CHEAP THRILLS
With so many astronomically expensive bikes on the market, it’s easy to get the impression that entry-level bikes perform too poorly to warrant consideration. The Xenith Comp proves that’s not the case. The full-carbon frame offers about as stiff a platform as you’ll find at this price, and the handling was confidence-inspiring enough for us to dive through corners in the Rocky Mountains. The mix of Shimano’s Ultegra and workhorse 105 component groups ably handles shifts. Our only gripe is with the company’s R500 wheels, which have a slightly dead feel that robs the frame of some spark. 19.2 lbs, 56cm; jamisbikes.com