But that ride has just been made even more smoother with the release of the 2009 Synapse Carbon Ultegra SL Triple.

The ultra-comfortable Synapse features relaxed geometry and advanced vibration-damping properties.

Riders also have more choice, with a variety of beautiful paint jobs and the ability to choose their favorite frame materials: HI-MODulus, ultra carbon, or the 6061-T6 aluminum.

While the Synapse Carbon is targeted at recreational riders and cyclists returning to the road after a bit of time away, almost any rider will feel at home on the latest design.

Available in a range of men’s and women’s sizes, the Synapse Carbon offers a life time frame warranty for the original owner.

Speaking of the frame, it comes with re-engineered geometry, putting the rider in total control and the carbon fibre structure make the bike an ultra light, but ultra reliable design.

The ride is also extremely comfortable with a bend in its seat providing sophisticated vibration damping with lateral flex resistance for excellent climbing and sprinting characteristics.

The Synapse Carbon Ultegra SL Triple is no cheap buy and retails for around $3,500US.

But if you ask any individual who owns one if it was worth the money, they wouldn’t hesitate in saying yes.

SPECS:

Manufacturer      Cannondale
Type     Road / Racing
Gender/Age     Men
Production years     2009-2010
Frame type     Rigid
Frame material     Carbon fibre
Frame description     Synapse Carbon
Gears     30
Wheel Size     700

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIi_2RwzBHU

The British road bike company is back yet again, bigger and stronger in 2009 with one of the best middle priced ranged bikes on the market, the Raleigh Supercourse.

Priced at somewhere between the $1500 - $2000 price range, the Supercourse is one of the best carbon framed bikes you will find for this price.

It uses the similar frame Raleigh uses in its to range designs, making it surprisingly zippy on the flat road and quite punchy when cycling up the hills.

The Supercourse also comes equipped with FSA’s compact handlebars, often seen in the top range bikes, which offer an easy reach to the drop while maintaining wrist clearance.

While there are some complaints that the frame can be heavy at times and has some average components, you will find it hard to get your hands on a carbon frame like this for so cheap.

The Super course is a comfortable ride, which handles quite well and is quite good at absorbing shock and a lot of the average parts of the bike, such as the weight and the average components, are easily upgraded.

It is a perfect buy for the beginner professional who is steadily working up the ranks, as they can upgrade as they progress, it is also at an affordable price to leave them with enough money for entry fees throughout the year.

All in all, the Raleigh Supercourse is a great value buy and a perfect bike for a rider ready to take the next step in road cycling.

SPECS:

# Frame: ACE Evolution Direct Connect Carbon
# Fork: Easton EC70 Carbon w/ Alloy Steer Tube
# Derailleur: (F) Shimano Tiagra (R) Shimano 105
# Cranks: Truvativ Touro Compact 34/50t
# Shifter: Shimano Tiagra 9spd
# Wheels: Shimano R500

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H627sUyDRQ

Kiron is very much the new kid on the block, but it has put its best foot forward with the Scandium, a wallet-friendly road bike that does a brilliant job of mixing the benefits of aluminium and carbon.

You could be forgiven for thinking you had straddled an old fashioned steel road frame when you climb aboard the Scandium, such is its forgiving nature.

But this really is a special ride, starting at the base with the super sturdy Pariba tyres and through to the excellent Easton forks.

In fact the forks are a great case in point to reveal this bike’s qualities; with only a little bit of torsional flex at the higher end of the fork blades, you can push the Scandium to the limit.

That is to say, you can throw what you want at this bike, because it will respond with strength, comfort and style.

Cruising up hills is a dream, thanks largely to the light front end and the firm bottom bracket.

And because of the aluminium frame, you can expect to ride to the sound of an enjoyable hum when on smooth roads. Anytime you pick up speed just listen; that’s the sound of the bike doing its best work.

Considering the jump in price to get to a sub-kilogram carbon frame, you can be very pleased that the Scandium weighs in at only 1163 grams. The Easton EC90 fork mentioned earlier is also light, coming in at just 334 grams.

The spec is mostly Easton – that’s a good thing – and is quality all the way down to the bar tape. You would think that to sell a bike for such a low price the manufacturer would have to take a shortcut somewhere, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

The EA50 aero-section wheelset is great, using traditional round stainless steel spokes but staying firm and light.

The groupset is mostly Shimano 105 – a tried and true gruppo that will last a lifetime and provides quality, no-nonsense shifting. You get a nice little boost with the Ultegra mech at the rear and the Dura-Ace derailleur at the front. Although it would look a bit nicer if the cabling was routed internally, you can hardly expect such a perk on a low cost bike.

If there is a downside to the bike it is only slight: the handlebars could be wider. You may wish to upgrade after riding yourself, but some have found a lack of leverage when out of the saddle due to the lack of width of the bars.

The Time Edge Pulse is a great little ride, operating as smoothly as a true race bike without any wavering of demanding descents and with no woodlike qualities to speak of.

In truth, there is very little change between this bike and Time’s top-of-the-line offering, the VRS Vibraser.

A number of quality FSA components head the spec list, starting with the FSA OS 150 Stem that moves into an FSA Gossamer Double Butted Handlebar. The combination here offers a light yet stiff cockpit, good enough to please the amateur rider and the hardened racer.

FSA is in charge of the brakes on the Edge Pulse, too. Although they don’t have a particularly high profile, riders will be pleased to note the FSA Energy brakes give strong and smooth retention and feature a rock solid design. The quick release cam is accessible and easy to use, and the replaceable brake pad holders are a nice touch.

The seatpost is also from FSA, and it is a very simple unit. Strong and light, it is easy to adjust.

Down below, the Edge Pulse rolls on Fulcrum R7 wheels. Now these wheels do not have the greatest rap, so this might be an area you could look to upgrade the bike.

The R7s are hooked up to Michelin Lithion tires, which are puncture resistant and pretty sturdy. The Kevlar beading keeps them light and strong.

The Shimano Ultegra groupset is nice, but as always it is a matter of personal preference with gruppos. You can depend on it for smooth shifting. If you prefer Campagnolo, you can arrange to order a Campagnolo Centaur gruppo with the bike.

For the seat, Time has included its own generic number. This is standard fair and not the most comfortable in the world, but if you are used to these racing-style saddles you may not need to change it.

One of the real drawing points of the bike is the FSA SLK Light crank, a terrific piece of equipment that will last a long time and rates very highly in the light and strong stakes.

On the whole this bike is a well put together unit that will race if you need it to or train perfectly well. It is a real contender for those who cannot afford to shell out for the most expensive bikes on the market.

Spec:

TIME EDGE Pulse module
Full Carbon PILOT SAFE+2 fork
CAMPAGNOLO Centaur Ultra Shift Carbon levers
CAMPAGNOLO Centaur-D Skeleton brakes
CAMPAGNOLO Centaur front derailleur
CAMPAGNOLO Centaur rear derailleur
TIME TSX compact crankset (50/34)
CAMPAGNOLO Mirage UD 12-25 cassette
TIME RXS Carbon pedals
TIME Monolink stem
FSA Gossamer New Ergo handlebar
TIME RXS Ti Air Flow saddle
CAMPAGNOLO Scirocco wheels
MICHELIN Lithion tires

or

TIME EDGE Pulse frame
Full Carbon PILOT SAFE+2 fork
SHIMANO Ultegra SL levers
SHIMANO Ultegra SL brakes
SHIMANO Ultegra SL front derailleur
SHIMANO Ultegra SL rear derailleur
FSA SL-K Pro compact crankset (50/34)
SHIMANO Ultegra 12-25 cassette
TIME RXS Carbon pedals
FSA Carbon Pro stem with carbon cap
FSA Gossamer handlebar
FSA Carbon Pro seatpost
TIME Activ Gel Classic saddle
FULCRUM Racing 5 Evolution wheels
VITTORIA Rubino tires

There are a number of boutique bike makers across the world who specialise in creating tight high performance machines for sprinters, climbers and all-rounders.

What cyclists who purchase from these companies want is quality and style, as well as a custom fit to their personal proportions.

Well the good news is that French bike builder Cyfac has delivered the goods with its top-of-the-shelf offering, the Absolu.

The Cyfac Absolu is a gorgeous and sleek bike that bucks the recent trend for fatter frame tubes and instead presents a thin carbon bike that is noticeably different from those that roll out of factories.

The hand-made chassis features an inbuilt seat post and a number of finely honed shaping decisions that give the bike added comfort and class.

In fact, the Absolu is an extremely comfortable ride. It is not the stiffest bike ever to hit the roads, but it is certainly very capable when it comes to damping road jolts and bumps.

It is a stiff bike, but by no means as stiff as some of its competition. That doesn’t make it a spongy ride – the Absolu is very responsive but perhaps not in the same league as the Madone or the top Cervelo R3.

A real drawing point of the Absolu is the high quality spec. It comes standard with a Campagnolo Record 10-speed groupset, which has been previously lauded for its top quality quiet, smooth and accurate shifting.

Sitting at the front of the bike is an Easton setup – an EC90 carbon stem (super stiff) and the EC90 SLX bars. The bars are perhaps a little disappointing, because while they are comfortable, they have a little too much flex.

The Easton trend continues with the wheels, a set of EC70 SL carbon clinchers. These are not the lightest wheels on the market (1695 grams) but they are solid as rock and rate pretty well in the aerodynamic stakes.

At the back of the frame the dropouts are protected by aluminium plates, again adding to the quality feel of the bike.

The chainset will probably prove to be a talking point of the Absolu; it’s a Stronglight X-Wing Activ Link that sports quite unusual (but compelling) arms. Normally the Campagnolo Ultra Torque crankset would accompany the Record gruppo but Cyfac claims the replacement is stiffer.

On the whole, this bike is a lovely piece of machinery that gets high points for beauty and comfort. It is a serious machine that could be raced for distance or in sprints, but it perhaps lacks a little bit of stiffness to make it an all-out dominator.

Unveiled the day before the 2009 edition of the world’s greatest cycling race began, the Madone 6 is a full 150 grams lighter than its predecessor, knocking its weight down to a super light 890-odd grams.

In addition to the significant weight loss, the new ride has also improved in the stiffness stakes – 17% to be precise.

One of the key changes is in the fork, a Bontrager Race XXX Lite. This is 30 grams lighter than the previous component and, importantly, will also work to increase the comfort of the bike. An oval shaped steerer tube is included in an effort to soften vibration, reportedly by 15%.

A second key change is the seatpost, which is also 30 grams lighter than before and offers improved damping ability.

Cabling has been internally routed on this model, bringing it into line with the trend set by other top manufacturers.

For those concerned about longevity and getting bang for buck (and you would want to at this price), the good news is the frame will be compatible with the Shimano Di2 groupset when that technology becomes available this year.

The frame of the Madone 6 is bolstered by a new ‘Resin Right’ carbon moulding process, which Trek claims will increase the consistency and strength of the material.

The company is using this model to push more heavily for its direct order, customisable build option system too.

And it makes sense for riders who want the absolute best to be able to customise their bike before it arrives.

By browsing through the Trek website you can play around with the customisation options, playing with colour schemes, gruppos, stems, saddles and more.

In fact there are many different ways you can alter the bike before it ships. Just be prepared to pay for them!

In fact, Lapierre sponsors the French racing team Francaise des Jeux, and its constant to-and-fro consultation with those seasoned riders has led to the better development of its recent products.

The X Lit 400 FDJ represents the second tier of Lapierre bikes and the good news is it does not disappoint.

This bike would have to rank amongst the stiffest rides available at the moment – in fact, some might argue that it is a bit too stiff.

It has definitely been built with racing in mind, and those looking for a casual weekend ride need search elsewhere.

From an aesthetic point of view, the 400 FDJ is a real stunner. Seriously. Starting with the beautifully curved (and super long) downtube and progressing through to the terrific colour scheme and professional-looking decals, this bike will please visually.

At less than one kilogram you can also take confidence that this bike will perform. The lightweight is complemented by great power transfer that allows the bike to launch forward both on flats and up hills.

The spec for the bike is interesting, and arguably its biggest downside. Some might feel that the groupset – Shimano Ultegra SL – is a little below par for a top end bike.

While this gruppo handles itself well, it is not top tier and arguably brings the enjoyment and quality of the bike down very slightly.

However, many other parts of the spec do meet expectations. Take the front fork, an EC90 special from US company Easton. Not only is it light and stiff, it fights the frame wonderfully and is known for its great build quality.

The wheels are more than adequate, too. Mavic Ksyrium Equipes boosted by Hutchison Fusion tyres. These are tough and well balanced, not to mention light.

And another thing about those wheels: they do a good job of reducing some of the road shock that comes with the aforementioned stiffness of the ride.

You will be sitting on a Selle Italia Filante saddle if you ride stock and, as always, you can switch this to something else if you need a different level of comfort.

On the whole this bike is certainly up there with the better known top end bikes and will do more than hold its own in testing.

If you are looking for a relatively rare bike with great hardness and an aptitude for racing, check out the 400 FDJ.

The Scott Plasma 20 certainly holds up this stereotype, delivering a well-rounded and good quality ride.

A drop down from the top-of-the-line Plasma Ltd (which will set you back about $12,000), riders will be pleased to learn that the Plasma 20 does not lose as much performance or value as it might have.

Off the mark, the Plasma 20 relishes flat and open road spaces and has very good vibration damping measures in place.

This means you can pick up pace very quickly and will not be distracted by irritating vibrations.

One point to note here, though, is that the stock Shimano R500 wheels are a little on the heavy side and do not quite allow the bike to perform at its peak.

If you want to race with this bike, you will need to replace them.

When it comes to climbing, the Plasma 20 remains very good but is not quite as capable as it is on the flat areas.

The back end of the bike stays firm and the Profile T2 Wing bars stay pretty stiff when you get out of the saddle.

The plus side of the heavier wheels here is that they keep you well grounded when descending rapidly or taking tight corners.

One thing worth mentioning about this bike is that, for the most part, it is very comfortable. A big part of this can be put down to the Profile arm pads, which fit the contours of your arms fantastically.

Secondly, the Scott tri seat does a great job of sponging up any excess vibration and keeps your rear end in great comfort through the hard parts of the ride.

When it comes to the spec for the bike, the quality level falls from high to medium, and a potential weakness for the overall unit is found.

On the back end you are well served by Ultegra components, and at the front you do OK with Shimano 105 parts.

The alloy cockpit from Profile is a little too tall and should ideally come out of the box a bit shorter, and the Truvativ Elita cranks are not top-of-the-line either.

As we already mentioned, the R500 wheelset is not the greatest ever made and could be replaced in order to get the best out of this ride.

As a total package, however, the Scott Plasma 20 is a very good time trial bike that could very easily be raced or simply used as a quality complimentary training unit.

If you want to get the absolute best out of its excellent carbon fibre frame, upgrade a few of the weaker components mentioned here.

Selling at a comparatively low price of about $1600, the Primavera offers a well balanced ride but without some of the finesse and attributes of a more expensive ride.

There is no doubt that the long history and highly regarded design qualities of Colnago have made this bike an enjoyable ride.

The frame is light and features a slightly different, unconventional geography to the standard modern day frame.

This is most noticeable with the handlebars, which are angled in a more relaxed incline than the typically aggressive setup on standard bikes.

The result here is that you find a great level of stability at higher speeds – something often missing in budget road bikes.

Shimano Tiagra groupsets are not rated particularly highly by cyclists, nor should they be.

This groupset is perhaps the weakest point of the bike; even so, the gruppo does enough to make sure the bike will last for a long time and get you through difficult hill climbs.

In fact, considering its lowly spec, the Primavera climbs remarkably well. The 9-speed gearing of the Tiagra set is arranged at good intervals, making sure you get the most out of each gear.

You will be pleased to know the stock saddle and handlebars are very comfortable (how many entry-level bikes end up costing more because you have to replace these parts?) and the stem has a great adjustable range.

Shimano R500 wheels tend to cop a bit of criticism from top-end road riders. This is because they are not anywhere near the light weight of top Zipp or Bontrager wheels.

However, they are certainly sturdy and will last through rugged daily commutes or regular long rides.

On the downside, there is a bit of road shock to put up with on this Colnago. Most road vibrations are dampened but unfortunately some still sneak through.

That said, there is no more road vibration than you get from some of the lesser carbon frames on the market.

On the whole, for an aluminium frame with a relatively weak groupset and some low-level features, the Primavera makes a very good account of itself.

It won’t break any records for speed, class or quality, but it is clear the famous brand has lent its know-how to this bike. The result is an acceptable, competitive entry-level ride.

Perhaps the best aluminium frame bike going around, the Soloist Team has many of the attributes of top carbon racing bikes without moving into that price range.

If you are looking for a professional-style racing bike and prefer aluminium (some cyclists think aluminium bikes last longer than carbon) or don’t want to spend more than $2000, then this could be your best option.

In terms of fit, most riders find the Soloist Team is comfortable but also allows for an aggressive posture.

When it comes to climbing, descending and sprinting, the Soloist Team doesn’t have a weak point. It manages to do all three of these very well.

The Shimano Ultegra groupset ensures that you get quality gear changes and the Cane Creek headset is also a nice touch.

With good handling, stiffness and all-round versatility the Soloist Team is a standout for aluminium bikes.

Specs:

Frame Material: TrueAero Smart Wall 2
Frame Angles: Unspecified
Sizes: 48cm, 51cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm
Colors: Red/Black
Fork: Cervelo Wolf
Rear Shock: Unspecified
Brake Levers: Shimano Ultegra
Handlebar: 3T Forgie XL
Stem: 3T Forgie XL
Headset: 1 1/8″ threadless Cane Creek
Front Der: Shimano Ultegra
Crankset: Shimano Ultegra, 39/53 teeth
Rear Der: Shimano Ultegra
Pedals: Unspecified
Tires: Vittoria Rubino Pro