Price Paid:
$2000.00
at Go Ride Bicycles, Re Favorite Ride: SF Penninsula foothills Bike Setup: Stock with Cane Creek headset it came with. Cassette is 12-27 and tires slicks. Only added Look Keo Sprint pedals. Summary: 2008 Ultegra SL 57 cm. This bike fit me well and felt more responsive than most others. I also think shifting is smoother when components are all of a group and not a mix.
I didn't think I'd get an Ultegra SL bike, but this was a great deal on closeout. Never heard of BH before I went to a Specialized shop that also carried this.
I am returning to cycling, am 51, 6' 181# and ride hard for fitness. This bike just makes me want to go fast and keep on riding. Strengths: Responsive, stable on decents, stiff with good road feel.
Quality components.
Appealing if you want to ride a different brand. Weaknesses: Like every bike in this price category, the wheels could be lighter and saddle better.
The slicks don't grip in certain situations (duh!). I am on top of a steep driveway and have to be careful easing down with my brakes on, or going up while standing on the pedals.
Not sure about compact bar. Like the short drop, but curve really gets the nerves. Similar Products Used: Tested carbons: 09 Jamis Xenith Comp (2nd choice--as responsive as BH, but 15% more, poorer wheels and ultegra/105 mix), 08 Specialized Tarmac Comp, 08 Orbea Onix TDF (noticeably heavier), 09 Trek Madone 5.2 and Look 566 (liked em both, but not for another $1300), 09 Bianch 928 (too short).
Tested aluminum: 08 Cannondale CAAD9/5 triple (loved it, but hate triple gearing), 09 Jamis Ventura, 08 Cannondale Six/13 3 (too long)
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