Road Bikes: Mid-Range
Three bikes that are well priced and built to be fast.
Whether you want to get into racing on the weekends or just win your weekly series, these three bikes are well-priced and yet still built to be fast.
::GEARBOX
FP3 – $5,000
Pinarello
13029
For those who might not be able to afford some of the options at the top of the Pinarello scale, the FP3 brings similar technology from the Dogma and Prince to the masses. The bike features the company’s trademark curvaceous ONDA fork and rear stays, as well as a massive bottom bracket area, oversized down tube and tapered head tube. That translates into a frame ready to handle whatever you can throw at it, but at a reasonable price point. As a bonus, the 12k carbon finish peaking through the paint looks fantastic. The FP3 is available in 10 sizes for men and four for women and comes spec’d with a Shimano Ultegra drivetrain, Pinarello’s MOst brand stem, handlebar and seat post and Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels.
::GEARBOX
Six4 – $4,900
Aquila
13069
Taking its name from the type of titanium used for its construction, the Aquila Six4 features a 6/4 titanium frameset with carbon seat stays. The well-priced bike comes stocked with a 3T carbon fork, Shimano Ultegra drivetrain and DT Swiss RR1850 wheels with Continental tires. There’s also a carbon seatpost and FSA carbon stem and handlebar. Naturally, the stunning titanium finish is left unpainted.
::GEARBOX
VR4 – $4,200
Marinoni
13073
Canadian company Cycles Marinoni has added to its road lineup for 2010 with the VR4. Taking its roots from the more race-oriented VR2, the new bike has thin seat stays for a more comfortable ride, a tapered head tube, BB30 bottom bracket and is available in six sizes from 43 to 56cm. The frame also has internal cable routing for a cleaner look and is available in a wide variety of build options, including this with an Ultegra groupset.
