Cyclingnews 2007 Reader Poll Results

Best Product

By James Huang

Red reigns supreme in the 2007 voting
Photo ©: James Huang

Proving that last year's result was no fluke, SRAM has again won the 'Best Product' category for a second year with its newest Red road component group. SRAM took what it learned from Force and poured it liberally into Red: the new group boasts quicker shift action thanks to its new Zero Loss internal design, longer brake levers and newly carbon fiber shift paddles, independently adjustable reach for both, and a healthy smattering of ceramic bearings in the bottom bracket and rear derailleur.

SRAM isn't just on a roll with Cyclingnews readers, though; with the recent additions of the Astana and Agritubel teams, SRAM's presence in the top professional ranks has tripled from its initial foray with the Saunier Duval-Prodir team (now Saunier Duval-SCOTT). Where do they go from here? We can only wait and see.

The Red rear derailleur – shifting to the top.
Photo ©: James Huang

Cervélo's range-topping SLC-SL frame lands an impressive second place finish, particularly considering it isn't really even a 'new' product anymore. Even so, it boasts an enticing combination of light weight and aerodynamics, plus arguably one of the most striking appearances of any frame in the marketplace. After giving it a thorough thrashing ourselves as the subject of our inaugural Project Bike, it's no surprise to us how well it continues to fare.

Coming in at a close third, however, is Trek's newly revamped Madone 6.9 Pro. Unlike the Madones of yesteryear, though, the latest iteration follows few, if any, conventions. The new Madone wears a whopping 90mm-wide bottom bracket shell with integrated (and easily replaceable) bearings, an innovative no-cut integrated seat mast, a tapered 1 1/8-to-1 1/2" steerer tube, and purposefully asymmetrical chain stays. What is arguably most impressive about the new frame design, however, is how it artfully balances light weight and stiffness with an uncannily smooth ride quality and well thought-out geometry.

Results

                                                         Votes  %
1 SRAM Red group                                          3087 34.03
2 Cervélo SLC-SL road frameset                             852  9.39
3 Trek Madone 6.9 Pro road frameset                        664  7.32
4 Campagnolo electronic Record group                       650  7.17
5 Pinarello Prince Carbon road frameset                    546  6.02
6 Powertap SL 2.4 power meter                              497  5.48
7 Garmin Edge 705 GPS computer                             440  4.85
8 Oakley Radar sunglasses                                  430  4.74
9 Mavic R-SYS wheelset                                     409  4.51
10 Shimano electronic Dura-Ace group                       271  2.99
11 Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL2 road frameset            253  2.79
12 Zipp VumaQuad crankset                                  162  1.79
13 Shimano Deore XT group                                  161  1.77
14 Giro Ionos helmet                                       126  1.39
15 Carbon Drive Systems polychain drivetrain               123  1.36
16 Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR mountain frameset    96  1.06
17 Reynolds Cycling SDV66 wheelset                          92  1.01
18 Rock Shox 2008 SID World Cup                             83  0.92
19 Trek Fuel EX 9.5 mountain frameset                       66  0.73
20 Yeti AS-R Carbon                                         63  0.69
                                                    Total: 9071