Description: Description: Setting the fastest bike splits on race day is not new for SOFTRIDE athletes but it is nice to know that the new RocketWing lives up to the performance expectations set by the rest of the SOFTRIDE line. Just like its cousin the RoadRocket, this bike has all the advantages of Classic Beam suspension with a lower center of gravity and sleek aerodynamics. The light and stiff aluminum frame is designed to provide the most performance efficient time trial and triathlon bike available.
Love the speed, the cushy ride and the way it encourages good spin technique. But the seat clamp assembly is poorly designed, and I've gone thru 2 carbon beams. The seat clamp assembly is poorly finished and the threads strip. But the beam problems are more significant because you can't just throw in a bolt to fix it. The bond between the aluminum and carbon fiber doesn't last. Have gone thru 2 beams. Each lasted ~2yrs with moderate mileage. And at 172 lbs, I'm well within the weight spec.
The wishbone design is still very aero, and the beam offer excellent suspension comfort. Softrides are a bit heavy though, so they went to a lighter 1 1/8th fork. While this makes the bike lighter, they made it a bit worse on the aerodynamic advantage of the front end. Stick with the models from a few years ago that had the one inch fork, and then up grade the fork to a more aero lighter one. Still plenty of one inch carbon super aero light forks out there.
I have owned my Rocketwing for two years. I did have a problem with the beam bolt one time.I took it back to my dealer and he fixed it and told me I had overtightened it when I changed the beam position. I agree that the bolt setup needs upgraded. But ,I have only had it fail the one time.I also own a Trek Hilo. I use it to train on and for hilly courses. I have to say that the Rocketwing is the fastest bike I have ever ridden. On a flat course I would take it over any other bike. Also the beam and carbon fork absorb almost all the roadshock. Even over fairly rough roads you can maintain speed that would have standard tri bikes bounceing all over.On fast decents it is very stable. I am 6'3" and weigh 200lbs.,I can ride the Rocketwing hard all day and not get beat up. There might be some problems with the beam bolt design but I will live with that because of all the pluses that the bike offers.My advise to anyone thinking of purchasing one is to find a good dealer that is familar with the bike and its proper setup.
I've been riding Softrides for 5 years and have owned 3 different models. Pretty darn loyal. I believe in the product. I rated the Softride RocketWing as "Needs Help" for a couple of reasons.
First Softride as a company provides very poor customer service. Example: I purchase a new RocketWing and race IMH 00 and IMF 00 on it only. The bolt in the seat clamp won't tighten correctly so I go to the Sogtride Rep at the Softride truck and ask him if he can fix it. No problem. He drills the hole bigger and puts in a bigger bolt with a nut on the other end. It looks like hell on a $3,000 bike. I thought since it was only rode a couple times they would replace the clamp. Oh yeah and he charged $10 bucks.
Second many Softride RocketWings have a defective flaw regarding the upper pivot bolt. I know 5 people riding RocketWings and 3 of them have problems with the bolt breaking. Not once or twice, but 6, 7, and 12 times. We have followed their instructions. We had bike shops replace the bolt. Our solution was to tape an extra bolt to the bike. Finally last month, we are told an upgrade kit is available. Hooray! Oh by the way, the email also stated the upgrade is approximately $40.
I found the bike to be great for long course racing; however, I don't think I could go through all the hassles again or recommend the product.
Rocketwing drastically increased my run ability off the bike...
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
I've been on a Rocketwing now for four months, and have raced six times on it. Coming off a Trek 2500 - another aluminum frame, albeit with no suspension - this difference was remarkable. Not only do my legs have noticeably more strength left after even a long, difficult bike course, but the suspension system allows me to stay in a more comfortable, aero position for longer periods without back stiffness. Atfer posting two early wins this season, I am excited for this bike to do what it promises to and help my legs stay strong during Ironman California. I regularly find myself passing 180 lb riders on downhills - extraordinary when you consider that I weigh 125 lbs! I can find nothing else to credit that to other than this bike's incredible aerodynamics, and greatly reduced rolling resistance. In short, this bike changed my riding style, my comfort level, and my race results. I would encourage any serious tri/duathlete to test ride one for yourself.
I recently acquired a Softride Rocketwing and raced it after just riding it once at Duathlon Nationals in Carlsbad. It simply shined in comparison to my entry level bike Scott Waimea. The aerodynamics were supurb on the downhills and the suspension "energized my running legs" for the second run. However, I do feel I need more time in the saddle to fully develope my pedal stroke to efficiently propel the machine down the road.
Chris
received a rocketwing frame and built up what I believe is an excellent timetrial bike. But I only road the bike once due to a broken collarbone and complacations which had me out for 6 months. The ride I did complete was a test ride since I built the bike from scratch. It felt really fast, minimal drag. But the really big point is that I could feel each stroke of the pedal and feel the power transfer - and it was awesome! Even at 20 mph I could accelerate and keep accelerating and the effort seamed less than what I preceived with my first bike. Will write more as I heal and get to ride the bike. Draw back - Heavy frame as my bike gained 1 1/2 pounds over my previous machine (klein) but using all my talents (and money) got the weight to 19+ pounds race ready. First race is in January so I'll post the results. Expecting great times from the bike.
