Tough choices - Ti or Dekerf?

[Huntso]

Saw a Moots YBB close up a few years ago at the Cycle Show, it was a demo model and had a special show price, nearly flexed the card on that

Never owned a Dekerf, but would personally go for one of the nicer Ti frames, something like a Moots, Seven or pre ABG Merlin.

Bit sad, but something about those lovely fish scale welds, classy workmanship that you don't see much of these days

 

[Augustus]

would personally go for one of the nicer Ti frames, something like a Moots, Seven or pre ABG Merlin.

Bit sad, but something about those lovely fish scale welds, classy workmanship that you don't see much of these days

I'm never sure why there is such a preference for a Vandermark pre ABG merl.

I have owned both and I have to say, I don't see anything 'poor' about the latter. Is it just the purist angle? of not being 'owned by a group'?

I see the physical diff between pre and post Trek Kleins, but I have to say my modern XLM is as well made and beautifully double pass welded as my pre ABG one was.

?

 

[MynameisCasper]

If you ever come to the netherlands, let me know. You can have a spin on my ti implant, steel implant and normal steel Dekerf frame. Only then you can make a good comparision.

Casper

 

[nathanman]

If you ever come to the netherlands, let me know. You can have a spin on my ti implant, steel implant and normal steel Dekerf frame. Only then you can make a good comparision.

Casper

Thanks for the offer chap, that list is a wet dream :shock:

 

[suburbanreuben]

I'm in Godalming. PM me , and if you're a big lad, you can have a ride on mine.
Um, er,

Can't help with the tits though.
For what it's worth, for £500 you'll get an immaculate Dekerf frame, either new or old, and it will be better made than any steel bike you've seen.
To get a similar quality ti bike, you'll need to double your budget, at least.

 

[nathanman]

I'm in Godalming. PM me , and if you're a big lad, you can have a ride on mine.
Um, er,

Can't help with the tits though.
For what it's worth, for £500 you'll get an immaculate Dekerf frame, either new or old, and it will be better made than any steel bike you've seen.
To get a similar quality ti bike, you'll need to double your budget, at least.

Thanks for the offer but how big is big? I'm 6ft and ride a 19" frame usually. I'm leaning more towards the dekerf option following lots of net trawling for reviews. Im tempted by the generation and the team sl. I'm not sure about the soft tail(team st) option as I weigh 100kgs and think I may put a bit too much strain on the chainstay welds when they flex.

 

[suburbanreuben]

You might find the early Dekerfs a bit light then. My 21" Generation weighs in at 1.9kg, and the Teams are even lighter. The later, post 2000/01 models are a bit beefier, but still light for steel.
I would avoid the ST too, but only because I can't see the point. I had one, and it was beautiful to ride, nearly living up to it's "best handling bike in the World" tag, but I always wished it was a hardtail. FWIW, that broke in the usual place just after I sold it.

 

[MynameisCasper]

Nick's will fit perfectly.

I would set my google alerts to 'Team SST'. In my opinion thats the best handling XC bike which you can also give a retrobike look. I only sold mine because of I was a bit more demanding when it comes to descending.

Here`s my old bike

 

[suburbanreuben]

Nick's will fit perfectly.

I would set my google alerts to 'Team SST'. In my opinion thats the best handling XC bike which you can also give a retrobike look. I only sold mine because of I was a bit more demanding when it comes to descending.

Yup, they will.

 

[haggis]

I have a King Kahuna and a DeKerf. I love Konas big time but if i was to compare both then the DeKerf was a good bit in front. It was a bike i just jumped on and away i went. Both were set up very similarly as well but it was one bike that just felt superb below me.