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09-11-04, 05:10 PM
Since people who haven’t actually ridden them have made so many comments about the differences between 110 and 120 OCLV, I thought I would comment on a test ride I made earlier this year.
I went shopping for my first CF frame in June of this year. I intended to buy a 5200, but I wanted to see if a mountain biker like myself could tell the difference between the different high-end road frames.
For the comparison, my LBS recommended a 5500 instead of a 5200, so that the components on the bikes I rode would be similar. They let me test ride a 5500, a 5900, and a 2004 Madone (110 OCLV with aero) back to back, allowing me to switch between the bikes as often as I wanted. After 2 hours of switching and comparing, my seat of the pants (literally) conclusion was that the 5900 was by far the most comfortable of the three. It transferred significantly less vibration up through the seat than the others, with the Madone coming in second, and the 5500 a distant third. The 5900 was the only one of the three that I could envision riding long distances without suffering from, um, tail end fatigue. For acceleration, the 5900 and the Madone were equal, while the 5500 felt a little bulky in comparison.
I ended up buying the 5900. I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have gotten one of the last 2004 5900s in my size. Since getting the bike I have done several 60-mile rides, and two 130-mile rides (6000 ft el-gain each), and could not be happier with the bike. The best thing I can say about the bike is that during the long rides it just did what it was supposed to, without drawing any undue attention to itself. I have to admit to a little saddle-soreness after 130 miles, but it was only at the sit-bone point of contact, and not due to vibration. (The bike almost feels like it has suspension.)
For the record, for the test ride all of the bikes were in stock, factory build configuration, and tire pressures were matched at 120 lbs. Saddles were stock, and all three bikes were equipped with Dura Ace components. The 5500, however, had a triple chain ring.
Kind of OT, I am curious how the 2005 Madone SL will ride compared to the 5900. To my eye, it looks identical to the 5900 with the exception of the seat stay. (110, no aero, same frame weight) Has anyone had a chance to make a comparison?
I went shopping for my first CF frame in June of this year. I intended to buy a 5200, but I wanted to see if a mountain biker like myself could tell the difference between the different high-end road frames.
For the comparison, my LBS recommended a 5500 instead of a 5200, so that the components on the bikes I rode would be similar. They let me test ride a 5500, a 5900, and a 2004 Madone (110 OCLV with aero) back to back, allowing me to switch between the bikes as often as I wanted. After 2 hours of switching and comparing, my seat of the pants (literally) conclusion was that the 5900 was by far the most comfortable of the three. It transferred significantly less vibration up through the seat than the others, with the Madone coming in second, and the 5500 a distant third. The 5900 was the only one of the three that I could envision riding long distances without suffering from, um, tail end fatigue. For acceleration, the 5900 and the Madone were equal, while the 5500 felt a little bulky in comparison.
I ended up buying the 5900. I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have gotten one of the last 2004 5900s in my size. Since getting the bike I have done several 60-mile rides, and two 130-mile rides (6000 ft el-gain each), and could not be happier with the bike. The best thing I can say about the bike is that during the long rides it just did what it was supposed to, without drawing any undue attention to itself. I have to admit to a little saddle-soreness after 130 miles, but it was only at the sit-bone point of contact, and not due to vibration. (The bike almost feels like it has suspension.)
For the record, for the test ride all of the bikes were in stock, factory build configuration, and tire pressures were matched at 120 lbs. Saddles were stock, and all three bikes were equipped with Dura Ace components. The 5500, however, had a triple chain ring.
Kind of OT, I am curious how the 2005 Madone SL will ride compared to the 5900. To my eye, it looks identical to the 5900 with the exception of the seat stay. (110, no aero, same frame weight) Has anyone had a chance to make a comparison?