Performance Inc. 2001 R-105

Price Paid:  $629.00 at Performance

Bike Setup:
Standard Tiagra group with generic carbon fork and threadless headset.
Added:
Forte Classic saddle
Forte Pro stem (shorter to fit my short torso)
Weyless carbon seatpost
Michieln Super Comp tires
Performance Lunar Light tubes

Summary:
Just started getting more involved in road riding but couldn't afford to invest in a more expensive bike. This has turned out to be a good compromise. Doing 2 or 3 40+ mile rides a week now.
Bike weighed out stock at 21.5 (same as a more expensive Cannondale CAD5 I was looking at) Added a few lighter things (tires, tubes, seatpost) and put the usual junk (bottle cages, pump, bag, ect...) on. Carbon seatpost and better saddle really help the ride quality for this fairly stiff frame. Can still feel buzz in the pedals during long descents on rough roads but the fork is very smooth. Stiff bottom end climbs well. Performance branded "Look compatible" pedals harder to snap out of but easier to clip into than my old SPD's.
Have been keeping up with bikes at 3 times the cost so this will definitely do me until I decide if I want to go hard core. Bike coasts right along with the high priced spread so I'm not looseing too much in the Tiagra hubs.
Plain brushed aluminum frame with big "Performance" decal doesn't have much "cachet" or curb appeal but keeping up puts it in perspective.
Overall, a great intermediate bike or road trainer for MTB folks.
Do have to keep after the rear derailur adjustment. Have found that McLube Sailcoat dryfilm lube on the plastic piece under the bottom bracket helps. This stuff is also great on the hub seals. It's a dry film lube used by sailors to keep things constantly doused in salt water running freely.

Strengths:
Carbon Fork
Stiff frame
Good balance of components with no obvious cheap parts or weaknesses
9 speed freewheel with good range

Weaknesses:
Double chainring means front derailur has to be tweaked depending on which end of the freewheel you are using while in the big ring.

Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Super Sport
Klein Pulse Comp

Price Paid:  $700.00 at performance

Favorite Ride:
el corte de madera

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
got the bike to help with my recovery from acl reconstruction and to train for mountain bike racing. had a few older bikes with i was in high school and college (raleigh and diamondback) but this is much stiffer and lighter. if you are new to road-riding this would be a great place to start because of the price and components just swap the seat for one of performances' topo team saddles for a much more pleasing ride.

usually ride 50-75 miles at a time and i don't tire on the bike, fits me very well and i could not be happier...

Strengths:
price, component spec, fork, stiff frame

Weaknesses:
stiff frame, weak saddle

Similar Products Used:
raleigh, diamondback

Price Paid:  $750.00 at performance bike Oceanside

Bike Setup:
standard tiagra double with airstrike 2000 aerobars(for triathlons)

Summary:
great bike for new riders like me on a very small budget but ith a need for a great bike

Strengths:
great compents tiagra 9 speed with double crank
okay wheelset
threadless stem

Weaknesses:
heavy frame

Similar Products Used:
schwin traveler

Price Paid:  $749.00 at Performance - Online

Bike Setup:
Aluminium frame, carbon fork, complete Tiagra group, generic Look-style pedals, Continental Ultra 2000 tires

Summary:
You get what you pay for. And for this price you get alot. Not the best but a honest and solid mix of generic parts (bar, stem, seatpost, saddle, etc.), a complete Tiagra group and some decent wheels. The ride is okay and pretty smooth, even for some serious longer miles. The only thing what I changed right away was the saddle, but I think this was more a matter of personal preference. I'm only anoid by the Tiagra rear derailleur. Let's say it needs some attention after or during longer rides and it will be possibly the next upgrade. But again, you get what you see and this was the best value I found on the Web or by checking with retail shops (as a training bike for me). Comparable bikes normally sell for around $ 1000. 5 Stars.

Strengths:
-Carbon fork
-Smooth ride for a aluminium "Hardtail"
-Solid components

Weaknesses:
-Saddle (too soft)
-Rear derailleur needs to be adjusted after or even during longer rides (50+ miles)

Similar Products Used:
None - This is my first road bike and I'm using it for training purposes only. I'm primarly into mountain biking and my other bike is a Specialized FSR Stumpjumper Pro.