1. When price is no object, building a great bike is easy. Mix NASA-grade materials, handmade Italian components, and carbon wheels worth more than some cars, and you almost have to try to create a dud. But building a great bike for $3,000—and by "great" we mean worthy of pro racing—that's an accomplishment worth applauding. The Italian Izoard is a dream bike couched in reality.

2. Named after the Col d'Izoard, a monstrous Alpine climb often included in the Tour de France, the new Izoard sports a stiff, featherlight, vibration-damping one-piece carbon frame that's eerily similar to Wilier's top-of-the-line Cento1 (see review at outsideonline.com/cycling). It also comes with race-ready parts like Shimano's flawless Ultegra group and Mavic Ksyrium wheels.

3. One of the highest-scoring bikes in our test, the Izoard simply lacks weak points. Comments from various testers' score sheets: "Smooth acceleration while seated, and it jumps when you stand to sprint"; "I'd buy it to race on"; "Predictable and calm while maintaining its ability to move quickly downhill"; "Vibrations muted, but the bike stays lively"; "Nice Italian flair without going overboard." (17.5 lbs, 56cm) $3,299 wilier-usa.com