Description Don Racer is to frame specially designed for competitive usage, and in particular for uphill races. Choice The search for the right balance between weight and structural reliability led to the of irre...
Bike Setup: Deda carbon post and stem, campy record cranks, record brake levers, k force bars, tioga spyder saddle, king hubs to open pros with GP4000's
Summary: This frame is stiff. Being a bigger rider(220 lbs.) I can usually get the bottom bracket to sway on most frames during a hard sprint, but this thing stays still. Most will probably say I'm wasting this frame by running it single speed, but it's hard to argue with a 12lbs bike that's this stiff. The confidence this bike gives you while cornering is second to none, and when the road turns upward the minimal weight keeps you hauling. I just love this bike, the ride is... well, it's perfect. Sure there are bikes that ride a bit 'softer' there are lighter frames, but nothing this stiff.
Strengths: weight, stiffness for the weight, cornering
Weaknesses: italian bottom bracket limits choices a bit. can be a bit too stiff for recreational riders... hard to fault though.
Similar Products Used: cannondale CAAD9, SuperSix, Masi Superlight, Look 555
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Summary: This is one excellent riding bike. If you do centuries, long road races, training rides or recreational rides over varying terrain, this is the bike for you. It corners like it is on rails, but it is still maneuverable enough to dodge the occasional road kill or pothole. Always feels secure and under control.
This bike is three years old now and it still beats the great majority of the brand new bikes I have ridden recently. It handles very well, looks great and does a great job of climbing and descending. Great bike for rolling or challanging terrain. Fit and geometry on the frame are right on. Very high quality assembly. No signs of wear. Should last a lifetime!? I highly recommend you test ride the Don Racer U107 as it is just an excellent handmade Italian bike. Nice ...
Strengths: Superbe manufacturing quality, excellent engineering went into frame design. Responsiveness, Handling, Climbing and Light weight are some of its particular strengths. An all around excellent machine.
Weaknesses: Must go to Europe to buy a new one, Italian threaded bottom bracket. Unique.
Similar Products Used: Colnago, Fuji, Trek, Merckx, Felt (None are as nice at this) Merckx is close, the others are not nearly as good of a riding bike.
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Summary: I have a semi-sloping 54cm Black Don Racer with the Fondriest/Mizuno Top Carbon fork. The fork is a work-of-art, looking absolutely georgeous while being stiff laterally yet fairly forgiving over the rough stuff. The main frame looks exquisitly good and racy. Both the top and down tubes are semi-aerodynamic in shape and very thin walled. The frame really does weigh close to 2.3 lbs, but its bottom bracket stiffness is very good. The geometry of the bike is well suited to Road Racing, Century riding, Mountain climbs/descents, and even Criterium racing. It really handles well! The weld quality is excellent and the paint and decal finish is absolutely top quality. I really like this bike a lot.
Strengths: Build quality, Finish, Geometry, Handling, Stiffness, Looks. It's a real racing bike and excels at all aspects of high performance.
Weaknesses: Shock Absorption -Although with the right saddle and proper positioning this is no problem for me. Sometimes the aero top and down tubes can catch a gust of crosswind and make the bike unstable. This would happen with any oval/aero tubing frame.
Similar Products Used: Many. I've been an avid cyclist for about 20 years.
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Bike Setup: Campagnolo of course, full Record Gruppo, Record Carbon Ergo Levers, Record Fnt., Rear Derail.,170mm cranks 53/39 C10,Record BB, Look KEO pedals, Chorus 11/23 rear cassette,Chorus chain, ITM stem, Deda bars, Easton carbon seatpost, Selle saddle,Velosity rear wheel with Campy hub, Mavic fnt whl. with Campy hub,Conti. Tires,Bont. Buzzkills.
Summary: I own a 54 CM Don Racer in brilliant blue with bold red lettering, white pinstripe. It is most likely a 2003 model and it is a masterpiece of Italian metal work. Fondriest is no longer available in the U.S and I am fortunate to own one.
Strengths: It is a climbing beast and is well adapted for sprinting and corners like a ferrari,if I could emagine what a Ferrari corners like. This bike is fast and precise and inspires me to show up at group rides just to see the looks on peoples faces at the site of it; the rear of it anyway.
Weaknesses: None
Similar Products Used: None
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Bike Setup: Campy 9 speed, ti cassette, carbon cranks,ergo brain, itm millenium stem, carbon seat post, mavic kr
Summary: This is one of the lighest bikes you can find for this price. I am quite sure it costs alot more in the u.s. but what can I say this is one of the benifits of being in the military overseas. Excellant ride both on flats but a monster in the hills.
Strengths: Hill climbing power for days, if you have problems tackling large hills try a fondriest the angle of the seat tube makes the differance.
Weaknesses: have not found one yet but will let you know if i do.
Similar Products Used: Other bike is a pinarello superise not to even be compared to this work of art.
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