Co-Motion Cycles 1999 Espresso Dura-Ace

Price Paid:  $0.00 at mail order from co-m

Favorite Ride:
copper triangle

Bike Setup:
dura ace components, salsa shaft seatpost, salsa stem and bars, flite trans am saddle, conti gran prix.

Summary:
I originally ordered a 55cm which was sized different than my 55cm litespeed so I found it a bit small. I told co-motion that I ordered the wrong size and asked if there was anywhere I could sell the frame. They took the 55cm back and made me a new 57cm at no charge. What other bike company would do that!!! I don't think they would make it a policy but they definitely want the customer to be happy and will go the extra mile to ensure that.

Strengths:
Incredible customer support. Immaculate craftsmenship. The tig welds on this bike are beyond reproach. They don't miss a thing when delivering the frame. They even lubed the water bottle screws.

The frame is lively, stiff and light. Just a great ride.

Weaknesses:
none that I can think of

Similar Products Used:
Serotta TG, litespeed classic, litespeed vortex

Price Paid:  $2400.00 at Co-Motion

Favorite Ride:
Wolf creek loop

Bike Setup:
59cm seat, 59cm top, 72.5 seat angle, 74 head angle, Dura-ace/ultegra mix, Ksyrium tubular wheels.g

Summary:
I've ridden quite a few different steel frames, and this is hands-down the best (at least so far.) I expected to have to pay the upcharge for custom geometry, but the std. geometry was what I would have spec'd, down to the millimeter! If you like how a Lemond fits, and want to step up to something a bit different, this is the way to go. d

Strengths:
Geometry, the wound-up fork (it out-corners a spx flat crown steel fork i had on a De Rosa I had, and is way more confortable. I went to the factory and watched the builders prep the frame for painting. There was virtually NO filler on the frame! Strip the paint off a Colnago or a De Rosa, and it's covered in Bondo.

Weaknesses:
none, except I can't afford to have Co-motion build me a custom Cyclo-cross frame.n

Similar Products Used:
Paramount O.S., De Rosa pro slx, Colnago Bi-titan, Merlin road, Litespeed Classice

Bike Setup:
Full dura-ace, thompson, TTT

Summary:
This bike is smooth and quick, climbs fast and is stable in high speed turns. Build quality is excellent. The only thing I don't like is the fork, wound up with a cromo steer tube. The steel feel can't be beat solid and doesn't beat you to death like Al. 18.8 lbs built up with cromo steer tube and DT competition spokes, so I'd say you could build a 18 pounder with lighter wheels and fork, but mine is so durable. well I can't say enough about it, it is a great bang for the buck, if you are looking for a full 853 frame. Go ask around, very very few manufactures use 853 in every tube, you can tell the difference and it is worth it.

Strengths:
Light, responsive, comfortable, custom made, great craftsmanship

Weaknesses:
a few paint blemishes, if you're really looking for something and you better look hard, but nothing compared to the crappy cannodale paint jobs I've seen. Cromo steer tube on the fork (ech)

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale F3000

Favorite Ride:
espresso

Bike Setup:
Older dura-ace drivetrain. Campy ergo shifters. Usually Open 4cd wheels. Wound-up fork. 190 lb rider.

Summary:
This is the lightest frame I have ever had. And it rides nice. And it seems stiff enough. I am not sure what's up with the weaknesses I listed. Maybe they were training a new welder. The welds on other Co-motions I have looked were nicer. The bottom line is that for the money I expected more attention to detail. I could have got a lot nicer production frame for the price. If this were a taiwanese frame or cheap italian I might understand, but a Co-motion !! Come on, learn how to weld and learn how to line up tubes!

Strengths:
I actually got the frame only. Very Very Light. They evidently used 853 on the WHOLE bike (which is very rare) My whole bike weighs in at about 19 lbs (And thats with the old and heavy,like '95, dura-ace / ultegra stuff)

Overall alignment was good. Nice Paint Job. Good fit. Rides nice.. not too harsh but accelerates good. Corners well (tested up to 50 mph on curvy roads)

Weaknesses:
-The welds were pretty poor, that is if you consider undercut welds as bad (ie a concave to no weld bead!). And yes I am a tad worried about the frame breaking on me.
-With no hands the bike WILL start shimming and wobbling quite bad at speeds above 30. This is not so bad... however, Unfortunately, it sometimes will do the same at speeds as low as 20 mph depending on road condition (58 cm
frame) This is not so good when your trying to take those arm warmers off or open that powerbar in the middle of a pack.
-When I went to center the crank arms I wasn't sure whether to align them to the chainstays or downtube or seattube since these don't center up with each other (from 2 to 4 mm off!). In other words I have no idea where the center of this bike is.

Similar Products Used:
A variety of steel road bikes.