Elefantino
12-08-2008, 02:13 AM
I had a chance over the weekend to ride a friend's Ridley Noah for a spell. Not long, but long enough to form an impression.
Billed as "The Fastest Bike In The World" (it even has its own Web site (http://www.thefastestbikeintheworld.com/)), the Noah is a full-on, carbon aero beast. This one was shod with Ksyrium SLs and Record 10 speed.
The good: This bike should be banned. Why McEwen didn't win every sprint he entered last year is beyond me. Think speed: instant speed. It just flat-out goes. I am no sprinter nor do I play one on TV, but I the instant power to the pedals made it feel like I could be competitive in a town-line dash with the fast boys.
The bad: I believe I felt each individual chip in the chip-and-seal and each individual pebble in the ashpalt. This carbon is not tuned for comfort. Maybe McEwen didn't win every sprint he entered last year because he was beaten to a pulp by six hours in the saddle. Admittedly, my back is no longer carbon friendly, but this was so punishing it was almost like riding a jackhammer. It reminded me of the old Cannondale 3.0, without the frame buzz.
The ugly: Well, just look at it. I guess I'm a purist who likes tubes that look like they were made on, um, earth.
Bottom line: You don't buy a Lamborghini for comfort or practicality. But if those are no object ...
Billed as "The Fastest Bike In The World" (it even has its own Web site (http://www.thefastestbikeintheworld.com/)), the Noah is a full-on, carbon aero beast. This one was shod with Ksyrium SLs and Record 10 speed.
The good: This bike should be banned. Why McEwen didn't win every sprint he entered last year is beyond me. Think speed: instant speed. It just flat-out goes. I am no sprinter nor do I play one on TV, but I the instant power to the pedals made it feel like I could be competitive in a town-line dash with the fast boys.
The bad: I believe I felt each individual chip in the chip-and-seal and each individual pebble in the ashpalt. This carbon is not tuned for comfort. Maybe McEwen didn't win every sprint he entered last year because he was beaten to a pulp by six hours in the saddle. Admittedly, my back is no longer carbon friendly, but this was so punishing it was almost like riding a jackhammer. It reminded me of the old Cannondale 3.0, without the frame buzz.
The ugly: Well, just look at it. I guess I'm a purist who likes tubes that look like they were made on, um, earth.
Bottom line: You don't buy a Lamborghini for comfort or practicality. But if those are no object ...