Fondriest P4 Carbon

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at e-bay

Favorite Ride:
Any ride with some climbs

Bike Setup:
All 2004 Record shifters, Brakes (black), derailleaurs, Cassette, Carbon Record Cranks, Record Pedals, Record bottleholders, Deda Spectrum 2004 Bar, Deda Mag00 stem, Blackstick seatpost, SLR Carbonio Saddle, Euros or Zipp 404 Clinchers.

Summary:
I bought this bike on e-bay and am the second owner. This is to date the best bike i have ever ridden. I used to have a look kg 486 wich is a Very nice bike but the P4 is much stiffer and responsive. It's Super stiff, no flex at all at the bottom bracket. That means the power is tranfered completely and not lost on flexing. The fondriest really shines on the climbs. Great quality and looks almost as cool as the KG486. Carbon is great on damping the road vibration for longer rides. I have only been riding for 1 1/2 years but have had a couple of bikes and am totally convinced that fondriest (at least the P4 is one of the absolute best quality bikes out there). I have'nt tried colnago's yet but I hear there very good too. It's a shame they don't make the P4 anymore.

Strengths:
Stiff, Light, Exlusivity of owning a P4.

Weaknesses:
They don't make the P4 anymore

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale R600
Cannondale R1000
Look KG486
Look KG386

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at colorado cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Mummy Mtn. Loop or B.O.S. saturday slaughter

Bike Setup:
Record 10. Open Pro's, Deda Newton 31 bar/stem. Supplied blackstic w/San Marco Era.
Nothing extreme. Just proven components.

Summary:
Maurizio Fondirest was one of the most prolific cyclists of his day. Aside from the '88 World championship that Steve Bauer would have likely won, he won two World cups. That's consistency, hard work, and just being an animal for the whole racing season. 12 years in the pro ranks!
With that, he knows racing bicycles. The P4 is a very, very nice bike. I would say the quality is with, if not better than a Colnago, with innovative features that Colnago won't ever employ.
Pulling the frame out of the box to build, it didn't seem as light as the specs would lead you to believe. However, it is impeccable in it's construction, design and any other adjective you care to throw. It's evident this bike is made to ride, not weigh. I won't have any issues about pounding the pedals for years to come. A 4 year warranty is testament to this.
The ride is super smooth, carbon'eske stiff, and controlled.
I like the longer 'traditional' Italian geometry which makes it extremely stable at speed. The Domina fork has an unusual bend, not unlike the Cannondale Slice fork, but to a greater degree, but helps with lateral stiffness.
The bike also features some extreme shapes in the tubing. I am told these are to enhance stiffness and stability against torsional stress. So far, I think this is right on the money.
I love the quality, finish, exclusivity of owning a Fondriest, and most importantly, I believe in the company and what they are producing.

Strengths:
Quality, quality, quality. Use of most expensive and exclusive carbon available (like metal, not all carbon is the same).
Employing Minardi Formula 1 engineers gives further conviction to what Fondriest is doing.
Ride is incredibly smooth, quiet, and confident.
Climbing is natural and smooth. Decents are fast and controlled.
Now I have to work on the engine!

Weaknesses:
The seat post kept sliding down the first ride. I 'fixed' it by lightly scuffing the seat post (Blackstick).
Fondriest's are not cheap, especially for a relatively new company, but upon inspection and asking those in the know, you'll discover why. The quality matches the price.

Similar Products Used:
Giant Team Once Carbon (what's with the 3 sizes?)
Bianci Mega Ti
Custom Columbus Max Frame (long top tube)
Titus FSR

Price Paid:  $2900.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace STI
Dura-Ace Front and Rear Derailleurs
Dura-Ace Cranks
Ultegra Bottom Bracket
Ultegra Brakes
Ultegra Cassette
Deda Newton Bar and Stem (31.7)
Selle San Marco Apside Ti Saddle
Ultegra R600 Pedals
SRAM PC-99 Chain
Velomax Curcuit Wheels
TACX TAO Bottle Cages
Vetta V100-HR Wirless speed and cadence

Summary:
Got the bike and couldn't believe the quality and craftmanship put into this frame. I lucked out and got a frame with the new chainstays which are much beefier than the standard ones on the website. Apparently is was a new design that never got marketed because the frame was discontinued. Don't know how many P4's are out there with this new design. The headtube also has a carbon fiber like protector on the left side to protect the finish against the front derailleur cable housing when riding on rough roads. Ride quality is outstanding. First time I got on, it felt like it wanted to jump out from under me. The bike actually felt like it was taking me for a ride. Absolutely silent other than the sound of rubber on the road. The bike glides up hills with ease. Every stroke of the pedal is transferred to the road. The bike is stiff where it counts and is able to absorb road vibrations at the same time...the best of both worlds. The Velomax wheels spin up very nicely and compliment the bike well. Night and day difference between my old steel framed bikes and this machine. I will defenately buy another Fondriest.

Strengths:
Extremely Light, Absorbes road vibrations, All power transfered to the road. Design and craftmanship is second to none...definately a head turner.

Fondriest-USA and Colorado Cyclist Customer Service is OUTSTANDING!

Great bike and great customer service, cant ask for anything more.

Weaknesses:
Absolutely NONE! Too bad this frame isn't offered anymore.

Price Paid:  $2650.00 at colorado cyclist

Bike Setup:
Ultegra (this bike deserves campy record though), Velomax circuit comps, IIT bar and stem, fizik alliante TI saddle.

Summary:
Unbelievable ride. I can only compare it to my Litespeed Tuscanny which is a GREAT bike. But this carbon Fondriest P4 feels stiffer, faster, easier to climb with and MUCH more comfortable. I rode it the first day without bar tape and did not even feel any vibration. The bike sucks up all road noise and climbs and accelerates effortlessly. I hope it continues to hold its form as I have only put 100 miles on it the first weekend.

Strengths:
Comfortable for long rides, Excellent acceleration, stiff and climbs like a goat.

Weaknesses:
Will have to report back after a year of use as the design and bonding are new.

Similar Products Used:
Litespeed Tuscanny with Kysrium SL's and full record group, Lemond Zurich, Giant carbon TCR(demo only--lighter but less comfortable)

Price Paid:  $3500.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere with smooth roads

Bike Setup:
Campy Record group, ITM The Stem, ITM Millenium bar, Ksyrium SSC SLs, Time Impact pedals, Deda Blackstick seatpost, Selle San Marco Aspide

Summary:
So far I have only logged approximately 200 miles and let me say that the P4 rides like no other bicycle I have ever tried in the past 17 years. The P4 is very stiff laterally in the BB and I have yet to experience any kind of flex (I am 5' 10" and 193lbs) and with every pedal stroke the bike glides forward almost telepathically. Overall, the ride feels very compliant yet absolutely rigid at the same time. Efficiency is the operative word when describing the ride characteristics of the P4. It makes hill-climbing and long-distance riding a pleasure to experience.

Strengths:
Very stiff for sprints
Compliant ride that absorbs most of the roads imperfections.
Extremely lightweight (mine checked in at ~15.2lbs)

Weaknesses:
Price (before Colorado Cyclist dropped the price).

Similar Products Used:
Raleigh Technium, Bianchi Trofeo, Guerciotti SL/SLX, Kestrel 200SCI, Colnago Crystal