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Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Test ride: The best of 2008
I love test riding new bikes. And I’m not just talking new models, but also bikes that are new to me. Give me about an hour and I can begin to truly feel the nuances of the frame material, its construction, its personality. During that hour, I understand the designer’s intent for that machine. Not only the frame and fork combo, but the purpose for the wheels and component selection. For me, there’s hardly an hour better spent.
I also like year-end reviews, so here are some of the best road bikes I tested in 2008. …
ALUMINUM
It’s pretty incredible when you look at the astronomical prices of the frames used by the professionals. But there is a frame you can buy, a complete bike actually, that has been ridden to victories such as Paris-Nice, Criterium International and several others. Its pedigree is ridiculous, and its price tag is under $2,500.
The Cervelo Soloist is stiff, as you would expect from an aluminum machine, but those brilliant designers at Cervelo also engineered some compliance to make this puppy all-day rideable. It also cuts through the wind with its aero tubing. I love this bike, and if you are looking for a good crit bike or just a fast club bike, you cannot go wrong with the Soloist.
Worth checking out: Jamis Ventura Elite, Specialized Allez, Cannondale CADD9 6, Orbea Aqua, Fuji Roubaix, Scott Speedster S10.
STEEL
There are several companies that make custom steel frames, all of which should ride like a dream. But for our purposes, I’ll stick to bikes you can buy off the shelf. One of my favorites is the Serotta Fierte.
This bike from the legendary Saratoga Springs, New York bike maker is simply one of the smoothest road bikes ever made. Steel is real, especially when it comes to comfort and road feel. You feel the bumps and cracks from the road, but the translation is sweet, never rough. The Fierte also steers with no surprises; it flows. Now this baby is not light and not intended for racing or even competitive rides with your buddies. It’s all about comfort and joy.
Worth checking out: Jamis Quest, Colnago Master X-Light, De Rosa Corum, Pegoretti Marcelo.
CARBON
I love carbon and all of its high-tech glory. There are so many great bikes to choose from in this category. I could pick a bone-rattling stiff racer, a light-weight climber or a carbon-titanium wonder bike. But since this is just my opinion and not some scientific study, I’ll go with the bike that had me from the first pedal stroke, the Colnago C50.
This bike does it all and was designed that way. It is stiff enough for time trials, light and nimble enough for climbing and comfortable enough to ride all day. And you’ll want to ride it all day. There is just some type of magic caught inside its high modulus tubes and compression-molded lugs that’s indescribable.
The C50 has the pedigree (ridden to victories in Paris-Roubaix and the Grand Tours) and the heart of an Italian bike master (Ernesto Colnago). And you feel these attributes every second you ride this fantastic steed. I understand that different bikes speak to different people, but for my money this bike is one of the best.
Worth checking out: Cervelo R3, Serotta HSG, Specialized S-Works Tarmac, Pinarello Prince, Merckx AXM, Wilier Izoard, Ridley Noah, Look 595.
