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THE TOP 10 RATED BEST
BIKES IN THE UNIVERSE!!
guide part 2
Best Dream Road Bike:
Independent Fabrication XS
(frame and fork)

We realize that dreams are
intensely personal. Here's ours:
A custom bike that's capable of
any kind of road riding or racing
while maximizing comfort,
inspiring us to ride and, trickiest
of all, transforming the
experience of cycling to
something beyond what it was
before. While our three finalist
test bikes were built for our
group, not to the standards of
individual testers, each
epitomizes the fundamental
philosophy of the builder. And
the philosophy of Independent
Fabrication translated into a
carbon-tubed, ti-lugged
machine with personality testers
raved about, passing up
old-standby adjectives such as
"stiff yet responsive" for
descriptions that made it sound
more like fine wine: "Childish in
its joy," "organic, alive" and
"with a measure of sass when
you stomp on the pedals." Of
course, all that came with an
"ethereal" ride quality,
gorgeous construction and a
versatility that was simply
unmatched. It achieved
"whatever goal we set for it on
climbs, descents, flats, fast
days, easy cruises, hang-dog
wheelsucks, sprints and
desperate dashes for food,"
said one tester. Weight:: 15.8 lb.
(56cm)
Sizes: Custom (56cm tested)
Component Highlights::
Campagnolo Record 20-speed
drivetrain and brakes; Mavic
Ksyrium ES wheelset; Reynolds
Race aluminum stem and Ouzo
Pro Anatomic carbon handlebar.

Litespeed Ghisallo (frame, fork
and headset)

Raves: The Ghisallo is the
lightest bike we've ever tested,
so light it pulsed forward on
climbs with every pedal stroke.
"This is what it must have felt
like to be Marco Pantani," said
one tester.
But: Light weight came at the
price of slightly nervous
handling. "Every sensation and
move felt amplified," said one
tester. On tight descents, the
bike didn't feel quite as
confident as the other two
finalists.
Weight: 12.0 lb. (M)
Sizes: S, M (tested), L, XL;
custom
Component Highlights:
20-speed Shimano Dura-Ace
drivetrain; Zero Gravity OG-05 Ti
brake calipers; Real Design
L'Eclisse carbon wheelset; ITM
Millenium stem and K-Sword
carbon-fiber handlebar.

Serotta MeiVici (frame)

Raves: That the MeiVici didn't
win "is proof that I work with
atheists," said one tester, "for
this bike is straight from
heaven." The vibration-damping
ST design "begged us to relax,
settle into the saddle and pedal
all day," said another.
But: "Only because the bike so
favored the sensation of
enjoying a ride, to the slight
exclusion of sportiness, did I
feel it was ever so barely
surpassed by the IF," summed
up one tester.
Weight: 14.4 lb. (56cm)
Sizes: Custom, starting at 45cm
(56cm tested)
Component Highlights:
20-speed Shimano Dura-Ace
drivetrain and brakes; Zipp 303
tubular carbon wheelset;
Ritchey WCS stem and
handlebar.

Best Enthusiast Road Bike:
Specialized Tarmac

The Specialized Tarmac Expert
was not only our favorite bike in
this $2,500-$3,000 category, but,
for a few testers, the best overall
bike in the entire field, weighing
performance, ride quality and
style against price. The
carbon-fiber frame, with
shock-absorbing Zertz inserts in
the stays, fork and seatpost, has
a racy, razor-sharp feel, yet
could also qualify in the plush
category. "It's one of the best
bikes I've ridden in the last two
seasons of testing," crowed one
tester. Said another: "It's
aggressive enough even for a
crit or a climbing competition,
yet still amazingly forgiving."
And in this day of
bait-and-switch spec, the
advertised Shimano Ultegra
group is complete, right down to
the brakes.

Weight: 17.5 lb. (54cm)
Sizes: 49, 52, 54 (tested), 56, 58,
61cm
Component Highlights:
Shimano Ultegra 20-speed
drivetrain (12-25 cassette and
53/39 cranks), brakes; Mavic
Ksyrium Equipe wheelset;
Specialized Pro handlebar and
Pro-Set stem

Fuji Roubaix SL

Raves: "Smartly outfitted to be
ultralight but still
real-world-rideable"..."super
snappy under
acceleration"..."ideal for racing,
training rides or warp-speed
pedaling"..."you'll smoke your
buddies on every climb," said
our testers of this remarkably
light aluminum bike.
But: At this price, getting light
comes with more sacrifice than
you might be willing to accept.
"Feels wispy in turns," noted
one tester. Another: "If you do
four or five jaunts at coffee-crew
pace, the jolts from the stiff
frame aren't worth the weight
savings."
Weight: 15.5 lb. (54cm)
Sizes: 49, 52, 54 (tested), 56, 58,
61cm
Component Highlights:
Shimano Ultegra brake/shift
levers and derailleurs; FSA SLK
50/36 crankset; Alex A-Class
ALX-440SL wheelset

Litespeed Firenze

Raves: "Consumers who
overlook titanium for the carbon
craze should try this to feel the
comfortable yet aggressive
ride"..."delivers great road feel,
almost like steel, yet still
light"..."almost no bottom
bracket sway under climbing
power"..."good for all-around
riders," said our testers of this
full-ti bike.
But: Its liveliness on the
road-one tester described it as a
bit "frenzied"-can feel like too
much to handle for cyclists
raised on carbon and used to a
plusher geometry and setup.
Weight: 17.5 lb. (54cm)
Sizes: 52, 54 (tested), 56, 58,
60cm
Component Highlights:
Shimano Ultegra 10-speed
drivetrain; FSA Gossamer
crankset and RD-88 wheelset
Want to buy this bike?

Best Women-Specific Road
Bike: Cannondale Synapse
Feminine Cabron 2

History may remember 2008 as
the year female bike riders were,
finally, given the gift of choice
for performance-oriented bikes.
We chose finalists for their
combination of quality carbon
frames and up-level
componentry, and found
excellence across the board,
but with subtle variations. The
Synapse Carbon Feminine gets
our nod because of its balanced
ride quality, the result of a stiff,
efficient and lightweight
carbon-fiber frame shaped into
a geometry suited for both
fast-paced rides and
more-casual events. One tester
noted that the Synapse felt the
most responsive of the three,
while another said the bike's
proportions and stable ride
made her feel especially
confident and aggressive
(Mavic's stiff Ksyrium Elite
wheels enhanced the
performance). Cannondale
offers this bike, available June 1,
in a double or triple
chainring-we're hoping for a
compact option, currently
available on the men's Synapse
and the R1000 Feminine,
sometime in the future. Weight:
17.1 lb. (53cm)
Sizes: 47, 50, 53 (tested), 56cm
Component Highlights::
Shimano Ultegra crankset
(53/39/30 or 50/39), cassette
(12-25), brakes, reach-adjust
10-speed shifters and levers;
Mavic Ksyrium Elite rims; ITM
Elle Elite handlebar; FSA SL-K
carbon seatpost Want to buy
this bike?

Specialized Ruby Expert
Raves: The comfortable,
more-upright riding position and
carbon-fiber frame with
vibration dampers and Shimano
Ultegra parts make for a fun,
high-performance ride-and
leaves you enough cash for a
new pair of shoes.
But: The other bikes have full
Ultegra drivetrains, and more
house-brand spec, all to save a
few dollars; it results in a very
slightly less refined ride than the
other two bikes.
Weight: 17.2 lb. (54cm)
Sizes: 44, 48, 51, 54 (tested),
56cm
Component Highlights:
Shimano Ultegra brakes and
levers, derailleurs, 12-27
cassette, R600 wheels; FSA
SL-K MegaExo carbon compact
crankset. Want to buy this bike?

Trek Madone 5.2 WSD

Raves: The very stiff OCLV 120
carbon-fiber frame yields a ride
that's fast and spicy-you can
feel the close genetic
connection to Lance
Armstrong's Tour-winning bike.
And the Shimano Ultegra
componentry offers a great
platform for fast rides or even
casual spins.
But: The triple crankset (no
double or compact option) and
soft Bontrager Race Lite FIT Lux
saddle don't match the
high-performance frame; some
riders may find there's too much
road feedback, especially in the
feet and hands.
Weight: 17.2 lb. (54cm) SIZES:
47, 51, 54 (tested), 57cm
Component Highlights:
Shimano Ultegra crankset
(30/39/52), 10-speed cassette (12-
25),
derailleurs, shifters, brakes and
levers; Bontrager Race Lite
wheels, Race X Lite seatpost.
Want to buy this bike?

Best Recreational Road Bike:
Schwinn Fastback Pro

The Schwinn Fastback Pro
perfectly splits the difference
between our other $1,000-$2,000
picks, the more plush Giant
OCR3 and the racier Orbea
Volata. With its N'Litened
aluminum frame for airiness and
power transfer, and carbon
stays for comfort, a 10-speed
Shimano Ultegra drivetrain with
Truvativ Rouleur carbon cranks
and Mavic Aksium wheels, the
18.2-pound Schwinn was
proclaimed "racy without feeling
chattery," and "aggressive and
zippy when pushed, yet
absorbent enough of sting to be
all-day worthy" by our testers.
Our decision was confirmed on
our curviest, climbiest day
when, coming out of
Canyonlands National Park's
Island in the Sky mesa, the
Fastback kept pace admirably
with our Dream Bike fleet.
Weight: 18.2 lb. (M)
Sizes: XS, S, M (tested), L, XL
Component Highlights:
Shimano Ultegra brake/shift
levers, derailleurs, brakes and
10-speed cassette (11-23);
Truvativ Rouleur carbon
crankset (50/36) and Giga
X-Drive bottom bracket; Mavic
Aksium wheelset. Want to buy
this bike?

Giant OCR Composite 3:

Raves: "Great road
feel"..."stable and
reassuring"..."perfect
charity-ride bike"..."most
comfortable of our top three,"
said our testers of this
carbon-framed bike.
But: If you harbor the fantasy of
stitching into a speedy paceline,
there are bikes that respond
quicker to power input, and the
triple chainring is more limiting
than a compact double.
Weight: 19.5 lb. (M) SIZES: XS,
X, M (tested), L, XL
Component Highlights:
Shimano 105 10-speed
drivetrain and brake/shift levers;
Truvativ Elita GXP crankset
(30/39/52); Formula XSR 3
wheels.

Orbea Volata

Raves: "What a deal-cool
Campy parts, stiff Mavic wheels
and laserlike handling for less
than $1,500"..."if I wanted to
hammer the club ride, I'd pick
this bike"..."great for group-ride
enthusiasts"..."true to Orbea's
race roots"..."absolutely carves
corners," said our testers of this
stiff, aluminum bike with carbon
stays.
But: It's stiff-not the best choice
if you do a lot of long rides, or
live in an area with rough roads.
Weight: 19.6 lb. (54cm)
Sizes: 48, 51, 54 (tested), 57,
60cm
Component Highlights:
Campagnolo Mirage 10-speed
drivetrain w/ FSA Gossamer
crankset; Mavic Aksium wheels;
ITM handlebar and stem.

Best Plush Road Bike:
Specialized Roubaix Comp
Double

A great plush bike is a century
rig that can still be ridden hard
on the Sunday shop outing. The
Roubaix walks the careful line
between feeling predictable (it
is, and mightily) and feeling
dull-witted. It shines with a
compact crank, so our testers
noted that you'd have no
problem happily stretching your
legs on a climb when you're not
in a chasing-the-peloton fury,
and it shines yet again with
great geometry that sits you
more upright, "without ever
screaming at you that you're on
a plush bike." In fact, not "too"
anything is the key with the
Roubaix: "It's not too sluggish,
nor too isolated from the road,"
said one rider. The spec is also
pretty sweet, with full carbon at
a price where many bike makers
are still offering aluminum
frames. Weight: 18.0 lb. (54cm)
Sizes: 49, 52, 54 (tested), 56, 58,
61cm
Component Highlights:
Shimano 105 brakes, levers,
shifters, front derailleur and
cassette (12-27), Ultegra rear
derailleur; FSA SL-K MegaExo
compact cranks (50/36); Alex
ALX 298R alloy double-wall
rims. Want to buy this bike?

Giant OCR Composite 2:

Raves: Our test model arrived
with a cracked head tube and,
due to a shipping error, we
didn't receive the replacement in
time to test in Utah. But the
Giant made our final cut with its
very worthy full composite
frame, with smooth riding
characteristics we've lauded in
more than one review in the
past. And it doesn't hurt that this
model comes with a good mix of
Shimano Ultegra and 105, and
Mavic Aksium wheels.
But: You get a triple crankset
rather than a compact and the
brakeset is generic, not from
Shimano. Both of these features
will prevent easy participation in
the spiciest group rides.
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Component Highlights:
Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur,
shifters/levers, rear derailleur
and cassette (12-27), 105 front
derailleur; Easton EA50 OS bar
and stem; Mavic Aksium
wheelset. Want to buy this bike?

Raleigh Cadent 4.0

Raves: This bike is a killer deal;
you get a nearly complete
Shimano Ultegra package and
Easton CNT carbon stays. One
reviewer felt it out-descended
the Specialized.
But: It costs less, packs Ultegra
where the Roubaix gets 105 and
still loses? Yes, because it's a
little heavier, and feels a little
slower to climb and sprint as a
result. And also because the
triple chainring seemed all
wrong for a plush bike that is
otherwise capable enough for
pulling in a paceline.
Weight: 19.4 lb. (54cm)
Sizes: 49, 52, 54 (tested), 56,
59cm
Component Highlights:
Shimano Ultegra front/rear
derailleur, shifters/levers, brakes
and cogset (12-25); Easton
EA30 Wing bar. Want to buy this
bike?

Best Entry-Level Road Bike:
Trek 1000

If you're just getting into cycling,
the good news is that you can
get an astonishingly good bike
for a very modest price,
especially if you decide on a
Trek 1000. "It's unbelievable that
a bike can deliver this kind of
all-around performance, comfort
and good looks for about $700,"
said one tester. "It gave up
almost nothing to the
recreational-level bikes above it.
This just might be the best buy
of the entire Editors' Choice
stable." Amen. As for the ride,
"It's the most refined of the
three entry-level finalists, with
the most zip. Stand on it, it'll
respond." Weight: 20.4 lb.
(54cm)
Sizes: 43, 50, 52, 54 (tested), 56,
58, 60, 63cm
Component Highlights:
Shimano Sora shifters, Tiagra
rear derailleur, 2203 front
derailleur; SRAM cassette
(12-26); Bontrager chainrings
(52/42/30).

DBR Podium 1

Raves: All agreed that this bike
was a solid handler, with a
competent, predictable,
reasonably smooth ride, and it's
a good buy.
But: The smallest factors can tip
the balance; in this case, the
DBR was a little bit heavier than
the Trek (and the Schwinn) and
as a result felt sluggish in
comparison, and the size run
isn't as complete as the Trek's.
Weight: 22.0 lb. (50cm)
Sizes: 42, 44, 50 (tested), 55,
59cm
Component Highlights:
Shimano 2200 front derailleur,
Tiagra rear derailleur, Sora
shifters/levers. Want to buy this
bike?
Schwinn Fastback Sport 24

Raves: "Great ride feel thanks to
its N'Litened frame and
Fastback stays," said one
reviewer.
But: The snap the Trek
displayed when we wanted to
accelerate isn't evident in the
Schwinn.
Weight: 20.9 lb. (M) SIZES: XS,
S, M (tested), L, XL
Component Highlights:
Shimano 2203 front derailleur,
Tiagra rear derailleur, Sora
shifters/levers; SRAM cassette
(12-26).

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