Colnago Asso

Price Paid:  $700.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Anything hilly

Bike Setup:
Colnago Asso (59cm c-t) with Principia forks, Mavic Cosmic wheels, Dura Ace gears, Ultegra STI and brakes, 3T Prima 199 handlebars, Oval Concepts stem, USE Alien seatpost, Selle Italia Flite gel saddle, Chorus chainset and BB.

Summary:
This is my first aluminium frame after riding steel frames for a long time. I was expecting the ride to be uncomfortable as the frame is very stiff, but I was very surprised at how comfortable it is. You seem to float along. You can really appreciate the stiffness of the frame when ascending or sprinting out of the saddle. Cornerning and descending is also a nice balance between control and reponsiveness. Like other reviewers, on my frame the paint job is not perfect, but I haven't seen any other Colnago frames so can't comment whether this is typical or not. Considering how complicated the paint must be to apply (there are no vinyl transfers used on the frame), I am very pleased with the result. In summary, this is the best bike I have owned.

Strengths:
Lightweight, stiff, great handling and looks great.

Weaknesses:
The steel forks are a bit heavy (700g), but for steel are actually lightweight. I guess that carbon forks would be lighter, but may not be as stiff laterally .

Similar Products Used:
Ribble Columbus SLX, various 531 Raleighs.

Price Paid:  $999.00 at Gregg's Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Seward Park

Bike Setup:
Colnago 54cm frame (Columbus Altec 2,) Edge carbon forks, full Shimano Ultegra group, San Marco saddle, Mavic Open Pro wheelset, LOOK pedals, Contol Tech quill stem/seatpost/handlebars, Continental tires.

Summary:
Top notch. I've owned many bikes, and I prefer aluminum, even though it rides a little harsher than others. That said, this frame rides incredibly. My last frame, a GT ZR1.0 made me feel EVERY wet cigarette butt on the road, it was so harsh. The Asso frame, on the other hand, is astoundingly plush. It doesn't transfer so much of the road vibration. Plus, it's a Colnago, and they have used their proprietary shaping technique on this frame, even though it is their "entry-level" aluminum frameset (it normally comes with the steel Flash fork.)
Besides being plush, it is also incredibly light. My 54cm comes in at well below 3lbs. (light at this price-point, to be sure.) It also handles better than any bike I've ever ridden. Period. I can take S-curves, hairpins, and switchbacks much faster than I ever have before. If there is any downside, it would be that, while it is an adroit climber, its sprint capabilities are less-than-jaw-dropping. It doesn't feel like the frame is flexing so much as its power transfer, while really efficient, is a little more gradual than I am used to on other aluminum frames.
All in all, though, this is really one fantastic frameset. It's physically beautiful, light, handles well, and is at a very approachable pricepoint, even at the expense of blazing acceleration.

Strengths:
Beauty, price, handling, weight, Colnago heritage, pure climber.

Weaknesses:
Difficult to find, not a sprinter's frame, Flash fork incredibly heavy (steel.)

Similar Products Used:
GT ZR1.0, Cannondale R900, Klein Quantum, Pinarello Angliru.

Price Paid:  $2400.00 at Pegasus Bicycle Work

Favorite Ride:
Mt. Diablo or Hamilton

Bike Setup:
Campy Centaur, Mavic Cosmos wheelset,
Deda handle bar and stem, Colnago Hoskar, Colnago headset and seat post.

Summary:
I went from a 8-9 yr. old Cannondale 2.8/Shimano 600 bike w/ tons of miles on it, to my Asso. I guess you could say I'm happy! The bike feels very lively, but doesn't beat me up like the Cannondale. With the Colnago Flash fork and kind of "laid back" seat tube, the ride is more than acceptable for aluminum. Standing and cranking hard on climbs, I feel the bike is really stiff, with no flex noticeable. Descending, the bike just flat out rails turns. Either uphill or downhill, the bike is faster than I am.
I would not hesitate to suggest anyone looking for a sport oriented mid-price bike check out the Asso.

Strengths:
Light, quick, responsive, not too bad in the comfort dept.

Weaknesses:
Lower bb means you have to be careful when pedaling out of tighter, downhill turns. I don't think the paint and graphics are as good as more expensive Colnago bikes. I'm still not sure I like the Colnago Hoskar seat, but it sure looks cool (black/yellow matches frame)

Similar Products Used:
LeMond Zurich, Merckx Elite (?), Pinarello Surprise.

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at wrench science

Favorite Ride:
35 mile lots of hills, blueridge mountain views

Bike Setup:
asso/ full dura-ace/ mavic open road/ michelin pro-race, richey stem. colnago flash carbon fork, ita

Summary:
very smooth stiff an rigid ride. Verylight feel. with the dura-ace group, and the right mix of components, I feel that the asso feels very much the same as the dream plus costing four to five hundred more. save your money, i have ridden both, no real difference.

Strengths:
responsive ligh feel, great for up hills.

Weaknesses:
none.

Similar Products Used:
dream plus, cilcc 7003ltd.