March 2nd, 2009 by 
thien
Redline 2009 Conquest Pro Full Review - By Steve Cooper
- Frame: R6 Double Butted Alloy
- Fork: Carbon Fiber With Alloy Steerer.
- Sram Rival shifters and derailleurs
- FSA Gossamer 46×36t crankset
- Ritchey Pro wheel set with Hutchinson Bulldog tires
- Available in 7 sizes
Admit it. You’ve watched crazed cyclocross riders with drop bars and skinny tires plowing through puddles, scrambling up muddy hill sides and shouldering their dirt caked bikes over logo clad white barriers. Likely you’ve pondered what it would take to get out in the muck, all with a hunch that the filthier you got, the funner the time you’d have.
The obvious door into that day dream is to break down and buy a cross bike; but your frugal side smacks you upside the head and halts that dream dead in its tracks. Reality check. You talk yourself down, rationalizing that a decent cross bike is too expensive. And an affordable one is bound to be a string of disappointing compromises that you’ll outgrow as soon as CCX skills kick in.
Turns out, Redline has your wake up call. They’ve assembled a sophisticated spec that retires that rationale. The Pro doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to straddle, and if you truly outgrow it, it’s time to line up sponsors. The 2009 Conquest Pro is a solid cyclocross offering that gets you onto the dirt, helping dial in your skinny tire trail chops; and when you finally decide to take it to the races, just get a number and go.
Sure you’ll want to tweak it some. But the Conquest Pro is a great foundation, and since you’re not into it for deep coin, adding those few pieces along the way is as painless as upgrading can be.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Nice review, but what’s the price?
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Hey Chris, MSRP on the 09 Conquest Pro is 1799. It didn’t take much digging around online to find solid discounts off the list price.
Cooper
March 4th, 2009 at 10:44 am
“Carbon wrap is a puzzling concept”
Ain’t that the truth?
March 5th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Is that a little stick holding it up so you could take that sweet pic?
Genius!
March 6th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Hey Twain - a little secret - a stick will work in a pinch, but in my tool box and bike travel gear bag I have steel welding rods cut to length to prop against rear wheel dropout or the bottom bracket. Position the rod so it’s out of the composition, maybe even a small stone under a wheel so it doesn’t roll.
June 11th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
The founder of yikes ID says this is his sport - cyclocross. It’s awesome and highly recommends it. We train every Friday throughout the year and can’t wait for late autumn / winter to race.
Train smart - carry a yikes ID helmet tag - attach it once to the helmet’s fitting system so your identification is always with you.
http://www.yikesid.com