BP Stealth BP-2 Carbon Monocoque

Price Paid:  $2179.00 at Pro Bike, OKC, OK

Favorite Ride:
100 mile

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace components, triple chain ring, Bontrager Racelite wheels, FSP cranks.

Summary:
This is an extremely fast bike, but the thing that impresses me the most is the frame`s durability. At the risk of a dubious impression, the frame has stood up to three wrecks due to high speed close pack riding. I have had the frame inspected thoroughly, and no faults or cracks have shown. One of the wrecks occurred at more than 25 mph, and I couldn`t ride for over a month. While I don`t recommend getting into the predicaments I did, these experiences more than proved the quality and workmanship of the frame. This is worthy of being called a "high end" frame, and easily compares well with frames costing twice as much. It also soaks up road bumps remarkably well. The ride is terrific, even with thin skinned racing tires.

Strengths:
extremely aero, a "bullet" for durability, looks like a work of art (the bike gets looks when I stop at traffic lights), easy to clean, still lightweight.

Weaknesses:
Not really a weakness, but one should be aware of how high crosswinds can affect handling; due to the larger than average surface area of this frame. But, that`s part of what makes it so strong.

Similar Products Used:
Trek, Cannondale, Giant, Klein

Price Paid:  $2179.00 at Pro Bike, OKC, OK

Favorite Ride:
BP Stealth

Bike Setup:
R2186 BP Stealth TT 58cm frame, DA/FSA cranks, Bontrager Racelite wheel upgrade, Crankbrothers eggbeater pedals, TT bars replaced with road bars.

Summary:
This is my first carbon fiber bike, and it is terrific. The light weight, stiffness and responsiveness is amazing. I`m a big guy for a bike at 5` 11" and 210 lbs. I have always been somewhat weak at climbing hills, until I got this bike. I still get dusted by the smaller and lighter riders, but the aerodynamics of this frame allows me to catch up on the straights. The positioning is perfect for my comfort on the centuries, and my butt isn`t nearly as sore by the end of the run as when on other bikes. I hate to admit it, but I`ve had two wrecks on this bike already, but I didn`t get hurt badly. I mention that because of how well the frame held up after those ordeals. It is built rock solid and has enough material in it to absorb more shock than many other carbon frames (and maybe some aluminum ones, too). This is what contributes to the great ride and comfort, especially on long runs. The absence of a top tube is a plus in my opinion, as it allows me to exit the bike easier when my legs don`t want to move. I carry a Camelbak, anyway, so I don`t need to worry about bottle racks. This ranks up there with more bike for your buck, at just over two grand and having Ultegra components and upgraded wheels.

Strengths:
Light, a bullet, stiff and responsive frame, FSP cranks, extremely aero.

Weaknesses:
The wide frame makes handling tricky in high crosswinds, although the winds have to be high and gusty for any real concern.
The through the frame cable routing is great for aerodynamics, but positions the rear derailer cable in a manner where it has to make a short 180 turn about 4 inches in diameter. This occurs just before it attaches to the derailer mechanism, causing stiff shifts to the lower gears. This is not the fault of Ultegra, but the routing design of the cable. The rear dropout design makes wheel removal somewhat difficult, until one is accustomed to working with that item.

Price Paid:  $899.00 at on-line

Favorite Ride:
Weekly Take No Prisoner's training ride with the guys from Jeff's Bike Shop and Team Go-Mart

Bike Setup:
Dura-ace bar end shifters with Ultegra drive train, brakes and BB. Chris King headset. Profile Design Split Second aerobars, cowhorn basebar, aerodrink, and forward seatpost with bottle cages attached behind the saddle. Topo 40 degree rise stem. Koobe SI saddle. Nimble Crosswind wheels/hubs with Ultegra 12-23 cassette, Conti Podium (front) and Sprinter (rear) tires. Set-up originally by Jeff's Bike Shop.

Summary:
This frame was originally designed by Mongoose who sold the patent/production rights to BP Stealth. Amazing bang for the buck. FAST. Great for the flats or courses with rollers, but questionable on courses with serious climbs. For races with lots of climbing I slap a set of aerobars on my Trek 5900. For the BP-2 I'd suggest a forward seat-post on flatter courses and a regular seat-post for hills, as the geometry is more that of a standard road bike. Good vertical compliance and lateral stiffness. A tiny bit on the heavy side for a carbon frame. Fork is outstanding, but the steerer tube is a little on the short-side; so you may need a stem with a steeper rise than you are used to, as did I. Paint quality is a little weak. Bottom line - badass bargain-basement blazer.

Strengths:
Slick. Eye-catcher. Comfortable to ride over long distances in an aero position. Stiff. Very fast. Affordable. Adaptable geometry for different terrain. Race proven.

Weaknesses:
A little on the heavy side for a carbon frame, but I'm biased as my other bike is a Trek 5900, and I'm not a great climber anyway. The paint job looks very nice, but is not terribly durable - easily dinged/scratched. The graphics are not what I would choose for a logo of a racing bike manufacturer. The carbon steerer of the fork is a little short. This combined with a short head-tube meant that I needed a stem with a steep rise to ride comfortably.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2300, Trek 5900

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
See above
bottem line would i buy this bike again
heck yes...in a heart beat...I love riding it...the price was great. it easy on my body because of so soft riding...even with the disc...this is not only a race only bike....comfort is great....cross winds not a problem...I understand that lack of a bolt on water bottle mount is not good with a few...But heck ...no place to really to place one

Summary:
I have had this bike set up in two types of riding. I am a time trial/road rider, 1st i set the bike up in a foward style...with the tip of the seat 1.5-2 cm behind the B/B, full time trial bar/bar end shifters, Zip disc HeD 3 spoke ft, 9 speed 11-21, 55/40 chain rings...After 3000 miles, i have changed to a road bar and set my seat tip back to 5cm behind the B/B....Both way worked great...two things...one becareful with what bottem bracket you try to use...because the chain rings may rub the frame...I asked about this and they said that others was using some kind of a spacer it using a dura ace B/B...i went with a race mate Ti...which has a adjustable chain line...
but i don't use a dura ace crank either. and it seems like it has a high speed wobble and in both set ups...I am not sure it is caused my a flexy fork...because i have to leave a large gap on my speed-o senser...or it will rub in a hard sprint....or because of the lack of the head tub not havin a contact point in two places ( ie noraml tube bike) Anyway...it only gives a hint...nothing has been bad...but the old way they say to stop wobbles, is grip the top tube with your legs...N/A on a bike with no top tube...I am using there aero fork....high dollar hetset...and no spacers. Very soild monting...And it just could be this way because of all the aero stuff as well...Still working on it

Strengths:
Aero
low cost
short and low head tube
long front center
And about everyone looks right by all them Ti bikes ..to check mine out....YES

Weaknesses:
crank B/B area may limit what you can use.
when in a forward set up...and the long chain stays...back wheel whats to hop in hard sprinting...because so far forward...Which is commen on made over road bikes...real tri bikes have a steeper seat angle and shorter chain stays to bring the rear wheel back under the rider...this bike is more in the lines of a Trek TT bike as far as angles.
and thats not a weakness....but not a steep angle bike....

Similar Products Used:
at 45 years old..i have riden everything from a sting ray to ...Ahhhh...well this bike....i have to admit....i was thrilled & proud to ride that sting ray at the age of 10....and toady i am agin thril

Price Paid:  $695.00 at my LBS

Favorite Ride:
McDowell M. Park

Bike Setup:
I purchased the frameset locally and built it up with a straight bp stealth fork, all Ultegra w/ Dur

Summary:
The first thing that I noticed about the bike is the appearance. The finish and overall appearance is superb as is the workmanship. It's an eye catcher. I ride to work when time permits and people have actually asked questions about the bike when I'm slowing up to a light or (unfortunately) stuck at a light. Haven't experienced that before. Enough about the superficial stuff. The bike rides like a dream. In my book, carbon is superior to aluminum, steel, and titanium. Light weight and comfortable. I have found that the bike is very responsive and well balanced. It took a little while to get used to the responsiveness, probably due to the straight fork blades. The bike feels lively and climbs great, little if any noticeable flex. I could tell an immediate difference in the way it felt compared to my 3 other bikes. Unbelievable. Any way - more than 3,500 miles on it and it rides the same as when new.

I researched this frame in detail prior to purchasing. (I'm like that - it even drives me crazy). Here's what I found - since I live in Phoenix, I was fortunate enough to visit bp Stealth and had demo'd the bp-2 at a local dealer (Air Park Bicycle). I liked what I found. I had considered purchasing a frame with the same (or very similar) design online for about half the price. Why pay more? After examining cut aways of two of such frames it was clear to me that there was a difference. I was shown that the design may be very similar, but materials and manufacturing processes are not! With no further consideration I went with the bp stealth. I didn't want to get stuck with a frame without a warranty or in one case have to pay international shipping to have the frame warranted if there was a problem. Little things like a bent or broken replaceable derraileur hanger turn into major problems. I didn't even think of that until I broke one recently days before a race. Wasn't even a problem. Had one in hand the next day.

Strengths:
It's comfortable, it's standard so I could swap over components from one of my current bikes and it didn't break the bank. It comes with a manufacturers warranty and a no fault crash replacement warranty. I contacted bp Stealth for a replacement derailleur hanger which they provided free of charge. I'd recommend the bp stealth to anyone who is looking for a great carbon tri frame.

Weaknesses:
Really no true weaknesses but maybe they should offer custom paint for those of us who would like it.

Similar Products Used:
Airborne Zeppelin
Trek Hilo
Kestrel 200 SCI