I was reading the “what is in the pipeline for Cervelo” thread and a couple of posts regarding a beam type bike as a possibility got me thinking. What is it about beam bikes that some people dislike so much? Is it just the looks? It seems that there is nary a bad review about Titanflex here or anywhere else except that they are ugly. Are there other legitimate gripes about Titanflex or the beam design in general?
ugly ugly ugly.
M~
“As far as gripes go, that seems like kind of a big one. I suppose it would hold true for more than just bikes, I would imagine.”
I have a titan Flex and Love it. It is fast and super comfortable. Mine is black with Zipps and it looks pretty cool. What sets them apart by far is the ride quality.
The complaints about beam bikes are:
They’re ugly. They’re heavy. I’ll bounce around like I’m on a pogo stick. It’s too mechanically complex.
In that order, too. I think only the last issue is really legitimate, and probably applies more to Softrides than a Titanflex.
Anybody know what’s going on with Softride, btw? Dead duck?
Softride had some issues with delaminating beams and pivot/link failures. Not to say that no other bike parts can’t fail, but whenever you have highly proprietary gear, parts are usually a PITA to source last minute - and failures always seem to happen the day before a major race, in a far away land where no-one stocks what you need.
They’re also heavier than a heiffer. I think my Ghia weighs less than my old Softride.
Never heard of any issues with TtianFlex other than people think that they’re ugly, and I doubt very much that their particularly lightweight. Folks with back issues sure seem to live them though…
As Caty Couric would say “some would argue” that they are overly heavy compared to their double diamond counterparts–especially those made of exotics. “Some also contend” that they are not as ‘stiff’ as their traditional counterparts. I personally say that if weight really mattered THAT much to me I’d stop drinking so much beer. I love my softride and dread the day it wears down to the point i have to retire it. I also believe that they are sufficiently stiff enough in the force vectors that matter and I certainly appreciate (my back and legs especially) the forgiveness in the verticle arena when it comes to bumps and general transmission of road shock. The dynamics of the way the system works makes me pedal smoother which has made me a better cyclist.
/r
**They’re ugly. ** **They’re heavy. ** **I’ll bounce around like I’m on a pogo stick. ** It’s too mechanically complex.
Having been sponsored by Softride though some of my best years, I feel that I am qualified to speak on these issues. The bikes do look a bit odd. At the time, they did run a few pounds heavier than the other top bikes of the day. If you bounced all over the place, that was most likley due to an unsmooth and poor pedal stroke. I raced on one for 4 years and never had a mechanical problem with the beams on any of my bikes.
Had some of my best races ever on the Softride and really enjoyed training on it. The one thing that I found really challenging was going back to a normal bike - everything seemed really harsh!
I thought we were just talking about the Titanflex. I loved my Softride Rocket and for those who say you bounce, they haven’t ridden one and have no clue what they are talking about.
I wish I could have gotten my freaky frame to fit on mine. 
The complaints about beam bikes are:
They’re ugly. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. They’re heavy. Mine weighs in at 19.5 with rotor cranks I’ll bounce around like I’m on a pogo stick. No bounce with a titan flex. as long as you get the correct beam for your weight and can pedal correctly It’s too mechanically complex. Soft ride maybe but not the titan flex it is really simple idea that works great.
I test rode a titanflex, the guy who makes 'em let me ride his. good guy and he answers emails/questions personally.
I found no stiffness issues and with the multi-tone paint job it looked kinda cool.
the only downside is that it’s a bit heavier, but much more aerodynamic (do a thread search if you want more info on aero-ness)
oh wait we’re triathletes that’s what we want. cool.
I think the UCI ban has more to do with your perceptions than anything else. Had the UCI not banned the bikes, you would have seen Trek and other companies continue to improve the design. There wasn’t any real good reason to ban the designs. The only thing I can think of is that only North Amercian companies seemed to be working on them and they didn’t have the clout they do today.
I’ve tested the Titanflex. It’s a great bike. If not for UCI regulations, I’d be riding one.
I haven’t a clue why more triathletes don’t ride these, except that maybe they’re poseurs and care more about appearances than actual performance.
-jens
So which events could an average joe not use the bike?
You cannot ride them at any UCI TT (so if you were racing the Giro or TdF, you would need a different bike!), and I don’t think you can ride them at USCF TT’s anymore, but for EVERY triathlon in the world (except an ITU race), you can ride one…
The complaints about beam bikes are:
They’re ugly. They’re heavy. I’ll bounce around like I’m on a pogo stick. It’s too mechanically complex.
In that order, too. I think only the last issue is really legitimate, and probably applies more to Softrides than a Titanflex.
Anybody know what’s going on with Softride, btw? Dead duck?
They’re only bouncy if you mash. If you spin it don’t happer. The Titanflex is pretty simple and not that heavy.
BTW, I own a Softie. It’s doesn’t bounce.
Only national level events require a UCI bike for USCF. Good thing too cause I’ll be SOL if they ever change the rules to full compliance with UCI.
I’ll have to convert mine to a long road trip bike.
The complaints about beam bikes are:
They’re ugly. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. They’re heavy. Mine weighs in at 19.5 with rotor cranks I’ll bounce around like I’m on a pogo stick. No bounce with a titan flex. as long as you get the correct beam for your weight and can pedal correctly It’s too mechanically complex. Soft ride maybe but not the titan flex it is really simple idea that works great.
Ditto! Mechanically simple and no bounce once you learn how to pedal. Mine weighs 17 pounds in race trim. In my eye, she’s beautiful – though I’m hesitant to expose her to the unwarranted and brutal ridicule she received by non-beam riders in this very forum the last time I posted a photo. 
…but for EVERY triathlon in the world (except an ITU race), you can ride one…
I rode mine at ITU Long Course Worlds last November in Australia. (Granted – that’s a non-draft legal race if that matters.)