Torelli Imports Countach

Price Paid:  $450.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
quiet roads

Bike Setup:
Built with a mix of Campagnolo Centaur and Record, HED Wheels, FSA Stem and Ritchey Bars.

Summary:
These are great bikes, I bought this frame to replace my Specailized Roubaix Carbon, and have never looked back. They might be a little heavier but nothing can match the ride and handling. The bike tracks and rides prefect. No strange sounds coming from the bike that is common with all carbon frames. When I pack this to go on a trip I do not need to worry that the frame will get damaged.

Strengths:
rides great quick and light for a steel frame. climbs well and descends like it is on rails. classic steel frame with modern materials. The person building this bike knew what they were doing. Also the bottom bracket is lugged and pinned which came as a surprise since the top tube and seat tubes are tig welded.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Cervelo R3, Mondonico EL/OS, Trek OCLV, Quartto Assi G66

Price Paid:  $2700.00 at Robinson Wheel Works

Favorite Ride:
To the top of Mt. Diablo

Bike Setup:
Campy Chorus Group
Reynolds Ouzo Comp Fork
Mavic Wheels

Summary:
Being an avid mountain bike rider, I was looking to purchase a road bike so I could ride during the winter months after rain. I did a considerable amount of research on bikes in my price range and decided on the Countach. After 1000 miles on the bike so far, I am still very happy with my purchase. This frame with the Campy Chorus group makes for a great bike that will not break the bank.

I love the handling of the bike and feel the overall ride quality in comparison to the price is excellent. Anybody looking to get into cycling or make the move over to the road, this is a great set-up to consider.

Strengths:
Price
Steel is real

Weaknesses:
Some paint chipping that needs to be watched in order to avoid frame corrosion.

Similar Products Used:
None-First Road Bike

Price Paid:  $1850.00 at New Horizon Bike Sho

Favorite Ride:
Rolling New England Hills

Bike Setup:
Since I wasn't sure if I would really get back into cycling, I set a budget of $2,000 for a complete

Summary:
I bought this bike based on reviews and Torelli's very informative, but very opinionated, web site. Their basic philosophy is that if you don't get the fundamentals precisely right, the frame can be made of unobtainium and it still won't ride well. Torelli is a big fan of steel frames, and so am I. To get aluminum or titanium to be as strong and durable as steel is, they end up weighing just as much as steel.
I would definitely buy this bike again - I have no regrets. In fact, the better I get as a cyclist, the more I appreciate how good this frame is. How many things in life actually get better over time? This Torelli bike is one of those few products that actually delivers what it promises.

Strengths:
This is a very responsive bike that jumps forward with every pedal stroke and just dives into corners. In fact that sensation is rather addictive and I find the bike egging me on, as it always wants to go faster. You feel the very texture of the road surface through this frame, yet the edge is rounded and the result is a lively but buttery smooth ride. After about 600 miles of riding this summer, I am enjoying the bike more every time I ride it. The paint and finish of this frame is really spectacular, and it looks far more expensive than it is.

Weaknesses:
It could be lighter, but so could I! For the money it is hard to complain.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first bike purchase in 30 years, and I have taken a 20 year hiatus from cycling after a bad accident took the enjoyment out of it for me. So I don't have a lot recent experience to comment