Look AL 384

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at Friend

Favorite Ride:
Denver Downs/Ma' Bridge

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace everything, Look pedals, Look all carbon fork, Mavic Cosmos(training), American CLassic 350 (racing), Fizik Poggio, Look Seatpost, Itm Bar/Stem, Profile designs carbon cranks.

Summary:
This bike is awesome. When you want to really accelerate out of the saddle it is really stiff, yet on descents it handles like porsche. The welds are super clean and the finish on the bike is so nice. The all carbon fork and carbon rear give a real plush ride on not so nice roads. Buy it if you want an all out high performance bike.

Strengths:
Handling, lightweight, acceleration.

Weaknesses:
The shifting cables rub on the head tube and wear the paint away. Put some clear tape on the head tube when you get one.

Similar Products Used:
This is it.

Price Paid:  $3500.00 at Bike Pedlar, Nashvil

Favorite Ride:
Keel Mt

Bike Setup:
Small frame, Dura Ace, Shimano Dura Ace wheelset

Summary:
Excellent light and stiff road bike, but with compact geometry that allows a setup for triathlon/time trials. I am winding down in my triathlon career, and wanted a better road bike than the Catalyst that would also be good for triathlons so that I could sell my Cannondale Multisport. The AL 384 accomplished both goals and then some. I was fitted at a pro level shop and found that most frames I was interested in were too long in the top tube, but that this frame was a perfect fit.
The bike weighs about #18 with a relatively heavy saddle and not super-light wheels /tires. It is quick and respnsive, but not twitchy or unstable on descents. It is stiff in the bottom bracket, so that each pedal stroke feels like 100% input to power. Therefore it climbs extremely well, and accelerates quickly. The carbon rear stays work well to dampen road vibration, which increases comfort significantly on longer rides, even though the frame is smaller and stiffer than the Catalyst. With the compact geometry I was able to change to a Eurpoean/John Cobb slam timetrial postion and was much faster than on my triathlon bike. The bike is very well constructed, with good welds, nice paint job, and an integrated headset. I have 1,000 miles on it and am very happpy with this choice. It also scores well in style, as I have not seen anyone else with this ride. If it is a good fit, the AL-384 with it's compact geometry is an excellent choice for road and triathlon time trialing.

Strengths:
Lightweight yet stiff in bottom bracket. Carbon stays really work to dampen road vibration and increase comfort

Weaknesses:
Compact geometry if you are a purist. It's not cheap. It needs to be a perfect fit.

Similar Products Used:
Litespeed Catalyst with ultegra, Look HSC fork and Shimano wheelset: Cannondale Multisport 2000 with spinergy wheelset.