Fondriest Status Carb

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Used-Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Santa Fe Century

Bike Setup:
Full Campy Veloce 9sp. Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels. Thompson post and stem. Cinelli bars. Flite saddle.

Summary:
The other reviewers are correct in their assesment of this frameset. I owned a Fondriest MegaCrome steel frame before this one. That was an all steel frameset with a Fondriest labled Time fork, steel steertube. I will admit that I liked the MegaCrome slightly better than the Status, slightly better feel, but it was heavier. It was a 56cm and I like the fit of the Status 57cm better. All in all really the same ride, just take away 100-200 grams. I would compare the ride of this frameset against any high end bike made of any material on the market today. I have a full Dura Ace Litespeed Pavia Carbon bike that does not really get ridden, because I prefer the ride of my Veloce X-Status better. The LS is great for racing the guys, but for long 50-100 mile rides, this is the bike of choice. You can pay alot more for more fashionable steel frames, but this one will hold its own. It is also relatively lite, around 1650g for the frameset. Dont let the extra pound fool you, and if it really bothers you, ride with one water bottle rather than two, and you are just as light as your $3000 carbon bike, but with a better ride quality. Really, my only complaint is the flex it has developed over the years. A little softer than when I first got it. Overall, good frameset, nice ride quality, light weight for steel, at a bargin basement price used.

Strengths:
Geometery, ride quality, paint job.

Weaknesses:
Not many. You will be surprized how nice the bike rides.

Similar Products Used:
Lots.

Price Paid:  $400.00 at private seller

Favorite Ride:
traders point

Bike Setup:
Thorius crankset, stem and bars. Rest is a mix of Campy Mirage, Record and Daytona 9speed. Deda Black Magic II fork

Summary:
I recently finished the build of a new-old-stock Status Plus. This is Fondriest's steel frame with carbon seat and chain stays. This is a great ride! I've had it out on rides ranging from 35 to 50 miles and it is superbly comfortable while remaining a fast, nimble ride. The finish is amazing with Fondriest's exclusive SAT graphic system. Mine is a pearlescent white with the profile of a '57 Ferrari Testa Rossa along the top tube. If you can find one, don't pass it up. a previous review mentioned some twitchyness - i had the same problem until i readjusted the integrated headset. after that, no problem!

Strengths:
comfortable ride, little road buzz. terrific graphics. great handling.

Weaknesses:
integrated headset was tough to set up - or maybe it was just me

Similar Products Used:
Fondriest Top Level, Carb Level & Colnago VIP2000

Price Paid:  $750.00 at Used

Favorite Ride:
west Marin

Bike Setup:
Chorus 10sp group 12/25 cassette
Record Carbon fibre Compact Crank
Campagnolo Scirocco wheels
Vredstein Fortezza SE tires
Easton EC90 carbon fibre handlebars
Ritchey Pro stem
Speedplay Zero SS pedals
Nokon brake and shift cables

Summary:
The frame is very light and responsive to the point where some might think it a bit twitchy. It didn't take long to get used to it and once I did, it handled like a dream. It transfers power well on the climb and inspires confidence on fast descents. The blend of steel and carbon fibre fork and seat stays really helps absorb the bumps in the road. It is a very comfortable ride where I can spend 6 hours in the saddle and not feel beat up like I do on some aluminum frames. The black matte paint job has what seems like a rubbery finish and in my opinion looks fantastic and is easy to maintain. I would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a light fast compliant ride and is torn between old school steel and new tech carbon fibre. It's a blend of both that works. Unfortunately, this frame is no longer available from Fondriest so your only chance is to find one used.

Strengths:
lightweight steel frame
responsive handling
great looking scratch resistant paint job
Italian heritage

Weaknesses:
Some might consider the handling twitchy
No longer available

Similar Products Used:
Marin Argenta, Bianchi Talladega, Colnago Dream Plus, Trek 5500

Price Paid:  $1249.00 at Factory Direct

Favorite Ride:
Live Oak loop

Bike Setup:
Full Dura Ace with carbon seat post and Ritchey WCS bar/stem, Kysrium wheels, Vittoria open CX tires

Summary:
Beautiful bike. I have always liked steel bikes, but have been caught up in the aluminum/carbon hype for the past couple of years. I have always admired this frame for its mix of old and new technology, so when it went on sale I snatched it up. Trust me, it is not your typical old school steel frame. It provides the wonderful spring that only steel can give, but delivers it in a modern, light-weight package. Fully built with Dura Ace and kysrium wheels it weighs in the neighborhood of 16.5 lbs. Customer service at Fondriest direct was great. They at first sent me the wrong size, but shipped out a second frame the same day I called to let them know without me having to deal with return orders or hassles.

Strengths:
Classic steel feel
Light but solid
Build and finish quality awsome

Weaknesses:
Had to have frame prepped before building--minor inconvenience when you are excited to build a new frame.

Similar Products Used:
Felt aluminum, Torelli, Trek, Bianchi, many others

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Alberto's

Favorite Ride:
Lakeshore, Ill. Stateline North to Racine Wi

Bike Setup:
Record 10spd gruppo (11-21 cassette)
FSA 53/39 Team Carbon Crankset (Isis)
Campy Eurus wheelset
Vittoria Open Corsa Clinchers
Look Jalabaret 396 Pedals
Campy ErgoBrain Computer
Ritchey WCS bar
Selle Italia Prolink TransAm Gelfow saddle

Summary:
Dedaccai EOM 16.5 tubing, Mizuno full carbon fork and carbon seat stay translates to a sub-16 pound bike that still offers the comfort of a steel ride with the responses of an Italian aluminum road racer. The finish is excellent and the handling, while quite 'fast' if you are used to a more traditional response, rewards a deft touch on the bars. Very good responses and information from the US distributor, in contrast to many other importers of Italian bikes. The frame came well packed and my LBS had no trouble assembling the bike. The build quality and paint finish cannot be faulted. Quite a contrast to the heavier and more sedate handling of other steel frames, but very forgiving on rough roads. A 'keeper' that handles my 195 pounds without a problem.

Strengths:
Ride, cornering, crisp response to input. Well built and finished.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Serotta CSi