Redline Conquest

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at All Star Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
Umpstead State Park

Bike Setup:
Bone stock

Summary:
For the price, you can't beat this bike. This is my first cross bike, and I have hopes of racing it soon. The bike is fast, responsive, good climber, and fast, fast, and fast. I love the top break levers, I think that is a great feature, especially when your going 30MPH downhill riding on the tops, your not forced to change hand positions if you need to break. This bike feels very solid. I would have liked a carbon fork, maybe later, and a nicer crank and triple ring, but for the price and the other components, you can't beat it. You can ride this anywhere, and not worry about tearing it up.

Strengths:
Light
fast
solid
rigid

Weaknesses:
doube crank
low end crank
alum fork (but I really don't mind)

Price Paid:  $960.00 at Gregg's Greenlake Cy

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
John Wayne Trail

Bike Setup:
Stock set-up, I did try some different tires-for commuting and time pedals.

Summary:
A good solid riding bike for under a grand, I really enjoy this versitle bike. I also use this as my winter "rain bike" easy to install fenders on. Redline has really thought out many details, like all of the fender eyelets and attachment points.

Strengths:
I liked the stable ride qualities of the Conquest, I suppose Redline has figured out their geometry after 10 plus years of making 'Cross bikes. I appreciated the 'Cross gearing of the 46x36T since then shifting on the 12x25 cassette was tighter, than a 12x27. I like the extra brake levers on the tops, very handy for city riding. The Raze tires rode nice on the trails--a good alround tread. I am contemplating changing to disc brakes, so having the tabs on the frame and fork was a big selling point.

Weaknesses:
I changed to my own pedal system, so perhaps the bike does not need to come with pedals?

Price Paid:  $899.00 at sonoma cyclery

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
china camp

Bike Setup:
bone stock except for front and rear fenders for the rain and maybe down the road a triple crank set-up

Summary:
budget buy of the century great components smooth ride, quiet ride. looked at a cannondale synapse 4 much better components on the redline. ritchey branding is nice to see. i wish it had a triple chain ring for the steep stuff.

Strengths:
good components ritchey wheels hubs bar neck seat post bars all nice stuff. I also like the choice of brake levers. great price really rides nice and very quite witch is a plus in my book.

Weaknesses:
if there is one its that the frame is made in china.
only two chain rings
frame set up for disc brakes but hard to find correct wheel and hub for the rotor

Similar Products Used:
cannondale synapse 4
2007 cannondale F5 mtn (great bike) was daily commuter before redline

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Frame from Ebay + bu

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
TBD

Bike Setup:
Ultegra shifters, brake levers, cassette (12-25), derailleurs. Avid BB7 disc brakes, Bontrager Select Disc wheels. Redline Conquest Disc carbon fork.

Summary:
This review is for the conquest disc. I built it up over a four month period and love the way this bike rides. It is fast, comfortable and ascends trails like a mtn goat.

Strengths:
Great quality for the money, durable, strong climber and fast descender. It's a good-lookin' bike too.

Weaknesses:
I built up a small frame and depending on where I am in my pedal stroke, my foot occasionally rubs the front tire when turning. This is partially a result of the small sized frame, but also is impacted by the bike's geometry.

Also, it's not easy to find 700c disc wheels, and disc compatible carbon forks.

Similar Products Used:
Scott CX

Price Paid:  $900.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
M22 Benzie County MI

Bike Setup:
Stock except for pro post and switch to 32mm slicks.

Summary:
I bought a cyclocross bike because I moved from the country to the city, and my road bike can't handle the streets, roads and trails with holes, root pops, and small canyons. This Redline Conquest is a very pleasant surprise. It's quick, comfortable, and tough. I hit a good-sized (I think) hole I never saw at 20+ mph and, although it almost threw me off the bike, the Redline just kept on rockin'. I've ridden it in the city (pothole heaven), on trails, and on the road. It does it all. I won't put it up against my '05 Roubaix Comp, but for a cost difference of $2000, this is the bargain of the bike universe. My only regret: I didn't spring for the Pro model!

Strengths:
Does everything and does it well.

Weaknesses:
OK, after getting used to a carbon fiber frame, I'll admit the aluminum frame gives a stronger jolt, but that's to be expected.

Similar Products Used:
Kona Smoke