Sloping Top Tube or Non Sloping: Bikefanclub.com

David - from what I have read, Climb's remarks are dead on. No one can usually tell the difference in the ride (no matter what the hype is about compact=stiffer). IMO - what you may gain in rear end stiffness is probably negated in more flex in the longer seat post. Scientific facts? No, but I would bet that a seat post is going to flex more than a complete rear triangle! Anyway, my Race is standard geometry. The one advantage I see is that the TT would not bang your thighs on a compact while sprinting as it would a standard. Do you sprint a lot? I like standard geometry's, but would not pass up a compact Team SC if it was a good deal. The Team SC will probably be my next bike!

The best deal for a Merckx as a complete bike would be www.gvhbikes.com. I bought my Merckx from him. However, Gita Sports somewhat "controls" pricing and you probably will not find variances in price on a Team SC anywhere right now. In Oct., Nov., & Dec. - yes. I got really lucky and got my Race for $1395 from Gary, but he had to move the price back to $1999 the very next day because Gita asked him to (since there was no change from the 03 model to the 04). Anyway, even if you pay full price for the frame, Gary's complete bike kits are way cheaper than anyone else - thus you save. And you can substitute with Gary so that your group and components are just what you want. I'd buy from him again.

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"It is more important to do less more often than to do more less often" Ed Burke, PhD