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#1
10-24-2024, 10:41 PM
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'Modern'/Disc Bike Similar to Serotta Pronto
Every time I see a Pronto or Saratoga Race Ti pop up to the top in the galleries here, I start to dream. But as time goes on, standards evolve, and now discs are pretty much ubiquitous, wider tires are shown to be smoother and faster, etc. Plus those frames are few and far between given how short the window to get them was.
Has anyone found a newer, out of the box frame that fits what the Pronto stood for while being disc-equipped and handle up to 30c, maybe even 32, tires? Something built with racing front and center, but able to throw on a bit larger tire to smooth out the off-season miles...Or has someone had luck getting a custom built that seems to match up with that pretty well? Last edited by ikecycke; 10-24-2024 at 10:45 PM. 
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#3
10-24-2024, 11:08 PM
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He's definitely at the top of the list if custom comes into play. I could look at those welds all day long.
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#4
10-24-2024, 11:14 PM
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I know I am going to sound like a shill for him. But it really is not (only) about the welds. I own two bikes made by him for me. Yes, the welds border on metallic pornography. But what he has a knack for is build you the bike that really rides the way you want. He has a knack for choosing the right tubes, his mitering is exquisite (perhaps one reason why the bikes ride so well), and his attention to detail throughout the entire bike building process is immaculate.
In my mind, getting the bike's geometry right is not that big of a deal. Where Brad sprinkles his magic is how the bike with the said geometry rides. Quote:
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#5
10-25-2024, 12:27 AM
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"Every time I see a Pronto or Saratoga Race Ti ..."
It seems like you should be taking a very good look at the bikes now built by those same people. No22. Here's their race bike that takes 30s no problem.
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#6
10-25-2024, 01:12 AM
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I'm going to go to Bingham or Seven or Merlin to build me a Ti frame duplicating my current bike but with disc brakes and accommodate tires up to 32mm.
__________________
Call me Greg.
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#7
10-25-2024, 07:34 AM
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I think that No. 22 fills the bill nicely. Having said that, a Bingham might even cost less and will be made custom for you.
Mine is my favorite bike of all time.
__________________
Bingham/B.Jackson/Unicoi/Habanero/Raleigh20/429C/BigDummy/S6
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#8
10-25-2024, 08:59 AM
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I have the No22 Aurora you linked. Not the new 2024 version but the older 2020 version. The geometry has not changed between them, just the looks.
As nice as my Aurora is, it is certainly no "race" bike. Of course one can race it and come away impressed. But it has a long-ish wheelbase, a long-ish chainstay, and a high-ish trail (in the 60s) for it to be a proper race bike. Having said that, If I were to have only one bike (and the choice was between a proper "race" bike and the Aurora), it would be the Aurora without a sliver of a doubt. But then again, you can pay the folks at No22 to design a custom "Aurora" that will have a proper race bike geometry -- 405 mm chainstay, 97X mm wheelbase (for a size 54), 74 deg ST angle, and a trail of 56 mm.  But then again, I think Brad Bingham would do a better job.  Quote:
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#9
10-25-2024, 09:01 AM
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Having had experience with the current Merlin, I would not compare them to Bingham. One of them plays in the Champions League while the other in the MLS (before Messi got there).
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#12
10-25-2024, 10:12 AM
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The thing that makes them so cool is they have something ridiculous like 30 sizes. All the bikes are available in "Aero", "Standard", and "Endurance" variations on stack:reach ratio. Really intriguing. IIRC they have the style of bike being discussed here available and also have a gravel option.
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#13
10-25-2024, 11:17 AM
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Guys, this thread is really lacking in the photo or real experience department? How many here have actually ridden a Pronto, or the No22 Reactor? (or a Bingham?)
Look, if you want the closest out of the box equivalent that will take 28s, call No22 and have a Reactor on the way in a few months. To get even closer, talk to Scott (or Mike/Bryce) and get custom geometry on it so it's tailored to you. I got mine back in 2016 because it was the "next generation" of the Pronto concept and designed by one of the same people (Scott Hock) while being welded by the same crew. Scott described to me one day when talking that the design goal of the Reactor was to make it "an SWorks out of the saddle/under power, but still ride like a Titanium bike." I'll say they succeeded. That said, other folks that own both say the Pronto is a touch stiffer, while I only have around 100mi of riding on a Pronto, I'd say it's similar. I actually passed on a Pronto to get a Great Divide (since sold) that is more of a "GT" type bike. All that said, noone is doing anything like the tubing manipulation that made the Pronto (and other Serottas) so unique. While No22 is close, they don't have the same swaging that the Pronto did. If you want a truly modern equivalent with discs, then just put in your deposit and get in line for a new "aero" disc No22 Reactor, as that bike has the same vision as the Pronto and rim Reactor in their day - make a "modern Ti race bike" As for the Bingham side, Brad does build a FANTASTIC bike and yes I own one too. It's a Hampsten coupled frame I had done this year as a "stage race/climber" type bike with quick handling and the solid/stiff BB feel I like. While it's definitely stiff and quick under power, it's not the same as what the Reactor and Pronto have in terms of pure GO. Maybe it's the heart talking, but if I had to keep only one, it would definitely be the Reactor. At the end of the day, you'll never truly get a "Pronto on 28s" but you can reach out to one of these folks and have them build a titanium race bike that suits what you want and how you ride. I will say both my No22 and Hampsten/Bingham are EXACTLY what I wanted/requested for that bike and built just to my specs. Make one of those calls (I'd go with Hampsten to build my Bingham though), and just have your own titanium race bike. Then later on go buy the used Pronto if it ever comes and enjoy it for what it is. So here's Nooch's 52 and Geemalar's 55 twin raw/white Prontos from last weekend:  Here's my custom 54cm Reactor and Nooch's Pronto on some ride last year  and here's my 54 Hampsten built by Brad Bingham  And just got giggles because it takes 32 and discs as a Roubaix race bike (after all what is a race bike?), here is my carbon Hampsten Il Mostro that also fits the bill for what you asked... 
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#15
10-25-2024, 01:38 PM
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Lots of good thoughts here. In a perfect world, I already would have called either Bingham/Hampsten or No. 22. Those certainly seem like the top options for what I'd be looking for. But as I race upwards of 30-40 crits a year, I'd be pretty heartbroken to mess one of those up in a wreck...I know I could keep a second bike around strictly for those, but I'm hoping to consolidate in the near future.
I guess I was hoping for that unicorn of a ti race bike that isn't necessarily cheap (because what good ti is?), but a bit easier to replace without going back on a long waitlist. I guess something attainable like the Mosaic RT-2 batch built program, but that seems a bit less race-focused than I was hoping for. At the end of the day, if custom is the only way to go to get there, then so be it. The Blackheart Road Ti does seem to be a good option, but I'm kind of already over the fully integrated everything. I guess that pushes the No. 22 Aurora down a bit too. Oh, and ltwtsculler91, I've wanted that carbon Hampsten since you first posted it. Something like that has always been a dream as well, just thinking I have to scratch this ti itch first. Last edited by ikecycke; 10-25-2024 at 01:43 PM.
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