Obviously Trek is #1 in sales but I don't think they are in Stature. I think Kestrel used to be the top carbon fiber manufacturer but I think they have slipped. I have a Talon and even though I think it is a great bike for me, someone who rides a lot of hills and doesn't want a wildly forword postion, but it's no flagship model. I don't think anyone bought the Evoke and the failure to deliver the Airfoil Pro for a year really caused a slide in Kestrel's status. A lot of people say Calfee is the top, but I don't see what's so great other than custom sizing. Trek's got a lot of models, six yellow jerseys and big numbers at Kona but even though I just bought a Trek 5200 frame, I don't think they get a lot of respect. These days everyone has at least one carbon model, so who do you think is at the top of the carbon fiber heap?
NASA? Depends on the product I suppose.
LoL - good one! I was thinking that one of the F1 racing companies would be #1 in CF. A bike is one thing, but a formula-1 car is a whole different thing 
Personally I dig my Kestrel Talon. I suspect that 'round here you’ll hear that Cervelo is gunning for top billing in the CF world. Not that there is anything wrong with that…
jsargevt
I hate to admit it, but Trek is probably as good as any with carbon fiber frames. You are definitely correct that they get little respect - though I’m not sure why. I have never had a Trek (prefer Titanium), but I’ve seen their cutaways and comparos (strength vs. weight) at our local bike shop and it is quite impressive. Also, they seem to rarely fail based on the astounding numbers sold.
I notice that Trek gets little respect here, or maybe it is just the tri community. With the roadies, it seems that there is definitely more respect, and rightfully so, as the upper end of the product line is much more road oriented than tri.
I can’t imagine that there are too many road frames that can exceed strength to weight of something like a Madone SL… much less the SSL and still carry a lifetime warranty. Also, many (most) of the other manufacturers except for a limited number of custom or semi-custom builders even manufacture their own frames. Most are manufactured in China, including the upcoming all composite Cannondale.
“I notice that Trek gets little respect here, or maybe it is just the tri community. With the roadies, it seems that there is definitely more respect”
Must be because no trigeek can ride as well as Lance.
Trek.
I’ll disagree
Look used to be the top.
Look still is the top
Yeah, I had a Look (38something) and I liked it. Look is one of the companies that Trek uses for comparos with their OCLV (low void) process that I saw in the cutaways. I was shocked at the difference. Not to mention, many of the Look frames are still lugged. But boy they sure are beautiful (and that goes a long way in the tri world And lastly - their French! (no offence Francoi)
I’ve been on a Calfee, a Look, a trek and now riding (when im not hurt fuckinakhgfiakhsdf!!!(*^$^))) a R2.5
Look rode like shit, but I’m a big rider and prefer a stiffer frame.
OCLV was nice, really liked that bike.
Calfee was AMAZING!!! hands down the best performing bike I have EVER been on until…
MY R2.5: would need to compare it directly to the calfee but it definitely rides better than the Trek.
Most frames I put on the same level. Cannondale, Klein, specialized, trek, Ritchey, K2…I think that all the frames I have spend time on… They were all great and would not stop LA from winning the TDF. Sure they all ride a bit different but they were all about what you prefer, not really better or worse.
I have always stood my the claim that Calfee was the BEST riding bike BY FAR until I spent some time on the 2.5 They are both head and shoulders over any other bike I have ridden.
Really it comes down to what characteristics you are looking for, and potentially price point. I think that one of the strengths that Trek has is that they have a range of both price points and characteristics for you to choose from. There is compliant, stiff, really stiff, light, super light, and various combinations. You do get a choice. It is hard to claim one manufacturer is better than another just be liking or disliking one model you’ve owned from each. Comparing specific models based on what traits you are looking for is a more realistic claim. When comparing companies that offer carbon frames, it is hard to match the range of choices that Trek offers though.
Trek is like Toyota. Does everything good but not very sexy.
Also…I’m pretty sure Look has more IM victories than any other carbon bike.
Not many though, I believe 3
I’m a bit bummed out that they marketing their light frames more so than the oh so $@##@# sweet 486. Next year you’ll see MAJOR bling/bling/bling from Look in the TT/Tri department that will make the P3C look slow.
Who rode a Look to IM victory? I can't think of it. I never considered Look. I always heard that they were real noodles and stayed away. They do make a whole line of CF bikes though.
Colnago, Parlee, Kestral, Trek? Do we go with Campy or Shimano? They all make pretty solid rides. Don’t think anyone will change their mind on reading this thread.
Apples and oranges. a lot of frames are sourced from the same locations and from what i’ve seen (and I’ve got my thesis building on this later in the year) the designers are understanding carbon so much better these days. There was a time when carbon frames would crack or have a shelf life. Not these days. No, it seems like personal preference for aesthetics, fit, and supply are the more critical deciding criteria for buyers…
LVL (2x on a Look) and Stadler
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“LVL (2x on a Look) and Stadler”
afaik, LVL once on a giant, once on a colngo, and stadler on a kuota. but MARK won at least once on a look, maybe more often, i’ll have to think about it.
For road bikes, Look has always been among leaders/trend setters.
Corima is a big name with Carbon fiber.
Calfee. It’s what I ride, and therefore it is the best.