Thanks for the input. Based on what I’m hearing, and the (rather surprising) lack of a single negative comment re: TitanFlex bikes, I’ll definitely keep them in mind for my next race bike. I don’t think I can give up lugged steel for my roadie though - regardless of how good an all-around bike this may be. 
(Still somewhat of a retro-grouch)
The bike was fun… And the heartrate was 159 plus or minus 3 beats for the entire ride, so that worked out too. I just printed out my polar data and I can’t see where the climbs are, that’s how flat the graph is.
Gerard,
Glad to hear your 6-week crash training program worked okay;-)
What is your usual HR range for easy and steady-state efforts? For most people I know 159 bpm is pretty high. For me it’s just about lactate threshold on the run right now, but that’s just me. I have targeted 140-145 bpm for the bike in past Ironman efforts and it’s served me well to keep me fairly fresh for the run.
All depends on your HR range, of course. Just curious what yours is.
It looks like it has all been said. I’ve been riding a Titanflex for over 4 years after three years on a Softride and use it primarily for Triathlon. First let me point out that I’m older–65. I find the Titanflex stiffer and lighter than than the Softride and just as comfortable. The accolades about Tom are all true and his component prices can’t be beat. If performance is a criteria the bike has helped me to 8 Ironman finishes, including 2 Hawaii AG wins, and 4 AG course records.
VKCAP, still have the bike?
Dave
Rick, still have the bike?
Dave
Dave,
Yes I still have the bike. I’ll be riding it at this year’s FC 508 (three days from now!)
Rick
I am also bike shopping – My back has finially just about given out – My problem is I absolutely love a road geometry on a super stiff frame. The way it sprints, climbs abd carves up corners. BUT - the back just can’t take it anymore. I have severe back pain on longer rides and seated climbing kills me, my back hurts and I lose power in my legs.
So I am shopping for a more comfy bike, Softride, Titanflex, ??Kestral Airfoil??, I know I have a lot of research to do.
What’s the best bike for a bad back?? Lower back specifically.
All the comparisons fo the Titanflex are to the stiffer softride beam, it seems. What about compared to the classic beam. The TF is a fair bit more expensive than a qualifier, say, and it at least looks to be a lot stiffer than the classic beam. I am not fast. I mainly just want comfort. When I spoke to the softride people and told them my situation, they strongly recommended the classic beam over the stiffer softride beam. Would that, then, argue that I should also go for the classic beam over the stiff Titanflex?
5 years and over 80000km later and I’m still riding my Titanflex. I can buy any bike I want, but choose to stick with what works well. What more can I say? If you are looking for a lightweight, stiff frame, and responsive but not sluggish boom, go with a Titanflex and don’t look back (at your competitors).
Jonathan
What type of setup does you have? Crank size? At 6’5" I am looking to get a frame that will tape 200mm cranks.
Tom says he can raise the BB 15mm, and increase the top tube 3.7cm to fit us taller folks better.
Dave
TitanFlex is a bike with VARYING degrees of stiffness. Four different boom stiffness. Once you select your desired basic boom stiffness, you still have stiffness adjustments with the boom you get. Move your seat forward while moving the boom out, and you get less stiffness, and vice-versa. I don’t know if the Softride has this feature, or not.
I have the Titanflex 700XL with 177.5 cranks. At 6’-5" I’ve never tried longer cranks and don’t know the pro/con that such would provide.
Rick
Rick, am hoping to try different crank lengths on a velotron with PC’s. Seems like all the tall folks I have heard from that have gone to 190 to 200’s would never go back. And, with Tom being able to raise the BB 15 mm, and make the Top tube 3.7cm longer, this may be a better fit for us tall folks.
Dave
Rick, how did you do in your race?
Tom tells me you live in Livermore? Where I grew up. Might it be possible to try and stop by some day and give you bike a quick spin? Since we are the same height, it may be setup to pretty close to what I would do.
Or, are you doing any races up toward sac or the foothills and taking your bike?
Thanks
Dave
You know I had the exact same thought before I got to your post.
Something along the lines of - this is an outright marketing push by someone at Titanflex. Good one guys.
Hey, that’s two years ago. I like Tom and Titanflex.
Yea, I thought that was a low blow bringing you in like that. I have nothing to do with TF. I just am looking to try something that may help give my old back a little more protection. Different things work better for different folks at different times in their lives. Nothing wrong with trying different things and seeing what works the best at any given time. I have always wanted a cervelo. I still may, and your fair and honest comments are a reason you guys have done so well!!
Dave
Sorry missed the date.
So Gerard, when is Cervelo going to enter the beam bike market?
Rick, trying to contact you to test your TF if possible.
Dave