Price Paid: $2400.00

Model Year: 2006

Pros: Titanium!Very durable.Excellent ride quality.Made in the USA! :)

Cons: PriceTaller headtube in smaller sizes.

(The price paid was for the frameset only)

I bought a 2005 TiPhoon, which is almost idential to the 2006 model aside for some very minor geometry differences. I've owned the bike now for several months and have logged somewhere around 2,000 miles on it. I primarily train for long course triathlons, but also do some of the local sprints as well.

I upgraded from an aluminum P3 skeptical if I'd really be able to tell the difference between a titanium bike vs. an aluminum bike. I will tell you that the hype is real and there is a distinguishable difference between the two. The TiPhoon is a MUCH smoother ride. Small bumps along the road are hardly felt at all, and larger bumps are felt considerably less than my aluminum counterpart.

The front triangle of the bike is all 6/4 titanium (which has a higher strength to weight ratio than 3/2.5) making for a very stuff frame. The bike accelerates when you need it to and when you expect it to. Handling is predictable and reliable.

The rear wheel horizontal drop outs are carefully thought out with thumb screws used to adjust the distance to the seat tube. There are no tools needed to make this adjustment which is very nice.

The internal cable routing is done with cable stops in the frame such that only the cable runs through the frame and not the entire housing. I've heard from folks who have housing that runs through the frame that this can sometimes cause an annoying rattling, so I'm glad that the TiPhoon is routed the way that it is.

Now the downsides. This bike has a relatively tall headtube in its smaller sizes. If you're trying to achieve a very aggressive position, you may need a sharply angled downward stem and/or to change out the headset top cover to a smaller rise one to achieve a very aggressive position in the front.

Price is its last down point. At $4k+ for a new frameset, the bike built up becomes incredibly expensive. Being titanium, it can potentially be the last bike that you'll ever buy. Boredom will likely cause you to buy a new bike before the bike gives out on you. But while it is a very comfortable and well built bike, you could buy a pair of very nice bikes for the price of this one. Is it worth the price? Only you can answer that question!

Price Paid: $5000.00

Model Year: 2006

Pros: Great Ride and fit. Helen's in Santa Monica,CA were VERY customer-oriented. Fantastic service and considerations throughout the entire staff.

Cons: That is did not find this bike sooner.

I recently, Sep. 22, '06, bought a new 2003 model year TiPhoon left over. I rode another tri-bike (Litespeed Sabre) and much preferred the TiPhoon in overall fit,feel,finish and ride qualities. Mine has all Dura-Ace. I may upgrade the wheelset for something a bit lighter. I have already upgraded the bars to the all-Carbon Vision Tech integrated, though the accompanying stem, bars and aero bars were very comfy. I just wanted to lighten up. Maybe I should leave 'well and good' alone! Story of my life!! My bike has the Vittoria Rubino slicks. I max out the tire pressure and these feel just great. My bike has only 170 cranks and I normally ride 175 length. I must say that I like these, though the difference felt is ever so slight. The DA 10 speed system is just silky smooth and I am very impressed with about 400 miles ridden last week. I have been riding Campy Record for near 10 years, switching from DuraAce. Now...I might go back to the DuraAce. I do not race but am a fitness rider averaging 8000 miles annual. My hi-miles year has been 15,000. I would reccommend this TiPhoon as a day-ride bike for anyone. I bought it just for such use and love it more each day.