Road Bikes > Litespeed Road Bikes

Carrera Gryphon - good value for money road bike

Advantages: Value for money, light
Disadvantages: Toe clip pedals

I purchased a Carrera gryphon through a Cycle to Work scheme and as such it ended up as very good value for money. From a ticket price of £399 there was already 20% off this model so with the Tax benefits of the C2W scheme this bike cost me c. £180. After some initial niggles with the bike primarily due to set up at the shop I have been very pleased with this bike - it makes my 12.5 mile ride to work seem relatively effortless. It has a good ratio ...
...9 rear gears and the gear shifts are pretty good although occasionally the front gear doesn't change up as smoothly as I would like. The disc brakes work very well in all weathers adn the bike is extremely light which certainly helps with the commute. The one thing that I would recommend changing on the bike is the pedals - the bike comes with toe clips as standard but these are pretty hard to use, it is fiddly to get your feet in as you start ...

bja118 28.09.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Carrera Gryphon Disc Spec 08

Wheely good bike! (Giant Defy 2.5 Road Bike)

Advantages: Light, Great gears, Good looks
Disadvantages: Uncomfortable saddle, not the greatest wheels

I have long harboured a desire to own a half decent roadbike. Fortunately my employers opted into the "Cycle to Work scheme" And I purchased a Defy 2.5. Looks This bioke looks good in a largely black and white frame with grey details. The bike itself is set at fairly agressive angles with a nice low handlebar. Frame The frame is extremely light aluminium (10kg total weight) and put together with very neat and efficient welds. The ...
...new to raod bikes you may find the handlebar set a little low. My first ciouple of journeys resulted in sore back and stiff neck, however you soon adjust. Gears This bike features a 27 speed Shimano Tigra setup (3 front cogs, 9 rear cogs) That gives you a huge variation. In the highest gear roadsise blurs past you and I have yet to find a hill that can defeat the lowest gearing. The Tiagra system seems very reliable with shifts always finding ...

thejazzyj 18.09.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Giant Defy 2.5 Road Bike

"KING OF THE MOUNTAINS"" (HILLS ANYWAY) TREK 5.2 MADONE

Advantages: GREAT LOOKS. HANDLING. COMFORT . SPEC.
Disadvantages: WHITE PAINTWORK (BUT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE MORE FRQUENT CLEANING)

Lance Armstrong suggested that Trek name their top end bikes 'Madone' after the Col de la Madone in southern France. A mountain that Armstrong used to use as a training run in the run up to The Tour de France. His times up the mountain side let him know if he was ready or not! It's no surprise then, that the 2009 Trek Madone 5.2 weighs in at around 7.7kg (just under 17lb for the oldies). A bike needs to be light if it is to haul it's rider up a mountain ...
...and on a descent. The Trek Madone 5.2 comes in three different fits depending on ride comfort required. The WSD (women's), Performance (longer headtube for higher and position) and Pro ( smaller headtube ). You also have the option of a Compact (20 speed) or a Triple (30 speed) delivered through the Shimano Ultegra 10 speed groupset. I live in Yorkshire, in Pennines and Dales country, and as such, I find hills unavoidable but I have found that the ...

cadds8 03.09.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Trek Madone 5.2

my bianchi eros donna road bike 2007

Advantages: fits like a glove
Disadvantages: hmmm?

absolutely love it for steep mountain climbs or an average day out in the hills; haven't had any real issues or even a flat... kind of unbelievable considering the miles and terrain I have encountered along the way, etc -- has a stable ride downhill at 1000 elevation drop in a three mile section which I usually warm up with. I am a female/trail runner (5'3 106lbs) whom had the local guys tweak my frame as much as possible to fit me. currently living ...
...an incredible ride in itself near deer creek canyon. definitely recommend for my body type. btw; most would suggest a carbon frame etc yet for peace of mind I am rather attached to a solid frame giving me plenty of speed. two years and haven't had to replace anything yet - all stock except for seat; replaced with a thin specialized at 120$. lovely ice blue color that isn't obnoxious. ...

leightonsway 08.07.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Bianchi USA Inc Eros Donna

Racing bike for beginners and professionals alike.

Advantages: All rounder and easy upgradable components.
Disadvantages: Trek - Attracted to Theives - keep the bike safe.

I bought this bike a year ago from a triathalete who had taken part in numerous long distance races. The built quality is pretty impressive and is designed to last. Unlike other mass produced bikes the difference is pretty noticable. The bike is not that heavy and felt almost too light whislt riding on smooth roads. As you pick up the speed it sometimes feels as your flyin through air. My particular model was pretty moded. Custom straddle, lighter ...
...with xenon levers and shimano tiagra brakes. I also had aero bars fitted which created sleek and comfortable ride. This is a nice bike for someone who wants to test out riding on the road or racing in small races. On the other hand it can be upgradeable as the frame is pretty decent with cabon forks and superlight aluminium. ...

naeem_f1 21.06.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Trek 1200