$3299

by John Bradley and March Peruzzi

Shana Novak

Last year, consumers were buying $9,000 bikes and bad mortgages like there was no tomorrow. Then tomorrow showed up. The spendy bikes are still out there, and still worth it for racers who have the cash. But in a time of great frugality, it's nice to know you can get a tremendous bike without jeopardizing your retirement. Exhibit A: our Gear of the Year–winning Wilier Triestina Izoard, which delivers Italian design flair and racing DNA for just over three grand.

Wilier Triestina Izoard

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."

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2009 Summer Buyer's Guide Road Bikes Reviews

Wilier Triestina Izoard Gear of the Year	$3299
Cannondale Six 5 Killer Value	$1760
Bianchi 928 Carbon Mono-Q 105 Compact	$2699
Giant TCR Advanced SL 2	$4200
Cervélo P4	$6800
Raleigh Supercourse	$1740
Independent Fabrication XS	$5995

2008 Summer Buyer's Guide Road Bikes Reviews

Trek Madone 5.2 Gear of the Year	$3680
Scott Contessa Speedster Killer Value	$1450
Pinarello FP2 Killer Value	$2000
Ritchey Steel Break-Away Road Bike Killer Value	$1300
Bianchi 928 Carbon T Cube Rival	$4300
Felt B2	$3600
Felt FW2	$2900
Specialized S-Works Ruby SL	$6300
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL2	$8500
Cannondale SuperSix 3 Compact	$3500
Jamis Xenith Comp	$1850

2007 Buyer's Guide Road Bikes Reviews

Kestrel RT700 Gear of the Year	$3300
Raleigh Supercourse Killer Value	$1475
Cannondale Synapse Féminine Carbon 2 Killer Value	$3000
Look 595 Origin	$7000
Electra Amsterdam Classic 3	$550
Orbea Diva	$5495
Trek Equinox TTX 9.9	$5500
Schwinn Peloton Pro	$2300
Fuji Supreme SL	$5000
Cannondale SystemSix 3	$3500

2006 Buyer's Guide Road Bikes Reviews

Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 Gear of the Year	$3200
Leopard CL1 Killer Value	$2500
Kona Lisa RD Killer Value	$1399
Kona Zing Deluxe	$2000
Schwinn Fastback Comp	$1300
Fuji Finest RC	$2290
Litespeed Ghisallo	$8000
Orbea Mitis	$2249
Titus Modena	$2870
Trek Pilot 5.2 S.P.A. WSD	$3270

2005 Buyer's Guide Road Bikes Reviews

Giant TCR Composite Gear of the Year	$2100
Raleigh Competition Killer Value	$1710
LeMond Buenos Aires	$2200
Scott CR1 Pro Centaur	$2699

2004 Buyer's Guide Road Bikes Reviews

Schwinn Fastback Killer Value	$749
Trek Madone 5.9	$4999
Cannondale R2000	$2399

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