Re: [CR]Who really used Ti?

(Example: Events:Eroica)

From: <Sid_Smith@baxter.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Who really used Ti?
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 13:13:36 -0500


Motorola definitely used Ti. I have a Merckx EX Pro from the Motorola squad. Lance (and others on the team) used EX Pro's (as well as MX Leader's, which is steel) for road racing, in addition to the titanium LiteSpeed Blade used for tt's.

I've ridden both the MXL and EX Pro for some time (about 15,000 mi on the EX Pro) and much prefer the ti bike to the steel. I have the Motorola setup with a Merckx steel fork and it tracks beautifully, especially at speed on downhills (50 + mph!!) It's not (much) lighter than the MXL, but the ride is more comfortable. The MXL is really a frame for a large, well muscled rider (read "Pro"), whereas a decent amateur can enjoy the EX Pro. That said, both my Cannondale 3.0 and TREK 5500 are better climbing bikes than either of the Merckx frames, but the 5500 is century capable. When I ride the 3.0 for four or five hours, I bleed for several days.

Sheer heresy on this list, but I have yet to ride a steel frame that gives the combination of light weight, comfort, and speed that can be achieved in other materials. However for sheer speed (stiffness) and longevity - ALL my track bikes are steel.

Sid "the Infidel" Smith
Just north of Chicaguh, ull-in-noise