Favorite Ride:
Canada, US, Europe, Asia Bike Setup:
RSX STI shifters, 8 speed cog (11-28) with 52-42-26 chain ring. Zefal front and back pannier racks, Rockshox suspension seat post (very plush) and a Girvin FlexStem (very plush again) and a pair of Hutchinson's 700x28c Globetrotters. Summary:
Heh what can I say. I am a cheapskate. I can't afford the price tag of the 520 and neither can I with the Cannondale T700 with the upgrades I wanted to perform on. So I went shopping around and just by pure luck, I came across this bike by accident. Road it and found it to be stiff and responsive, but also the ride itself is a bit harsher than I'm used to with my racing steel road bike. Nonetheless, the price was right (paid $700 Canadian for it ($460 US)) so I can't complain. To offset the harshness of the ride, I put on a Rockshox suspension seatpost and a Girvin Flexstem to smooth out the ride. Boy what a difference! A combined stiffness and a supple ride from the help of those shocks makes the Alteres one sweet bike to ride and after all the upgrades done to it, I still save hundreds of dollars.
By the way, this is my main commuting bike plus it is also my touring bike. On long tours, the bike never gave up on me except both wheels went out of true. I rebuilt them myself afterwards and they are fine. However, I would go for a pair of Mavics or Suns eventually when I have the money that is.
So for those with a tight budget, the Alteres or Terrene gives you the best bang for the buck. Strengths:
Affordable and realitively light weight for an aluminum frame Weaknesses:
1, Cheap headset
2, Cheezy adjustable stem (looks like the 2000 model got ride of this)
3, Not the greatest rims (Sun or Mavic are better), but they are nonetheless usable.
4, A bit harsher ride than a Chromoly frame. Similar Products Used:
Trek 520 and the Cannondale T700
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