In a recent "road test" from one of the euro publications David Millar tests a Seven Ti bike, custom made to his specifications. He starts the piece lamenting that Ti is the only material Americans seem to use for their custom bikes. His past experience with the material is not good, though the bikes are very light. So, he proceeds to instruct the folks at Seven to build him a Ti bike that rides like a "state of the art" aluminum rig! Read stiff. Chuck, I am not cynical enough to think that riders have no input and if you are Lance you may get a lot. And I do usually subscribe to the competition improving the breed theory. But, if you do not think that the single biggest factor here is advertising, just look at the graphics in the peloton! Richard Rose (Toledo, Ohio) P.S. There is no way that U.S.Postal would let Lance ride a Richard Sachs painted to look like a Trek. These days the consumer is too smart for that. The Litespeed could have easily been confused for a Trek.
> Richard M Sachs wrote:
> >
> > e-CHUCKIE
> > i disagree with your point of view at this mail's bottom.
> > the reason, in essence, that there are no lugged frames
> > is this (and this is a VERY GENERAL overview...):
> (cut)
> > these lugged bicycles don't exist in the mainstream anymore
> > due to economic reasons, not due to reasons relating to the
> > industry's "working toward(s) a more competitive bike."
>
> E-Richie,
>
> I respectfully disagree with the above:
>
> In the bike industry (concerning racing bikes)...
> The public wants the bikes the pros are winning on.
>
> In the pro peloton...
> Lugged steel has been obsoleted because it is heavier. Steel has been
> obsoleted because it is heavier.
>
> A competitive bike in the pro peloton is not a steel bike and the chief
> reason is weight.
>
> Chuck Schmidt
> SoPas, SoCal