There is very little feedback available from folks who own a 525 that I felt compelled to share my perspectives. As a 525 owner I find this review to be extremely accurate. The bike is fast, comfortable and carves turns remarkably. When I get back on the non-aero bikes in my stable I do feel that I’m at a speed disadvantage and working harder for the same speed. I find it to be very comfortable…both from the perspective of geometry and carbon layup. In fact, it is one of those bikes that makes me have to remember to stand every so often to relieve the pressure and muscle tension. Otherwise, I could remain seated for five mile clips like it was nothing.

As for the cons that I have noticed, the seatpost slippage and binder is real. The author soft pedals this issue, but I find it a constant annoyance. Plus, the internal binder bolt is sensitive and very hard to source. Mine is out of commission now because the binder insert is stripped, and they are not easy to find. Moreover, the binder is limited to 8-10NM of torque, which does not seem adequate…hence, over torquing it is easier than would be imagined. I just ordered three out of concern that it will inevitably happen again, repeatedly, and I will not be able to find the part…rendering the frame useless. For the record, it uses the same binder as the Ridley Noah range, but this is not known or stated by most retailers.

As far as weight goes, it rides lighter than it feels in the hand. Mine is a size large frame built up with campy chorus 12 speed, WTO 45 wheels, and comes in at about 17.6 pounds…which is not light. However, on the road it does not feel any heavier than the mid 16 pound bikes that I also ride. It climbs fine and whizzes around merrily as the author wrote. It is a happy riding bike with plenty of stability. It Carries its’ weight low on the frame. So, you don’t feel it on the flats at all, and on the climbs that weight seems offset by the geometry and stiffness. It is not a climbers bike, but climbing is not its’ Achilles heal either.

All-in-all, I like the bike but the seat post binder/slippage issue is a killer. Hopefully, some carbon paste and roughing up the internal seat tube and binder surfaces will help. If not, it will ruin an otherwise highly credible product. I am a big rider – 6’2” and 250 pounds/115Kg., but I have not had this problem with any other frames through 30 years of riding (other than a mid 90’s Steel Pinarello Stelvio).