Strengths: Climber
Sprinter
Corners like Barry Sanders
Descends
Among the smoothest for aluminum.
Beautiful frame! (from the moment I had my bike built up I've get compliments on the bike)
Very smooth welds!
Different from a lot of other bikes.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
This is a review for the 2006 SRS 3 frame. Do not let the outstanding price fool you. I've had the frame built up a little over a week and I've put about 160 miles on it with a lot of climbing. The frame almost has as good of a ride quality as my former LeMond spine bike for a fraction of the cost.
The frame has a semi aero downtube with remarkable rear dropouts. The rear triangle is compact with super thick chainstays and seatstays that add to great power transfer.
The frame climbs, sprints, descends, and corners as well as any high dollar racing frame.
This is a beautiful frame with smooth welds. I already have a lot of compliments on the bike.
Strengths: Strong Shimano groupset
Fast acceleration and very responsive
Gorgeous frame
$25 rebate
Weaknesses: Shipping is sloooooooooow
Site could have an option to upgrade brake pads to and tires - would've saved some time and effort
400mm seatpost too long, unnecessary added weight
Bottom Line:
The value of this bike is amazing. I was thinking of getting a Specialized Allez Elite Triple for $1150, which had some old 9 speed 105 parts and mostly components from other companies, for comparison. The bike arrived in so much bubble wrap it took 20 minutes to take it all off, but arrived unscathed. The derailleurs came out of tune, and the most dangerous aspect is the derailleur hanger came with the bigger, load bearing bolt missing, which I didn't realize until my LBS pointed it out. But their $25 service rebate covered everything, a full tuneup, the bolt, and a seatpost cut of 5 inches (seat wouldn't go down all the way due to waterbottle screws blocking passage.
Roadies pass me by and can't help but notice the beautiful SRS-3 frame. This bike, my first road bike, was worth the two week plus wait.
I looked up how much it'd cost to build this bike if I got all the parts separately on eBay/retail - the best I could do was $1700. Without a doubt, buy this bike.
Bike Setup: SRS-3 frame with full Shimano 105 group, Bontrager Select wheelset, stem, and seatpost, Selle Italia C2 saddle, Michelin Krylion tires, A520 pedals
Strengths: Comfortable, yet stiff for climbs.
Handling
Weaknesses: Too soon to tell
Bottom Line:
Bought the SRS-3 frame, and built it up with Ultegra 10 speed components, Ritchey Biomax bars, seat post, carbon fork, and wheelset. After building, I planned on taking it out for a ten mile shake down ride. Ten miles turned into thirty, and I would have done more if not for trying to beat a rain storm home. The bike has a nice comfortable ride, even on some of the rougher sections of road I hit. Handles like a dream also. It rolled through the downhill corners as tight as I wanted to keep it. The frame is also stiff enough to make it climb those same hills. Buy this bike, and you will be happy. I know I am.
Weaknesses: Too early to tell about long-ride comfort with the compact Al rear triangle, but we'll see. Not really a weakness...
Bottom Line:
Not enough space to say all the good things about this bike. But we'll try:
1. VALUE. I defy anyone to find a bike at your LBS with a spec like this one for under $2000, much less $1299! I paid $1224 thanks to a military discount from Flyte.
2. FLYTE CUSTOMER SERVICE: My bike arrived with a damaged front wheel and out-of-tune derailleurs, and Flyte was SO apologetic. They sent a replacement front wheel and a credit for my trouble. Nobody stands behind their product like these guys! Thanks Jason!
3. Looks/bling factor: Easton wheels, FSA components, full Ultegra, and a bad-a$$ matte black/blue/silver paint job--SWEEEEET.
4. The fit/ride: AMAZING. Quick, responsive, comfortable, and nimble. Flyte's online frame/stem/bar fit process got me the most comfortable setup I've ever ridden, sight unseen! Acceleration is super quick with the AL rear triangle, and the vertical compliance of this frame is better than any all-AL frame I've ever ridden. Comfort might end up being an issue on 50+ mile rides, but that can be easily fixed with a carbon or Ti post.
The bottom line is that this is an incredible bike for the price, Flyte stands firmly behind every single bike they sell, and you won't find a better bike for the money anywhere anytime soon!
Bike Setup: SRS-3 with full Ultegra and CR3 carbon fork, FSA SLK cranks, Fizik Aliante Carbon saddle/SL 280 post, FSA OS-170 stem and RD 200 bar, Flyte line cables
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