Ciocc V107 Carbon

Price Paid:  $6500.00 at Cycle Cave

Favorite Ride:
2005 Ciocc Carbon Dragster

Bike Setup:
Campy Carbon Chorus, Topolino Carbon c19 wheelset, FSA Carbon Compact Crank, Time RXE Carbon pedals, Kestrel Carbon bars

Summary:
Ciocc is a legend, and it shows in this, their second year in carbon. Strong and stiff, but geometry is very forgiving in hard climbs. Stacked as many carbon components on it as possible. Balances perfectly in a tuck. Gets lots of looks from the roadies and others.

Strengths:
Leaves you with gas in the tank at the end of a hard climb. Rare label in these parts.

Weaknesses:
Decals on the stays peel off too early. Carbon scratches easily.

Similar Products Used:
2005 Pinarello Galileo (Fassa Bortolo issue)

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at Marblehead Cycle

Favorite Ride:
anything over 50 miles

Bike Setup:
full dura ace 10spd, dedaccia newton stem/bar 31.8/carbon post, rolf vector pro wheels (clincher 99 models), fizik aliante carbon saddle, michelin axial pro clinchers.

Summary:
I now have about 5000 miles on this bike since June 2003 (took 2004/2005 off from riding). Overall a very nice bike. I wanted something different from my litespeed after 20k miles on that and was lured by the idea of a true Italian bike/geometry etc.. I think for the money I paid, I had a very high expectation and this bike comes up just a bit short overall ($2300 frame/$5000 bike built up). It is the first bike I have owned that I am still comfortable on after a 5 or 6 hour ride. I could probably get the bike weight down to about 16.5lbs with lighter wheelset and a lighter fork, but would be leery of upsetting ride geometry with different fork.

Strengths:
lightweight (18.3lbs as built), stiff in bottom bracket area for climbing, very comfortable frame for longer rides, nice looking paint and graphics (understated look compared to most bikes). You will probably be the only one on a group ride with this frame, as opposed to the 4 trek OCLV's.

Weaknesses:
bike geometry can be a bit nervous when out of the saddle climbing. Not as light as many frames in this price range. funky front derailleur cable routing through chainstay bridge. odd seatpost size limits choices.

Similar Products Used:
litespeed tuscany, biemmezetta steel, time carbon, Seven Ti, IF crown jewel, Trek OCLV.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Maestro UK

Favorite Ride:
above freezing

Bike Setup:
Campagnolo Chorus levers, derailleurs and brakes, FSA carbon compact cranks, Deda 215 shallow bars, Newton stem, Record seatpost, Fizik Airone saddle, Ambrosio rims on Record hubs, Vittoria Diamante Pro tires.

Summary:
I wanted a modern Italian classic, and I got it. This bike is brilliant all round. Built like a Rolex. Comfortable but responsive, corners and descends effortlessly. Incredibly smooth - more so than my all-steel Bianchi - but super-stiff, light and fast. And eye-wateringly beautiful. I love Campy, so the 2004 Chorus gruppo is a delight. The FSA cranks are stiff and pretty and so far I've been liking them on the hills. Best thing? Climbing. I'm not over-fond of big hills, but this bike's geometry, especially the seat-tube angle, is perfect for sitting back in the saddle and giving maximum torque to the pedals. Apparently it's the Ciocc speciality - in any case the difference is very real. Mike Perry at Maestro is a diamond. He's incredibly friendly, an excellent source of knowledge on everything bike-related and much else besides, and he went out of his way to make sure I got the bike I wanted. And amazingly he fitted me perfectly based on one phone conversation. I was a bit nervous about buying a bike without trying it first, but this one could have been built for me. Bravo Mike!

Strengths:
Quality, handling, climbing. Looks...

Weaknesses:
None at all.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Veloce with Chorus and other tinkerings and upgrades.