Summary: this is a good first road bike to have. i recently switched from a mt bike since i realized that i like riding roads better. i got this bike brand new from a dealer in penn. it rides very well. i took it out for my second ride last weekend, and throughly enjoyed my ride. i should have switched a while ago! the headshok helps with some of the roads i ride on (near an industrial area with train tracks and many bumps). but then i can turn the shock off when i'm climbing or excelerating unlike my old bike. big plus! when the components run out (shimano rsx) i will upgrade. otherwise, it is a great bike especially for $845 (including shipping).
Strengths: headshok, comfortable, good looking
Weaknesses: components, shimano rsx
Similar Products Used: None
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Bike Setup: OTHER THEN A SUSPENSION SEAT POST,EVERTHING IS STOCK.
Summary: THIS IS A GREAT BIKE THAT YOU CAN PUT ALOT OF MILES ON IN ONE DAY AND NOT FEEL LIKE YOU DID.SUPER RIDE,AND YET STILL STIFF ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU THE FEEL OF THE ROAD.AFTER RIDING A CENTURY RIDE I FELT GREAT.MAYBE UPGRADING TO BETTER COMPONETS WOULD BE A WISE CHOICE AS FAR AS THE GEARS GO. BUT OTHER THEN THAT FOR THE MONEY YOU CAN'T BEAT IT.
Strengths: OF ALL THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS BIKE IT HAS TO BE THE WAY THE BIKE FITS THE RIDER.LIKE IT IS AN EXTENSION OF THE RIDER.I HAVE NEVER OWNED A BIKE THAT FITS ME BETTER.
Weaknesses: MAYBE THE WEIGHT FACTOR BECAUSE OF THE HEAD SHOCK.BUT OTHER THEN THAT NOTHING ELSE.
Similar Products Used: None
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Bike Setup: This is a 1998 model that has 7 gears on the rear. The biggest rear sproket is 24 teeth. I am going to go to change the small front sproket to one a bit smaller to climb steep hills.
Summary: Absolutely great bike. It's fast, accelerates fast, rides smooth - everything I would want. I added a suspension seat post to make it full suspension.
Strengths: Great feel. The head shock gives a "silk road" ride. No "buzz" making your hands get numb and if you hit a hidden pot hole, it takes a lot of punishment off the tire and rim.
Weaknesses: For touring and fun - none.
Similar Products Used: Compared to two steel road bikes
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Summary: After more than 9,000 miles I wouldn't want to give this bike up. When the 105 components wore out I put Ultegra on it which really makes for a nice ride. However, it isn't a race bike even though I've used it for that. The shock has to be dialed out otherwise it will compress when you stand on it when climbing or sprinting. Dialed out, the frame is incredibly stiff almost punishingly so. We have a Klien Quantum race which I think is smoother. Dialed in, the ride is plush and very pleasant and really smoothes out the bumps on a rough road. An excellent everyday commuter or training bike for those long rides.
Strengths: The head shock - it smoothes out the bumps
Weaknesses: The shock - it absorbes too much energy when climbing or sprinting.
Similar Products Used: Just about everything
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Summary: I bought this bike at the end of '96 as a late season leftover at a great price. I didn't really want the Headshok, but the bike fit me very well. I normally take about a 51 or 52 cm frame, but have a hard time with the reach because of short torso. A 49 or 50 is usually too small. The unusual geometry of the SR500 with the sloping top tube and allowance for travel provided a good fit for me in a "50cm" frame. On the downside, the handling was a little bit squirrelly at first, but I have gotten used to it. I really seem to only get about 1/4" of travel out of the headshock, but it doesn't bob during standup climbs. It does a lot smooth out bad pavement. I've bottomed it out a couple times on hidden potholes. It makes a loud clank, but seems to protect tires and rims. The RSX group has performed reasonably well, though front shifting on the triple has never been perfect, and after 8k miles, the rear shifter is starting to malfunction. Overall, not a bad ride. I may just upgrade the components since they are wearing out and keep riding it.
Strengths: Fit Smooths out rough roads
Weaknesses: Headshok is heavy, not much real travel
Similar Products Used: C'dale R800, R300
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