Bilenky Cycle Works, Ltd. Signature Ultralite

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Homewood Cycle (Best

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Changes every week

Bike Setup:
SRAM Force derailleur, SRAM Force brakes, Dura Ace cassette, Stronglight Pulsion 130mm compact crankset, Fulcrum 3 wheels,and Selle Italia Thoork Gel Flow saddle.

Summary:
Classification "Recreational Rider" is very limiting. For a recreational rider, I ride hard, and there are plenty of hills. The KOM was chosen after multiple bikes were tested. The bike is incredible. The frame is stiff, so the bike is extremely fast. Also, the bike climbs incredibly well. Basically, it does everything it's supposed to, and it does it darn well. I like it more as time goes by.

Strengths:
Stiff frame, extremely light (frame 1.9 lbs, complete bike is sub 14.8 lbs), fast, handles well, and climbs very well. Carbon Fiber is extremely high quality - same carbon fiber as Formula 1 car bodies use. Not many KOM’s around, so you don't see yourself much - not many out there.

Weaknesses:
The bike can occasionally be harsh when going over certain bumps or road holes, and it's sometimes hard to know which ones they are. Have had some issues with the Stronglight crank. Sytonglight did replace it.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale CAAD 8 (now on the trainer) with Dura Ace.

Price Paid:  $4000.00 at Bilenky

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Anything in the Berkshires

Bike Setup:
09 Centaur shifters with a Veloce road triple, centaur hubs hand laced (by me) to velocity Aeroheads. Michelin 700x25 Krylion Carbon's, Brooks swift saddle.

Summary:
I bought the orange ultra light on Bilenky's website (http://www.bilenky.com/studio_shot-_orangeblue.html). The fillet brazing is flawless and the paint even better than the pictures show. Overall the worksmanship is stellar, beyond anything I could have wished for. Knowing the people who built it and the care they put into their work sets my heart at ease on 40 mph hairpin descents. The bike is constantly complemented by other riders and the jewel of my small collection.

The bottom bracket is stiffer than my other steel frames and the fork tends to dampen out road buzz nicely. Unloaded the weight with 3x 32 spoke wheels, a triple crank and brooks saddle is about 21.5 lbs, so a sub 20 lb all steel bike is certainly a possibility.

After 10 miles or 100 the bike is stable and predictable, cornering is good but not as responsive as a criterium bike. Being able to fit a set of 35mm Honjo fenders to keep the winter road grit off has enabled me to keep riding through the western MA winter.

I am extremely satisfied.

Strengths:
Beautiful brazing and paint
Great customer service
Extremely versatile bike for fast rides, brevets or short tours.
Great ride characteristics.

Weaknesses:
Cornering is good but not perfect.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 560, Surly Crosscheck, Miyata 310