Tom,
Brand was not important in my selection process. At the time, Aug. 2004, I bought the Dual there was nothing meeting my fit, compenent, and as you’ve noted as far as importance, availability requirements. I was prepared to spend $2,500.00 but the Dual filled all my selection criteria.
Jay
Felt isnt really an “unknown” company but its pretty “silent”, I am actually going to by one of their mtbs to do xterras on this year. They are great frames specd with good components for less $ than the big companies.
How about:
Nineteen: www.hwynineteen.com
Aquila: www.aquilacycles.com
(Note: I haven’t ridden either of these just know of them).
Dan
Yamaguchi (http://www.yamaguchibike.com/frames/timetrial-vtech.htm)
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From the site: “The Yamaguchi V-Tech Time Trial frame offers a huge aero advantage for triathlon and time trial specialists interested in obtaining the maximum performance edge.”
I don’t see how it offers any aero advantage. But it looks cool.
I don’t know if Abici really brings anything to the table that is extra special for performance. I do know that my friend has their Time Machine tri-bike and she really likes it.
I just love the fact that they have what looks like a tachometer on the seat-tube cutout, so it looks like you are redlining your bike. Visually it is bold and distinctive.
Yeah, I don’t really know about the aerodynamics of that frame (maybe you can keep your knees closer together?) but it’s one sick lookin’ ride! I do know however, that Koichi Yamaguchi builds rock solid frames - so I doubt very much that there will be any discernable flex in that bb.
He used to sell the custom “Mike McCarthy” pursuit frame (that beat Shaun Wallace on his Lotus Superbike) as well, but I don’t see it on his new website…
Word has it that their new VP of Sales & Marketing is a pretty gung ho (and capable) dude 
…of course…he’ll have to get the website updated, but I’m sure he’s getting around to that
.
Really no way to look at a frame and determine aero qualities, but I;ve heard that seat stays are an aero nightmare, by virtue of being out in relatively clean air. The yamaguchi has almost no seat stays.
Styrrell
How about a Javelin? Here is my Arcole review:
This is my fourth TT bike in as many years, and I believe that I have finally found nirvana. I like aluminum. I always have ridden an aluminum bike, even in my MTB days (hardtail of course). Retail is $1800.00 for the frame fork. In San Diego you can find the Arcole at Wheels on Wheels.
When I first saw the Arcole back in 2003 at Dave Bunce’s Bicycle Sports shop in Encinitas, I was very impressed. He showed me the bladed seatstays and explained how Scott Warren had actually designed the frame in the wind tunnel, from the ground up. The first thing that struck me with this frame is the dramatic extruded aluminum tubing, which allows for the bladed top tube, seat tube, down tube, and seat stays.
Building upon the aerodynamics, Scott chose to use a 1" headtube to further blend the head tube into the top/down tubes with elegance. Although the aero Zero fork is included with the frame, I use a Reynolds Ouzo Aero Pro. The headset is integrated and very clean. All cables are ran internally, without stops, which allows me to run the powermeter cables internally. I like this.
The Arcole has custom aero frame tubes of 7005 butted aluminum which Javelin claims makes it the strongest, most aerodynamic frame possible. Includes a FSA integrated headset in a 1" Hammerhead headtube, and a previously mentioned Zero aero carbon fork. The seatpost is also 25.0, very narrow, and a very nice Selcof aluminum seatpost it included with the frame, I use a carbon Look Ergopost. USE and Corima also make 25.0 carbon posts.
The geometry matched the Abici I previously used: 74.5 degree seat angle, with a 73 degree head angle.
Weight is just over 3lbs.
THE RIDE:
Stiff, compliant, comfortable. Absorbs road vibration well, not sending every jolt to the rider. Out of the saddle the chainstays showed no flex, very stiff for TT starts and TT turnarounds.
The frame feels very natural and predictable, not at all sketchy. I felt minimal movement in the bottom bracket area even when climbing out of the saddle. My second ride on the frame was a local 10 mile TT, it felt very natural and I never noticed the frame at all when racing - nor did I notice any road vibrations or frame flexing.
INSTALLATION:
Installation was a breeze, there were no tricks with cable routing. The seatpost binder is integrated and made very well, not putting undue pressure points on my carbon post. The interal cabling is routed so that a full cable housing piece runs from the shifters all the way to the bottom bracket (internally).
WARRANTY:
Javelins come with a limited lifetime warranty.
GEOMETRY:
http://www.javbike.com/beta2/geometry.php
IDEAL BUYER IN MY OPINION:
Powerful short course triathlete or road time trial racer who likes a “slacker” position in a stiff yet compliant frame.
This frame is in the same class as the aluminum Cervelo P3, Guru Trilite, and Felt B2.
You know I just forgot to mention Javelin. Then again they are rarely mentioned here. Nice looking bike.
Louis Garneau; new tri frame, offers everything any other aluminum frame does for $850 including fork, headset and aero seatpost.
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Louis Graneau: a great company getting better!
HED tt Frame www.hedcycling.com
I think it is being produced it certainly seems like you can buy it on the site.
Kevin
By and large, the companies posted so far are well-known and not what Pooks was looking for.
This fellow does custom, his frames have been seen under some elite roadies, and I understand his prices are reasonable: http://www.tiemeyercycles.com/products.htm
Here’s an inexpensive stock frame that some people have spoken highly of. It’s made in the Czech Republic. Seat angle is 75, which will suit folks looking for a slightly forward position. http://www.fortframes.com/html/komet.htm
I’m having a real hard time here figuring out how omitting a top tube makes a bike more aero. Now omitting the seat tube, a la Kestrel or Softride I can see, but the top tube?
Maybe it makes the bike more aero when climbing very steep pitches?
There used to be a company based north of LA called ParkPre. It seems like the founder’s last name was Yamaguchi or something like that. It was a long time ago (early 90’s for me). Is this the same guy? I had one of their MTB and it was sweet.
Also, someone mentioned Landsharks-he’s doing custom carbon now. Only one I have heard of doing custom full carbons.
Steelman. You can get a Signature frame built to tri geometry specs. Seems he is branching out to carbon fiber as well these days. Not sure if he can do tri geometry in carbon fiber. The steel frames are awesome.
Cyclosportif with S+S Couplings. Awesome bike. 2 age group wins already. Ross.
The Cheetah isn’t so unknown here. Neither is the Javelin or some others being mentioned.
Its truly hard to find names which haven’t had significant discussion devoted to them at some point in the last 5 years or so on this forum.