Anyone have an opinion?
LOVE mine - 1999 vintage. One of the best road bikes out their IMHO. Pricey, but stock Vortexes were ridden in the tour on several occasions as the “workhorse” bike (most recently in 2002 by the Lotta Adecco team).
The geometry is a bit aggressive though, so if you are looking for a “casual” training bike, you would be better served elsewhere. Since every training ride I tend to do in most groups turns into some sort of race, sprint, etc. - mine fits my aggressive riding style well. Riding on the hoods is about like riding in the drops of other bikes
I think Tom Demerley did a nice write up about one on his site
I am secure enough in my manhood to say that I enjoy the feeling of its stiffness between my legs. But the ride is still more comfortable than anything else I’ve ridden. Get it, you’ll go fast.
I am secure enough in my manhood to say that I enjoy the feeling of its stiffness between my legs.
LOL does NOT say it enough. I don’t think there is a way to express how funny that was. BEST thing I have seen all night on here. Not sure if that says much or not. Maybe just that it is bedtime.
I’ve put about 500 miles on a 2005 Vortex, so I’m not fully adjusted yet. It’s a luxury road ride but wouldn’t call it stiff compared to the Caad 5 Cannondale that preceded it.
I can jiggle the top tube while under way and sometimes standing on the pedals will cause the chain to rub the front dérailleur. Doesn’t inspire confidence around turns in a crit.
It it light at 17lbs even w/ k’s and DA. Climbs well and sucks up the road noise very well. Looking forward to racing it on the road once the tri racing slows down.
Well, that is the point of a titanium bike, right? It is certainly one of the stiffest Ti bikes there is - you would really feel noodly on a Moots or Lemond Ti then. My aluminum Guru is stiffer too, but not all that fun for road racing/training for 100 miles. Comfort = speed in my book.
I want one really bad,
I have a 2003 Tuscany, same geometry, pretty agressive. It does me good in the Crits. I can carve through the corners while watching the Cannondale’s and other super stiffs, chatter and bobble through. My tires are sticking like glue and the others are looking choppy. I love it. The only thing i think i might like more is the stiffer Bottom Bracket of the Vortex with the 6/4 Ti. My tuscany has the 27.2 seat tube also, any newer model has the 31.8 seat tube and that would probably get me a stiffer BB as well. I hear that next years Vortex and Ultimate will be sweet. I might be caught in a weak moment and get a Vortex for no other reason other than bike lust. They look sweet and i’m sure they ride sweet. I can’t make myself buy aluminum (too rough) or carbon (scared of the durability). I might be stuck with Ti forever.
unless i get a great sponsor deal!
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If your watching the Cannondales and others chatter, I don’t want to be racing any where near you because your probably going to cause a major frikkin crash!
Why could you not see that? I have seen many a wheel chatter in a corner, that I take note of and change my line. Stiff is not the end all…dont forget, the Softride was and is rated as one of the best Crit bikes ever…
Yes,
We have watched all the skitish and our Litespeeds smoothly cruise by with our perfect geometry and laugh at the people who love the Aluminum ass-pain!
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the Softride was and is rated as one of the best Crit bikes ever…
Seriously? I have not heard this.
you obviously believe everything you read. Are you ignorant???
Your ass pain might be due to your chronic hemmroids.
I bought an '05 Tuscany last month and really love it. A buddy of mine is getting a new Vortex and while test riding it over the weekend, we decided to swap bikes to see how they compared. Luckily we were pretty close to same size and both use Speedplay.
In any event, the difference was not as dramatic as I expected. The Vortex definitely felt stiffer and I felt more of the road (I assume due to 6/4 vs 3/2.5). Since it was a loaner we didn’t do anything too crazy on the bike but agreed it felt racier and stiffer. I am not too interrested in road racing so went with the Tuscany but if I was going to race, the Vortex would definitely be high on my list.