Cervelo Renaissance

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Contender Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
Local canyons

Bike Setup:
Campy Record 10sp, litespeed X1 pedals, record hubs, 32H 14/15 (drive) and 14/17 (non-drive & front) DT spokes, Campy Barcelona rims (very nice), Hutchinson ORO tubulars, ITM Millenium stem/bars, Flite Trans Am saddle.

Summary:
If you have a preference for steel and can afford it, buy this frame. It has the non-damped feel of steel, but does not vibrate or resonate like my older steel bikes. In combination with the carbon fork, it corners like my Honda racing motorcycle, tracking straight on rough surfaces and going exactly where you want it to.

Strengths:
Very light and stiff. Good shock absorption but still feels super solid. Geometry is perfect for me. Very stable cornering. Look HSC3 is worlds above my old steel fork. Smooth welds are really nice. Good looking.

Weaknesses:
Seat tube is very thin and was deformed enough where stays are welded to make fitting a Campy carbon post very difficult. Metal posts go in OK. Paint is extremely brittle and chips easily.

Similar Products Used:
My first new bike in 25 years. Wow, have things changed.

Price Paid:  $1700.00 at private

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 8 speed STI, CXP30 on D/A hubs

Summary:
I bought the frame (demo) and built it up with my 8 speed Ultegra from my old frame. The bike performed very well in the last race of the 2000 season. I bettered my 1999 time even though this year's race had a headwind at every single bloody place on the 24km course. It is not "value priced" but if you care what you ride and you want the best steel frame in the world, buy this bike.

Strengths:
amazing ride

Weaknesses:
steel, but a bit fragile due to "thinwall" tubing

Similar Products Used:
None

Favorite Ride:
Broga + Long mtb rides

Bike Setup:
Durace drivetrain mix with Ultegra stoppers.

Summary:
Nothing compares to the ride of a steel frame. This one is as good as it gets.

Strengths:
Its steel. Oversize chainstays to keep the flex at bay. Ride is stiff enough for the climbs, resilient on the roughs. It uses Columbus Thermacrom, which is only used exclusively by Cervelo, strongest chromo from Columbus, allows Cervelo to make a 3.1lbs frame for a 56cm bike.

Weaknesses:
The fork, a Profile Design, doesn't have a nice road feel compared to my Icon fork.
Pricey for a steel frame.
Paint job a bit sloppy.

Similar Products Used:
Klein Quantum