Cervelo R3 SL
A bike proven year after year at the Tour de France, the Cervelo R3 SL is a favorite in the cycling world. Aside from the world-renowned Cervelo name, the R3 SL has the signature Squoval (square-oval) tube technology to reduce weight while increasing stiffness. It's one of the lightest carbon fiber framesets on the market and can be customized with an endless array of cranksets, component groups and forks for a personalized climbing bike that's beyond "out of the box." The frameset for 2010 is $4,000, as of January, and is built by Cervelo for upwards of $7,000.
Specialized Tarmac Series
As two of the finest bikes in the Specialized lineup, the Tarmac series cuts no corners on construction, materials or technology. The Specialized line is known for its Zerts inserts throughout the frames. These are rubber dampening inserts designed to absorb frame vibration prior to transfer to the rider, making for a more comfortable ride. The S-Works Tarmac SL3 features an oversize bottom bracket for additional stiffness and the Tarmac Pro series features a carbon compact crankset for extra power on hills achieved at the lightest weight possible. Prices range from the high $3,000s to $9,900, as of January 2010, for the S-Works Tarmac SL3 Di2 top-of-the-line model.
Pinarello Prince
Long the favorite of cycling magazines in the U.S. and Italy, the Pinarello Prince is one of the stiffest, lightest bikes on the hill. Full carbon construction available as both a frameset (frame and fork) or fully built, the Prince could be equated to the finest Italian sports cars racing along the roads. Superior aerodynamics, proven performance worldwide and a frame built to handle seated climbing as well as explosive out-of-the-saddle charges uphill, you'll be challenged to find a bike with the aesthetics and performance of the Prince. Not for the faint of heart, the frameset for 2010 begins at $4,000, as of January, and can run upwards of $15,000 when built out to the top-of-the-line Di2 spec.
