Mondonico Futura Leggero

Price Paid:  $960.00 at Spoke & Sproket, Tac

Favorite Ride:
CBC Kitsap Color Classic/Courage Classic

Bike Setup:
Set up with Campy Chrous 10 speed, Cinelli bars and stem, Torelli wheelset with Michelin Axial Pro tires and a Selle Itallia Pro Link Saddle. Complete Bike for ~$2900.

Summary:
Purchased September 2001.
Weight just over 20 lbs, but rides like it is 18 lbs.
The steel frame is springy and has a lot of great action for the sprints. The geometry climbs very well (the best climber I have owned yet out of 6 bikes). The steering and handling is fantastic, you can feel the frame flex into high speed corners, gripping the road fully confident and stable.
The overall feel of the bike is very predictable and comfortable

Strengths:
The comfort, predictablility and stablility of a steel frame. Great Climber!!! The superb crastsmanship of a hand built frame using tradional methods. Not a single flaw in the Construction. A word on the tires (Mishelin Axial Pro) The stickiest and most predictable tires for year round (and the WA state rain), with a feel very close to sew ups.

Weaknesses:
Italian paint (though very, VERY beautiful) chips easliy. If you want a tough pain job, go with the Dupont paint, not the Italian. The Dupont is Bombproof.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale RF900
Pinnarello Stelvio
Bianchi San Remo
SoftRide Roadwing

Price Paid:  $949.00 at Cambria Bicycle Empo

Favorite Ride:
Around Lake Tahoe

Bike Setup:
Purchased frame and fork. Built with Daytona triple, 3TTT stem, ITM bars, Sella Italia saddle, Reco

Summary:
I had wanted a lugged steel Italian frame for some time. Walked into the shop and it was hanging on the wall. I passed all the other bikes costing twice as much and knew it was what I was looking for. I walked out without buying it. How can you spend 1000 dollars on a frame hanging on the wall and not take it for a test ride. A month later I went back and it was still there. Damn the test ride, I knew it was mine!! Somethings just talk to your soul. It can climb better, descend faster, and handle quicker then I. It's more bike then I will ever need. So is my TREK OCLV. Which I took out for a couple long test rides before I bought it. But my Mondonico has something my Trek does not.

Strengths:
A classic hand made bike, from someone who has spent his life doing what he loves! To touch the lugs and feel what the builder felt. To caress the tubes and feel the love put into every step in it's buildup! It makes you want to ride just to ride. Sorry, got carried away. It rides as well as any bike I have tried. Steel, AL, Carbon Fiber. I still have the Trek and love riding it. But when I want to ride and feel the connection between myself and my love of cycling. It's the Mondonico everytime!

Weaknesses:
Some may think it's heavy old school etc. Not I!