Bike Setup: Fulcrum Race 1s
Full Ultegra
Easton EA90 fork
Ritchey Carbon Bars
6.6kg
Summary: This bike exceeded my wildest expectations.
Whether you want a super light bike for climbing, a mean sprinter or for general road acing this bike will do it for you.
Haven't yet had a problem with it and I've been on it for 6 monthsa now. Really superb bike I would def recommend.
Strengths: Stiff as anything, very light, bombproof ( crash tested :D) and very responsive.
Dunno bout price in stores but I feel very happy with myt second hand price.(nzd)
Bike Setup: Campy Chorus 10. PRO Vibe 7s cockpit. Hanbuilt DT Swiss wheels. 15.5lbs
Summary: 2009 BMC Pro Machine. Purchased as a frame set.
I have worked in bike shops and had opportunities to ride lots of high end road bikes. The Pro Machine is at the top of my list. The ride is uncanny. It tricks you into thinking that the bike isn't stiff at all until you press the pedals and feel it jump out from under you. Apparently the smooth ride comes from the design of the seat cluster. It isolates the vibrations while leaving the lower half of the bike super stiff for power transfer. I've never been a more confident descender than on this bike. While it pedals very stiff, I think it has just enough give to keep it on track when hitting pavement that isn't smooth as glass. The ride never becomes unsettled like some of the jittery uber-stiff bikes out there. That said, the steering feels every bit as precise as the over-sized head tube bikes I've ridden. I initially tried the bike with the Easton carbon bars and EA90 stem but those parts were just not stiff enough for my tastes and really detracted from the feel of the bike overall. I often see Promachines setup that way so be aware.
Also, pay attention to the top tube measurement when you size the bike or you may end up with one that is way too big. BMC measures center to center and tend to be big for a given "size" compared to other manufacturers.
Strengths: Very Smooth ride. Just the right amount of feedback. Awesome handling. Super light without being super skittish.
Weaknesses: Easton cockpit is too noodly. Sizing can be tricky.
Bike Setup: Mix of Sram red (shifters and crankset) and force components. Mavic Kysrium wheels. Selle Italia SLR carbonio saddle.
Summary: Best bike for racing or century rides. As good as my scott addict for climbing while much more comfortable for rides over 50 miles. Must be something about the carbon that absorbs small bumps better than other frames while remaining very stiff. Stiffer and just as comfortable as my Ti lightspeed while saving 3 or more pounds.
Strengths: Light, stiff, comfortable, not fragile like the scott.
Weaknesses: None
Similar Products Used: Scott Addict, Litespeed Tuscany, Lemond Zurich
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Bike Setup: 55cm in Blue
SRAM red all over
Lightweight Standards (16/20 tubs)
Arione K1 Saddle
Newton Bar and Stem
Speedplays
Nokons all over - way better than Gore!
Garmin 705
6.3 kg fully made up.
Summary: Stiff enough to do all you want yet not scratchy in any way. The frame is compliant over the bumps and has enough torsion not to flex in the climb. Genrally a superbly well balanced, light and useable carbon bike.
Somehow the bike is really comfy to ride, even on my K1, with the road surface transmitted well yet not so much as to throw you around. The cornering is crisp and not jittery. I assume this is due to the forks being a little more flexible and the torsional rigidity being high enough elsewhere.
Climbing is no problem with total weight at around 6kg. The important fact is that descending is also surprisingly good which is again pretty much down to the steering.
Had a couple of, er, incidents involving potholes, falling on the floor and bad baggage handling. It's a little scuffed but the frame is really solid and totally bomb proof. Replacement hanger option is a god send.
Genuinely a cut above the rest - try one.
Strengths: Stiff yet not jittery, comfy, light and tough enough. Looks pretty funky in blue too.
Weaknesses: Poor FD cable routing. You need a torque wrench to do pretty much anything on it. If running Gore cables the plastic sheath sticks in the internal FD tube sheath.
Similar Products Used: Scott CR1, Viking
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Bike Setup: Campy Record. Chorus Front Derailleuer. PowerTap hub
Summary: This bike is has it all. Comfortable for a 100 mile ride. Stiff as hell for a sprint. It's light and very pretty to boot! It tracks and corners better than anything I've ever ridden and it just wants to go fast. It's edgy in a Ferrari sort of way. You can feel this thing just WANTING to go fast and it feels real comfortable doing it.
Strengths: Stiff, light, fast, and comfortable
Weaknesses: Too many people ask you questions about it.
Similar Products Used: Tested Trek, Bianchi, and Cervelo. None came close
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