Rocky Mountain Bicycle Company Solo CX

Price Paid:  $900.00 at kaptein, Amsterdam

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Rocky Mountain Solo CX

Bike Setup:
Mostly standard setup
(shimano tiagra/105, FSA Omega crack set, Avid Shorty brakes, Alec Ace 18 rims).
Upgrades: Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires, Frog Legs additional break levers, ITM millenium stem (shorter).

Summary:
Price paid = Euro's!

I have had this bike for just a few months.
I am using it mainly on road in winter conditions (dutch winter means mainly wet conditions).
Occasionally I ride some trails or cross circuits.
I plan to use this bike also for travelling light (with panniers).

Strengths:
Perfect handling under all conditions so far.
Light enough.
Flexible: can be used on road, off road and can easily be fitted with racks for panniers or fenders.
Understated look (all black). For a road bike I wouldn't like that, but for an allround winter- and travel bike it's juist right. I also like the way it looks like juist the right mix of mountain bike (with the lightly sloping frame) and road bike.
Aluminium front fork was a big plus for me: this enables the use of front panniers for travelling (not sure whether I will ever do this, but the possibility is there).

Weaknesses:
Squeeking front brake.
Shouldering the bike is not ideal because of the sloping frame. Mine is a 54'. It's possible, but on a bigger sized frame it might be easier. (I knew this up front and for me, the way I use the bike it's not a problem).
Gears: I would have preferred a triple crankset (mainly for use as a travel bike in mountainous terrain). Will probably change the crank set. Although this one is really good.
Tiagra shifters are awkward. It's like churning soup: no idea what is happening inthere. They work but when compared to the Campagnolo shifters on my road bike, or even the SRAM X9 on my mountain bike, they are no match. Maybe it
I would probably have bought a CXD if it would have been availabe for an equally good price.

Similar Products Used:
Road Bikes:
Koga Miyata Prologue (steel)
Gazelle Champion Mondial (steel)
Herwerden Stealth Carbon (steel frame)

mountain bike:
Santa Cruz Chameleon

cross / travel
Gazelle Champion Mondial Tour (steel)
Gazelle Formula Tour (steel)

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Big Sky Cylcery

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Around Canyon Ferry Lake

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
Overall good bike. I do not like the chatter from the brakes in the front. I love the frame. Mine is the orange one. The fork takes the vibrations well. Low grade components

Strengths:
Frame Design is great for a 6 foot rider with long legs.

Weaknesses:
Chatter int he front brake drives you nuts

Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mtn Bike Element 50 - Mtn

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Scattolon

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Road

Summary:
This bike is great for poorly managed roads and can handle tough road conditions, I have even taken it out on some low and medium level trails and its held up great, just lower the psi in your tiers to around 70, dirt and mud is no problem for this bike.

Strengths:
Vary light less then 25 pounds, great for climbing stares with. set up with 18 gears you can get of to quick start and maintain a good speed, and in low gears Field and trail travel is a breeze.

Weaknesses:
When your riding you fell like you can handle anything with it but trust me taking a header on some good trails isn't always fun, don't worry the bike is perfectly fine tho. Not quit as quick as a traditional road bike of equal value.

Similar Products Used:
None yet