Colnago Asso 2002

Price Paid:  $350.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
my ride home at night

Bike Setup:
Mavic Open Pros, Ultegra/105 mix, flite saddle

Summary:
I bought this frame on ebay for £200, to be my daily commuter. I was a bit worried that it might be a bit harsh over London roads. With a careful choice of saddle (flite gelflow) and a carbon seatpost, the ride is actually fine - stiff yes, but not to the point of discomfort. It feels very steady, and the steel fork soaks up a surprising amount of bumps. It does not have heavy feel to it, nor does it feel fragile. When I compare it to the scandium Ribble I used to own, it is a far more enjoyable (and less life threatening) bike to own.

It certainly turns heads too, because it is on the same colour scheme as a C40! Overall, I am pretty happy with it - perhaps because I got it for a bargain price.

Strengths:
great looking paint job, handling is classic Colnago, a good workhorse.

Weaknesses:
The name does not translate too well! Colnago price, if you buy it new. It is ultimately an Aluminium bike, albeit a pretty good one. And for the lighter rider, carbon will be better - and steel will be better for the heavier rider.

Similar Products Used:
Look 585
Look 386
Colnago CT1
Specialized S-works Tarmac
Roberts steel 531
Ribble Scandium

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at Gregg's Greenlake Cy

Favorite Ride:
Seward Park/Interlaken

Bike Setup:
Colnago Columbus Altec 2 frame, Easton EC70 fork, Shimano Ultegra gruppo, Mavic Open Pro/Chris King/DT Swiss wheelset (standard 3-cross,) Shimano Dura-Ace headset, LOOK pedals, Easton EC90 seatpost, Ritchey Al stem, Easton EA90 handlebars, Selle San Marco saddle, Continental (what else?) tires, Specialized Turbo computer.

Summary:
The Asso is Colnago's answer to the Pinarello Angliru, basically an "entry-level" Al frame (Columbus Altec 2) spec'd to be a more affordable version of the Dream. The only noticeable difference between the two is the Asso is marginally heavier (about 300 grams at 32 cm.) The geometry is the same, except the Dream I believe is now being offered with the B-Stay option (yields a bit more boost when jumping out of the saddle.) Color options cover almost the entire Colnago range.

Strengths:
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Compared to other bikes I've ridden (which is many) this bike is the best suited for all-day rides; I've done a double-century on it without any back or neck pain. The Columbus Altec 2 Al tubing is greatly more forgiving than any other Aluminun I've ridden (I ride Al exclusively.) While some bike I've had were better pure sprinters, this frame has an extremely respectable responsiveness; I'm still able to consistently kick ass on club ride signpost sprints. To summarize, this frame does everything you would expect of not only an Aluminum frame, but a Colnago very, very well. And it looks good doing it.

Weaknesses:
Spec'd with an unreasonably heavy fork. I put a carbon threadless fork on and shaved almost a pound. If you can, try to get the frame without the fork, and spend a few more bucks on a lighter one. Not available (currently) with the B-Stay option, as each frame size needs a differently manufactured joint; this process is not conducive to meeting the Asso's pricepoint. "Asso" is kind of a funny word. Try not to accidentally scrape the "O" off.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale R900, Pinarello Angliru, GT ZR 1.0, Basso Gap, Klein Quantum.