Description Looking for something a little less aggresive than the Roadie? Our new Sport frameset can soak up the road miles like no other. Designed for a more upright road position, with an emphasis on comfort. ...
Bike Setup: Easton EA90 SL wheelset
Michelin Krylion Carbon 23mm tires
Shimano Ultegra SL triple group (except BR650 brakes)
IRD Mosaic 57 carbon fork w/ aluminum steerer
12x25 cassetts
FSA Orbit X headset
Douglas Booty Luv saddle
Thomson Elite seatpost
FSA Wing Pro Bar
FSA OS150 stem
Planet Bike Superflash tail light
Pedro's Blowout Bag, 50ci
Genuine Innovations Second Wind pump + CO2
Blackburn Chicane cages
Cateye Strada Wireless computer
Crank Brothers SL pedals
Summary: So far I am very happy with this frame. The advance of my age and the constant press of technology finally left my 25 year old bike behind. I could not find an off-the-shelf bike with the versatility I needed and quality I expected to last me the next 25 years.
Extensive review of many candidate frames made me suspect that a stock Gunnar Sport would be right for me. To be sure, I drew my existing frame in CAD, overlaid a couple of the Sport sizes, took a lot of measurements of my body and bike, and e-mailed all of this to Richard Schwinn @ Gunnar along with my personal suggestions for how the new frame should be different and how I ride. My ideal frame turned out to be a close match to the 62cm Sport, so I did not have to go with custom geometry. Richard sent back a computer drawing and full specification/dimension printout, including recommended stem stack height and extension for my body on that frame.
The frame showed up in three weeks, built up easily, and rides exactly as expected. Compared to my previous frame:
Stable enough to tuck in and fly down 40+ mph hills around corners
More rigid bottom bracket
Better road shock & vibration isolation
More upright riding position for better hand comfort
Better seated/standing transition
No wheel/toe overlap
It also doesn't hurt that their "color of the month" was a gorgeous metallic orange with a hint of freshly cut copper.
Strengths: The key advantage of the Gunnar Sport is its versatility. Stable but maneuverable handling, good bottom bracket stiffness, and the OS2 tubeset make it work for citizen (non-elite) bike races. Add on a small rack and disappear for some credit card touring. Bolt on fenders for commuting.
Weaknesses: There aren't many brakes and forks available today for 57mm spacing. Fortunately the Shimano BR650 and IRD Mosaic 57 are decent choices. The frame weighs a couple pounds more than a premium carbon frame, but readers of this review probably won't consider that to be a problem.
Similar Products Used: Steel Geoffrey Butler 531DB cyclocross frame converted to road use and ridden since 1984.
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Bike Setup: This is my commuter/light tourer, so it's set up pretty BoB/Rivendell-ish. Barcons, 46cm Nitto Noodle bar, Sugino XD, British Racing Green Brooks B17 to go with the Sherwood Forest green paint job, SKS fenders, Ruffy Tuffys, Velocity Dyad 36h rims. It's pretty bulletproof and way comfortable.
Summary: This is the 2005 Sport---semi compact geometry, True Temper OX Platinum tubing. It's a fantastic bike. Ride is very comfortable, looks like a million bucks, doesn't complain when I occasionally take it offroad. I love it, I highly recommend it. It's nice to be able to buy an American made steel frame for the price Gunnar offers.
Strengths: Versatility. I've seen Sports set up as racers, and as light tourers. The upgraded paint job is beautiful
Weaknesses: I bought it to be my commuter, but it's too pretty to ride in the rain and sandy grit of Florida, so I'm looking for a beater rain bike. Plus, I don't like to lock it to racks, again, because of the nice paint.
Similar Products Used: None really
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Bike Setup: This is the new compact geometry Sport, with Gunnar steel fork. Ultegra 9speed, Kysrium Elites, Fizik Arione (best saddle ever). In 56 cm, this build came out right at 20 lbs without pedals. Light enough.
Summary: Performs exactly as advertised - smooth & stable on the descent, and if there's any penalty when climbing from the longer wheelbase I can't tell. handling is very predictable, but not boring - its still a sporty ride. Love the slightly less aggressive position - my bar is an inch and a half below the saddle, which is perfect for me. Excellent quality frame and fork, with no noises, vibrations, good paint job. I get a lot of compliments on the color - orange metallic over silver.
Strengths: Comfortable geometry in a lightweight road bike. Stable handling. Quality construction and materials. Good looks. Made in USA. Light enough for me - super lightweight bikes scare me. Confidence in the frame's strength.
Weaknesses: The low bottom bracket, while it contributes to the handling in a positive way, doesn't allow as much cornering clearance as you might like. Use pedals with max clearance or expect pedal strike if you pedal through corners, even at moderate speeds. If you like to pedal through or out of corners aggressively, you may prefer a Roadie.
Similar Products Used: Bianchi Giro (nice, but too aggressive for me)
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Bike Setup: Tiagra shifters, Ultegra derailleurs. MA3 wheels, Conti 700x28 Gator-skins. Terry Liberator. Triple with 12x28.
Summary: Rides just as I'd expected. I'm very pleased. I'll be using this bike for decades to come, just like my 1977 Peugeot.
Strengths: Nice paint, smooth ride. Well made. Love knowing the frame will take road abuse. Tracks a nice line, no vibration at +40. Frame will take a 700x32 tire if needed.
Weaknesses: Nothing really. I had to purchase long-reach brakes, and they only just fit, kinda thought I'd have a little room for adjustment. Not as light as aluminum, but didn't like the buzzy ride of aluminum.
Similar Products Used: 2001 Fuji Newest
1977 Peugeot UO-10
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Bike Setup: Steel frame/fork, Ultegra Long Reach brakes and FD, 105 Shifters,RD and crank, Velomax Circuit wheels, carbon seatpost, Ritchey Biomax and stem
Summary: I bought this bike used and abused. I stripped it bare of parts and had it powder coated. It looks brand new. I cleaned up the 105 parts and added some of my parts to build a 20.2lb(no pedals) 58cm with mostly 105 and Circuit wheels. I was going to use this as a beater bike but it has become my favorite. The steel frame and fork really are smooth. The geometry is relaxed which allows a bigger margin of error while riding in traffic, in a duathlon race or bike trail. I'm just as slow on this bike as my racer type bike. The fork is about 1/2 heavier than my Ouzo Comp but I like how the steel fork tracks and handles "real" road riding. I can't tell it is heavier. I would buy new if I had to replace this one. Even after used and abused, the steel frame rides like it is new.
Strengths: Solidly built steel frame(4.1 lbs for 58cm) and fork (1.7 lbs w/ nice crown). Geometry is suited for 90% of road riders. Stable ride. Up to 30/32C tires
Weaknesses: The steel pipes stand out among fatter aluminum or contoured carbon fiber(may be a good thing)
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