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10-11-09, 07:06 PM
I have been as high as 235lbs on this set up, during the summer and old friend came back for a month and I went overkill on the beer, anyway back to 220lbs and as always hoping to be sunb 200 by next summer which I have said before too:(. Onto main topic if you are around my size and thinking of a new bike and thinking it may be carbon I say go for it! I realize many here will say it's not the smartest thing to do but for me it has been the best thing. I love my ride and how it rides, which makes me want to ride it even more which I have. I have over 5000k on this bike now, will admit the wheels are not proven yet as I just aquired them. I had bontrager raceXlites which gave me no issues at all which was a nice suprise as everyone told me I would kill them. I actually talked with my dealer and he actually recommended them over the Mavic sl's as he has had fewer returns with the bonti's. I bought the Dura Ace because I wanted some deep carbon clinchers and after doing some research I was lead too the DA's as they have a reputation of being bomb proof even with the low spoke count. Something about highest strength steel on the market and high tension, best thing was dealer brought these in for another costumer who was a light guy and couldn't handle them in the wind, I will give a follow up review on these wheels when I have more k's on them. Details of build, Trek 5.5 Performance fit Madone project one, Sram Force 53-39 with a shimano 11-25 cassette, bonti speedplay brakes which are awesome, Selle Italia Gel Flow seat, Bontrager RaceXLite wheels(now DA) Conti GP 4000 tires, Ultegra pedals, and topped off with a 705 Garmin.
I realize 5000k is not the longest amount of K's to warrent a long term test but it has been put thru it's paces, the roads in my area get hit with heavy frost every year which does havoc with the surface creating potholes and heaves all over so we do have moments were avoidance is not happening and it has taken it's share of hard hits. Have done rides up to 21okm and everything in between, hills, up to 21%, climbs up to 40km be it avg grade of 3% so no mountains, this bike also took my performance up a notch or two, it gives one a high confidence level with how it holds a line and stability at high speed, I can finally hang and even do my share out front with the local fast guys.
If you are thinking of going carbon, I say do not hesitate if you find a bike you love go for it you will not regrett it.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/bigugly1/DSC03324.jpg
I realize 5000k is not the longest amount of K's to warrent a long term test but it has been put thru it's paces, the roads in my area get hit with heavy frost every year which does havoc with the surface creating potholes and heaves all over so we do have moments were avoidance is not happening and it has taken it's share of hard hits. Have done rides up to 21okm and everything in between, hills, up to 21%, climbs up to 40km be it avg grade of 3% so no mountains, this bike also took my performance up a notch or two, it gives one a high confidence level with how it holds a line and stability at high speed, I can finally hang and even do my share out front with the local fast guys.
If you are thinking of going carbon, I say do not hesitate if you find a bike you love go for it you will not regrett it.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/bigugly1/DSC03324.jpg