The MJ Rating System Excellent: Great: Good: Fair: Junk:

SPLURGE BMC | Pro Machine SL Co1 Never heard of BMC? That's about to change. The Swiss bike-maker sponsors Floyd Landis's Phonak team and is the first to incorporate carbon nanotubes into an entire frame. The new technology makes the frame 17 times stronger than traditional carbon-fiber frames. Weighing 14.2 lbs when equipped with Campagnolo Record components and Campy wheels, the Pro Machine handles with the precision racers demand from an unapologetic speed bike and climbs like a homesick angel. [$3,650 for frame set, from $5,350 for complete bike; www.bmc-cycling.com] RATING:
EDITORS' PICK Cannondale | Six13 Pro 2 Most modern aluminum bikes selectively incorporate carbon fiber into the frame's rear triangle to help lessen their harsh feel on the road. Cannondale's 17-lb Six13, however, brings carbon to the front triangle, in the form of a fat downtube. The resulting bike powers through curves, responds to micro-adjustments, and sprints and climbs without any of the cruel edginess associated with aluminum. And, as expected, Shimano's race-level Ultegra group shifted and stopped flawlessly. [$2,400; cannondale.com] RATING:
CENTURY RIDER Merlin | Ti Works CR3/2.5 The current fervor over carbon fiber overlooks one fact: It's not the only material that can be used to craft a high-performance bicycle frame. Indeed, Merlin's Ti Works delivered the smoothest ride of all the bikes we tested. Plus, titanium won't rust (like steel), and the frame won't fatigue (like aluminum). The 18-lb Shimano Ultegra-shod Merlin also scored points for its versatility. Testers raved, saying it was fast enough for a one-hour race and comfortable enough for a five-hour cruise. [$3,500; merlinbike.com] RATING:
MOST COMFORTABLE Giant | OCR Composite 3 As self-confessed speed freaks, we admit that we'd all but dismissed this new 19-lb Giant for its many concessions to comfort: a more upright riding position, a triple front chainring, and a full carbon-fiber frame. But that was before settling on its saddle (yup, also comfy) for a two-hour jaunt that included a few miles of gravel. "It was one of the best rides of my adult life," said one tester, "made even more enjoyable by the absolute lack of ache in my shoulders afterward." Better yet: The new Shimano 105 components help make this bike a smokin' deal. [$1,800; giantbicycle.com] RATING:
BEST VALUE Specialized | Allez Elite double Five years ago, when aluminum bikes were all the rage, the E5 Columbus SLX-tubed Allez Elite would have run you well north of $2,000. Today the 19-lb bike provides an affordable ticket to the world of high-performance cycling. And by fitting it with a carbon-fiber fork and seat post, Specialized mitigates the worst of the vibration that rings through the frame's thick tubes. Shimano's 105 components help keep the cost down, but note that they're the nine-speed version, not 10-speed. At this price, though, we'll give up a gear. [$1,200; specialized.com] RATING:
BARGAIN Jamis | Satellite The vast majority of bikes less than $1,000 are hewn from aluminum. And that's a shame, because cheap aluminum is like cheap whiskey: It'll get you there, but there will be repercussions. Instead, consider Jamis's steel Satellite -- the perfect bike for a budget-obsessed beginner. Built from supple Reynolds steel tubing, the ride trailed only the Merlin and Giant for outright comfort. There is, of course, a trade-off: 24 lbs of gravity-loving heft. But if you value comfort over outright speed, the Satellite excels. [$750; jamisbikes.com] RATING:

(March 2006)