De Rosa Corum

Price Paid:  $3800.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Sutton - Jay Peak loop in VT

Bike Setup:
57cm
Full Chorus
Chris King headset
Selle San Marco Era Pro saddle
Thomson Elite seatport
Campy Eurus wheels

Summary:
There are not many raceable steel frames left out there, and the de Rosa Corum is one of them. For just a few grams more than your standard carbon racing bike, you get a buttery smooth ride that only steel provides: outstanding vibration dampening without the dead feel of most carbon and aluminum frames. The bottom bracket is super stiff, even for a 6ft, 180lbs rider. The frame is very lively and responsive, making it an all-star climber and sprinter. For steel lovers who don't want to compromise performance for confort, this is the bike for you.

Strengths:
Super confortable buttery feel, stiff yet lively, great handling, lightweight for a steel frame.

Weaknesses:
Seatpost size is 29.4 (very rare: only Thomson, Selcof and FSA make them as far as I know).

Similar Products Used:
Look 381i, Lemond Tourmalet (steel), Marin Argenta, Marinoni Squadra (slx steel)

Price Paid:  $0.00 at competitive cyclist

Bike Setup:
Record, Neutron tubs, Vittoria Cx, Easton bar

Summary:
Replacing a Spectrum Titanium Super, this bike is smoother and far quicker.
It feels like the difference between clinchers at 120psi and sew-ups at 90psi for ride comfort. Stiffness is in another world and sprinting and climbing is rocket-like compared to the ti.
The blue/white paint is gorgeous.
Extremely stable under all conditions, especially when cornering in a pack of lunatics.

Strengths:
See above, plus-- no one else has one.

Weaknesses:
none, well, it's not 1.9lbs.

Similar Products Used:
Abovementioned Spectrum ti., Colnago Masterlight, Look 281

Price Paid:  $3800.00 at Wrench Science

Favorite Ride:
Los Alamitos- Solana Beach

Bike Setup:
Record , Thomson seat post, Mavic wheelset, Selle Italia seat,stem/handlebar

Summary:
Being a long time Derosa rider and a "steel is real" guy I gave a lot of thought about going away from the traditional and trying a different frame composition in buying my first bike in 15 years. Demo'd all kinds of set-ups , makes , compositions and came to the conclusion I would stay tried and true . Boy am I glad I did. Purchased a 2003 Blue to Pearl frame and it is the most amazing ride ! The bike soaks up the road regardless of surface condition, climbs like no bike I ever ridden and has no weaknesses that I can find. In the saddle or out it is quick, strong, and makes one want to ride all day. If I were 10 years younger perhaps I would try the King or the Dual but for me and my mindset this is the ultimate bicycle . THANK YOU Ugo DeRosa for once again making my cycling experiences a true pleasure!

Strengths:
See above

Weaknesses:
None with the frame, only occasional lapses in breaking in the record drivetrain and that keeps getting better each day as advertised.

Similar Products Used:
Derosa SL -Super Record,Derosa C-Record SLX, Eddy Merckx SLX all Mavic,

Price Paid:  $3799.00 at Grande Fondo Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Natchez Trace Parkway

Bike Setup:
Campy Chorus
Campy Neutron wheels
Campy Record carbon seatpost
Deda Magic handlebar and stem
Selle Italia Flight Genuine Gel seat
Speedplay pedals

Summary:
This bike is an absolute pleasure to ride. It is probably one of the most comfortable bikes I have ever ridden. One thing that stands out is the handling, it tracks thru curves with no more than a thought. O.E.M steel is light yet very road forgiving. I can stay on this bike all day. The bike is put togather with precision welds. Paint is flawless, mine is silver and pearl with blue and red accents. I don't like the lawyer front fork drop-outs. It makes removing the front wheel a little more difficult than it should be. I think this has to be one of the better bikes for the recreational rider.

Strengths:
Handmade by the master himself.
Very comfortable ride.
Excellant handling characteristics.

Weaknesses:
Limited number available

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale SR900