Let me start by saing, I’m 4’10". I was all set to sign off on the build for my custom carbon Seven tri bike when my LSB called and said Seven is no longer confident they can build it to my specs. They would need an additional 1" to 1 1/2" standover height. I am going back in next week to jurry rig my bike to see if that will work, but I am pretty skeptical. My road bike is a titanium Seven and there is not a tremendous amount of wiggle room.
I talked to a shop outside of Boston and based on my fit sheet they concur that a carbon frame with Guru, Parlee, or Seven is out. I have found a couple of other shops/manufacuterer and am wondering if anyone can say anything about either, Calfee Design or Rue Sports? Are there others I should consider talking to? Even though I am in Madison, WI I am willing to travel for the right bike. What are your thoughts on a non carbon tri bike?
Huh, tough dilemma you’ve got there. You might give Nick Crumpton a call (http://crumptoncycles.com); he makes really nice full custom stuff. As far as your question about non-carbon tri bikes … carbon is just a material, nothing more-nothing less. I would be more concerned with getting the right bike, than what it happens to be made from. There are a ton of good custom builders who I’m sure could build something up for you … although it likely wouldn’t be carbon. Sweetpea frames specializes in frames for womyns … http://sweetpeabicycles.com/ … I have never seen one, and can’t offer any comment.
Did 7 say they can’t build you a ti or steel tri bike? If so, what is the problem? I can see why they can’t do the carbon frame (which, IMO is a good thing … as that frame looks … nevermind, I digress).
I’m about 59.5 inches and have a Guru Crono. My mechanic wasn’t even sure if Guru could make my bike, but it was no problem. There is no rear wheel cut out, but otherwise the bike is pretty sweet looking bike and rides great. I talked with the Guru guys at IMCdA and they informed me that they have made smaller road and tri bikes.
I also have a 43 cm Trek WSD which fits okay, but top tube is a little long.
I’m about 59.5 inches and have a Guru Crono. My mechanic wasn’t even sure if Guru could make my bike, but it was no problem. There is no rear wheel cut out, but otherwise the bike is pretty sweet looking bike and rides great. I talked with the Guru guys at IMCdA and they informed me that they have made smaller road and tri bikes.
I also have a 43 cm Trek WSD which fits okay, but top tube is a little long.
Wow. Seven bailed? That is shocking. Have you loolked at Waterford? They are local and do about everything. If you refuse to get steel call David Greenfield at Elite. David is the man, man.
I have a co-worker who has a riding friend that has a small Guru custom frame. They were known for cracking and sure enough hers cracked. Heck, mine cracked also. In the process of getting my frame fixed, I ran into about 5 other people who had cracked frames from Guru, all at the chainstays. Oh, and they made the mistake of telling my co-worker’s friend that they knew they had a problem and decided against a recall. Oops.
I guess I am still bitter that Guru felt their warranty did not cover fixing the custom paint job that I paid a premium for when I originally purchased the bike.
Wow. Seven bailed? That is shocking. Have you loolked at Waterford? They are local and do about everything. If you refuse to get steel call David Greenfield at Elite. David is the man, man.
Yep, Seven originally said yes and then no. They made a math error when determining what they needed to build. Carbons out, another material would work. I sent David an email last night. I also heard back from Calfee Designs this morning. They can do carbon in any size. I will check on Waterford. Thanks for the tips.
Do you like the feel of your road bike? I ask because I find it interesting that you are set on carbon for a tri bike despite it being more limiting for sizing. Carbon has no advantage over Ti for custom tri - unless you can get crumpton or parlee to do some shaped tubes for you. Calfee likes round and Rue thinks a fin and nose come = aero.
The parlee tt bike looks quite promising (though very pricey). Do you have the output from your fit sheet?
I have found a couple of other shops/manufacuterer and am wondering if anyone can say anything about either, Calfee Design or Rue Sports? Are there others I should consider talking to? Even though I am in Madison, WI I am willing to travel for the right bike. What are your thoughts on a non carbon tri bike?
Craig Calfee is among the very best. If he is confident that he can build your geometry (and I would hazard a guess that he can) you should have no hesitation in going with a Calfee Designs bike.
As someone also mentioned, Nick Crumpton also makes excellent bikes. I’d be happy with a Crumpton any day of the week.
Brent Ruegamer does some nice work as well…
As for a non-carbon tri bike, I ride one and like it very much. Carbon is just a material - nothing more.
I’ve actually just produced a geometry for a female rider in California who has an inseam of 66cm. So if it’s anything above this, we can indeed produce a bike for you. The Magis allows us to do more slope on a bike than the Crono, and for this size of bike, is almost just as stiff. So that may be one of the options we can explore. Feel free to give me a shout to discuss.
Michel Somogyi
Sales and Tech Representative
Guru Bicycles
Do you like the feel of your road bike? I ask because I find it interesting that you are set on carbon for a tri bike despite it being more limiting for sizing. Carbon has no advantage over Ti for custom tri - unless you can get crumpton or parlee to do some shaped tubes for you. Calfee likes round and Rue thinks a fin and nose come = aero.
The parlee tt bike looks quite promising (though very pricey). Do you have the output from your fit sheet?
Yep, based on the fit sheet you’ve got, we can do that for you… Just did something very similar but with a longer top tube. No issues for custom cCarbon from Guru.
Yep, based on the fit sheet you’ve got, we can do that for you… Just did something very similar but with a longer top tube. No issues for custom cCarbon from Guru.
Regards,
Michel Somogyi
Sales Representative
Guru Bikes
Michel
Thanks for the insight. My LSB actually works with your company. I will ask them about the option when I see them on Thursday.
From the measurements given (which are incomplete for choosing a bike) it looks like the position they’ve recommended can be achieved on a number of stock bikes. However, before I show you which ones I’d recommend seeing another fitter for a 2nd opinion on your position. Take that with a grain of salt as I haven’t seen you on a bike, however, my recommendation is based on the position of one of my athletes - she has exactly the same saddle height as you but her reach (saddle to bars) is 30mm shorter than your fit, despite her being 2" taller. I rather suspect that the recommended position will have you holding the extensions further back than ideal and consequently not have your elbows on the pads which means shoulder tiredness and back pain.
If you choose to continue with the given fit, then a smart fitter could make a Cervelo or Felt fit you easily. But I would recommend a 2nd opinion before you spend the kind of money that custom bikes cost.
I know a friend of mine is under 5’ and has a custom Guru. That said, she rode for many years before that on a 650c Cannondale and still loves that road bike.
I’m not really sure what to read out of that fit sheet (no HT?) , but I do agree that Felt and probably some other stock bikes (Giant?) probably have short TTs?
Also, I’m not sure if Serotta is on your list, but having had one, I can attest to their great workmanship. They also have a great “owner’s club” insurance you can join, and if at any time your frame is damaged within 5 years, they fix it for free. I got t-boned by a car and my frame came back looking brand spanking new!
Last but not least, I’m surprised no one here as mentioned Yaqui or Elite? Yaqui frames are made by Ves Mandaric, who worked with Dan Empfield (our host) to create the original tri bike. Elite has also been in the tri game for a really long time I’m sure there are many more, but I know that I would seriously consider Yaqui if I were getting a custom tri bike… (and I already have a custom Serotta road and stock Cervelo tri bike)
The SMALLEST 650c bike you can buy - of any kind - is the smallest size Kestrel Airfoil Pro. At your height, that’s the bike I’d buy. It’s smaller than they can make any custom, even out of non-carbon. (24" wheels would allow a smaller bike, but sadly they are basically impossible to find now.) In size 47, it has a stack of 43.7, which is tiny. It does have a relatively long reach, so you’ll need to be fit aboard it riding steep, but in terms of standover and actually being able to get into a low position, that’s the best option out there. Best of all, no need for custom, so you can go in and actually try it out.
I’m sure there are many more, but I know that I would seriously consider Yaqui if I were getting a custom tri bike… (and I already have a custom Serotta road and stock Cervelo tri bike)