Buzz
07-28-2008, 05:13 PM
I have gotten a bunch of e-mails asking for a follow up ride report on my new Hampsten Ti Coupler. I have put well over 2000 miles on this bike, mostly up and over mountains, as I am preparing for a ride in the Dolomites at the end of August.
Here are photos of the bike:
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=44528&highlight=hampsten
Just to reiterate this is a Ti coupler with a 6 degree sloping top tube. It is set up with a mix of Chorus, DT Swiss hubs and wheels (really nice), an Ericksen seat post, Ritchey Handlebars, a Thompsen stem and an FSA Triple Crank.
This bike comes courtesty of some funds my dad left me. A bike is a nice way to remember someone. Although he didn't ride he was a professional musician and appreciated fine instruments.
That's what this bike is: a fine instrument meant to do a job. I am really enamored of the entire look. Very classic and clean. Big round beefy tubes that inspire confidence in this 6'2" 200 pound rider. All of Steve's bikes seem to have this simple / clean quality to them. I know that the more basic and true something is the harder it is to actually acheive that final outcome. So, it is a philosophy or point of view that I appreciate.
Overall, this is a beautifully balanced machine from front to rear and side to side. The bike is balanced and I am balanced on it. Perfectly. The rear end of this bike likes to stay put especially over rough road. Maybe that's the slighly longer chainstays that Steve spec'd. Stand up during a little jam over a hill and that back end is just so stuck to the road.
Where this bike excels for me, however, is in descending and turns. It reminds me of a great GS ski. Apply pressure on outside leg during a turn and it feels like it is biiting into the pavement as the frame gives. Unweight and the frame rebounds back to normal. So, on a longish descent like Mt Diablo with lots of turns it is a blast to carve turn after turn.
I have had this bike over 55 mph descending Monitor Pass during DeathRide and it was absolutely steady. Throw in a suprise hail and rainstorm (our Hampsten "Gavia" moment at the top of Carson Pass) and no problems whatsoever. Just wipe the ti frame down and you are good to go.
I haven't noticed any difference with the couplers verus a standard frame.
The whole bike as set up weighs 19 10 oz. Not bad considering the standard wheels, triple crank, coupler system, etc. Although bike weight really isn't a factor for someone my size.
Dealing with Steve was really easy. He has a very straightforward and practical approach to bikes and components. He is also VERY PICKY about making sure everything is absolutely 100% right. The bike arrived with everything I had ordered and a few extras thrown in. The end result is that this is the nicest bike I have ever ridden and I am sure one that will see me through many years of bike adventuring.
I am happy to patronize Serotta and guys like Steve and other USA framebuilders. They help outfit us riders here in the USA with the best possible equipment. Anyone that has visited the Serotta factory understands that true craftsmanship still exists in the US small to medium segment bike business. I hope you consider a USA builder with your next bike purchase.
Here are photos of the bike:
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=44528&highlight=hampsten
Just to reiterate this is a Ti coupler with a 6 degree sloping top tube. It is set up with a mix of Chorus, DT Swiss hubs and wheels (really nice), an Ericksen seat post, Ritchey Handlebars, a Thompsen stem and an FSA Triple Crank.
This bike comes courtesty of some funds my dad left me. A bike is a nice way to remember someone. Although he didn't ride he was a professional musician and appreciated fine instruments.
That's what this bike is: a fine instrument meant to do a job. I am really enamored of the entire look. Very classic and clean. Big round beefy tubes that inspire confidence in this 6'2" 200 pound rider. All of Steve's bikes seem to have this simple / clean quality to them. I know that the more basic and true something is the harder it is to actually acheive that final outcome. So, it is a philosophy or point of view that I appreciate.
Overall, this is a beautifully balanced machine from front to rear and side to side. The bike is balanced and I am balanced on it. Perfectly. The rear end of this bike likes to stay put especially over rough road. Maybe that's the slighly longer chainstays that Steve spec'd. Stand up during a little jam over a hill and that back end is just so stuck to the road.
Where this bike excels for me, however, is in descending and turns. It reminds me of a great GS ski. Apply pressure on outside leg during a turn and it feels like it is biiting into the pavement as the frame gives. Unweight and the frame rebounds back to normal. So, on a longish descent like Mt Diablo with lots of turns it is a blast to carve turn after turn.
I have had this bike over 55 mph descending Monitor Pass during DeathRide and it was absolutely steady. Throw in a suprise hail and rainstorm (our Hampsten "Gavia" moment at the top of Carson Pass) and no problems whatsoever. Just wipe the ti frame down and you are good to go.
I haven't noticed any difference with the couplers verus a standard frame.
The whole bike as set up weighs 19 10 oz. Not bad considering the standard wheels, triple crank, coupler system, etc. Although bike weight really isn't a factor for someone my size.
Dealing with Steve was really easy. He has a very straightforward and practical approach to bikes and components. He is also VERY PICKY about making sure everything is absolutely 100% right. The bike arrived with everything I had ordered and a few extras thrown in. The end result is that this is the nicest bike I have ever ridden and I am sure one that will see me through many years of bike adventuring.
I am happy to patronize Serotta and guys like Steve and other USA framebuilders. They help outfit us riders here in the USA with the best possible equipment. Anyone that has visited the Serotta factory understands that true craftsmanship still exists in the US small to medium segment bike business. I hope you consider a USA builder with your next bike purchase.