I should have done this years ago

holy crap, where have i been? well . . . LOTS OF PLACES! but first things firs, i have been riding my new road bike. i love my new road bike. i have wanted one for about 2 years, but i just kept putting it off. finally, i did my taxes, and when i saw the tax return i was getting, i realized that i could get a bike! Than YOU, U.S. Government, for giving me a bike back.

(not the actual bike, but close enough . . . real picture to come)

so, what did i get? i got an '05 Sacttante CFR. "But, Mike," you may be thinking, "i have never heard of a Scattante, and that name sounds a little gay . . . " or "nice, but what does scattante mean anyways" (it has something to do with speed, in italian) to which i can only respond . . . me too. i had never heard of the brand, it is the Performance house brand, it turns out. But i dont need a name brand bike, and in all of my road bike searching, there seemed to be only one constant - not "how the frame feels" or "these components are the best" but "if you can do anything to get into a carbon bike, do it. get as much carbon on your bike as you can . . ." soooo, i was over at performance checking out bikes, and i saw this one. its black, has a full ultegra setup, flat spoke wheels, and a full carbon frame, which is pretty amazing. so, i bought it, considering it cost a couple hundred less than any other bikes i tried, and it was less than half the price of the next best full carbon frame in my size from this year. . . . so, i've been riding it, and it is excellent. it weighs 18 lbs.

here are the things i have learned:

for components, Shimano is the standard. with the componentry quality going "105", "Ultegra", "Dura Ace". now, what does this mean? for mountain bikers, its is most clearly translated as the relationship between "LX", "XT", and "XTR" respectively.

for frames, you got aluminum, aluminum with carbon fork and seat stays, full carbon. these days, all bikes come standard with carbon forks. carbon seat stays are "standard" for a price, and, of course, full carbon is the bomb. now, what does this mean? why is it important? apparently, carbon is good, not because it is light and strong, but for two things, mainly: vibration dampening, and speed transferral. because it is a more rigid material than aluminum, that is - it flexes less - the power of pedaling is sent straight to the wheels, and is not lost in the frame. however, even though it is a more rigid material, it disperses vibration better. that is, the intensity of the little road bumps that you feel under your hard as rock, skinny as a rail tires are somewhat reduced. mountain bikers: think "shocks", to a degree. . . a much lower degree . . . now, this vibration dampening doesnt nessecarily matter for short rides - you wont notice it so much after 20 miles. but it is apparently extremely helpful over the long haul, to help reduce fatigue, etc. hence - get as much carbon as you can. one bike shop guy - who must be sponsored - said that he had been riding a $3000 aluminum frame, that "they" had given him, and he "wasnt supposed to be seen on anything else" but one day he got on a bike that had carbon seat stays, and couldnt believe the difference that they made in dissipating the road vibrations. now, thats nice, comming from a shop guy, who, as nice as they are, you have to assume is trying to upsell you at every corner, but on my test rides, i noticed the same thing! even on a short around the block run. so, i am all for having carbon on the bike. am i convinced that full carbon is better than just seat stays and fork? for the "retail" money, no. but, then again, i dont get paid to race or ride my bike.

so, the verdict: i got my bike for $1000. a deal for a full carbon bike with an ultegra setup - i got the deal because it is an '05 frame. which bike would i love to own, if money was no object and someone was going to give it to me tomorrow? well, i road almost every bike out there, and, hands down the Specialized Tarmac was the "best" bike i road. it was comfortable and seemed to have nearly instant power transferral. how can i tell? um . . . yeah, i dont know, it just seemed that way. is it worth the money? um . . . no. not for me, at least. not now. i'll let you know if that changes. but for now, i love my scattante, in all its carbon fiber glory.

(specialized tarmac, bike of the future)