I rode the Redline R550 to work Monday and Tuesday. After almost 50 miles, here are my initial thoughts and comments about this bike.
Let’s begin by checking out the specs:
Lightweight double butted aluminum frame that is fender-friendly with a replaceable rear derailleur hanger. Vibration dampening, Redline Carbon Technology (RCT) carbon fiber fork with 3K weave. Wide range gearing with Shimano SL-440 flat bar shifters and Sora derailleur matched to a FSA 50/39/30t triple crankset give you 27 speeds. Multi-hand position flatbar with bar ends for heads-up riding position. Sturdy and lightweight Alex AKX R1.0 wheelset uses stainless steel spokes.MSRP:$749
Looks:The R550 is a very nice looking bike; what I find interesting is that as soon as people see flat bars, they assume that it is a Mountain Bike, I then have to correct them and tell them that this is a road bike with flat bars and trigger shifters. I don’t really care for the look of the bar ends, but their functionality is something that I appreciate.
The Ride:The ride has been surprisingly comfortable for an aluminum bike. The carbon fiber fork absorbs most of the chatter and the Velo Plush saddle is one of the most comfortable saddles I’ve ever ridden with. Being a road bike, the R550 is a fast bike with quick steering; the bar ends enabled me to stand up and sprint up to speed or climb the freeway overpasses with ease. The trigger shifting mechanism is very fast and smooth — it almost rivals my XT shifters.
What it lacks:I was rather disappointed that this bike didn’t come with rear rack eyelets, although I’ve installed a seatpost rear rack to ride with a ‘trunk bag’. First thing I did after my first ride is to swap the pedals; toe-clips are not my thing. I have installed dual platform SPD pedals, something that I think it should come standard on these types of bikes.
I’ll post a full review in about a couple of months, come back for the updates.
Popularity: 11% [?]
