Paketa Bikes Magnesium

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Peak Cycles, Golden

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Flat Crits

Bike Setup:
Full SRAM Force with FSA alloy cockpit. Williams Wheel System 30's. EC90 fork.

Summary:
Stiff, Comfortable, Strong.

Very stiff laterally and torsionally; I can't get any chain rub and the front-end is just as stiff when sprinting even with a full-carbon fork.

Unfortunately I crashed twice this year and both I think would have damaged a Scandium/Aluminum or many CF frames. Mine came out unscathed, so there is some truth to the thicker mag tubes being less dent-prone.

Also rides like a dream, way better than any other material I've ever ridden. Lively like Steel but stiff... and even with the full mag rear triangle the bike soaks up rough pavement incredibly well.

Strengths:
Strong, Stiff, Comfortable

Weaknesses:
Could be a tad lighter, hard to find

Similar Products Used:
Salsa Campeon, Klein Aura, Cannondale CAAD, Look KG461

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Sixtys Cycles

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Coming home in one piece.

Bike Setup:
Campagnolo Chorus carbon group, Ritchey WCS Protocol wheels, Aerus Carbon bar and stem.

Summary:
Purchased a new 2006 Paketa, my first new bike in years. This bike is very comfortable and very stable. The ride is different than other materials and is very responsive. I am also impressed by the fit of this bike and the attention that the guys at Paketa give their customers. I wanted a different color that stock (Ferrari Yellow) and they complied w/no questions. The finish on my bike is also very durable and attactive.

Strengths:
Very comfortable bike with a great ride. Fit and finish is also top quality and it is AMERICAN MADE! which is getting to be hard to find. The price is also reasonable for this quality of bike. Weight is also under 17 lbs for a 60cm bike.

Weaknesses:
In my legs on hills.

Similar Products Used:
Waterford 2200, Custom steel bikes, Dean Ti.

Price Paid:  $330.00 at eBay

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Any ride that involves flats and hills

Bike Setup:
Drivetrain: all DA, baby, except for FSA K-Lite cranks
Token carbon handlebars
Look Keo carbon pedals
Fizik Arionne saddle
Xero carbon wheels
FSA carbon seat post

Summary:
I have a sweet titanium Omega Alchemy for my TT, but the Paketa is a screaming machine! The acceleration is neck snapping. I've test ridden some carbons, but wanted something less mushy. Magnesium provides superior damping and whacked out stiffness I've never felt before. (Make we want to test ride a Dogma, although I'm aware Italian rig$ are $imply too expen$ive due to hype.) Local mechanic and seasoned welder said the welds were superior grade, so I guess the Russians are true craftsmen, too.

I often get stares because it's not a lemming bike (Trek, Cannondale, Giant, etc.). No slam on those manufacturers, it just fits my personality to not bland, er, blend in.

Decked with DA and some mid-end carbon Xero wheels, this featherweight is one fast machine.

Strengths:
Freakishly smooth vibration dampening
Lightweight
Excellent welds
super responsive, some might say twitchy. Maybe not for rec riders.

Weaknesses:
Paint job is pedestrian.

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR
Felt F-1c
Specialized Tarmac
Trek Madone

Price Paid:  $800.00 at private party

Favorite Ride:
south lake washington

Bike Setup:
campy record 10.

Summary:
Purchased this frame/fork used from a team in Colorado. Have ridden most other frame materials before trying magnesium--and I must say it is very, very nice! Soaks up road shock as well as any carbon or titanium frame, yet still responsive. I have several other road frames that are built up with the exact same components, wheels, seat, bars, etc. so it is easy to compare apples to apples. This frame may not have the prestige/looks of a colnago, derosa, etc.; but for overall ride quality, I would rate it as good, if not better than many other high-end frames.

Strengths:
ride is super smooth.
handling is rock-solid.
price is very reasonable.

Weaknesses:
looks (no smooth-welds, boring paint job).

Similar Products Used:
colnago c40, ct1, dream, trek 5900, somec flash, derosa steel.