my soloist components need replacement…can upgrade or go for carbon fiber…any thoughts?
my soloist components need replacement…can upgrade or go for carbon fiber…any thoughts?
Depends on the bike. Just because a frame is made out of carbon fiber, it doesn’t mean it’s “better” than an aluminum Soloist…
What size? Original owner?
original owner, 52cm
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The bigger sizes in 2006/7 tended to fail near the post. Any signs of metal fatigue?
There’s your answer right there…you immediately have someone asking about the Soloist 
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It’s really a matter of what your interests are. Do you want something lighter? Do you want a different BB type? I think those are just a few of the questions to ask yourself regarding a new frame. I’m not a fan of upgrading “just to change”, if there is something new you are interested in go ahead and give it a shot but if not then why?
I think it’s time for a new S3 
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Tom-
What are your thoughts on the soloist vs. the S5? If I am not mistaken you have had and ridden both extensively.
my soloist components need replacement…can upgrade or go for carbon fiber…any thoughts?
there is no reason to ever replace the soloist frame other than you breaking it.
I’ve ridden both.
They feel exactly the same, but I imagine the S5 has a little less aero drag.
The S5 has more stack at a given size too, keep that in mind, and the seat can’t go as far forward.
Tom-
What are your thoughts on the soloist vs. the S5? If I am not mistaken you have had and ridden both extensively.
Jack-
While I fully appreciate your opinion Tom doesn’t strike me as upgrading without cause. As best I can tell from his post history he still owns a Soloist and an S5 and chooses to race the S5. I was just curious why. And if he has done any testing to show the differences between them.
Regarding fit, I have measured it out and I could get my fit on an S5 with a minimal headset spacer and a -17 stem, or I could ride around in the drops more instead of the hoods.
“a little less drag” is a good cause!
Also he is using it as a combined TT and road bike that was part of his motivation.
Jack-
While I fully appreciate your opinion Tom doesn’t strike me as upgrading without cause. As best I can tell from his post history he still owns a Soloist and an S5 and chooses to race the S5. I was just curious why. And if he has done any testing to show the differences between them.
Regarding fit, I have measured it out and I could get my fit on an S5 with a minimal headset spacer and a -17 stem, or I could ride around in the drops more instead of the hoods.
“a little less drag” is a good cause!
Agreed. Just curious how much a “little” equates to in numerical form.
the S5 is similar to the P4, while the soloist would be worse than the P2
so you can make an inference from this:
“a little less drag” is a good cause!
Agreed. Just curious how much a “little” equates to in numerical form.
~175g is more than a little. And I think it would be a stretch to compare a P2C vs. an Aluminum soloist. A P2C has a nicer headtube, smoother curves and a rear wheel cutout that the Soloist doesn’t. And depending on the year of the P2C you are talking about a 3T fork vs. a Wolf CL on the Soloist (at least my soloisT). Even without all those benefits the P4 equates ~ 17.5 watts (@ 30mph) easier than a P2C.
yup. a lot more aero in terms of grams of drag.
only a little in terms of how much better you will do in a bike race though.
It definitely saved me 2nd place in a stage race this year though.
~175g is more than a little. And I think it would be a stretch to compare a P2C vs. an Aluminum soloist. A P2C has a nicer headtube, smoother curves and a rear wheel cutout that the Soloist doesn’t. And depending on the year of the P2C you are talking about a 3T fork vs. a Wolf CL on the Soloist (at least my soloisT). Even without all those benefits the P4 equates ~ 17.5 watts (@ 30mph) easier than a P2C.
Tom-
What are your thoughts on the soloist vs. the S5? If I am not mistaken you have had and ridden both extensively.
S5 is faster…and my impression is that the front end is slightly stiffer as well. Then again, both of those impressions may be influenced by the different bars (Vuka Sprint on the S5) and other differences (e.g. Omega brakes on the S5 as well).
That said…the S5 was really the first carbon bike I considered getting as a “replacement” for the aluminum Soloist.
Oh yeah…and I actually own 2 aluminum Soloists along with the S5. My old 2002 56 is now being ridden by my son, and I have Jack’s 2002 size 58 that I’m currently using as my “everything” road bike, especially when the S5 is set up in TT mode, as it is currently.
You have the ‘Std.’ S5 correct?
I take it given that you didn’t mention ‘comfort’ there is no discernible differences in how it rides on less than smooth roads?
The bigger sizes in 2006/7 tended to fail near the post. Any signs of metal fatigue?
Where would you see the metal fatigue? I am still ride my 2006-vintage 58 cm Soloist Team and don’t see any, but not sure I would recognize it. Perhaps it helps that I still have the original uncut long length aluminum seatpost that extends quite a ways down into the frame. Yes it adds weight, but I am not a lightweight either at the moment.