Aegis Victory

Price Paid:  $1700.00 at Now closed LBS

Favorite Ride:
To Rabbit Hash KY

Bike Setup:
Campy Record/Chorus mix, Neuvation wheels, Campy pedals, Fizik Arione saddle, Two bit legs

Summary:
Update from my 2002 & 2005 reviews: Still love the bike. I haven't had a single problem with it. It still looks as good today as it did the day I bought it five years ago.
Bottom Line Question: Would I buy another Aegis Victory?? Yes, without hesitation.
How have I used it: Recreational riding at about 4000 mile/year, many trips to Colorado/Wyoming/NC to ride, and a few races and duathlons

Strengths:
Light, stiff, good looking and singular. Around this area, I doubt I've seen more than one or two Aegis Victory's

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Colnago, Felt tri bike, Tsnami frame with Veloce, GT MTB

Price Paid:  $1700.00 at Going Mobile Cincinn

Favorite Ride:
Any empty country road

Bike Setup:
Aegis black bionic weave Race stock, Campy Record with Chorus shifters, Neuvation wheelset, Fizik Arione saddle. Weighs in at around 16lbs.

Summary:
Update: The frame is actually a 56cm (typo last time) - though the labeled 56cm measures to a 58cm. The frame cracked along the toptube July '04. Aegis fixed and returned it to me at no charge within 3 weeks. Whoa!! It was a manufacturing defect. Still a very stiff, plush ride. Very, very light with my Neuvation wheels and Campy Record/Chorus components. I'm a big guy at 6'1" and 185-190lbs. Great climbing bike - heck my climbing improved.

Strengths:
Stiff, light, and great looking. Hey...looks ARE important. Topnotch warranty from Aegis. I liked it much more than the Colnago C-40 I test rode.

Weaknesses:
My concerns with the longterm viability of CF are dissappating. I would use gator skins on the chainstays near the BB since it will scratch if your chain falls off. Mine did.

Similar Products Used:
Colnago Bititan. Diamondback Expert. Tsunami with OP/Record & Veloce (current 'rain' bike)

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at individual

Favorite Ride:
Hand picked in my area

Bike Setup:
Blueberry/Bionic Weave Paint Scheme, Ouzo Pro Peloton Fork, Full Campy Record Carbon w/Carbon Cranks (Compact) 11-23 cassette. Mavic Ksyrium SL SSC Wheels, Conti Attack/Force Tires,FSA K Wing Bars, ITM Sword Seatpost. ITM Forged Carbon Stem

Summary:
I Built this one from scratch. It Rocks! Totally stable at any speed, handles like a Maserati. I corner in 1/2 the space it used to take me. Total Confidence after just one ride. Had a bad wreck last year and the first time out on this bike, I was pushing corners 5-10 mph faster. No twitchiness at all. Stiff Frame accelerates like my old Cannondale. The paint job looks great. Cannot Fault anything about the package. I don't know if the great handling comes from the stiff frame or the slightly stretched out peloton fork. My other bike is a Vortex w/full Dura-Ace and it feels good, but nothing is as rock solid as the Victory. Tall head tube gives a more relaxed riding position. Would recommend to anyone who rides aggressively. Frame is sized larger than some.

Strengths:
Handling is unbelievable. Replaceable and adjustable dropouts. Great design.

Weaknesses:
None So Far.

Similar Products Used:
Colnago C-40, LItespeed Vortex, Cannondale Caad 3

Price Paid:  $2400.00 at Halters Cycles Monmo

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace 9spd, Deda Magic stem and bar, Look carbon post and San Marco Aspide saddle. Race wheels are Zipp 340 old school! Training is Mavic open pros with Dura Ace hubs. Vedrstine fortrezza tyres I like the regular fortezzas better than the tri comp both are good but the cheeper ones last longer and ride as good.

Summary:
I got to test ride a Ageis r/s victory for a month. And although the test bike was a bit small. I knew this was the bike I was looking for. I was very intrested in carbon frames and road and borrowed everyone I could find. The Victory was the best with a Look 486 a close second. The first thing I liked was when I ordered the frame the company asked questions about me and my riding. Im 180 lbs sprinter type and do a lot of crits. They suggested the Race Stock with the bionic weave. I cant technicaly tell you how but this set up is a sprinters dream. I have only felt minor flex in full hard sprints and there is no loss of the comfortable carbon feel. This is the most comfortable bike I have owned or ridden. I also handles well in the corners. The NJcrit scene is full of sharp turns and attempts to avoid bad racers. The bike just complies with out pushing or getting that uncomfortable "where is the bike going feel" With frame weights dropping in any material I cant say its the lightest. But I do some climbing in upstate NY can feel the difference from other comprably priced aluminum and steel bikes. Not a fan of Ti. If your considering a carbon frame you really need to try an Aegis it is the best I found. The Victory r/s with bionic weave is a high end bike so if buget is a concern It may be out of reach but if Aegis other frames are made as well they may be an alternative.The Aegis I got was worth every penny!

Strengths:
An All USA Bike! Comfortable beyond belief. Still light even if its not the lightest. If you like a sharp quick handler youll like this. They changed the clamping system in 2003 and is much better.

Weaknesses:
Not the lightest. but how light can you really go.

Similar Products Used:
Guru Racelite,Cannondale cadd 5,Guerchotti El/Os (owned)
Look 486,Look ks light,Calfee, Corima, Trek, and Giant carbon frames (tested)
Did one 1hr ride on a C40 but it wasnt enough time to comment. And tried a Weyless carbon bike but what should you expect for so little.
Guru foco and a few Serrota steel frames Loved the ride but feel steel should be left for buses and 4x4s.

Price Paid:  $1700.00 at Going Mobile in Cinc

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere without cars

Bike Setup:
60cm Race stock Pro with 'bionic weave' ...whatever that is. Campy Record groupo, speeddream wheels, Selle Italia gel flite saddle, Vittoria Corsa CX TT open tires, campy pro-fit pedals.

Summary:
My first CF bike coming from Ti and Steel. Very plush ride. Very comfortable. Very light with my components and wheelset. I test road several other bikes (Trek, Colnago C-40, etc) and this bike had the nicest ride.

I got the frame/fork for $1700 from my LBS. It was too good of a deal to pass by since this frame/fork lists for around $2500 plus.

Strengths:
stiff. plush ride. lifetime warranty. Looks great. Very, very light. And..as an added bonus..the frames are rare.

Weaknesses:
I am still concerned about the long term viability of CF.

Similar Products Used:
Colnago Bititan frame. Diamondback Expert steel frame.