Bike Setup: Red/force mix, aluminum cockpit, williams 38t for racing and DT 1450 or ultegra/OP for training.
Summary: I got this frame to replace a crashed TCR. Technically, it's a couple of generations older in layup and design, but it barely shows once you throw a leg over it. Yes, the TCR Advanced probably felt snappier and was a little bit faster handling, but the Excalibur still feels like a rocket ship. I can't say the bike has been a limiter in anyway, and it's low slung but longish wheel base geometry is great for a whole day riding in the mountains. Given that the MSRP on the frame is >$1000 less than the TCR, I was happy to save the money and buy a light set of wheels that can travel with me in the future. I really enjoy sprinting on this bike - any sway is in the wheels for sure; when this bike is shod in deep dish goodness it'll go as fast as you can make it go.
Probably its biggest limiter is the weight. It's 200 g heavier in the frame, and the fork is an additional somewhat weighty item compared to uber frames like the R3 and TCR of yore. However, it is cheaper and still makes a fantastic race bike. As built up right now, it's about 16 lbs (57 cm), which is certainly light enough for even me at ~135 lbs.
I give it the highest rating because I think it's both one of the best values on the racing frame market, and its performance has got to be >95% of any frame out there.
Strengths: Great geometry
Stable handling
Stiff drivetrain
Mostly comfortable ride
Weaknesses: Not particularly light at 1100g
Doesn't use the latest bling BBs
Similar Products Used: TCR Advanced
Litespeed
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Bike Setup: size small; black and silver; SRAM Rival; Reynolds Solitude Wheels; Ritchey Comp Handlebar and Seat Post (Yet still sub 17 LBS!)
Summary: Excalibur/SRAM Rival setup. Coming from a steel Pogliaghi and 1990's Cannon"wales", it's like give the keys to a ferrari! 1st CF frame and now I see what all the hype is about. This thing just wants to go fast all the time. Hills, flats, descents; no problem. Now I just need to get back into shape to really test this rocket. Most comfortable ride I've ridden and I highly recommend Ridley because although they say it's a compact frame, the geometry is perfect; longer TT length than most manufactures for their size small.
Strengths: Very light (sub 17 lbs); stiff yet comfortable and compliant (same thing?); very good frame geometry; oval tubes and oversized downtube are a good match (similar to my Cannondales, but CF; much better)
Weaknesses: Absolutely none!
Similar Products Used: Classic SL Pogliaghi (Red with DuPont Paint); 1990's Cannondales (R500's I think)
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Bike Setup: Ultegra component, Fulcrum racing 5 evolution.
Summary: I got this 2008 Ridley excalibur last week, and I tried around 50 miles. So this might be my first impression. I looked for carbon frame set under $2,000, and I decided to buy either Specialized Tamac pro or Ridley Excalibur. (unfortunately Orion doen't have XS size) Actually bike shop offered me same price for both frames. So I tested both bikes couple times. I decided to buy Excalibur. It is really stiff and light. I could not feel wasting power.
Strengths: Light (1100g for frame), Stiff, Resonable price for quality.
Weaknesses: None so far.
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Bike Setup: Sram Rival group w/Force compact crank; Rol Volant wheelset.
Summary: This is a great choice for a big rider (I'm 6'6", 225) or a very powerful rider. No flex ever, and very stable on descents. Mine's equipped with a Rival group(Force crank) and Rol wheelset. For my type of use, I couldn't ask for anything better. Stiff, comfy, and looks great. It's a good value @ $1799 for frame and fork.
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