Submitted by
terry brophy
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2012
Strengths: Solid handling, responsive with the component upgrades. Comfortable on poor surface Irish roads.
Weaknesses: Low grade components on the stock bike, except the 105 groupset
Bottom Line:
Bought this as an upgrade from a Giant SCR 1.0 that was a bit small for me. I ve since upgraded just about everything bar the frame, which is excellent, if a bit heavy, but with FSA carbon bars, stem & post, Toupe saddle, Sram red group, Ksyrium elite wheels, weight without pedals is now 7.6kg.
Strengths: No design flaws, not the worlds most "cushy" bike, but not painful to ride by any means.
Bottom Line:
After 6000 miles I can honestly state this is a solid bike. I have burned through the usual parts including cassette, sprockets, chain, cables and Main Hub bearing. I recently had to upgrade the wheels because the bearings in the original were flat out done, the hubs were pitted. I just now upgraded the seat to the Selle SMP Lite 109, maybe with age, a rider just needs more blood flow, otherwise the stock seat was wearing, but fine. With my new DT swiss wheels and Ultegra Hubs I just completed a 1000 mile year, bring the bike to approximately 6000 miles. I have used the bike for commuting, training, 5 double centuries (STP), 2 triathlons and countless recreational rides. Needless to say, my commutes involve sidewalks, potholes, rocks, and who knows what else, and the bike is always intensely responsive.
Favorite Ride: Green River Gorge, Black Diamond WA
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At: Gregg's Cycle
Similar Products Used: Fuji
Bike Setup: Factory Ultegra everything besides the rear derailed which is Dura-ace.
Upgraded Selle SMP Lite 109 Seat. DT Swiss Rims, Ultegra Hubs, Continental Hardskin 700x23c tires.
Strengths: Fast accelerating, flawlessly reliable, responsive and sharp handling machine. Extremely good uphill once you put some decent wheels on it.
Weaknesses: 1) Not so much a problem as an inherent characteristic, but the stiffness makes it potentially harsh over longer hauls or multi-day events. Softened on my bike by a carbon stem and thick, padded bar tape, plus wider bars, which make it fine. (I also have a carbon-framed Wilier as a point of comparison.)
2) Came with a crazy-long stem. I think it was 130 mm. It looked like the prow of HMS Victory, anyway...
3) Did I mention the wheels are heavy? This issue isn't specific to the bike, or even the company, or course: they all do it. Doesn't make it right though!
Bottom Line:
Excellent integrated design, but the original wheels were more training than race.
(Note that my bike is, I think, a 2004 model: it's the white one with red tiger stripes, the Cipollini model. No Zertz inserts, etc: just alloy.)
Similar Products Used: Wilier Izoard (2008)
Scott something (can't remember, but it was a cheapie and too small. We soon parted)
Colnago Master (1983)
Bike Setup: How it came (Ultegra), plus 2008 Tiagra compact chainset, 46 cm bars (Cinelli?), alloy post after carbon one broke in a crash, 110 cm Ritchey carbon stem, Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels, Look Keo pedals.
I bought this bike just out of college and was looking for the biggest bang for my buck. I believe that I lucked out on this deal!!! I have about 10k miles on this bike and other than routine maintenance, I have only needed to replace a shifter-a car issue not a manufacturer issue. I have ridden it daily as a commuter (25 one way), have done many 60-75 mile rides, and even a couple of century rides on it. The bike is nice and stiff, since I am 6 feet and 190lbs, I can put a lot of torque on the crankset, but it has never flinched or tweaked underneath me.
Strengths: Stiff. 20-21 lbs. Responsive. Excellent components. Excellent and efficient power transfer from the pedal to the wheel. Great sprinter. Tight geometry makes it quick to turn. You can really throw this bike side-to-side in a sprint.
Weaknesses: Seat could be more comfortable. Tires were mediocre.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent 20lb. bike. It is stiff to the point of slight twitchiness and as a midlevel 60 miles-per-week rider, I find myself able to race competently on this bike. The Ti paint scheme is great, and it was the last year one could get this bike with Dura Ace and Ultegra components. I think the '06 was built with 105 components. So far I have been very pleased with this bike. The seat is not particularly forgiving on longer rides, but the bike jumps when the power is hammered down into the cranks. I mean, jumps. I can literally feel my rear wheel skip when I do burst accelerations. Also, watch out for muscle fatigue on this bike. I burned out my legs on an intense and fast climb and my legs started shaking and the whole bike started vibrating from side-to-side and skipping on the road like I was riding on sand. There is is a testament to the bikes stiffness. It feels everything and translates EVERYTHING! I upgraded the tires and that is all. A very good product that you will be happy with!
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