Bontrager Race XXX Lite OS Carbon

Price Paid:  $275.00 at GUTHERIES, SLC,UTAH

Favorite Ride:
WHEN I CAN

Bike Setup:
'03 TREK 5200, SPINERGY, DURA-ACE,ZERO-GRAVITY,FSA,SPINCYCLE,BONTRAGER,EASTON,LITE AND FAST.

Summary:
GREAT STEAM KILLER LOOKS, NOT AS LITE AS ADVERTIZED, MINE WEIGHS 155G.

Strengths:
NICE , KILLS ROAD VIBRATIONS, ALONG WITH CARBON BARS.

Weaknesses:
NONE,,, THE GUYS THAT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE FINISH ON THIS STEAM , MUST LEAVE THERE BIKES OUTSIDE IN THE WEATHER.

Similar Products Used:
EASTON, RICHIE PRO,

Price Paid:  $140.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
hills

Bike Setup:
Look 585, DA, Fulcrum 1

Summary:
this nickel finish pills of due to corrosion. Does not effect the overall performance but kinda bizzare for a product that costs that much. Bontrager guys need to come up with a solution to that.

Strengths:
light and stiff. Looks great

Weaknesses:
faceplate valnurable to corrosion

Similar Products Used:
ritchey WCS, FAS K-Force

Price Paid:  $135.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
40-60 miles in the hills

Bike Setup:
Trek 5200, Ultegra components, Bontrager stem & bars.

Summary:
The stem has a beautiful finish. However I was surprized to see corrosion on the stem and screws after using for a summer. Sure, sweat can be very corrosive but for an expensive high-end part, you would think that Bontrager would have overcome this sort of thing.

Consider this... stainless steel boat props can spend long periods in salt water and still maintain a high lustre and no signs of corrosion. So there really is no excuse for the screws corroding.

Strengths:
Nice finish, vibration dampening, very light

Weaknesses:
Questionable durability with regards to the finish and screws. MSRP is $250 which is kind of high for something that shows signs of wear after a summer of riding.