GT Bicycles, Inc. 1999 ZR-4000

Price Paid:  $100.00 at Classifieds (Frame/F

Bike Setup:
RSX Hubs
RSX Crank
Bontrager handlebars
42 x 14 fixed-gear

Summary:
I'm currently using the frame and fork for a single-speed (fixed-gear). I bought it used from a guy who'd obviously never really used it for $100! The steal of a lifetime.

Strengths:
- Responsive
- Decent cornering
- Accelerates well
- Light
- Great deal for its price
- Would be very good for a first bike, and could easily be raceable.

Weaknesses:
- Stiff (harsh) ride
- It'll bounce ya around if you're light.\
- If you're looking into making it into a fixed-gear, it's tough cuz it's got vertical dropouts

Similar Products Used:
Steel frames
High-end frames

Price Paid:  $692.00 at New Hope Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Central/Upper Bucks County, PA

Bike Setup:
54mm triple-triangle' aluminum frame, Schimano 105 components.

Summary:
What a great bike for the money. Rock solid on the steep, bumpy downhills typical for the Bucks County, PA rides I mostly do. The small front sprocket is a life saver on the corresponding steep upgrades following coveredbridge crossings and the aforementioned steep downhills. The 'triple-triangle' aluminum frame makes for a very light bike compared to similar (and more expensive) steel framed bikes. Looks like everyone else got RSX components, I got the upgraded 105's with mine ;) After 400 miles I can say that the seat is uncomfortable, but marginally useable. I will have my wife get me a new seat this Christmas. Overall: A great value for a first or second road bike. Excellent for beginner through intermediate riders. Experienced riders will have to upgrade too much to make this bike worth while to them.

Strengths:
Great components, lightweight frame, solid feel, outstanding price, low gear selection.

Weaknesses:
The aluminum frame will pass every small bump right up through the seat and into your a$$. (very minor, IMO)

Similar Products Used:
I checked out other bikes in the $600-$1000+ price range: Cannondale, Bianchi, Panasonic, and one other(?). The GT was the lowest price model and gave me the best initial impression.

Price Paid:  $670.00 at International Bicycle

Bike Setup:
stock, except switched seat to Selle Italia Flite Trans Am

Summary:
This is the first road bike I've purchased. I didn't want to spend more than $800. I've been very happy with how much bike I got for my money. The RSX components and clipless pedals have worked well. The front derailleur micro-adjust was stuck and the tension was not set correctly out of the shop. In forcing the chain into gear, I managed to break the plastic dust cover off the brake/shift lever. It's working better now that I have adjusted it properly. I also got a lot of flat tires when the bike was new, including a front tire blow out (fortunately at a low speed). Now that I've replaced the tubes myself, it's been better.

The aluminum frame and fork are very light and stiff. This is great for climbing, but it can make for a slower and less comfortable ride on rough pavement, especially with the stock seat.

I've riden the bike pretty hard, including a few centuries and a triathlon. It has held up great and is competitive with bikes costing much more. It's made me enjoy road riding enough to justify spending more on a bike. But why bother?

Strengths:
light, stiff, great climber, decent components

Weaknesses:
stiff fork, uncomfortable seat, poorly assembled (may be fault of bike shop)

Similar Products Used:
None. Tested Giant, Schwinn and Lemond in price range.

Price Paid:  $550.00 at Ocean Beach Bike Shop

Bike Setup:
Shamano RSX components, etc.

Summary:
Buying a road bike these days is almost as bad as making wedding plans. With the exception of bikes like Trek and Cannondale (who seem to be the primary road bikes that bike shops sell), if a bike shop doesn't carry a certain brand (i.e., GT) it seems as though any other brand other than the brand a particular shop sells, basically sucks. According to pretty much every bike shop I called. Which was ALOT!!!

I did not want to pay $1,000 for a road bike. I don't care if it weighs a pound or MAYBE 2 pounds lighter! Esentially, every bike I looked at seemed to weigh about the same. I got a GREAT deal on this bike. I must have made at least 50 phone calls all together and went into about 10 bike shops. I could not find a deal near this good anywhere. I probably got the last one in San Diego. Actually, I know where one other exact bike is but they wanted $130.00 more than what I paid.

I'm looking forward to riding alot very soon.

Strengths:
Price, Looks (color and flat-out look of bike) Metallic Silver turns heads and looks better than almost anything I saw in the stores.

Weaknesses:
Seat (hard and uncomfortable).

Similar Products Used:
Looked at Raleigh R500. Basically the only other bike I could find in the price range I was looking for.

Bike Setup:
factory except for replaced seat

Summary:
New to road bikes so I won't brag on the bike much. I definitly feel it was worth the money and I haven't seen any comparably priced bike I'd rather have. Only complaint is the super hard seat.

Strengths:
RSX stuff
paint job
climber

Weaknesses:
CRAPPY seat!!

Similar Products Used:
None