Sampson Sports Inc. 1999 Kalispell ti

Price Paid:  $1700.00 at Sampson sports

Favorite Ride:
Brown and Monroe County

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 9 speed, Look Carbon Fork, Thompson seatpost, Fizik saddle, Speedplay pedals. Wonderful Mavic Open pro wheels built by wheelsmiths(very,very durable and easy to service).

Summary:
I have had this bike for Five years and it still feels great. It weighs a respectable 19 lbs. And offers a very comfortable ride. Bike climbs well and seems to have a little bounce but not in a bad way. Feels alot like a steel bike without the weight. You wont see many sampson bikes in the middlewest but that is ok. I have seen two in 5 years. I would recommend that if you are looking for something a little different Sampson puts together a very good bike.

Strengths:
Low cost. Sampson allows to to spec the bike anyway you want. Lively comfortable ride. Bike likes to climb. This bike is very confortable.

Weaknesses:
I ordered over the phone. I believe now you can order on internet. Staff at sampson are very helpfull but you will need the confidence that you know what you are looking for. Bike is not the most beautiful thing to look at, but i dont have to worry about chipping paint or rust.

Similar Products Used:
bianchi steel, Myiata steel, cannodale Alum.

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Sampson website

Favorite Ride:
Mount Tam in Marin, Ca.

Bike Setup:
I bought the frame seperately and built it up seperately with parts off other bikes. Campy Record 9

Summary:
This bike offers a solid, no bad surprises, type of ride. It is hard to classify this bike into a specialty. It is an aggressive sprinter's platform as well as a solid, flying climber. My training partners were at first skeptical of this frame since it does not look the part when compared to a Lightspeed, or a Merlin. They did not like my ability to transmit more power to the road when compared to my aluminum frames. I was very pleasantly thrilled with the handling and all around responsiveness of this frame.

Strengths:
Comfort over long rides (80 miles and over.) The ability of this bicycle to "jump" under quick acceleration. The ability of this titanium frame to feel very light going uphill. The customer service from Sampson was top notch.

Weaknesses:
The low status of this bike among bike "industry" guys. (what made this OK is when those same guys were OTB.) Also, this bike made me feel dumb for spending money on more expensive frames that didn't deliver the overall quality of ride that this bike offers.

Similar Products Used:
Serotta Classique Ti, Cannondales, Bianchis, Sachs, Basso, Wilier, and others.

Favorite Ride:
Davis Mountains (Texas) Loop

Bike Setup:
54c frame,full Ultegra 9-spd,Look fork,Stronglight HS,Speedplay X-2,Spinergys,Specialized Team Turbos

Summary:
I bought my Kalispell through Nashbar on Nov.'97 on sale for $1900. It featured Ultegra 8-spd and Spinergy wheels. After ordering, Sampson called and said they ran out of Ult 8-spd, they were going to install the new Ult 9-spd for no extra charge, was that OK?. Well, of course, so I got the 9-spd Kalispell with Spinergy wheels for under $2000. The bike was well protected during shipping and came in perfect condition. The only problem was a missing saddle and post. I called, they profusely apologized and to compensate sent a post upgraded from the original spec. All I had to do was install the saddle/post, stem/bar, bolt on the brakes, and put on the wheels and it was ready to roll. Components were perfectly pre-installed. I've ridden about 13,000 miles since then and made very few adjustments. It's all good- frame, flawless workmanship, a company that gives a damn, the ride, and the value. Honestly, I see riders with shiny, expensive Litespeeds and I can't help but snicker.

Strengths:
light,stiff enough BB,classic geometry,perfect welds,comfy as steel,ti-no rust, dents, or scratches, handles & corners great-no surprises,Sampson truly cares about their products

Weaknesses:
Came with cheap,unnecessary stickers.I easily peeled them off, except for "Sampson" on the downtube. Came with lousy Hutchinson tires (not Kronos).Not as "pretty" as more other ti brands.

Similar Products Used:
'95 Cannondale w/RSX,'97 Lemond Zurich w/Ultegra 8-spd

Favorite Ride:

this is a road bike, dude

Bike Setup:

Kallispell Ti with full Dura Ace group Kinesis fork, cane creek wheels, Flite gel saddle, Axial pro tires, TTT status stem and the new Forma2 bar

Summary:
Incredible Ti/ dura ace ride for just over 2K. try to find that anywhere else. I have put in a lot of miles on this bike since getting it. It has a supple ride, corners well and accelerates more quickly than my steel road bike. Eric Sampson spent a lot of time on the phone with me, and talked me out of upgrades (ie Wound up fork), that did not match my riding style. The bike arrive in perfect condition, in two boxes, pre-lubed and ready to set up. The bike is LITE (mayber 19lbs at the most with the DA set up). Sweet ride. Only wish I had asked for the Cinelli tape instead of the ugly Sampson fat wrap (it works well just too loud for my taste).Great bike, with top components. He skimps nowhere.

Strengths:

great price
great ride
great customer service
great components

Weaknesses:

What to do with all the money I saved

Similar Products Used:

Bianchi Campione
Cannondale

Favorite Ride:

alpine lake loop (MTB)

Bike Setup:

105s

Summary:
consder one of its many rave reviews: http://www.bicyclist.com/road_test/9808/kali/kali.html
and actually talk to the shop and amke your own decision: you may or may not buy it, but you'll have to appreciate the sweet deals Sampson's offering. Now, only if there were more information available regarding the Sampson Vail MTB...?

Strengths:

excellent value
outstanding service

Weaknesses:

not easy to get a test ride

Similar Products Used:

Giant, Bianchi