Looks like a deal for 720 bucks with fork. Anyone here ride one? I like the idea of a steel bike. But will it climb well, will it accelerate well? I would like to build up something close to 17lbs. Could i get there with rival? At the moment im on a 87 schwinn, dt shifters, 9speed. Its a lugged steel frame, it rides great but its just not snappy. If not the voodoo my other choice would to be a 2010 giant TCR alliance, CAAD9-4, way to high tech though.

I ride a 2000 -'01 Rada. All steel, Reynolds 853 and 725. VERY smooth ride. Climbs great, but I'm a stringy little climber, anyway. Mine's built up with Ultegra 9-speed, American Classic 350's, Cinelli bars and Salsa stem, ISIS BB and RPM compact crank. Total weight with pedals, no bottles or bag is about 19.7 pounds. I'm not sure you'll see a lot of difference in ride quality from your lugged Schwinn. I have a lugged Bridgestone, and the ride of both steel bikes is nearly identical. If I were in your cleats, I'd go for the CAAD-9, just to have a different ride feel...

For me the modern bikes just feel dead in a way. How stiff is Reynolds 853 compared to alu? I have been reading everything comparing the two materials. Its an endless battle. Some say new tig steel frames accelerate just as well as alu but give a smoother ride.