Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/26434
ROt=lD BIKES "\ �����'? e / ��i!!:j /l]l#D:( :: *Ui£� 3!� TREK LANCE ARMSTRONG SIGNATURE EDITION Down to the saddle, this bike is an exact dupl icate of the one Armstrong rode from Le Puy du Fou to Paris last summer. It was Trek's lightest-on-the-planet (2.44 pounds) carbon fiber frame. The claim-to-fame of carbon, in general, is its abil ity to absorb and dissipate vibration before it enters the body through the butt and hands. This frame in particular-available in the Signature 5500 (same bike, different paint for $700 less) and less-expensive 5200 ($2,700) models-features a longish top tube, which distributes weight more evenly, and an optimal chainstay length for smooth, strong pedal strokes and faster sprints. The drawbacks of carbon, however, are that it echoes road noise, can crack when it hits pavement and is a few steps away from the soul found in steel. Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Weight: 17.B pounds Trek, 920-478-467B, www.trekbikes.com. $4,500 SPECIALIZED S-WORKS M4 TEAM Aluminum is stiff. Since it is a softer material than steel or ti, the tube walls must be thicker, resulting in a harsher ride. This also means that aluminum frames, such as the Special ized M4, respond quickly and precisely to rider input. Aluminum frames, then, are de facto the best sprint ers. They are great for tall and/or large people, where increased abuse and torque come into play. On the downside, though, you'll feel every bump in the road, and the life of aluminum can be cut short in less than three years. The M4 aero design-with foil-shaped seat tube and down tube and removable seatpost fairing-can also double as a descent time-trial bike. Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Weight: 17.25 pounds Specialized, BOO-245-3462, www.specialized.com. $2,600 The cyclocross bike is cycli ng's rebell ious, mud-loving stepchild. This is a painful sport, with roots in Europe, whose season is in the cold, often snowy, months of fall. The bikes resemble a road setup, except the tires are knobby, the bars are more upright and the wheels are more stout for handl ing abuse-and there's lots of it. Also, you'll size them about two centimeters less than a road bike for added clearance. If you don't plan to torture yourself racing, these ingredients also make for a superb commuter bike. Compared to its sisters (road bikes), cross bikes are positioned more upright, which makes clearing curbs and potholes a heckofalot easier. Since they're meant for off-road ridi ng, the geometry is a bit more relaxed-more mountain-bike-like-for smoother handling on tight, tech�ical terrain and (if you're lucky) sin- gletrack! _ CANNON DALE XSBOO Since cyclocross racing demands repeated mounts, dis mounts and portagi ng, weight is a huge issue. And since cyclocross is so abusive, many bikes are made of forgiv ing and affordable steel. Cannondale, on the other hand, has balanced this equation in making its frame with a lighter (yes, stiffer) aluminum frame, yet pairs it with a lightweight, Headshok Fatty Ultra front suspension. That's 25 millimeters of travel with on-the-fly lockout-an ideal choice for the ever-popular city-cross ride. Weight: about 23 pounds Cannondale, BOO-BIKE-USA, www.cannondale.com. $1,625 (Note: XRBOO model with out shock for $1,409) ---r \; . . '1. ' ��-------'.=....--� { I '.� " I .. ' . .., , ,� , \ KONA "JAKE THE SNAKE" With roots in the nutty province of British Columbia, you can't go wrong with the straightforward soul of Kona's aluminum "Jake the Snake." Admittedly, the aluminum frame and straight fork can send shock waves through to your own soul, but for the money it's actually a steal. Weight: 22.9 pounds Kona, 360-366-0951, www.konaworld.com. $1,200