If you want the smoothest-riding road bike money can buy, the Trek Pilot 5.0 belongs on your short list. Why so smooth? Because your $2400 buys you a carbon fiber frame, rear triangle and front fork. Carbon fiber is well known for its vibration damping characteristics, and you get lots of carbon fiber in this bike. Road vibration doesn't stand a chance. You'll be whisked along in eerie smoothness.

As you imagine, this price range buys you many exquisite components: a 9-speed Shimano Dura Ace rear derailleur and cog cassette, Shimano 105 front derailleur and Bontrager triple crankset.

Who is this bike for? In a word, racer-wanna-bees, plus anyone else who wants a fast ride. It's far, far nicer than many bikes you'll find in the race pack. But the triple-chainwheel crankset, which provides low gears so people of non-racing fitness can climb steep hills in relative comfort, makes this bike more practical than a true racing bike.

Practicality only goes so far. There are no rack mounts. Trek doesn't intend this bike to be a beast of burden, but rather a weekend joy ride, or the ultimate luxury ride for a sag-supported tour.

And since you aren't a pro, but maybe a person who occasionally gets a stiff neck, you'll appreciate that the Pilot's rider position puts you just a little more upright than you'd be on a "real" racing bike. Your neck will thank you.

If you're moving up from a much older bike, you'll be awed by the Pilot 5.0's nearly maintenance free headset, low wind resistance from the 20- and 24-spoke wheels, and the precision of the Dura Ace drivetrain.

We've observed that many people who own bikes in this category wash their bikes after a day's ride, even in good weather. This certainly isn't essential, but it gives you an idea how much these riders value the bikes, and how much they want to keep them sparkling clean.


Pros: As velvety a ride as money can buy. Great components, will feel like luxury with every pedal stroke, goes wicked fast when you want to, climbs hills at a sedate pace when that's what you need.
Cons: No fittings for racks (except those seat post mounted racks, which have disadvantages). 20-spoke and 24-spoke wheels seldom need maintenance, but when they do, a home mechanic won't be equal to the task.