Douglas Matrix

Price Paid:  $2099.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any and all!

Bike Setup:
Stock with the exception of Selle Italia SLR saddle and Vredstein Fortezza SE tires. My pedals of choice are Look Keo.

Summary:
2008 Douglas Matrix. I live in Colorado Springs and was also able to take advantage of a custom fit. I am a commuter/fitness rider averaging about 150 miles per week. I wouldn't say the saddle is horrible like the others, but I also swapped to a Selle SLR for weight (135 grams). There are $2000 carbon bikes and $2000 Dura Ace bikes; but as far as I can tell only the Matrix is both at the price point! Power transfer is excellent! The bike wants to go faster than I'm willing to go. I swapped out the Continentals that came on the bike (too many flats) for Vredstein Fortezza SE. The Vredsteins will roll at 160 psi!! At that high pressure this bike is a flat out cheetah; scary fast! Road damping is excellent without power transfer loss. There is absolutely no better deal to be found; highly recommended!

Strengths:
Dura Ace, carbon, price, spec, build, stiffness, dampening, speed.......

Weaknesses:
Continental Ultra Sport only due to my many flats experienced with those tires.

Similar Products Used:
Motobecane, Specialized, Cannondale and Bianchi.

Price Paid:  $1995.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
CMR

Bike Setup:
Full Dura Ace with Ultegra 6600 pedals

Summary:
It is actually the 2008 and it is a great bike. I tried numerous other carbon bikes in the $2000 price range. I was unable to find any that had the same stiffness in the frame and Dura Ace components. The bike flat out flies when who hammer on it. The only thing is the seat sucks and needs to be replaced right away. I ordered the bike and it was at my residence in 7 days and took about 10 minutes to put together. Best bike I have ridden

Strengths:
Components are the best and the frame rocks.

Weaknesses:
Saddle sucks and needs to be replaced right away. The wheels could be better but when compared to other $2000 bikes they are way better.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1000, Trek 5000, Giant OCR, and Specialized Allez Expert.

Price Paid:  $1599.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Model Year:
2006

Bike Setup:
Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow saddle. Ultegra components. Easton circuit wheels

Summary:
One of the best all around values I've ridden. I have no complaints about the ride. Awesome road dampening while maintaining good energy transfer. Because I live in Colorado Springs I was able to get a custom fitting and swap out the saddle and stem to get the best riding position. When I broke the seat clamp due to over torquing, they fitted me with a new one while I waited for free. The bike comes ready to race. I found the saddle uncomfortable after 200 miles of riding and swapped it out. You'd be hard pressed to find another carbon bike at 16.7 lbs with these components for the price.

Strengths:
Everything but the saddle

Weaknesses:
saddle

Similar Products Used:
Giant carbon