Dean Ultimate Bicycles 1999 Castanza Ultegra

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Dean usa

Favorite Ride:
Tour of the Unknown Coast Nothern California

Bike Setup:
ultegra 600 on the 3/2.5 and Dura ace on the 6/4 Ti

Summary:
John and Jesse Swift have helped me at Dean and re-brushed one of my frames at a reasonable cost. This old frame of mine (3/2.5) really took a cosmetic beating. The re brush made it look new again.

If you go with this frame go with a carbon fork- like the EMS and with the carbon Kesterl EMS PRO handlebars. Then you will have a frame that out perform the best frame out there.

Strengths:
I own two of these bike frames. Each have different componets and each have different frame materials. The 3/2.5 Ti gives the best ride for distance, comfort and lightness when compared to the 6/4 Ti prototype. The 3/2.5 Ti is set up with a Kesterel EMS fork and an EMS pro handlebar. This really is a nice combination with the 3/2.5 frame. Man ! does it give a good ride.

Weaknesses:
There is no weakness with the Castanza Dean Frame. It is by far under-rated and should be given more exposure. Dean does not change there frame design like litespeed for marketing of what is in. But Dean, keeps to tradition of what works !

Similar Products Used:
The 6/4 Ti is beefy and is best for shorter faster rides, with the group, and the Serotta F1 fork allows for a good response but adds to the weigt and stiffness of the 6/4 Ti.

Favorite Ride:
Crit

Bike Setup:
Ultegra/Dean Post/Profile Carbon Fork...

Summary:
I shopped for a long time before deciding on this bike. I have not regretted it since. I ride for a team that is sponsored by another bike manufacturer and was offered a bike for very cheap... but opted to ride the DEAN. I like it that much.

Strengths:
American made, Clean welds, Durability of Ti... No paint to chip.

Weaknesses:
Decals peal off too easy, small amount of BB flex under power.

Similar Products Used:
None

Favorite Ride:
Flat with a tail wind

Bike Setup:
Ultegra STI 9sp, Corma carbon fiber seat post, Spinergy R1 wheelset, Ritchey stem, Sampson cranks, Dura-ace pedals

Summary:
I love my DEAN. I even named my son after it. I have over 10,000 miles on it and have loved everyone of them.

Strengths:
Nice comfy ride. Frame is build with quality in mind. I crashed it last year in a field sprint going 35+ and the frame suffered "0" damage. It is still straight as an arrow and rides great.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Softride, Diamonback Ironman master, Cannondale 3.0

Bike Setup:
Reynolds Ouza Pro fork, Mavic open pros, ITM handlebars/stem, Chris Cook headset, Dura-Ace throughout. Put this bike together for $2400

Summary:
Great bang for the buck with this bike.

Strengths:
Can't beat it for the price. Excellent welds, overall workmanship. Bought frame alone for a fraction of Litespeed or similar.

Weaknesses:
Perhaps the only weakness would be some slight bottom bracket flex which for Ti I suppose can be expected a bit. Does not raise any power loss concern.

Similar Products Used:
Jamis Eclipse, Cannondale R3000, Trek postal

Bike Setup:

D/A CRANKS, ZIPP HUB WHEELS, CANE CREEK U/L BRAKES, ULTEGRA/105 REST, KING HS

Summary:
A WELL BUILT, ECONOMICAL, TITANIUM FRAME. MY FIRST TI FRAME FOR THE ROAD, I'LL NEVER RIDE ANYTHING ELSE. I USE IT TO TRAIN FOR MTN BIKE RACING. NOT AS NICE AS A LITESPEED, BUT RARE AND UNIQUE AND WELL WORTH THE MONEY FOR FRAME AND FORK. DEAN DIRECT VERY HELPFUL AND COMPETETIVE WITH COMPONENT PRICES. $1100 FOR FRAME/CARBON FORK

Strengths:

TI RIDE QUALITY UNBEATABLE, EXCELLENT VALUE

Weaknesses:

NONE SO FAR

Similar Products Used:

ALUMINUM AND CROMOLY