In a message dated 4/15/2003 10:02:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time, mrsummit@cox.net writes:
<< I have a chance to pick up a Teledyne Titan. When I did compete, in my short career, it was all the rage. I heard they don't ride quite like steel, and are prone to breakage?? I remember drooling over the brochure and the one guy who had it, was everybody's envy. It is in the time frame and is outfitted in Campagnolo. I know everybody has been busy prepping for the "big show", but if you have a minute, Any feelings on this bike? >>
Darn tooting! These bikes were seminal developments in the early days of Titanium development and have earned a solid place in bicycle history... Are they everyday riders? No. Especially if you are a big rider, a big gear pounder or hard charger. But it's a nice little machine to gingerly spin around on during a gorgeous spring day like we are enjoying now in North Carolina. If you have excellent souplesse, like conversation as much as jamming, it might do really well.
The forks are reported to break and the frame crack with hard or stressful use. On the other hand, a lot of them did just fine. Abuse it in the slightest and suffer the consequences. Collect it, ride it occasionally, but do not ride it down a mountain at 45 mph.
Dale Brown cycles de ORO, Inc. 1410 Mill Street Greensboro, North Carolina USA 27408 336-274-5959 Fax 336-274-6360 <A HREF="http://www.cyclesdeoro.com">cyclesdeORO.com</A> <A HREF="http://www.classicrendezvous.com/main.htm">Classic Rendezvous</A>