Someone said: Buy it if you're a high-rpm climbing specialist. Like me. Like Lance. Like a professional. Forget it if you're a big-gear grandmaster. Like Ullrich. Like his knee problem.

Best Thing About This Bike: Wicked high rpm response. It is a very stiff. You can power the bike when you stand and feel the back wheel skidding.

Bad Things About This Bike: The mismatched front end, which isn't as stiff as the rear triangle. It is stiff enough for an average cyclist like me. Perhaps the ITM Millennium stem does the trick. The absolutely straight chain stays and inboard dropouts leave precious little ankle clearance, even for size-9 feet on our second-from-largest frame.

Non-conventional Compact Frame: Sloping top tubes And compact frames, such as this, are a current trend. The fore-shortened seat tube, top tube and seat stays are claimed to yield lighter, stiffer frames than conventional geometry. The first bike of this geometry is Giant's TCR. I had the first TCR design before this bike. The stiffness with the Columbus tubing and TIG-weldding is superb.

Sizing Done Right: The bike can be fitted perfectly with nine sizes. Three or four sizes - like the Giant TCR - simply isn't adequate. However, I am a perfect 55cm with a relatively long stem. I tend to sit a bit forward, forcing myself to use my gluteal more.

Ride Quality: It is not a good if you use any seat post other than a carbon fiber one. I elected to use the Mike Burrow seat post. It comes with 4-5 lengths to give you a perfect match. It is stiff. Lighter and less flexion than the aluminum or titanium counterparts. The Time Millennium fork damps vibrations and gives excellent steering feedback when cornering hard. The Mavic Kysrium is also very forgiving.

Cornering: The geometry is pretty standard for a Euro-style race bike: In fact, it is the exact same bike of Marcel Wust splinting towards victory in a flat stage of the tour the France. It also brought Joseba Beloki to 3rd place in 2000 Tour de France.

GEAR GUIDE

Festina jersey: A$63; shorts, A$83; hat, A$8; Out of shock anywhere. Email me if you have stock.

Specialized Festina logo King Cobra helmet: A$239. Selected store

SPECIFICATIONS