Cinelli Starlight

Price Paid:  $3100.00 at Bicycle Johns

Favorite Ride:
Petraro/PCH/Mullholland, Rockstore to Decker Cyn

Bike Setup:
Cinelli Starlight Peal White 56 cm
Muscle Fork
Campagnolo Record Carbon 10 speed group
Campagnolo Record Pro-Fit ti pedals
Campagnolo Neutron wheelset
Cinelli Solido OS bar and stem
Thomson alluminum seat post
Selle Italia Flite gel saddle White
Conti Attack/Force tires

Summary:
After 3 years on a Serrota Atlanta (steel frame, Record 9speed) I decided to go alluminum. I looked at several framesets including Orbea and Eddie Mercx and test rode both bikes (Record 10speed groupsets). I also had the opportunity to ride the Cinelli. To be honest I enjoyed the Mercx the most but with equal groupings I paid over $1000.00 usd less for the Cinelli (Record 10speed, Campy Neurtron wheelset, Cinelli Solido OS bar and stem) and that as the deciding factor.

I've gone on two rides since buying the bike of 58mi and 65mi both with quite a lot of climbing. The bike is fast and very responsive. The frame is stiff (compared to my Serrota very stiff) but not more than the other bikes that I test rode. My only complaint would be the that the front end is very light which gives the bike a bit of a "twitchy" feel. It climbs fantastic but again the light feeling in the front has not given me a lot of confidence on the decents.

Overall I am enjoying the bike and at 16.5 lbs with pedals and cages it's lite. I hope that after I get more used to the handling that I can again decend with confidence I'll update this review in few more weeks.

Strengths:
Fast lite and stiff. Very cool gfx

Weaknesses:
Front end seems lite which gives the bike a twitchy feel.

Similar Products Used:
Orbea (starship tubing) and Eddie Mercx Team SC

Price Paid:  $5500.00 at RiverCity Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Brisbane to Noosa

Bike Setup:
Shimano Durace group set, ksyrium scc wheelset, Flite titanium saddle,full carbon steerer - Muscle forks, Look 247 peddles, Thompson lay back seatpost, cordless flight deck, Conti tyres, Cinelli Solido stem

Summary:
Love to ride this bike in the hills. Found it so responsive! Dissapointed however to find a crack around the drop out on the drive side. This area has many cut outs to save weight and the crack appeared on the bottom cut out.I was positive that I hadn't hit anything to major on the road! I weigh 70 kg (you do the conversion!)To Cinelli's credit a new frame came up from Sydney the next week! Hope it was a one off!

Strengths:
Acceleration and responsiveness!Great in the Hills. Incredibly light frame!

Weaknesses:
Wouldn't recomend this frame to heavy riders on heavily pot-holed roads!Encourages you to remain at a good weight!!