 Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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on: January 15, 2013, 11:40:17 AM
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EricB
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 44
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« on: January 15, 2013, 11:40:17 AM » |
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I'm in the market for a new hardtail 29er for this year's Stagecoach 400. My wife gently suggested that a 4k titanium rig isn't in my future. So assuming a max budget of 2500, I'm thinking about the following:
Salsa El Mariachi 2 (steel)
Cannondale F291 (aluminum)
Used Cannondale F29 Carbon 3
Thoughts on which would be best for multi-day racing? Is carbon a bad idea? Is used carbon a really bad idea? Any better options I'm not thinking about?
Thanks!
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Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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Reply #1 on: January 15, 2013, 12:37:30 PM
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Stevland
Posts: 17
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« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2013, 12:37:30 PM » |
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Personally I'd take a steel hardtail over an aluminum any day. I don't have any experience or advice to offer on carbon though.
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Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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Reply #2 on: January 15, 2013, 05:15:53 PM
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Done
Posts: 1434
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« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2013, 05:15:53 PM » |
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The Cannondale F29-1 is a very nice bike. If you've ever ridden a Lefty, you know how great they are. If not, take one for a spin ASAP. They are just so smooth.
Salsa makes nice bikes too. Hard to go wrong there.
No frame warranty on used bikes, so I'd skip used F29 C3.
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"Done"
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Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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Reply #3 on: January 16, 2013, 10:58:18 AM
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EricB
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 44
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« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2013, 10:58:18 AM » |
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I've heard good things about the lefty but haven't ridden one yet. Planning on demoing both the F29 and the Salsa this weekend.
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Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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Reply #4 on: January 16, 2013, 11:09:45 AM
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Done
Posts: 1434
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« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2013, 11:09:45 AM » |
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I've heard good things about the lefty but haven't ridden one yet. Planning on demoing both the F29 and the Salsa this weekend.
Sounds like a fun weekend! |
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Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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Reply #5 on: January 17, 2013, 07:44:42 AM
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benajah
Posts: 12
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« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2013, 07:44:42 AM » |
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I've had a Flash 29er, and currently ride a Salsa El Mariachi. Both are great bikes, and neither gave me a case of upgradeitis which I seem to be especially prone to.
I think overall, the Cannondale (mine was older though, a Caffeine from 2006 or so) is a bit more "racier" and nimble, while the Salsa is, for me, more comfortable as an all day bike.
Depending on what your preference is, both are pretty fantastic bikes in my opinion.
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Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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Reply #6 on: January 18, 2013, 01:08:21 PM
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kbabin
Location: Fayetteville, AR
Posts: 36
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« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2013, 01:08:21 PM » |
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I'm looking at the El Mariachi too...I would like to be able to get the Ti version, but will probaly have to get the steel. I thought the Enabler Fork ( http://salsacycles.com/components/enabler_fork) would be interesting if you are going rigid. You could run a 135mm front for a backup wheel. Also, I might go with the Civilian Luddite ( http://www.ridecvln.com/bikes/luddite) |
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Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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Reply #7 on: January 18, 2013, 01:13:55 PM
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benajah
Posts: 12
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« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2013, 01:13:55 PM » |
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I was unaware of those Civilian bikes...quite sexy
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Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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Reply #8 on: January 18, 2013, 01:16:32 PM
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kbabin
Location: Fayetteville, AR
Posts: 36
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« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2013, 01:16:32 PM » |
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Yea, I like the price point for what you get. The frame is a little heavy, but I'm clyde so that isn't a show stopper for me.
They also said they are planning to sell just the frames this spring....
Kev
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Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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Reply #9 on: January 20, 2013, 10:01:44 AM
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EricB
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 44
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« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2013, 10:01:44 AM » |
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Well I was lucky enough to find a local shop that had both bikes in stock. It was a really tough choice as both felt great, having me jump back and forth between bikes over and over again. The El Mariachi had that sturdy steel feel that I was expecting but surprisingly light and quick. You can't go wrong with that bike. But in the end I went with the Cannondale. It rides amazing, super nimble, smooth, and fast. It was last year's model so I got a good deal on it.
I took it for a short 10 mile afternoon shakeout ride. I was not disappointed as I crushed my previous fasted time. It sure does like to go fast.
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Topic Name: Upgrading my bike: steel, aluminum, carbon?
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Reply #10 on: January 27, 2013, 10:14:38 PM
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ekloco
Posts: 25
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« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2013, 10:14:38 PM » |
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I Tinker with my Bike a lot and invent new ways to strap things on.....Many times I use steel Hose Clamp to fasten extra water bottles to my frames down tube and Salsa Anything racks to the forks and have experimented with homemade front racks that are clamped to the frame.....I must confess to scratching my paint a bit....So, for me the Carbon is not a good choice, Steel or Ti is best for my abusive ways.
Tim Nelson Santa Fe
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