
In Reply To
Chris,
I am somewhat of an expert on your choices as I own some version of them all.
I have a 04 Airfoil, 05 Blade, 04 P3 (not the carbon) and an 05 GURU Crono.
Off-topic to the original post, but I gotta ask: Why have you purchased these things over the past year or so?
If you have the cash, why WOULDN’T you have purchased all these bikes? What a harem!
Ken,
I first ordered an Airfoil in 12/03. Of course it became apparent that Kestrel was not going to be able to make the season, so I ordered a P3 to get me through the summer. Then the Airfoil came in.
Then (8/04) I saw all of the photos/Specs of the Crono coupled with the fact that it was available custom and I had to have it. If you have not seen one - it is a beauty. Light (1150 grams), stiff, custom, and absoultely Perfect.
Then I got a really, really good deal on the Blade (4/05) (trade in of an old bike, dealer working with me, Litespeed deal, etc) so I said what the heck.
I am going to be placing the P3 on Ebay this weekend if I get around to it. If you are inclined it is a perfect 55 cm.
Three is enough. The Wife does not mind that I spend the money - she just doesn’t want them crowding out her workout room.
I am going to be placing the P3 on Ebay this weekend if I get around to it. If you are inclined it is a perfect 55 cm.
Geez, I have a road bike, a mountain bike, and a TT bike. I don’t need any more bikes.
Ken “not contributing to the economy” Lehner
Another vote for the one that fits.
Or, you could do what most people ultimately do after spending quite a bit of time “researching” their buying decision (which basically means soliciting a bunch of convoluted and ill-informed opinions from self-appointed know-it-alls), get frustrated and buy the one you think looks the coolest.
that is so true…
I’m a little different in my research approach though…
Where most people do their research looking for the lightest weight, most efficient and techno garbed ride…
I will just go ahead and pick the coolest looking one…AND THEN…do research to justify my pick over the other for inferior products.
“Advice is a form of nostalgia. Its a way of fishing something out of the past, dusting it down, and selling it to someone else for more than it´s worth”.
Baz Lurhman.
Go for fit. Be wary of anedotal feedback as all the brands you list have solid track records so fit is all that remains.
How tall are you? I looked at the Kestrel - I’m 5’9 and longer legs and the top tube was too long. Seat angle on the Kestrel is ? 76 degrees. Blade is 78. P3C is 78 - where are you going to ride angle wise?
Titanium is great if you want to pack it and travel…
P3C is a beautiful bike.
How much drop do you like. Blade has a tall headtube which can be good if you don’t use an aggressive drop and can be bad if you want a lot of drop.
A trendy list with the P3C and Blade though Kestrel gets very little press here. My short list was worse - P3C/Lucero/TiPhoon/Blade…and I still do not have my bike!!!
Dave
Custom rules.
For less than any of those three, you can get a Tiemeyer custom with the tubes from the old GT Vengeance. That is/was a sweet tubeset, and you can’t beat custom.
Or you can get most any custom builder to build up a similar custom frame with Altec Aero or Scandium Aero for even less.