Price Paid:
$650.00
at lbs Model Year:
2006 Favorite Ride:
rail trails (peace and quiet) Bike Setup:
just upgraded to a dura ace bar end shifter and a 105 rear derailleur. i mounted the shifter on a ritchey bar end (also an upgrade). i've removed the front derailleur and shifter. i now have a single 40t front chainring, making the bike a 9 speed. handlebar grips gone in favor of tape. bulletproof but very hard continental contact tires. big platform pedals. Summary:
if you're only going to own 1 bike, this may be it. it's the only one i need. you can easily convert this bike to commute or tour. i recommend it for the rider wanting more comfort than a road bike, or more speed and distance than a hybrid or mountain. In all my years of riding, i never was able to ride further than than 55 miles until i got this bike. i managed to ride a century a few months after buying it. for me, a lot of it has to do with comfort-on what i refer to as a flat-handlebar road bike. ok, giant calls this a "fitness bike." whatever. i'm more comfortable with the relatively upright position vs a true road bike. my back, hands and shoulders feel so much better with much less weight and strain being put on them. and with my weight being 220 lb, the stock 28c tires are favorable over a true road bike's 23c. this bike and i have been all over 5 states riding and i wouldn't even consider replacing it. Strengths:
durable and precise sram components (except the front derailleur), affordable quality, cool looking bike-especially with the xero lite black rims and spokes. Weaknesses:
shimano front derailleur very touchy indexed, way too much brake dust, kenda tires susceptible to frequent flats, weld beads not smooth. Similar Products Used:
canondale r500, trek 370.
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