Seven's Carbon PRO and CT Frame Designs
Choose the right carbon-titanium frame type
Universal Features Shared By All Seven Carbon-Titanium Frames
Both the CT and PRO models look similar. At arm's length, one might not discern the difference. The weld quality is identical. The finish levels are of a piece. They each have seven carbon tubes, titanium chainstays, and titanium tubed intersections. Each frame is handbuilt in Watertown, Massachusetts, by the same master framebuilders that create all of our frames. Both frames have lifetime warranties. All of the carbon is custom-made for us in Utah. All of the titanium is similar for both models.
Should I get the CT or PRO carbon-titanium model?
Get the CT if you love the ride feel of carbon but want a more durable solution with a smoother ride priced competitively relative to stock Asian carbon frames.
Get the PRO frame if you want Seven's lightest frameset (in any material), the ride feel of carbon, all the options and upgrades, and nearly the toughness of the CT.
What is Seven's 622 Carbon Frame Platform?
The common aspects of the PRO and CT are within our 622 platform. This is the base from which we design each model. 622 stands for carbon and titanium. (6 is carbon's atomic number. 22 is titanium's atomic number.)
Read all the engineering details of the 622 platform.
Why Choose Seven's Carbon-Titanium Frame Design Over Mainstream Carbon
If you want a more durable carbon ride, one that's worry-free, provides more handling control on descents and technical terrain, and is built to endure many thousands of miles, choose Seven.
We use the term "monocoque-style" to describe mainstream carbon frames. These generally look like molded frames — like the frame is made as a single part. Whether that's true or it's a few parts bonded together, the monocoque moniker is apt for explaining the shortcomings of this type of design.
Why are monocoque-style frames so popular?
- More aerodynamic. Sure, in a wind tunnel. The best aero frames with full internal cable routing save single-digit watts at about 20 mph. Marketing will persuade some that this is meaningful. Data lays bare that the benefits are minimal to nonexistent in real-world riding.
- Lighter weight. Sometimes the case, but not always. Seven's PRO is competitive with most performance gravel frames. Regardless, frame weight is close to irrelevant. Don't be tricked by simple marketing comparisons.
- Lower cost. No framebuilding skill needed. Anyone can lay up carbon fabric. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's definitely not a good thing when investing thousands of dollars in your next bike.
The promises of modern carbon fiber do not deliver. Instead, the bikes handle poorly, increase the chances of crashing, have poor durability, fail prematurely, wear out riders faster, and hinder rider recovery. There's not much in the modern carbon offering to be excited about.
Read all the shortcomings of monocoque-style frames.
Why choose Seven's PRO model over our CT frame?
Lightest, All Inclusive, Progressive Design
Seven's PRO carbon-titanium frame is the lightest Seven. The PRO also has more options (including the MidTail upgrade), and many features are included in the price. PRO is performance above all else.
Lightest. Lighter than the CT by about 130 grams. We remove every gram that doesn't improve performance while maintaining Seven's legendary durability. Lighter than our lightest titanium frame by about 60 grams. Weight depends on the design.
MidTail Seat Stay Option: This no-charge upgrade provides a smoother ride with improved traction, handling, and control. The dropped seat stay design is available on our PRO model only. The CT model is available only with our standard InLine seat stay design. If you prefer the dropped seat stay ride characteristics or aesthetic style, choose the PRO.
Upgrades Included: Internal routing (either InLine or In-Route) is available at no upcharge (normally +$495). Asymmetric rear end is also available at no charge (normally +$495).
Full Custom or Rider-Ready: Choose either our custom design program or our Rider-Ready order process. Same price for either.
Pricing: Complete bikes starting at $10,700. Bike payment plans start at $588/mo or 0% APR with a payment plan.
Why choose Seven's CT model over our PRO frame?
Toughness, Simplicity, & Value
Tougher: The CT employs Seven's constant wall titanium and carbon tubes. The material is, on average, thicker than the PRO. All of this makes the CT the toughest, most durable carbon frame available.
Simpler, cleaner look. No logos (other than the laser cut head tube badge). Simple, understated dropout design. Non-butted head tube aesthetic. Understated seat post clamp.
Simple Order Process. The CT is available through our Rider-Ready order process only. If you prefer a full custom design, order the PRO.
Price and value: Complete bikes start at $9,000, about $1700 less than the PRO, making it our most affordable carbon frame. At $5,595 for the frame, it's competitive with any stock performance carbon frame made in Asia. Whether full custom or Rider-Ready, the CT offers significantly more value than any other carbon frame. Complete bike payment plans start at $495/mo or 0% APR.
Choosing The Right Tubeset
Figure 1 illustrates which model is better for what type of riding and terrain.
For full details about models and tubeset selection, check out our tubeset to ride category comparisons. This page includes all categories of riding along with suspension fork and rigid fork models.
Why choose Seven's carbon-titanium over Seven's XX full titanium frame?
This one is simple. If you love the ride of carbon fiber but want significantly more durability, performance, and control, get one of our 622 bikes. If you don't like the ride of carbon or want the most durable ride, get full titanium.
Ride quality is more important than material. Control and handling on descents and technical situations is more important than material.
Carbon is generally better than titanium in these situations:
Pure road riding: If good pavement accounts for most of your riding, our carbon frames provide the best of carbon and titanium together.
Flat and flowing roads: If bike control through body English isn't required, if aggressive descending and tight switchbacks aren't needed, carbon works well. Carbon needs stable terrain for predictable handling and performance.
Dry pavement and supreme grip: When the rider has high confidence in the surface conditions, with no chance of losing traction or control, carbon shines. Carbon's stiffness means the wheels track without much flow or vertical movement. This behavior benefits from good paved surfaces.
Titanium is generally better than carbon in these situations:
The charts on the carbon tubeset and terrain page show many of the following concepts in graphic form.
Rough terrain: As the terrain gets chunkier, Seven's approach to titanium does a better job of providing control through our tubeset tailoring. Gravel riding and mountain biking are typically better served by titanium than carbon.
Loose terrain and poor traction: Titanium excels at flowing with the terrain to maximize tire patch contact. When in doubt of the riding surface, ride your Seven titanium bike.
Adventure biking: If you're doing touring or bikepacking, we only offer full titanium frames. Carbon does not do well with rack and bag mounts and cargo. Seven's S and SL framesets are ideal for adventure riding.
Tough on equipment: Seven's titanium can stand up to just about anything a rider can do. Our S and SL models answer this call.
Bike travel when an airplane is involved: Baggage handlers can do damage. A Seven full titanium bike will hold up to anything that comes along. Carbon, not so much.
Carbon rider + cargo weight limit is generally lower than full titanium. Details here.
