Orbea Lobular

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Hearn's Cycles, Ashe

Model Year:
2003

Favorite Ride:
Tusquittee

Bike Setup:
11-26 9 speed Dura Ace shifters
IRD Compact Mosaic Carbon
Cane Creek wheels
Centaur calipers

Summary:
Full aluminum frame, 54 cm, Ouza Comp fork, Cane Creek Wheels, Richey alloy seatpost, Serfas saddle, Easton alloy bars, Dura Ace shifters, derailleurs, cranks, Centaur calipers. I replaced the cranks with IRD Mosaic Carbon compact cranks because I live in the mountains. The bike is light (18 lb), very stiff, and very fast. It likes to climb these mountains (the Smokies) and is very stable descending. It's just a good feeling bike. I had been hooked on steel for some months, but this bike made me reconsider the advantages of aluminum if a frame is made right.

Strengths:
Stiff, tight, fast, stable. It makes you want to fly.

Weaknesses:
A little harsh on long rides, but acceptable considering the trade offs of speed and climbing agility.

Similar Products Used:
-Cannondale CADD4 (2 of 'em) and CADD9
-DeRosa Giro d'Italia (still have it)
-Gunnar Roadie (not competitive)
-Waterford Paramount (still have it, for touring)

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at EBAY

Model Year:
2005

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 10spd., Mavic Elite

Summary:
I'm relatively new to road biking, and this was my second road bike replacing my '03 Allez Elite and my review is mostly based on that comparison.

I was instantly 1-2 mph faster on this bike, maybe because it's 4 lbs lighter, has a better wheelset, is stiffer, or all of the above. I normally train with my girlfriend and suddenly I kept having the problem that I'd keep dropping her, haha. This bike really got me hooked anyways, all of the sudden I could go out for 3 hour solo rides on an empty stomach and still enjoy every minute of it.

I feel the word that would best describe the bike is that everything about it feels "tight". Cruising along on flats feels smooth and fast. Hill climbing is fast, and perhaps the best part is standing on the pedals and accelerating up a hill, it's incredible!

Obviously I love the performance, but I can't not mention the fact that it has the best paint job I've ever seen on a bike!

Strengths:
Stiff, smooth, sexy

Weaknesses:
Overshadowed by full carbon fiber bikes.

Similar Products Used:
2003 Specialized Allez Elite