Legit question, I always see the Softride (or similar beam-bike threads) and I know that there are some distinct advantages to a beam design, like aerodynamics, and I’m presuming weight?
But almost all former Softride owners all seem to have such a devout passion for their former bikes, what is it specifically that you loved so much about them? Are they that much more comfortable?
I have the solo-style on all of mine (similar to the one posted above by Tribato). The lower frame, due to the smaller triangles, is quite stiff, which lends itself very well to power transfer. The beam does a wonderful job of isolating the rider from not only the larger hits, but also just the general road buzz (especially if you ride a lot of chip-sealed roads). That isolation is a key element in staving off fatigue.
Weight isn’t an advantage – a Softride of the same size would actually be heavier. I’ve heard a lot of people say that Softrides don’t climb well. I’d have to qualify that to say that some people can’t climb well on Softrides – I’ve got a few USCF Hillclimb TT titles that say they climb just fine.
When thinking about weight, I suppose I was thinking about what a modern interpretation of a Softride would weigh, I could see it potentially weighing less since part of the bike appears to be “missing”, but I can also very easily see why that isn’t the case, since other parts of the bike simply have to be far beefier to compensate for the added stresses.
I’ll take your guys word for it, it’s not that they don’t look comfy to me, it’s that I’ve always envisioned them being somewhat “bouncy”, that vertical compliance just makes me think that the power transfer would be reduced. However, I’ve always been led to believe (through admitted gimmicky marketing) that it’s lateral compliance where you lose power… but none of this is really my area of expertise.
But almost all former Softride owners all seem to have such a devout passion for their former bikes, what is it specifically that you loved so much about them? Are they that much more comfortable?
You think I am crazy for Campy? I wish I would have never given away my RocketTT7, but I am glad I did (it was for a good cause).
I hate you guys as I just checked the Bike Exchange website here in Oz and there is a '95 Solo for sale,“race ready” for $400AUS…That would be perfect for my “Old School” tribute at IMC next year…Now really want it…
Hmmm… someone is conspicuously absent from this thread. C’mon, are you afraid to admit you still ride a Softride?
Hells no if I had still had my Softride I’d be sporting two things: a boner and a picture of the bike.
There is a Rocket on my CraigsList, but it’s way overpriced. Dude won’t budge an inch and it has been on there for the better part of a year it makes me drool
I hate you guys as I just checked the Bike Exchange website here in Oz and there is a '95 Solo for sale,“race ready” for $400AUS…That would be perfect for my “Old School” tribute at IMC next year…Now really want it…
If you have a hair on your ass you will buy it - but it is not a Cervelo with Di2 - no way you can even finish.
Still riding a Softride Powerwing. Mostly just for races these days and I stocked up on some extra parts for the beam a few years back. Love the smooth ride, especially on the chip seal roads they have in places in Texas. Just a very comfortable ride and still my fastest bike when paired with a disc.
At that price point? Never. If it turned out to be any faster than a 12-15 year old Rocket TT it wouldn’t be by much. I’m all for him doing it and hope he can make a fortune at it, but @ $12 grand I will sit by and watch others.
He seems like a really neat guy, totally dig the fact he doesn’t care what others think just does what works for him.
If you read the text the $12K is with an SRM and top of the line components.
Perhaps TJ can get on this thread and let us know how much we can buy his beam bike for with ultegra and no powermeter (did I actually say that on ST…I may as well has said that I also want to ride it with 35 mm touring gatorskins, but Jack’s not around to beat up on that statement)!
I looked into purchasing the assets of Softride at one point, and you might be surprised how little they were asking for it (for some reason the $300K mark was sticking in my brain). One of the problems is that they still own the rights to the name Softride, which is being used for their bike racks.
I eventually gave up on the idea, but thought that with carbon technology where it is today, you could make a carbon frame and use an aluminum or ti beam (to reduce some of the fatigue issues with the carbon ones). There is a guy in Australia or New Zealand I think who makes a Softride similar frame.
I miss mine too, that bike made riding long distance tolerable
i have a rocket tt and i love it! i don’t use it very much as i’m trying to make it last:) i bought up some parts on-line when i heard that they were going to stop making the frames:( can’t understand it. all of my friends who have/had softrides absolutely loved them. why stop making them? i use my tt for anything 1/2 im and shorter and i love how responsive it is. with my zipp 404’s on it’s a very fast bike.
