Redline 2001 Conquest Pro

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Anytime, anywhere.

Bike Setup:
New wheels: Ultegra Hubs with vintage Mavic GP-4 Tubular rims for racing. I use old Mavic beater-whe

Summary:
Bought it for the frame, I figured I'd slowly replace the 2nd-rate parts as they broke. Turns out I'm QUICKLY replacing the 3RD-RATE parts as they break.

Strengths:
Awesome frame: great looks, responsive geometry, smart cable-routing, thick TT for shouldering, and super light. The Shimano 105 derailleurs & shifters have exceeded my expectations, performing flawlessly in all types of conditions.

Weaknesses:
The rest of the components are far below the low expectations I had for them. The Radius brakes cannot stop the bike, they slow the bike. The 'Pizzaz' headset faceclamp snapped in half. I needed to re-dish the wheels the day after I bought the bike (both were off-dish by 5mm!); I've since replaced the wheels because they don't 'feel' right -- in other words, I have a BAD feeling about them. The saddle has texture ON THE SIDES??, so it was quickly chaffing holes through all of my favorite shorts. Also, teeth are breaking off the FSA chainrings -- what's up with that? And I'm pretty certain the components aren't under warrantee.

Similar Products Used:
I own far too many bikes to list them all here.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Bicycle Outfitters

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105, AVID brakes, Vuelta cyclocross wheels.

Summary:
A great deal on a very good all-around cyclocross bike. This bike is very fun to ride, and not ridiculously uncomfortable like some other cyclocross bikes.

Strengths:
Flexibility, bang for the buck. Good acceleration and predictable handling.

Weaknesses:
Not stellar fit & finish. Welds that look they belong on a freigher boiler.

Similar Products Used:
Kona Jake, Litespeed

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Freewheeler Bikes, G

Favorite Ride:
GT Ruckus

Bike Setup:
Bike is set-up from the factory except for the addition of a WTB Speed V w/cromo rails seat.

Summary:
I can tell already that the Pro will be my favorite ride by the end of the summer. This bike is versatile enough to be a daily commuter ride and also accelerates like a lightweight roadbike. The great thing is the Pro is a very utilitarian bike that also is a blast to ride. Overall this is one of the best bike values out there. Best $1000 I've spent in years.

Strengths:
Great frame (strong and responsive), quality components,weight (21 lbs), price (you won't find the same bike from another manufacturer at twice the cost), Great customer service, Tim Rutledge (helped design the Pro) has contacted me via email numerous times and answered all my questions.

Weaknesses:
I hate the seat (I'm not used to road style saddles), bar ends could be a bit longer.

Similar Products Used:
Diamondback.

Price Paid:  $450.00 at Excel Sports

Favorite Ride:
Yes

Bike Setup:
Chorus 9 speed shifters, hubs and rear der. 105 Crank (39x48), front der, BB. Ritchey logic headset, mutant stem, TTT bars. XTR Front canti and LX rear.

Summary:
I bought the frame and did the custom build option. I had a bunch of campy spare parts, and that is what I prefer so that is what I built it up with. For $450 how could you go wrong.
I would highly recommend this bike to some one who wanted just one bike. A cross bike is beautiful because you can road and offroad ride on the thing without having to change much of anything.
The welds are not the best looking in the world, but it is a nice bike none the less. I really don't think that should be a deciding factor on something of this level anyways.
This is a great weekend warrior or national level cross racers dream (I fall in between the two). If you go with this frame, you will enjoy yourself.

Strengths:
For $450 you get a frame that weighs less then most of the $1,000 Cross frames out there. Good and stiff, inexpensive, lots of tire clearance. Cool blue color. One of the very few in my size (I ride a 48cm for this bike)

Weaknesses:
Had to spend about an hour sanding down the paint on the fork steerer to get to bare metal just to I could put my stem on. Toothpaste looking welds, frame did not come with rear brake adjuster dial or BB cable guide. Minor detail, but still worth mentioning.

Similar Products Used:
None, first cross bike ever