Abici Bikes Podium Ultegra

Advantages: Great Price, Great Components, Super Reliability
Disadvantages: None whatsoever

...is the introduction of the Shimano Ultegra 10spd groupset. This is only in the second year of use on this bike and I am still unsure of it's usefulness. I guess that I am just used to 9spd. I opted for the double chain ring rather than triple. I suppose a triple may be useful if you live half way up the Alpe D'Huez but West Yorshire has nice rolling countryside so a double covers all terrain! I guess if you live in Lincolnshire you might want to opt for a different cassette 11-23, but I stuck with the standard 12-25. The look of the bike is of course similar, but the 2006 model varies from the picture attached (which is the 2005 model) in that it is black, silver and blue - to match the Discovery team i guess. It is a great paint finish and the smooth Aluminium welds make the frame sleek and super smooth. It probably doesn't actually improve performance... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Lightweight comfortable fast great handling
Disadvantages: none

...After 20 years not riding, I decided to get back into cycling so I could teach my children how to ride. I bought a mountain bike and caught the cycling bug good and proper. I soon became addicted to cycling up and down the country lanes where we live and soon enough wanted something a little more sophisticated that would be better suited to hill climbs and rapid progress on the flat. I read just about everything there was to read and opted for the Spesh Roubaix Comp. As a 42 year old, I have a normal amount of low back pain so the last thing I wanted was an Arse Up Head Down position that required the flexibility of a 20 year old. Also, I wanted something that could take care of vibration from those skinny high pressure tyres. The Roubaix is designed to handle both. It is very fast and so much easier up the hills. The Comp... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Top of the range "bling" rear mech
Disadvantages: 9 speed "only", superceeded by RD-7800 10-speed version

...I bought this rear derailleur to replace an Ultegra mech when upgrading my bike from 8 to 9-speeds (well, 16 to 18 speed really with my double front chainset). Apparently, this mech is also compatible with 8-speed systems, you just need to change the cable mounting position. Dura Ace is the name of Shimano's top of the range group of bicycle components, or "groupset", for road race bikes, and the 9-speed 7700-series was introduced to the public in 1997 after Shimano sponsored riders using Dura-Ace 7700 series equipped bikes in 1996. Year by year, it's been enhanced, and this review is of rear mech from the 2004 model year. For the non-bike-ophiles among you, the rear mech (or mechanism) is the device at the back end of the bike that moves the chain across the muliple cogs (cassette) on the back wheel to change gear - bigger cog... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful