Bike Setup: All Dura-Ace components, CycleArt paint job, Aerohead rims, Real hubs, Evo fork, Speedplay X2 pedals, Syntace aero bars, Syntace bull bars, Chris King headset, LOOK carbon post, Triathgel Saddle
Summary: Great Tri specific bike. Very aero, stiff, responsive and light.
Top tube is oval shaped and is supposed to "flex" for a more comfortable ride yet remain stiff. I questioned this at first but after riding it, I was convinced.
This bike has no integrated carbon but still doesn't beat you up like many other all aluminum bikes.
Very light, it's even good on hills, which isn't very common for tri bikes.
Strengths: Fast, responsive, light and great eye appeal - this is a beautiful bike. The paint job is amazing and the Evo fork is not only unique but very responsive and functional. I've even gotten compliments from some hard-core roadies, and you know how elitist they can sometimes be towards us Tri people. ha ha ha.
Bought it on E-bay for about 1/2 the retail value.
Weaknesses: Top tube is a little long for my taste but that is somewhat common with QR's.
Similar Products Used: "Old school" Trek, Cevelo P2K
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Summary: Tremendous bike for the price. High quality components - ultegra, mavic cosmos rims, syntace aero bars, etc. Excellent entry point bike at this price (though I did get it on sale from $2,199 retail), and even better bike to build on. The bike is quick and agile, though the agility almost, but not quite, rises to instability in aero position. I had the retailer swap the stock syntace stem for a shorter stem. Even at 6"-1" tall, this stem was too long. I also had the retailer swap saddles. The stock QR saddle is far too stiff. I have ridden the bike several times over 30 miles straight into prevailing, gusty ocean headwinds, and the bike handles exceedingly well in this regard. I cannot comment too much on handling on hills as I have only thus far ridden one steep hill and several intercoastal bridges. I attacked these hills standing on the pedals and was again pleased. The geometry of this bike - steep seatpost angle - is quite aero without sacrificing too much in comfort. I cannot yet comment on the significance of QR using a "compact" frame design on this bike, similar to what Giant is doing. Check out www.slowtwitch.com for their thoughts.
Strengths: Quality-Price ratio; ready to go bike without need for any significant modifications; looks cool.
Weaknesses: Oddly-long stem; stiff saddle; poor quality rim tape, causing a flat within 10 miles.
Similar Products Used: Specialized
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