EPX 303 - Ultegra

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Greenfish

Favorite Ride:
Summer Skool

Bike Setup:
9s Veloce shifters and rear d., Dura Ace crank and front d., Bonty RaceLite wheels, Ritchey/Performance Forte cockpit.

Summary:
Frame & fork came securely packed by Greenfish Adventure Sports and arrived promptly. The folks at Greenfish and EPX were great at answering my email questions about the frame prior to purchase. The appearance of the product oozes coolness: white-to-silver fade in main triangle/naked carbon rear. Parts easily transplanted from my previous ride. Unfortunately, stem shopping for this beast was a bit of a chore. Because of the shorter top tube AND reduced head tube height due to the integrated headset, I had to search for a stem w/ enough rise to match my ideal position. Eventually went w/ a Ritchey Pro. Once on the road, the 303 didn't "fly up hills" like many reviewers of this bike and the Scattante noted. There is a very noticeable difference in lightness when lifting the bike, but in the saddle it didn't feel as quick or sharp as my Leader aluminum frame--on climbs and on flats. As for dampening vibrations, it initially felt like it chattered more in the rough than the Leader. I don't regret purchasing this bike, but so far it's proved to be no huge improvement over what I already have in my stable. Perhaps I'd feel a bigger difference w/ a higher-end carbon frame like a 5900 or Roubaix. I do feel as if I need more time to dial-in my position on the frame, so these are all 1st impressions.

Strengths:
Easy to build up, overall lightness, looks fast and purdy.

Weaknesses:
Low head tube height makes stem shopping a chore if you're not the racer-boy type. Not flimsy by any means, but also not as quick-feeling as I was expecting.

Similar Products Used:
Giant OCR1, Litespeed Catalyst Ti, Leader 715, and a couple of mountain bikes.

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Greenfish sports

Favorite Ride:
Anatone grade

Bike Setup:
I built this frame up to be my training bike with DA-9 and Ultegra parts. I also used Nokon sealed cables for the shifting (to keep the rain out). The rear brake cable is also continous due to the internal frame routing. 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) total.

Summary:
I really like this bike. I bought the frame on closeout from Greenfish sports on the Internet. I ride this bike whenever on long distance rides, or during the rain, or in the the off season. The bottom bracket is flexy. When I am riding my indoor trainer, I can watch the BB move 1/8 of an inch when I push the power up near my threshold. But the frame is very comfortable to ride, especially on rough roads. The carbon just soaks up up the bumps and vibration. I haven't had any wobbling problems during downhill descents although the front fork seems entirely too light (420 g).

Strengths:
Cost, comforable ride.

Weaknesses:
Flexy BB, Green paint job, weight (about 3.2 lbs/1.45 kgs), you can't buy this EPX frame anymore but the Supergo CFR is the same frame with Supergo graphics.

Similar Products Used:
demo'd Trek 5200.
race a GT ZR 1.0.

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Roanoke

Bike Setup:
Ultegra with Cane Creek Aerohead wheels.

Summary:
Long term test. Bought this for my wife and it has ended up being my preferred bike. Rode a Cervelo Prodigy before (very nice, but the EPX is lighter). I wish it was a tad stiffer, but for the cash you CAN NOT complain. Absolutely the best carbon bike on the cheap and one of the best low cost bikes period.

Strengths:
Light, very comfortable. Good, stable geometry.

Weaknesses:
Not quite as stiff in the bb as I would prefer (slight creak)

Similar Products Used:
Cervelo Prodigy, many, many others.

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Roanoke

Bike Setup:
9 speed Ultegra. Nuff said.

Summary:
Purchased as frame/fork only, with integrated Cane Creek headset. Very underrated frame/fork. Well thought out design, cool looking with unique angles and gussetting. Very smooth. Good, neutral, geometry.

I'll supplement with a long term test in 6 mo, but wanted to put something up since this make has very little input.

Strengths:
Ridiculously cheap for this much performance. I have seen full Tiagra bikes for $800. Check the web and you should be able to buy frame and fork under $500. It's great blowing the doors off guys riding more expensive "brand name" bikes.

Weaknesses:
None I can find except paint chipped a little easily off the braze on, and company is not very well known.

Similar Products Used:
Pretty much everything. Currently ride a Cervelo Prodigy. The EPX is my wife's bike I built for her.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Up the Pali back thru Hawaii Kai

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra with a Dura Ace rear derailleur, Thomson seat post, Aspide saddle (ouch), Look pedals, Shimano wheels, Ritchey handlebars, 3T stem

Summary:
A great bike at any price. A plush ride for long hours in the saddle and stiff enough for a 185 pound masher in the sprints. Not the lightest carbon frame out there but is 1/2 pound really worth another $1000 dollars. Not to me! Easily equals or rivals the ride of those other high end bikes at a fraction of the cost. The paint job is sharp and the lines of the bike are also nice. The clear carbon on the chain stays is way cool. I love this bike and would surely buy one again.

Strengths:
Much bang for the buck
Great customer service!!! (Thanks Michael!)
Sexy in yellow
Plush yet stiff

Weaknesses:
Not as light as a Trek 5900 or a Kestrel 200, but it's a lot less money.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5500, Kestrel 300EMS/Talon, Bianchi EV2