stonegenie

I am looking at getting a new road bike and like the look of both of these bikes. They appear to have comparable specs but there is about a $1000 difference in price.

Does anyone have any knowledge of these two bikes? The icon seems like a sweet deal for the specs, but I am interested in the durability and smooth ride of steel.

I want a versatile bike for both longer rides (100km or less) and jetting around the city.

Which one would you go for and why? If neither of these what would you recommend?

Thanks!

Christobevii3

I have a 2011 Eclipse I got for a steal off my budy. It rides really well and smooth but the geometry is very odd. The seat tube on the 61cm is like 54cm and the effective top tube is 59cm. The difference in the bikes you'll see in the wheels, stem, and handlebars mainly. For getting around a city and long distances I wouldn't recommend the eclipse due to the geometry.

The ultra light aluminum icon is going to very rigid and probably jarring at times. I hear it is a great bike. The steel I like a lot too but I ride my aluminum giant more due to 105 parts being cheaper to replace and humidity here makes me worry about rust.

I've raced on the steel bike and felt at no disadvantage and like it a lot. The Icon if you upgrade in places will be able to get close to 15lbs too. Just a wheelset upgrade you could be a 1lb under the Eclipse.

fstshrk

One of my friends got an Icon Elite as a frame replacement for a Xenith with bad bottom bracket area. Warranty replacement.
He says it rides exactly like his Xenith. No harshness to speak off.

keepamonte

Cannot help with the city riding but our shop is a Jamis vendor and we have about 6 guys riding/racing the icon and all of them love it. Some have always been on alloy, some carbon. No one complains of ride quality! I ride the Xenith Elite and love it!

halfspeed

It has a sloping top tube so the seat tube length is irrelevant for all intents and purposes. The geometry looks pretty normal to me.

stonegenie

Thanks for the replies! I am thinking the icon sounds good. I will test ride it and some of the others in that price range. I really like the look of the CAAD 10 Ultegra. The purchase may need to wait a bit but I will get test riding.

martinus

That should be an interesting back to back test ride ... ( paper thin alu. vs. paper thin alu.)