Marinoni USA 2001 Ciclo

Price Paid:  $2700.00 at Canada

Favorite Ride:
Those quiet country roads

Bike Setup:
Steel frame, ultegra triple, FSA carbon cranks, carbon fork, carbon seatpost. Brook B17 to top it off.

Summary:
This is my first season with this bike. I was very hesitant to order something that I would not be able to ride before commiting the money. Nothing to worry about! this bike 'speaks' to you, and it was one of the very few I rode that 'dissapeared' beneath me. I feel this bike is exceptionally comfortable, and very very smooth, yet still can hang with the front of the pack when you need it to.

The paint job is spectacular...I have had many comments on just the paint, including from non-riders! The frame is sweet too, with excellent welds and lots of options (room for fenders, rack eyelets, cromed chainstay, spoke holder, chain holder)

This is a bike I hope to keep for many many years. I really feel it's great for commuting, lunch time training and those wonderfully relaxing and exciting long rides. I intend to do some touring with it next summer.

This is certainly not going to be your full on race bike or your fully loaded touring bike (close enough, get a trailer!), but for everything else I can't imagine it getting much better.

Good luck!

Strengths:
Smooth, fast but very comfortable. Custom fit and custom paint for the price of a high end 'stock' bike. Excellent parts spec.

Weaknesses:
A tad heavy? depends on what you want (mine was <25lbs delivered). Took quite a while for build & delivery so order early!

Similar Products Used:
First road bike in over a decade. Tested every road bike the shops would let me!

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at The factory

Favorite Ride:
The Swiss Alps

Bike Setup:
All Campy Athena, with a Campy Racing Triple, Campy Atlanta rims.

Summary:
In late 1998 I moved to Germany and took my brand new Athena-equipped Ciclo with me. I have ridden thousands of kms over mountains and cobblestones, in fair weather and foul, and have found the bike to be highly dependable, comfortable and stylish. Of course, this was when the frames were still lugged construction! It is set up for sport/touring, with an extended wheelbase and I have ridden it in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Holland.

Strengths:
A classic bike, the Ciclo is meant for long, long rides. It has a high comfort level and remains composed over most terrain. It is particularly good for covering downhill sweepers. When loaded for touring, it still handles reasonably well. It has all sorts of great custom touches, such as eyelets where they are useful. The Campy Atlanta aero rims are very strong and riding the Tour of Flanders for amateurs was fine with 25cm tires.

Weaknesses:
The bicycle is a bit heavy for climbing and perhaps not great for sprinting. It does not respond quickly to turn inputs, so it is no crit bike. Needs lower gears for touring, but that's Campagnolo's fault.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi 105 Limited

Price Paid:  $2400.00 at Bicycle Specialties

Favorite Ride:
Niagara Parkway to Fort Erie

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra

Summary:
I researched this bike for nearly a year. After owning it for the past 3 weeks I am not disapointed. It has as much speed as I want and I can still carry stuff on it. I like the longer stay and the relaxed geometry. The ride is smoothed out somewhat by using a little less air.

Strengths:
Speed with the ability to carry stuff. Great bike for the 50 + crowd that wants comfort and speed. It climbs the escarpment with noticeable ease over my Tourer. Great for keeping in shape.

Weaknesses:
Keeping it below 25 km per hour.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Gerick Cycle

Favorite Ride:
Tue nt. group

Bike Setup:
Ultegra triple

Summary:
I love this bike. It is very comfortable for long rides but stiff and fast enough to race. Versatile for any enthusiastic amateur. Does what it is intended for perfectly. Only way to upgrade would be a full-on race bike and a full-on touring bike.

Strengths:
Stiff enough for a 185 lb sprinter. A very stable bike at speed. Comfortable for long rides on rough roads. I've also put a rear rack on it for longer credit card tours.

Weaknesses:
A little heavy for racing, big climbs

Similar Products Used:
None