Argonaut or Pursuit? - Page 2

joosttx · #16 01-04-2022, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredd

I know it’s not what you’re asking but if I was going custom carbon I’d get the Enve bike for the tire clearance + fender mounts. Looks to me like one road bike to rule them all.

This. I have seen the Enve’s up close (as the other brands you are thinking of) and man the new Enves are incredible. Also, from what I am told they ride is sublime.

EliteVelo · #17 01-04-2022, 03:21 PM

I'll chime in if I may given the aforementioned posts, and groupset aside.

I worked with Kevin Fickling from Cryptic Cycles when he was still building. Kevin won the best new builder award at NAHBS a while back.

Without getting into detail, Kevin's other career took off and he didn't have the time needed to pursue carbon frame building any longer.

That said, the carbon frame I bought from him is so good that I bought a second. All this after riding the best from Bertoletti, Colnago, and countless others. Lot of differences here. I could go on and on. Bertoletti for Ti, Cryptic carbon.

There is a ton of money and time that goes into a true, handmade custom carbon frame, hence the reason Kevin got out. Most people don't realize the financial burden. I've got countless pics of what they go through to create their masterpiece.

At the end of the day, go with your gut and talk to your builder. I'm sure what ENVE has to offer is nice, but if it's my dime, I'm buying a true custom frame where I can work with a builder, choose what I want, color and all.

Tons of other options as you know. Bertoletti, Officine Mattio, Sarto, etc.

Love them all, got turned off by the political ideology from Arg, but whatever, they still build great bikes. If you want to keep in in the states, I'm going with Crumptom, Strong, or Pursuit. Since I'm a customer service guy first, the one that supports your email thread gets my business.

Bob Ross · #18 01-04-2022, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_douglas

Carl's business approach seems to be totally dialled in and professional. I cant say C or A would be anything but great as well, but Carl is known as much for his amazing bikes as he is for his communications and customer service.

QFT

I own one Strong, my wife owns two and is about ~12 months away from receiving her third...and I constantly have to remind her (and myself) that Carl is not our "best buddy" he's just a really good businessman who knows how to make the customer feel like he's paying attention to all their needs. Because he is.

Admittedly I have lusted after a Crumpton for over a decade now, and told myself for years that my next road bike (if ever there is one) will definitely be a Crumpton...and yet the attraction of doing business with Carl Strong again -- versus someone I've never spoken to much less had any commercial exchange with -- is really hard to resist. You definitely can't go wrong with a Pursuit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EliteVelo

Since I'm a customer service guy first, the one that supports your email thread gets my business.

Welp, that'd be Carl again.

Beldar77 · #19 01-04-2022, 08:37 PM

I'll be glad to check up on it for you as I live just a couple of miles from the "factory" and I also ride a Seven like you so I can compare and contrast during any test riding that you would need done. Just trying to be helpful.

mcteague · #20 01-05-2022, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joosttx

This. I have seen the Enve’s up close (as the other brands you are thinking of) and man the new Enves are incredible. Also, from what I am told they ride is sublime.

For some reason I thought the new Enve bike was much more than the others. I checked out their website this morning and it looks pretty impressive. The only things I question are their use of the 386 EVO BB instead of T47 threaded and that seat mast instead of a standard post.

I played with the color picker and like this paintjob, maybe too close to a 3T though.

Tim

mcteague · #21 01-17-2022, 06:48 AM

Well, Pursuit won. I put down a deposit and have been working with Carl on the frame dimensions. This is going to be a painful wait period I feel!

Tim

soulspinner · #22 01-17-2022, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcteague

Well, Pursuit won. I put down a deposit and have been working with Carl on the frame dimensions. This is going to be a painful wait period I feel!

Tim

Excited to see this.

mcteague · #23 01-17-2022, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulspinner

Excited to see this.

Me too! Speaking with Carl, it looks like the bike will be a mix of his Pure Road and Supple Road...so, custom rather than stock geometry. Most likely 12s Dura-Ace Di2 and with the new Shimano C36 or C50 wheels. Not sure on rim depth yet.

Tim

nmrt · #24 01-17-2022, 08:47 AM

So cool! The only bike that I am drooling over is a Pursuit. And yes, also a Kirk.
I think I might out a deposit down during NAHBS 2022.

I am glad you went with Pursuit! Now, enjoy the process. No doubt you will be getting a kickass bike!

Coffee Rider · #25 01-17-2022, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcteague

Well, Pursuit won. I put down a deposit and have been working with Carl on the frame dimensions. This is going to be a painful wait period I feel!

Tim

I'm about to see the end of an 18 month wait for a bike and the time passes more quickly than you think. For me, the time at the ends is what is passing most slowly.

s4life · #26 01-17-2022, 02:30 PM

Whatever you do I’d stay away from enve seatmasts.. they are a pain to deal with . I truly don’t understand how they became popular in the first place

Blown Reek · #27 01-17-2022, 04:11 PM

I'd be bummed if I was running an electronic groupset and there were open ports for mechanical routing exposed. At least with the Argonaut, you don't have those unsightly unused ports on the downtube. And if you're going modern carbon, you might as well go full internal routing.

54ny77 · #28 01-17-2022, 04:18 PM

This.

Only bought it because I wanted to go matching post/bar/stem.

And agreed, not the easiest thing to work with and/or adjust. Others may have no probs., so perhaps call it user frustration/error.

I'll be swapping mine out eventually.

Preference would have been Shimano PRO for all 3 items but they were literally impossible to find for a build I was working on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s4life

Whatever you do I’d stay away from enve seatmasts.. they are a pain to deal with . I truly don’t understand how they became popular in the first place

David Kirk · #29 01-17-2022, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcteague

Well, Pursuit won. I put down a deposit and have been working with Carl on the frame dimensions. This is going to be a painful wait period I feel!

Tim

I think you're going top have some fun with Carl and with the bike. I've seen them being made first hand and the level of attention to detail is the rear deal. You're in for a treat.

dave

mcteague · #30 01-17-2022, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blown Reek

I'd be bummed if I was running an electronic groupset and there were open ports for mechanical routing exposed. At least with the Argonaut, you don't have those unsightly unused ports on the downtube. And if you're going modern carbon, you might as well go full internal routing.

Pursuit only gives you the ports you need for equipment ordered, or so their website says. Carl offers hidden brake hoses now but advises external for ease or maintenance and the avoidance of proprietary parts and I agree. I like the sleek look of hidden hoses but want to stay practical as I do my own bike work.

Cable Management

Internal cables with a modular guide system accommodate cables, wires, and hoses. We only include the guides you need for the shift system you select, so there are no unused cable guides.

Tim