The only Speedwell titanium I've seen in person was a very nice track version that a fellow raced in Britain on league nights. Vintage Ti didn't even seem out of place since there was so much vintage iron (going back to the 40s sometimes) on British tracks even as late as mid 90s. Never got a chance to ride the Speedwell, but I remember its rider never held a line and I thought it was the rider who was erratic. Must have been the wiggly Speedwell.
I remember being very surprised there was a track version, and looked at the drops to make sure it wasn't a conversion. Mitch Harris Little Rock Canyon, Utah, USA
On Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 9:00 AM, <youngc@ptd.net> wrote:
> Seeing no posts reporting riding characteristics of the Speedwell, I'll
> offer some impressions (with caveats). I have a Speedwell Titalite with
> original fork and a Teledyne Titan with a ca. '77 Trek top model racing
> steel fork. The Titan came to me sans fork and I understand that
> undesirable handling of the Teledyne Ti fork lead to replacement with steel
> by some riders back in the day.
>
> The Titan, while probably as limber as my ALANs, feels very solid relative
> the Speedwell. Tracking of the Speedwell under strong pedaling inputs can
> best be described as serpentine. You can see the bottom bracket swaying. I
> brought the Speedwell to a Cirque some years ago and a few rode it. John
> Pergolizzi hopped on it an jammed down the road by the Lewis Center. On
> dismounting, he said it was the most frightening bike he'd ever ridden.
> Perhaps a bit hyperbolic, but you should have seen him thrashing it. I have
> it set up as a time trial bike and think that, if ridden with a good deal
> of supplesse, it is quite a bit of fun.
>
> If there is interest, I'll bring it to the next Cirque for the curious (and
> insufficiently risk-averse) folks that want to experience the ride.
>
> Charlie "also sways at times" Young
> Honey Brook, PA
>
> On Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:23:43 -0700, Steve Whitting <ciocc_cat@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>> Just wonder how the Speedwell compared to the later Teledyne Titan
> titanium
>> frame. I recall reading about the Teledyne Titan in a mid-1970s issue of
>> Bicycling magazine. I remember it (supposedly) being lighter than a
>> comparable Reynolds 531 or Columbus SL frame, but a lot more expensive .
> .
>> .
>>
>> Steve Whitting
>> Prairieville, Louisiana USA
>> http://ciocc-cat.angelfire.com/