Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL

Advantages: Great fun board
Disadvantages: Loses its pop

...I picked up a NS SL series board 3 seasons ago, so it isnt this seasons model I am reviewing. I still have the board the 155 length), and having now ridden, at a guess, 2 months on it in all conditions I can say that: From new, its great. Does just what it says on the tin - lots of pop, snappy turns, enough give in the tip and tail to make landings a cinch. When i first got it I was really pleased with it, and had a lot of fun with doing bigger ollies etc than I could before, but then a new board always has more zip in it than an old one. After about a month or so, I felt that it had lost a lot of that initial flex, and was losing more, faster than my previous board (a forum) had. Now, I am sure of it. The board is still fun, and I ride it a lot, but there is a lot more flex in it now than when I bought it and on a powder day I... Read review

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

...noticed was the handling - rather than the soft feel of the aluminium forks of my original Trek 1500 the carbon fibre forks felt weird - more rigid and powerful. Combined with the carbon fibre seat post the feel of the tarmac was completely different and it took several miles before I started getting used to it. The wheels that the bike arrived with would not be my first choice - I have had Bontrager Select wheels before, and while they are very strong and ultra-reliable they lack a bit on the aerodynamic side. Mavic Ksyrium SSL would be my choice - but until i save up another £500 I'll keep with the Bontrager! Tyres again are a personal choice - and Michelin Pro-Race are the best i've had for both puncture resistance and speed - the Bontrager tyres that come with the bike are fine for spares!! The other change to my original bike... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great price and beautiful ride
Disadvantages: Lots of small probelms and so many expensive upgrades to be done

...Nirone was approx £750 but was reduced to £579 in Oct 2005. The trouble with road bikes is that you can spend horrendous amount of money on them, with full carbon bikes being sold (very light and rigid) for many £1000's. This was not for me, I train on a road bike but I will probably never race and if I do I will look into getting a better bike. At the moment it's definitely not my bike limiting my speed (unlike other people its also not my fitness). Another area in which money disappears into with bikes is wheels, they make a lot of difference to bike speed however they are pricey, with Mavic Ksyrium being a popular choice (which I use now) however they are £500 more than standard wheels. Along with wheels having a big effect on speed, tyres come into direct contact with the road surface so big advantages can be made there, with Michelin Pro... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful