Bike Setup: One piece carbon bar/stem
Chorus levers /Centaur mix 2006
Proton wheels Vittoria Rubino tyres
Summary: I purchased this bike in the winter of 2001 from Mike at maestro-uk. I visited his Alladin's cave of exotic bike bits. Go visit him if u can.
It was a throw up between this and a master x-lite. I chose this to experience a top of the line alu frame. The turning factor was it was in the 2002 Rabobank paint scheme, amazing it almost looks like a C40 from afar. I transfered my current cheapo groupset from the giant to the Dream. I made sure that I test rode the Giant before the transfer so I could make a comparison.
On my first ride I didn't find too much a difference at low speed except it was a little more comfortable on from vibration as well as body position. I noticed the non sloped top tube had an effect of giving it a tuned ride. Strange. It was a relaxed handling but changed direction as quick as u wanted. Wow. The steel fork also was so comfortable.
Then I stood up on the pedals. It jumped forward with every single push, amazing. The michelin prorace no doubt helped, I couldn't believe that it would accelerate so fast.
Turning at speed always was sure footed and gave lots of confidence even in the wet.
5 years later I upgraded the wheels, bar stem, and groupset. This gave me basically a fresh new bike. Paint has held up so well that people think its a modern bike. I have evn gotten the weight to 8 kgs, that's light enough for me.
I still get looks from so many other riders. Even riders with more expensive full carbon Treks, Bianchis, Cannondales. They see the Colnago name and the wild paint scheme. I have even had Ferrari 360 and Porsche owners asking about my bike.
And through the years I find the bike more comfortable as I have tweaked my position on it
What's next? Well a full carbon colnago of course. I need something a bit more comfortable these days.
Strengths: Sure footed handling. Beautiful paint scheme. Confortable steel precisa chrome fork. And it accelerates like a bat out of hell.
Weaknesses: The rider. Harsher aluminium ride, but, in respect to my previous Giant OCR it is more comfortable. Though the steel fork is a little to soft for the frame as it doesn't match the stiffer rear triangle. I never had a problem with tired hands and arms though.
Similar Products Used: Giant OCR 2001
Bianchi 1885 alu
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Bike Setup: 65 cm B-stay (this thing is only 60 cm c-c, don't get the wrong size)
Campy Record and Chorus mix
Fizik Airone
FSA K-Wing Bars
Speedplay Pedals
Summary: Well, I'm in love. The silky smooth, stable ride is something I've only experienced in a much more expensive Serotta Ottrot. My FSA K-wing carbon bars and Campy carbon seatpost may be contributing some to that feeling- its tough for me to imagine a C-50 being much smoother, though I've not yet ridden one. This thing is simply beautiful to look at as well.
Strengths: Sleek craftsmanship. By far the smoothest aluminum frame I've ridden- I prefer it even to a Cannondale six-13. Very stable and secure on descents. Stiff and responsive on climbs.
Weaknesses: Thinking, thinking...price is a bit high, perhaps.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale six 13, Bianchi Vigorelli- steel frame feels lethargic in comparison
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Bike Setup: record shifters
record read der.
profle design carbon crankset
king headset
deda stem/handlebar
Summary: amazing machine
coming off a trek 2000
difference?NIGHT AND DAY.........
comfortable,stable,like riding on rails,now i beleive the difference my buddies are braggin' about. really really satisfied with the purchase
Strengths: stiff stiff stiff cant ask for anything better going uphills, i will keep this bike for 100 years
Weaknesses: the rider................jk!
Similar Products Used: orbea marmolada
trek 5200
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Bike Setup: LX10 colour code,Campag Centaur 10-sp, Campag Zonda Wheels, 3T The stem/bar,schwalbe blue tyres,selle italia flite saddle
Summary: The bike is not as light as other alu frames but with campag centaur 10-sp gruppo and zonda wheels, the bike rides like a dream. Climbing and acceleration feels effortless.LX10 colour code looks superb.
Strengths: Responsive, stiff and doesn't have that tinny feel that other alu frames give.
Weaknesses: No chain stay or frame protector and obviously the guy riding it.
Similar Products Used: Olmo, Tomassini, Custom Built (Kevin Bartlett Cycles Tamworth, Australia)
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