Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Private Party Transa

Favorite Ride:
Skyline Drive, VA

Bike Setup:
2004 KG486
Dura Ace all around (I converted back from a compact R700 crankset)
Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL
Specialized Seat Post
Thomson Stem
Crank Bros Quattro Pedals
Terry Zero Y seat
12-27 cassette... (for hills, hills and more hills)
ITM Wing Bars (AL)

Summary:
I had been lusting after a Look KG486 for quite some time, when I had an opportunity to pick up a new frame for not a lot of cash... It took me another twelve months to buy all the requisite components to turn it into the bike I have today...

The reviews all comment on the weight of the frame, but as I am 187-lbs I figured a few hundred grams were not going to influence my cycling fun a whole lot. Besides, I believed (and correctly so) that the lateral stiffness of the frame might more than overcome the added weight 'penalty'.

I've ridden three > 50 mile rides, over some significant hills/mountains, and I am more than pleased with the efficiency of the frameset... It does seem as if all cranking energy is converted to forward speed. My other bike is a Salsa Campeon, and the Look seems to climb better. Interestingly enough, when equipped with virtually the same group, the Look is almost 1-1/2 lb lighter than the SC/AL Salsa... Where the 486 really shines is smoothness, and is this baby ever smooth!! it almost feels slower because it is so silky, but I know it isn't...

Strengths:
Very smooth, stable, and an efficient energy conversion machine... I won't see myself coming and going, like so many Trek owners do, and there are not many bikes that can hold a candle to it's pretty face...

Weaknesses:
The frame is something of a sail and is subject to strong cross-winds... As Jan once said, I was skating like Katarina Witt!! Holy Smoke -- too much excitement when descending very large hills...

Similar Products Used:
Salsa Campeon, Lemond Zurich

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Pro Order

Favorite Ride:
Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird Utah

Bike Setup:
Shimano Dura Ace groupo, FSA KForce light crank, FSA OS stem, K-Force carbon seatpost, K-wing Carbon bar, Look Keo Ti pedals, San Marco Aspide Composite saddle

Summary:
Wow....
Looks, stiffness, aerodynamics and lightweight. Snapy, tight, and fast as anything. Super (if not slightly to...)responsive in turns. Great for racing, TT, Crits, Tri. I bought this becuase I wanted soemthing light but with a bit more aerodynamics. I sacrificed a bit of weight for the shaped tubing and aero profile, but less than on other manufactureers aero fram styles. Built up with a super lightweight combo of FSA, Dura Ace and Mavic, ut looks amazing and soars uphills and in the flats.

Strengths:
Looks, shaping, stiffness, responsivness, speed, wow-factor and absolutely amazing power transfer

Weaknesses:
Tight geometry, so not a super comfortable century bike burt not bad. Heavier than the 585, but also a lot more aerodynamic. The responsivness requires a lot more attention than on other bikes, turn even slightly and the bike will follow. But for snappy response and sharp artistic good looks...it can't be beat!

Similar Products Used:
Salsa, Cannondale, LOOK, Pinnarello,