fauxto nick

Today I went and test rode 3 bikes, an S1, System-Six Dura Ace, and an S3. It was really a test between the System Six and the S1 but I tried the S3 (It was an e-ride day) just to see the whole spectrum. I had never really tested too many other bikes outside of my Trek 1500 so it was a big day of decisions.

First I took out the System Six, I had tried an Ultegra System Six before and loved it but this System Six was a Dura-Ace 7800 one with Ksyriums. I was blown away by the ride, even stiffer than the first SS I tried and far lighter. I took it out for about half an hour, climbed it, sprinted it, and just cruised. Everything fit very well but the bars are long reach 44 carbon FSA bars, I ride 42 compacts so I think I should be able to sell these and put on my bars to bring in the reach an inch.

After my ride with the System Six I was sold but figured I'd give the S1 a shot just to see. I had never ridden a higher end aluminum bike. As soon as I got on the S1 I noticed it felt sluggish and twitchy, I wasn't impressed. I took it out for a few sprints, and spent some time at threshold, and was quite unimpressed by the bike. It felt like my Trek 1500 but far more twitchy and a bit more comfortable. I'm not saying it's a bad bike, but it's definitely not a big enough improvement for me to even want to shell out a grand for.

After my S1 test ride I was sold on the System Six, it was so smooth over bumps and far more comfortable to ride than what I'm used to. At the same time the stiffness was absolutely noticeable, and it climbed like a dream. Once I get the reach dialed in I could feel riding this bike for hours and hours, still there was one thing left to do.

I had to see what a extremely high end bike felt like, I was curious if all this hoopla over Cervelos was hype. I have to admit going into this purchase I was so skeptical about being able to feel the stiffness and smoothness of carbon but by this point I was really starting to notice. I hopped on an S3 and took it out for a short ride (had to get to work). The bike was AMAZING, it wasn't as twitchy as the S1 and the reach felt great (I think the seat was a bit low though).

The S3 exploded with the same stiffness as the System Six but was twice as smooth over the bumps, I could definitely feel the side winds catching the bike and the Zipp 404's it had on it which wasn't pleasant. Sitting and riding on the S3 just felt right, it felt like a great bike to train on and race on, I was throughly impressed. Too bad I have no interest in trying to race a 5 bajillion dollar bike, this wasn't a choice in the first place, still glad I tried it when I had the chance.

So in the end I've come to the conclusion that my Trek 1500 isn't as bad as I thought it was and I'll frankly probably continue to race it in crits. For me the System Six had the comfort of a full carbon bike with the amazing stiffness. At the same time it's in a price range I can afford and I'm not as worried about racing it as I would be a bike like an S3 or an S2, a replacement can be had much cheaper.

Another thing I noticed today was I wasn't a fan of the Dura Ace 7900 on the S3, I far prefer the 7800 on the System Six. The 7900 felt soft and somewhat muddy, it just didn't feel too sensitive. The STI hoods did feel great, anywho I digress. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice on here about this purchase. I'm hoping to have the bike picked up by the first week of June, it's on lay away. I definitely have some buyers remorse but this was one of the bigger purchases I've made in my time, I've been riding more than ever now so this is my gift to myself.

kwrides

Enjoy your new ride. And don't have buyers remorse...we're all addicts too

Bantam

Cool, hope you like the new 'Dale.
I started with a Trek 1500, moved to a six13 three months ago, and I'm now on a CAAD9. The six13 was trashed in a crash. I think that the CAAD9 is much closer in feel to the six13 than the Trek. My top end power isn't crazy, but the 9 might be a bit better at power transfer than the others.

fauxto nick

Sorry to hear about your Six13, I'm not going to lie I have worries about racing this new bike and I'll most likely race my 1500 in crits. I figure if you take away about a grand for the dura ace group set and a grand for the ksyrium ES wheels the frame is roughly costing me around $800. If I did crash this bike and the rest of the bike survived i'd be heart broken but Sys Six frames can be had for $500-$1000 used depending on the condition.

Man I did the deposit on the phone and they were going to call me back when the paper work was finalized and they didn't call tonight. Knowing my luck some dip **** will go in tomorrow morning see it and buy it before anyone eralizes lol.

fauxto nick

It was a hard choice, the S1 definitely ruled itself out but I figured I'd end up buying the CAAD9 frame for $799 then throw $1500 of drive train onto it, then bars, stem, and seat post, and with the level of group set I'm looking I'd be at about $2600-$2800 so I figured I might as well spend the extra $600 or so and get the system. I figured I could always keep my eyes peeled for a 54 CAAD9 frame being sold at a ridiculous price and throw it on my 1500 for crits.

I'm happy but I won't feel like I have this bike until it's sitting in my living room.

MONGO!

That was my conclusion after a test ride too, seriously underwhelmed.

Congrats on the new bike

DScott

shill

fauxto nick

Oh FWIW I might be getting a bit ahead of myself but I'll be looking at unloading the FSA K-Force carbon handlebars brand new, 1 ride, for $120 they're 44cm and the black Arione Wing Flex Kium for $100. I'm willing to take offers on both. If someone were to hit me up now I'd hold onto them when I get the bike next month (knock on wood).

Sawtooth

FWIW, Glowing reviews by brand new posters are usually viewed with extreme suspicion.

Tapeworm21

That's exactly what I did... but minus the buyer's remorse. Once you get more miles on it, all you want to do is ride it more. You made the wise choice on the System Six. I spent more on my bike than on my car... it's the largest purchase I've ever made.

fauxto nick

Brand new? I've been posting for a year now.

fatallightning

I forget, you ever test ride a CAAD?

zzzwillzzz

i've been riding 7800 for a couple of years and i really liked the 7900 when i rode it at interbike, but then it was setup perfectly by shimano themselves. maybe the shop doesn't have it setup right

was not impressed with the cervelos at all, i rode both the slc-sl and the r3 sl as well as a dozen other road bikes

Sawtooth

You're right. My apologies. I will go eat some of that humble pie now

DScott

dedicated shill

bostongarden

You are going to love love love the System Six!!

umd

MrCrassic 

I hope you get it! When I tried putting a bike on layaway (first a Kestrel Talon, then a Cervelo Soloist), I was never able to finish paying it off, and landed up using the money saved for it on other stuff that I needed. Landed up getting a Giant OCR1, which I'm totally happy with.

When (if) you get it, enjoy it!

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MrCrassic 

This guy's a resident here.

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MONGO!

He's a sleeper shill

fauxto nick

Yah man, I budgeted to get it within 1 month but I have 3 months to pay it off and the salesman said they aren't very harsh about enforcing that rule. Hopefully I'll get it but if I can't then I'll have the money down to get a CAAD9 or I could decide to save longer and get maybe an Ultegra S2 who knows.

Fatal as far as the CAAD9 goes no I did not take it out for a test ride after the S1 I decided I wanted to make a higher performance jump if I'm going to spend the money. I've been told that the CAAD9 has the same geometry and handling as the System Six just not as stiff and smooth. I didn't have time to test it and I was sold on the Six.

I have to say I'm a bit anxious because this system six felt a little longer than the first one i tried, I know the bars were ape**** long but I'm hoping switching to compact bars will bring it in about an inch like I need. The guy who fit me said he was confident I could because he was actually in the same situation with the same bars, made the swap and ended up bringing it more than an inch. Anywho, needless to say I'm stoked.

fauxto nick

You better watch out now steve, this bike means I can drop you. (SIKEEEEEEEEEEE )

rollin

Glad it's finally happening. The grass always seems to be greener elsewhere. Ride in the knowledge that you are buying a great bike

Oh and one more thing, it's ney 'bout the bike laddie

kwrides

FWIW - Shills around here need to list each and every component and also come up with some minor complaint that is "ok, 'cause I would have changed that anyway". They also need to name the manufacturer and tell you how easy it is to get one of your own.

If you're a shill, epic fail!

ericm979

It might cost you less to have the shop change the bars.

Enjoy the new bike!