I've spent my time "in the trenches", so to speak; wrenching in shops. So I've ridden a lot of nice, high end bikes. Saying that, my summer acquisition C.N.C. Special is as electric of ride as anything else I've ridden. The PO told me he'd never ridden a bike that went up hills by itself before that one. It has the eyelets and clearances to be used year 'round, but it's a little too dear for me to ride this time of year.
