Best 2009 Men's Road Bikes

Epic's S-Works has already caught the spotlight as the premiere racing bike after Christophe Sauser won his second world title last year. Although photographs of the racing bike were beamed worldwide, the specs of the new bike were not made public. Finally, the wait for the general public is over, and this rugged terrain bike has been revamped from rear axle mount to the placement of the shock. Riders and enthusiasts will be pleased with to tackle the trails once again with this lighter weight Epic, which has the same quality but improved performance.

Sharing the outdoors, and the excitement, are the four other trusted names in cycling: Scott Genius, Trek's Fuel EX, Surly's Karate Monkey, and GT's Avalanche. Sporting redesigned frames, these already rugged bikes are lighter and more rigid. With the lighter weight come greater speed, and the rigidity improves the response time for quick maneuvering mountain biking requires. The new suspension and redesigned shocks gives a smoother ride on the open trail.

The Scott Genius, now freed from the patent dispute, gives Epic a race for its money. With six versions of its new 150-millimeter trail bike, including the Carbon and Alloy models, there's a bike to suit anyone. Always superior in construction, the Genius remains one of the most sought after terrain bikes. Riders experience the ease of handling whether competing or enjoying a good day's ride in the mountains. According to a company spokesperson, the U.S. release of the bike is expected in early 2009.

Trek's Fuel EX sports a custom-tuned rear suspension for all day riding comfort. The new technology adjusts for descending and climbing in mountain terrains. Built for the serious rider or the average user, it can be used for cross-country racing, or short trips. This versatility makes the Fuel one of the most sought after bikes on the market, and in 2009, Trek refuses to rest, giving owners their new innovations.

The Karate Monkey by Surly, using larger wheels, rolls over obstacles and gains more traction. The smooth ride is even more comfortable this year with new designs and modeling. The Monkey is suitable for both off-road biking and street travel, so it's popular with urban dwellers who like weekend mountain biking.

GT's ever-popular Avalanche is back this year, with hydraulic dual piston brakes, and a HG 40 Shimano 8 speed chain. Built for comfort, this is a great bike for all day touring, and handling the mountain terrain.

These high performance bikes, average weight 20 pounds. range from $6000.00 to $8,000.00. Contact your local dealership on availability, or visit these websites:

Surlybikes.com

ScottUSA.com

TrekBikes.com