Price Paid:  $3000.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
bald peak

Summary:
the bike accelerates very well and is most noticable under power in a sprint, power hills and climbing. The comfort of the bike is fine for me when compared to a steel bianchi, carbon steel spine lemond and an all aluminum cannondale. This bike rocks when you put the power to it.

Strengths:
times of maximum power output

Price Paid:  $2700.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Back Country rollers

Bike Setup:
Ultegra group and wheels. FSA Carbon BB30 double crank.

Summary:
I have the mid-year Liquigas model with Ultegra.

I upgraded from an entry-level Al bike. The difference is worth every penny. This bike is awesome for all around riding. I'm a self-described weekend warrior. I ride group rides, solos, centuries, mountains, and quick sprints around the neighborhood. This bike is excellent for sprints and climbing. I just completed my first century with this bike. It was more comfortable than my Al bike. I had a tightness in my shoulders, but that is expected for 100+ miles.

Strengths:
This bike is responsive. My old Al bike would flex for under 'mashing'. This bike accelerates immediately. I average about 1-3 mph faster over my regular route compared to the old entry-level bike.

I have descented at 40 mph several times on this bike. The oversized fork and head tube is rock solid on descents.

Weaknesses:
The Arionne Wing Flex saddle was awful at first. Once I got it adjusted just right, it has been fine.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Orbea

Price Paid:  $2700.00 at Just the frame Erik'

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Alpine Dam, Mt Tam

Bike Setup:
Record, Zipp contour handlebar (to take the sting off)

Summary:
This is a great bike, awesome bike, exhilerating and fun. Can't ask for much more. However I would like to make to clear to any prospective buyers - this is NOT a comfort bike. I am not sure what others who tout this bike as being comfortable for long rides are comparing the system 6 to, but this bike would not be the one I take off the rack for a century unless it was extremely hilly or involved racing.
I am not an old guy who has been riding forever, but I have had the luck to own several nice bikes. A custom landshark steel bike I have is lively and comfortable, not nearly as stiff, but for a century or a double, it does the job nicely. The much maligned Trek OCLV was even smoother - could have fallen a sleep on that one. R3 - similar to system 6, stiff, but maybe a little softer.
I have enjoyed reading the reviews because it nice to have so many people validate my purchase, but I think it is important not to be so enamoured with our dream bikes not to see some of their shortcomings.
System 6 is stiff and beautiful to ride, but you'll feel the bumps and the irregularities on the road. When you're fresh and early into the ride, it may not be as noticeable, but if you've hit the wall at mile 60 and you're dragging yourself home, you realize 2 things about stiff bikes: 1) even though they're fast, they still don't have a motor; 2) when you're dead tired, comfort is worth a lot.
Having said all this, I love my system 6. I would purchase it again and again for what it is - intermediate distance, when you're feeling really strong, put the hurt on your buddies bike.
Now with the Super Six available, the System Six has to be the best bargain around.

Strengths:
Stiff, fast, stable on descents

Weaknesses:
You pay for the stiffness with decrease in comfort.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Northstar Bicycles

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Neals gap, Wolfpen gap, Hogpen gap

Bike Setup:
System Six 1 with Dura Ace drivetrain, EC70 bars, Ksyrium ES wheels, and C1 carbon brakes.

Summary:
This bike replaced a crashed(and run over) CAAD9 optimo 1 which I was a big fan of. It was stiff, fast, and fairly light for an all aluminum bike. The System Six has most of the same characteristics but is noticeably lighter and more responsive to jumps and accelerations. Climbs beautifully and descends well. The lightness of the front end makes me nervous at times on fast twisty descents but it's always gone where I've wanted it to.

Strengths:
Light, stiff, nice component package. Efficient and comfortable for long climbs, sprints well. Love the Easton EC70 bars for long clibs and grinding on the flats. Most comfortable bar tops I've ridden.

Weaknesses:
Gets a little uncomfortable on 50 plus mile rides but that's what makes it so good at everything else. The C1 carbon brakes are junk. You can see the caliper arm flex under hard breaking and occasionaly get some brake chatter.

Similar Products Used:
Felt, CAAD7, CAAD8, CAAD9, Blue RC4, Scott Addict

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
anywhere as long as I'm riding

Bike Setup:
Stock SystemSix Si 3 with Ultegra and Dura-Ace rear derailleur, except for Specialized Toupe Gel saddle. Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels.

Summary:
I picked this bike up as an end of season close out, hence the great price, which was really just icing on the cake. I had been looking for a new bike for a while and test ridden a few in a much higher price bracket. After an hour on the SystemSix it was game over, and in the six months since my opinion hasn't changed one bit. This bike flies.

When I get out of the saddle for a sprint or to power up a short hill the bike responds almost before my legs do. I now catch the odd car on flats which impresses my riding partners no end. At the end of 4 hour rides when my legs are close to jelly this bike is stiff enough to let me still pull away from companions up hills.

When cornering and descending the bike is stable and responsive, and I'm yet to find its limits. I now take the sharper corners on my usual route 5km/h (minimum) faster than on my old Trek.

The Ksyrium Elite wheels are bomb proof in my experience. I've taken them over some very rough pavement and even through the odd pot hole and they are still perfectly true.

On the looks side I'll acknowledge the massive tubes and stem are a matter of taste. Personally I love it. I also love the naked carbon (no cosmetic weave) coupled with polished aluminum look. It says "this is what I am, now deal with it and ride me."

The only gripe I have is the Fizik Arione saddle. Some people love them, I don't. After 1000 km and some very painful long rides, it got swapped out for a Specialized Toupe. The cut out design works much better for me and now the bike fits me like a glove. At the of long rides I'm tired, but not beat up; my definition of comfort.

Overall I'd give this bike a 4.7, it loses a few decimal points for the stock saddle it came with. Rounds up to a 5.

Strengths:
Very stiff, very responsive. It goes when you tell it to up hills, and where you tell to on the way back down.
Value. I was looking and testing bikes twice the price and the SystemSix beat them hands down.

Weaknesses:
Saddle. The Fizik Arione doesn't work for me.
Weight. If I'm picky then this isn't a superlight, but the power transfer more than compensates.

Similar Products Used:
Scott CR1, 08 Trek Madone 5.5 (test rode; hated it, it felt fragile and I'm no heavy weight so I shouldn't be able to break it), Trek 1400, plus other test rides