Test Rode a Six13: Bikefanclub.com

My size and color (red). About an hour in the saddle.

Campy Record version. Impressions: Nice light bike, climbs, accelerates and descends well, looks good. Comfort was exactly what you'd expect - not as much vibration damping as my Tetra or the OCLV I tested, though somewhat closer to the Orca; a little more comfortable than my Klein, but still essentially metallic at its core. Note that the stock bike has carbon bars (FSA k-wing - not impressed), FSA carbon stem and USE carbon post, so there's max CF damping in the set-up, except for Kysirium SL wheels, which revealed every little pebble but were plainly efficient and light feeling vs. the Neutrons I usually ride.

Very nice out of the saddle, did not appear to be frame flex though there were occasional noises that could have been seatpost or seat rails or classic mild Campy chain rub. Could go hands free fairly easily for an unfamilar bike, though it does not have the super stability of a Colnago (compare trail to see why). Its lightness left me very fresh after an hour in the saddle (which followed an hour's ride to get to the LBS). Acceleration in the flats was very good.

Bottom line: There's a smoothness and quality-feel to my Tetra which makes it a better allrounder and possibly, though not certainly, a better century bike. Metal bikes transmit every little vibration of every component or interaction to the body and the ear in a way that I interpret as cheap because it's greater than with good CF. A completely silent bike is my highest aspiration when considering bike quality, and I did not get that on this ride nor could I fully diagnose all noises in such a short period.

However, this was not a loud bike and was at times a silent bike. It's climbing ability made me go "ooh;" its descending ability made me smile, and its acceleration made me think it would be my fastest bike, my pick to race (if I was a racer) or to test my TT speed on for fun. If I was heading out the door primarily to climb without pain I'd be choosing between this and the Orca, with not much to separate them after just a few miles on the Six13. I don't think it's truly worth the money for the Record version (price diff. vs. DA reflects wheels, Campy, and 'Dale's superexpensive crank), but I also think there's nothing quite like it in my stable or that I have heard about.

I might get it, after swapping out some parts that did not work for me.

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"You never make a gift of Ventoux"
Eddie Merckx to Lance Armstrong

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