Price Paid:
$2000.00
at on-line Favorite Ride:
Anytime I can escape and get outside! Bike Setup:
58cm Culebra, CK headset, Ritchey WCS cockpit, Ultegra drivetrain, Ouza comp fork, DA/Open Pro wheel Summary:
This is my first road bike in many years of riding aluminum and beam tri-bikes. So far, I've been delighted. I've found the box geometry to be fun/easy to ride, and the wheelbase, BB and drop-outs make for great acceleration. The bike is well balanced and beautifully made. It's spints and climbs well and fits me nicely (I'm 6'2", 36 inch cycling inseam). I'll post again after I log more miles, but I think this is a superb bike for the money for those seeking steel. (Funny, isn't it, how steel is becoming a boutique material?!)
I got the '02 model, which is all Zona, as opposed to the '01, which was Zona and 853. Dean also offers the bike in Ultra Foco, which is sure to please the weight watchers out there. As is, my bike weighs about 19.5 pounds, including pedals and cages. Not bad for a "pedestrian" component spec.
Finally, the curved stays are simply elegant. The bike adds great aesthetics to all of its other qualities. Strengths:
Geometry, welds, paint job (Spectrum Powder Works)--Dean has a winner here. The bike has great power transfer but it's quite comfortable and well-balanced. The Culebra is a bargain-priced, high-tech steel frame that easily matches high end ones costing 3 times as much. Weaknesses:
None so far. I went with a 1 inch head tube, and in retrospect I probably should have gotten a 1 1/8 since the industry is driving in that direction. Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Softride, Lemond, Specialized, Seven (steel)
|
5 of 5
5 of 5
