about a year ago, I was climbing up tunitas creek road...I was out of shape due to illness but was working my way back and I was suffering on the climb. I was about 3/4 of the way up when this older guy catches me. I noticed that he was on a pretty new madone and I asked how he like the bike. he said that he was on an old hybrid for ten years, he took the bike in for some work, and saw the madone. the shop owner said "why don't you take it out for a spin while your bike is being worked on." he loved the bike so much that he has yet to get back on that hybrid. on top of that, he is now commuting to work everyday on his madone.