Price Paid:
$1150.00
at an acquaintance Favorite Ride:
anything long with some hills, not too hot Bike Setup:
Stock Ultegra group except Vredestein Fortezza SE tires, PD-R600 pedals, 2 Elite alloy bottle cages, FlightDeck computer, and Bontrager Race Lite stem instead of the TTT Forgie one. Standard saddle, that may change someday but it works for now. Summary:
Steel is Real!
Got this bike used at around half of retail, I think. (despite the "6 months' use" tag, it's been closer to 7 or 8)
Not bad for only two years old and not a whole lot of use on it. I've put a good number of miles on it and overall I'm quite happy with it. I know there are generally complaints about stock seats, but I can generally get by on this one. I'm keeping an eye out for a possible replacement, but so far the Selle San Marco isn't too bad. I have to admit that I haven't done any rides going over a couple hours though, so I don't know how it'd work out for anything really long.
I'm quite thin (about 6'0"-6'1" and 130-140 lbs.--mine is a 57cm frame) so the fact that it's steel and thus heavier than carbon or aluminum doesn't bother me very much. I do like the way it seems to absorb bumps and vibration--when I run into some unfavorable spots, the rattling always seems less than I expect. That could be just psychological though.
Now that I'm getting back into shape, I'm noticing my cruising speeds climb--they started around 17-18 mph a couple months ago, now getting above 20-21. I always seem to do better on group rides than on solo rides, for some reason. And hills are getting to be my territory, which is a big plus.
The paint scheme is sorta unusual, but I have no problems with it. It does get kinda extra-warm on bright days though, that might get annoying except that I don't sit directly on the frame.
Anyway, I really like ths bike. If I ever have to replace 'er, it'll be with probably a newer version of the same thing. But I hope that I don't have to replace it anytime soon, because except for a couple of minor gripes it's everything I need in a road bike. Strengths:
Full Ultegra groupset came stock. 853 frame plus OCLV fork means much less road chatter and softer bumps. Reasonably stiff despite that. Wheels are true as the day I got them (stock Bonty Race Lites) with no problems.
I suppose if it was made of featherlight Unobtanium, with no flex and total shock absorbtion, perfectly aerodynamic, responsive, stable, custom-fitted, and inexpensive, it would be better. As is, 5 for value owing to the reduced price and 5 overall because my gripes are minor to the point of being nearly inconsequential and/or easily remedied. Weaknesses:
Stock saddle is not very good. I can deal, but I'm looking to change it out soon.
I'm light but when I really start pushing hard (attacking a hill or launching into a sprint interval) I can pick up some definite flex. Minor but noticeable. And as I refine my technique and get smoother, it gets more minimal, if that makes any sense.
Not the lightest, but I'm not big so it's not a big deal.
Not the new half-carbon frame, again not a big deal for weight or whatever it's supposed to do. Likewise on the stock wheels. If I want those lighter (if I get insane enough to try anything competitive), I'll swap for some lighter tubes and tires rather than spending umpty-hundreds of dollars on marginally lighter wheelsets. Or I'll just train harder. Similar Products Used:
Tested a Specialized, forget what model but it was more expensive, an older Zurich (don't remember what year but it would have been a screamin' deal if I hadn't missed it)
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