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Submitted by
John in Sunnyvale
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: April 2, 2009
Strengths: Light weight, vertical compliance, lateral stiffness, the miracle of carbon. The large radius fillets make it a real looker while keeping it traditional.Weaknesses: Other bikes of this vintage would have an integrated seat-post.Bottom Line: Speed: This bike is a solid climber and is just twitchy enough to handle a manic group ride/race. Coming off of a "weapons grade" aluminum Cannondale, I was expecting this bike to feel a little noodley while stomping pedals with the big ring.
Not so. The FSA crank-set with the rest of the drive train from Dura/Ace brings out the best in this bike. The Zipp wheels get and hold their RPMs faster than a banker can spend his bail-out bonus.
Comfort: I'm continually amazed by the plush ride of the ibis SILK SL. The Richey bars are as sweet as a can of frosting with a spoon. The fizik Arione seat needs no introduction. The way the bike coddles the rider feels like I'm cheating. It takes the sting out of the road.
Style: Black on black with minimal graphics make this a bit of a sleeper.
Buy it if: you like to fly
Skip it if: You like to ride hands free.
Favorite Ride: Calaveras or any twisty with no cars
Price Paid:
$5360.00
Purchased At: Wrench Science
Similar Products Used: I tested wonderful bikes from Scott, Orbea, Time, and others. Those frames cost ~ twice as much and didn't make any noticeable difference in performance. I think the wheel-set has more to do with the feel once you are on a carbon rig.
Bike Setup: Easton EA90 forks, FSA K-Force Light cranks, Ritchey WCS Evo carbon bars, alloy stem, Cateye micro-wireless, Thompson post, Arione seat, Zipp CSC team issue wheelset, Crank Bro's eggbeater Ti pedals, Vittoria Open Corsa tires and everything else is Shimano D/A
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Submitted by
grutzmac
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: March 27, 2009
Strengths: Light (Superlight!) stiff, comfortable, sexy, uniqueWeaknesses: none yetBottom Line: Absolutely the best ride for the money! Last season I rode the Felt F1 SL with Dura-Ace w/ Fulcrums and this bike is 30% less expensive and 60% stiffer in the BB. I weigh in at 150 and the Felt had almost to much flex in the Bottom Bracket for me. It was a super nice ride but the Silk SL has all the positive attributes of the Felt F1 SL w/ more BB stiffness. The geometry (53) feels very similar. Bottom line you can find a sweeter ride for the money.
Favorite Ride: Lamar Valley to Bear Tooth Pass
Price Paid:
$5199.00
Purchased At: The Hub Bicycle Serv
Similar Products Used: Felt F1 SL, Cervelo R3, Giant TCR
Bike Setup: Dura-Ace, Easton EA90 SLX, T3 Bars/Post
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Greg Hadfield
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: February 5, 2007
Strengths: Smooth as silk, great handling at speed, beautiful lines, great finish, stiff rear triangle. Cheap price for a beautiful frame that performs.Weaknesses: Not heavy enought to get me up to my previous record of 65 MPH on Tioga Pass on my Merlin (may be due to new wheels not broken in).Bottom Line: I switched from my trusty Merlin Extralight to this sweet-looking frame and haven't had a regret as of yet. The second week out I completed the Markleeville Death Ride with another frined on the same frame, both of us totally stoked on the performance. Since then, no issues, and lots of climbing here in Mammoth. I've hit 61 MPH coming down Tioga, and felt confident at that speed.
Favorite Ride: June Lake loop with Tioga Pass to Tuolumne Meadows before the gate opens
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At: Castro Valley Cycler
Similar Products Used: Merlin Extralight
Zinn custom steel
Bike Setup: Campy 2006 Record, Mavic Ksyrium ES, Easton Fork, Deda Alanera one piece bar and stem
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Boyd@DallasBikeWorks
a Road Racer
from Date Reviewed: October 27, 2006
Strengths: Low cost. Boutique cache'Weaknesses: None yet.Bottom Line: Built one of these up so I could describe the ride to customers. Used Campy/Stella Azurra build w/FSA Rd600 Wheelset.
The ride is unbelievable! The price is untouchable at 1650.00 w/Easton SLX and headset!
Super light weight. Buttery-smooth ride. Most surprising is the stiffness in the bottom bracket that transfers power right to the road.
Favorite Ride: yes
Price Paid:
$1650.00
Purchased At: Dallas Bike Works
Similar Products Used: Felt F1., F2.
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Reviews 1 - 4 (4 Reviews Total)
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