EPX 303 - Dura-Ace

Price Paid:  $700.00 at EBay

Favorite Ride:
Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA

Bike Setup:
Mostly Dura-Ace components. Cane Creek wheels.

Summary:
I bought a EPX303SL frame off of EBay for $700 (including full carbon fork). This is a 2.5 pound version of the EPX303 frame (half pound lighter). This is a real sweet frame, every bit the equal of the Trek OCLV that I test rode (my 2nd choice), but at a much lower price.

Strengths:
Lightweight and fast. Very smooth ride. Clearcoat carbon weave finish is beautiful.

Weaknesses:
Slightly more flexy than my old welded aluminum frame.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200, Giant Composite, Kestrel Talon

Price Paid:  $800.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Hazel Dell, Corralitos CA

Bike Setup:
Full Dura Ace 9spd, Thompson post, Selle Italia Turbomatic 4, Speedplay Zero, Formula Xero wheelset,Schwalbe Stelvio tires, Ritchey Pro stem.

Summary:
This is an excellent bike. I found this EPX bike on eBay used for a great price. The seller was sponsored and let it go for a steal. The fit is very good. The ride quality is even better than my LOOK KG461. The Shimano Dura Ace is a legendary product and doesn't let down on its reputation as a solid all around component group. Great shifting, braking, and very light weight.
The frame handles very nicely on descents--so far up to 36 mph (don't believe those reviewers claiming 50mph+, you're F.O.S.). The bottom bracket does not flex under out-of-saddle climbing.
Wish I found this deal before my LOOK.

Strengths:
Ride Quality is very smooth.
Very reasonable price for Carbon.
Same frame as the Supergo Scattante Carbon which is an editor's choice bicycle.

Weaknesses:
The clear coat over the carbon fork and seat stays are developing bubbles. Don't know if this will affect the integrity of the frame.

Similar Products Used:
LOOK KG461, Cannondale CAAD3,

Price Paid:  $1350.00 at Cambria Bike

Favorite Ride:
Any of the good hilly rides passing through Frelsburg or New Ulm WNW of Houston

Bike Setup:
EPX 303 SL, Dura Ace, Deda Newton 31.7 bar and stem, Deda Black Stick carbon post, Flite Trans Am saddle, Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL wheels, Pro-Race tires and Speedplay Zero pedals.

Summary:
My previous ride is a steel is real 85' Trek 770 with Campy SuperRecord. I was lusting after a new Trek 5500 and then 5900 when a friend of mine bought an EPX 303. After checking his out I decided to go for an EPX 303 and was looking for one of the incredibly discounted deals on the internet when I came across EPX's new 303 SL on the interbike pages.
http://www.mtbr.com/tradeshow/interbike2002/epxmtn/
This is the exact same frame as the EPX 303 but uses lighter carbon in the same way Trek has gone from 5500 to 5900. Weight wise it falls between a 5500 and 5900 but closer to the 5900. The fork is carbon legs and steerer with an aluminum crown. I paid full price and I think quality and performance wise it is the best carbon frame/fork you can buy for the money. As for the ride, on the first 60+ mile charity ride we turned onto a road that had been stripped ready for new asphalte to be put down (very rough). I was able to comfortably hold a 20+ mph pace where on my steel bike there is no way I could have held that pace without being bounced off.

Strengths:
Build quality, Paint job, Replaceable rear dropouts, Excellent light carbon fork and stiff (I weigh about 210).

Weaknesses:
None with the Frame or Fork. Being new it took a while to get it, and EPX still don't have any information on their main website.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first carbon frame and fork.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Good Value for the money but just missing something.

Strengths:
Finish, comfort, weight

Weaknesses:
It isn't flexy but it has a dead feel on acceleration, especially when climbing.

Similar Products Used:
Look KG96, Basso Gap, American Flyer Ti, McMahon Ti, Litespeed Ti.

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Price Point

Favorite Ride:
Up

Bike Setup:
Yellow/black/blue EPX frame and fork. Velomax Orion wheels with Michelin Race grey/black tires. Easton carbon post and bars. ITM carbon stem. Duraace drivetrain and STI levers. Ultegra calipers. Flite cut saddle. Ultegra pedals. Duraace BB. Cane Creek Headset. Sachs Chain. Sidis. Fast legs.

Summary:
A quick PS to my other posts. Built, it weighs in at a scant 17.5 lbs.

Strengths:
see reviews below

Weaknesses:
see reviews below

Similar Products Used:
see reviews below