I have about 200 miles on the bike so far. The bike is very light, rides well, handles great. Riding position is good. I have grown accustomed to the seat which was painful the first week or two.
From day one the drive chain made some noise in the upper gear ranges. Gradually it got bad enough that I took it in to LBS. They adjusted the front derailer and replaced the bottom bearing that had failed. Got it back and it ran flawlessly right up until the chain snapped in two.
I am hopeful the components will be more reliable going forward. When everything is working it's a wonderful bike to ride. In retrospect I probably would have gotten something with better driveline components.
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Submitted by
Alex
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2012
Strengths: Great Price, handles really well, easily upgradable and little to no mainteneance required to keep the bike going.
Weaknesses: Components, components and components, shifting is not set up for racing and brakes are weak
Bottom Line:
When I bought this bike back in 2009 I acutally thought I was buying a mid/average road bike. After riding an old Steel GIANT and an even heavier GMC, this bike was like a dream come true. But after doing all the research, I couldn't believe this was acutally considered just a recreational bike, not even close to a Madone or even used in the same breath as a "Racing Bike", yes on various occasions during my rides, I've been able to keep up with guys that own Madones from the 3s to the 6s. When these guys find out what I'm riding, they're not only in shock but a bit angered considering they spent thousands on thier bikes knowing that my under a $1,000 dollar bike is keeping up with these guys. So am I satisfied with this bike, you better believe it! Great bike for the price and I can keep up with the best of them! Makes no sense to spend any more cash except for the occasional upgrades....
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Submitted by
Jimmy McDaniel
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2012
Strengths: Saddle, Crankset, Bang for buck deal
Weaknesses: None that i have found except low quality components
Bottom Line:
Well, the only reason this bike got 4 stars out of 5 on value rating is because i could go to bikes direct.com and buy a bike for the same price and have full carbon ultegra. But i didnt, and it wasnt a mistake. This bike is a dream for me, being only 14 when i got it in july of last year, i put over 2000 miles on it before the end of september. everyone should have this bike.... ive trained on it and it has never given me trouble, ive raced it in sprint triathlons and 68 and 38 mile road races, and it has never fell short of my expectations.:) Hope you found this helpful
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Submitted by
jonas
a Recreational Rider
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2011
Strengths: fast, lite, good shifter, altought its onle a shimano sora, but works great. pro tour geometry and triple rings to get me climbing on a stiffer road with minimal effort.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
the best road bike for the money. protour geometry. same stance with the upper level madone 0nly on the relaxed side. The 1.2 weights 21.0 lbs. whereas the madone 5.2 goes to 16.0 costing thousands more. durable with no problem. Just try to get used to ride on it, and learn how to shift it well and you get the best bike ever. Some people complai of the pedals, seat and shifting gears. just minor tweeks and you get a lower end madone. guaraneed.
Weaknesses: components, but hey what do you expect from that price range. its all sora/tiagra mix .
im giving an overall rating of 4 because of the components other than that amazing bike!
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i bought this bike in 2010. To be honest as a first road bike i can say it performs well. i cant compare it to others, but its a good ride for the price and it handlles well. I push this bike far beyond its limits and i think is a fantastic first bike and would reccomend it to anyone.
