Road bikes relax a little

The mantra was "Comfort = Performance," and the product was radical in 2005: A high-performance endurance road bike for aging baby boomers who rode a lot but didn't want to lean over so much anymore -- such as Specialized President Mike Sinyard, originator of the idea. In less than four years, this simple concept -- that normal folk could ride longer and stronger with a stiff but shock-absorbing frame and handlebars raised a couple of inches -- has swept the industry. The 2009 road-bike lineups of the big brands are dominated by these so-called relaxed-geometry models with upright riding positions. And they're no longer targeted only at big-mile boomers -- because, it turns out, riders of every age like to be comfortable.

Buttery smooth

Giant Defy Advanced 1 (men's) and Avail Advanced 1 (women's): High performance, with a sleek carbon-fiber frame featuring a taller head tube/handlebar position that allows for a more relaxed, upright riding position than classic road bikes.

Likes: Fast, light, solid and comfortable at any distance. You accelerate instantly because there is no energy-dissipating flex in the beefy frame, which features a massive, triangular-shaped down tube and reinforcement at all frame junctures, including an oversized fork/head tube with huge bearings, a wide bottom bracket shell (which houses the drivetrain spindle) and a burly seat post/top-tube/seat stays/brake bridge. Yet the ride is quite smooth because the high-end carbon material naturally soaks up road vibration. The upright riding position minimizes neck and back ache on long rides. Includes bladed spokes and a 30-speed Shimano Ultegra/Dura-Ace drivetrain. Features handsome, lightweight "compact" design with sloping top tube that Giant pioneered 10 years ago and is now copied throughout the industry, including the other test bikes here. 17.2 pounds.

Dislikes: A small thing: The teardrop-profile seat post is aerodynamic and stylish but much harder to adjust up and down than a standard cylindrical seat post, which can be loosened by rotating back and forth. In fact, I gave up.

Price: $3,550; Advanced/Avail 2 and 3 models with same frame/lower-end component $2,900 and $2,150. Lower end Defy models with the same frame geometry and different frame materials start at less than $1,000. (800) 874-4268; www.giantbicycle.com.

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