Performance Inc. Forte SL-1 Road Bike

Price Paid:  $799.00 at Performance Bike Sto

Favorite Ride:
Rt 59 Forest Preserve Tr

Bike Setup:
Stock except for the replacement of the wheels w/ Mavic Cosmic wheelset

Summary:
For a generic this bike kicks butt. I replaced the Alex wheels with some Mavics and was very pleased.

Strengths:
Light, fast and cheap.

Weaknesses:
Alex wheels. I broke two spokes within the first month. The in-line derailuer adjustment doesn't work very well if at all.

Similar Products Used:
My first road bike since my Schwinn Le Tour in the 80's

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Performance Bikes in

Favorite Ride:
Forte SL-1

Bike Setup:
Frame size is 54 CM. I had to swap the stock 100mm stem for the Forte SL stem (an extra $39.99). I heard about the tubes blowing so I bought some rim tape ($4.99)

Summary:
I wanted a light affordable bike to replace my old '91 Specialized Epic Comp.
The aluminum frame has some aero dynamic tubes. The brakes are the Performance house Forte brand, the wheels are Alex rims with Performance hubs. The drive train is Shimano 105. Pedals are Forte Classic with Look Red Cleats.

Strengths:
The frame and carbon fork are light and responsive. The spokes are 14/15 butted to reduce rotational weight and produce a livelier ride.

Weaknesses:
Quality assurance is a little weak. My original purchase had a ding (crack) in the fork and had to be swapped out. I'm glad I noticed that before descending.
The Forte brake's poor hardware (calipers, king-pin, etc)caused squeaks and visible flex/play. Why can't they use aluminum nipples?

Similar Products Used:
1987 Specialized Sirrus
1991 Specialized Epic Comp

Price Paid:  $829.00 at performance

Bike Setup:
stock for right now

Summary:
alex 400 rims, look pedals, pretty light, carbon fork

Strengths:
pretty light, great value, decent wheels

Weaknesses:
i HATE the pedals, i always slip out of them

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Performance

Summary:
Aluminum frame with carbon fiber forks. Alex 400 rims with straight pull spokes. Performance "Forte" brake calipers, seat post and LOOK sylte pedals. Shimano 105 componets else where.

Strengths:
A lot of road bike for the money.

Weaknesses:
Rim tape will need to be replaced before riding, else you will be repalcing the tubes also.
The non-threaded stem leaves little adjustment room...some riders may want a less agressive position. A mountian bike stem extender (1 1/8 inch) will provide the desired adjustment.

Similar Products Used:
None, first road bike. Used my mountian bike for commuting before.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Frame: Double Butted 7005 Aluminum
Fork: Carbon Fiber with Alloy Steerer
Rims: Alex R-400
Components: Shimano 105
Pedals: Forte Classic (Look type mfg by Wellgo)

Summary:
This is my first road bike so I can't comment on the finer details. I was all prepared to drop $$$ on one of the more popular name brand bikes when I saw this deal and couldn't pass it up.

So far I've been very pleased with this bike. The bike handles pretty well and is fairly light (19lbs) relative to my old mtn bike. The only downside so far is that the stock rubber tape around the rims either shifted or wasn't aligned properly so I ended up with blowouts on both tires the same week (fortunately this happened while the bike was at home). At least I'm pretty good at changing tires now! Other than the few bucks I spent on new tubes and rim tape, I'm more than happy with this bike. Aluminum frame w/ carbon fork and Shimano 105 components for $730 w/ free tool pack--too good a deal to pass up. Eventhough I ordered this bike online, you can bring it to your local Performance Bike store to have them assemble it for free. You also get lifetime adjustments as well.

NOTE: At first they wanted to charge me for assembly but it does say specifically in the assembly instructions that you can have them do it for free. This bike comes with a double crank, but the mechanic I spoke with at my local Performance Bike store said that they will let you swap out parts if they carry those parts as stock parts (i.e. not the cheapy components, Shimano 105 and above). You just have to pay the price difference and installation costs. So it is possible to switch the stem or convert to a triple crank. But you have to request this when you have the bike assembled.

Strengths:
Great value. Aluminum frame & carbon fork w/ 105 components for under $800. Excellent bike for first time riders.

Weaknesses:
Rim tape may need replacing if the stock rubber tape on the rims isn't aligned properly.