Rain Bike Options & Habanero Cycles

[CSI Man]

Since I would never ride my CSI in the rain, I use my 1991 steel Specialized Sirrus. It was a nice bike for it's day, but lately when I ride it I really notice how much heavier and slower it feels than the CSI. So I am looking to upgrade the frame and fork to something a little lighter and quicker. I'm leaning toward Ti, but I don't want to spend a fortune, maybe ~$1500, since it is just my rain bike.

While searching the internet, I came accross Habanero Cycles. They offer a Ti frame for ~$900. You can even get custom for ~$1300. Nothing fancy but it looks like a fairly nice frame for the money.

I was wondering if anyone has had any experince with these frames or could recommend any other rain bike frame options around this price range.

Thanks for your input.

CSI Man

[sn69]

for similar purposes, along with a Wound Up fork that has fender eyelets. Seems like a nice enough bike based on his comments and pictures. It doesn't have Serotta/Spectrum/Eriksen/Moots/Strong/Seven/Lynskey style aesthetics, but it's good enough for what it is and how much it cost.

Hope that helps,
Scott

[alancw3]

don't know your size but there was a large used frameset advertised in the classifies several weeks ago. you may want to do a search.

[sokyroadie]

You could buy a Lynskey Cooper for $1295.00 (frame only) and pick up a fork on the forum or Ebay.

http://www.lynskeyperformance.com/a/pages/2009-products/road-bikes---lynskey-performance/titanium-road-bikes-road-houseblend-cooper.php

Litespeed is also coming out with a lower priced Ti frame.

Jeff

[rePhil]

I looked at Habanero. They have nice features like the welded on seat post binder / water bosses.
Take a hard look at used.Maybe put out a wtb on the classifieds. There have been some nice deals on Ti lately.

That Lynskey looks to be a good deal.

[rwsaunders]

Someone has a Habanero MTB (built) for sale on the local CL for $500. I did some research on the frame and they are imported by a Florida dealer from China, thus the low price for the frame. Here are some reviews from mtbr.

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/frameset/habanero/ti-mtb-frame/PRD_351290_119crx.aspx

[SpeedyChix]

Habanero have been selling for a number of years. That they are still about suggests that they have managed to keep folks relatively happy. Price for product is inline. Though as others suggest, you have a number of options.

You might consider a CX frame as well. You'd have clearance for fenders and fatter tires as well. A good race bike handles pretty quick. I've used one at road training camps alongside folks on true race bikes. Works great.

[avalonracing]

There have been some great complete rides made out of Ti right here in the classifieds. There was a sweet Merlin a few weeks back and there is always $1K ti frame that you could hang a used working group on. Recycle my man, you'll be better for it!

[Peter P.]

My rain bike weighs 27lbs. with fenders, rack, and more.

What are you complaining about?

I found the perfect bike for you; your Sirrus.

[TimD]

Used OCLVs can be had for short money. They are sized C-T, so be careful you don't end up with a size too small. Heresy around here, but TMO.

[BengeBoy]

I see lots of "high performance" rain bikes here in Seattle. I have chatted with some Habenero riders while commuting and they seem happy.

This was Sheldon Brown's recommended "Century" build:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/habanero.html

There is also a niche for "rain bikes" with disc brakes, given the stopping power of discs in the rain. This (steel) bike builder in Washington state, Baron Bicycles, is positioning his bikes as rain bikes...I've seen a couple in the flesh and they're pretty nice.

http://www.baronbicycles.com/

Another interesting option is to get a cross bike with discs - the Trek Portland (alum. frame, about $1600 complete) is an "urban" version of a disc-equipped cross bike. The now-discontinued disc-equipped Lemond Poprad is also popular. The new-ish Salsa La Cruz comes with disc brake mountans and can be purchased as a frame or complete.

[ty-ro]

http://www.baronbicycles.com/

I could use a bike like this. The Baron looks like a purpose built, well thought out, utilitarian machine. I have struggled with the rain bike thing for a while. This solves it all; a dedicated rain bike. I emailed them to get more info.

[tiger]

Sent you a note about a Spectrum Ti I have available.

[woolly]

I had Mark @ Habcycles build me a Ti frame in the same geo as my main custom ride. It's not real "bling", but that's the only negative thing I can say about it. Build quality is great, turnaround time for custom was short, price was very reasonable, and Mark was great to deal with. I'd do it again.

[palincss]

Used OCLVs can be had for short money. They are sized C-T, so be careful you don't end up with a size too small. Heresy around here, but TMO.

Can you actually fit fenders on an OCLV? It wouldn't be much of a "rain bike" if you could not, atmo.

[Kervin]

I see lots of "high performance" rain bikes here in Seattle.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2250/2194797067_23f10eaf7d.jpg

I'd take a close look at the tires you are going to use. Spending a few more bucks there will make your rain bike feel much snappier.

[TimD]

Can you actually fit fenders on an OCLV? It wouldn't be much of a "rain bike" if you could not, atmo.

That would depend on the fender.

[CSI Man]

Thanks for all the input.

I'm probably going to go with the Habanero. One big reason being that the 1" head tube option will allow me to keep my current threaded front end setup.

CSI Man