Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Surrey UK

Favorite Ride:
Classic European

Bike Setup:
Shimano Ultegra throughout with triple for Alpine ascents and local 20% hills.

Summary:
I recently considered a change of frame to full titanium and another make (Rewell) because in my riding area the roads are full of gravel and stones, the rear carbon triangle getting badly chipped. I could not ditch the CT1 in the end, and have changed the rear cogs to 12:25. (previously 11:34) With this change the bike gained a new lease of life, as did my riding. The strengths that made me hang on are:-

Strengths:
1 Fantastic geometry and amazing fast descending characteristics.
2 Ride comfort level on long distances.
3 Good characteristics for sprinting bursts

Weaknesses:
Gel coat chips to carbon fibre, but I have learned how to repair this effectively myself, and the carbon fibre itself has never been damaged. The bike is a little heavy at 20 lb but is set up with components for reliability on long distance riding such as Audax, and for availability of component rather than for racing. Shame not to use Campag' components, wheels are Ultegra hubs and Mavic open pro for serviceability

Similar Products Used:
Sunn Asphalt, very scarey and unstable on fast descents but otherwise a fair bike

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Private Collector

Favorite Ride:
Bridge To Bridge, Lenoir North Carolina 100 Miles of Hill

Bike Setup:
FSA Carbon Cranks, Ceramic BB. Dura Ace Rear Derailleur with FSA Ceramic Bearings. Dura Ace Front Derailleur, FSA Brakes, Dura Ace Shifters, Zipp 404 Wheelset.

Summary:
I own two other colnago C40's but the CT1 is a dream to ride. The one I have is the rare 2002 Stars and Stripes.

Strengths:
Great climbing frame, smooth ride, eye catcher (quality paint job)

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
I have a 2002 C40 world champion and C40 Mapei which have a slightly stiffer and just as responsive to ride

Price Paid:  $1325.00 at Great deal on e-bay

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere without wind

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace 9 spd., Shimano compact crank, DT Swiss wheels.

Summary:
I love it!!!!! Great on the flats, great on climbs, great descending, and incredible to look at. Not the lightest, but then I'm 200 lbs. It's everything I thought it would be. I used to have some upper back pain after riding 75 or so. Now, the only thing that ever hurts is my legs, and the only way to fix that is to ride with a slower group.

Strengths:
Does everything well. Looks amazing.

Weaknesses:
None that I can find.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Epic road

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Dauphin Cycles, Surr

Favorite Ride:
Anything on a sunny day

Bike Setup:
Dura ace, Campag Eurus Wheels, ITM millenium finishing kit.

Summary:
A really enjoyable ride. Very comfortable, entertaining on the descents, not too bad going uphill either.
Perhaps lacks the "snap" of acceleration I get with my Look 585 on steeper climbs, not that it is flexy - it just does not quite have the same degree of instant response. Adequately light.

Strengths:
Build quality is very good. The ride quality on English back roads is second to none. The Force fork is perfect - very stable. Geometry is unique, and fantastic on descents.

Weaknesses:
Splitting hairs perhaps, but lacking a bit of raciness.

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

Price Paid:  $701.00 at got lucky on Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Black Forrest Germany/Central Park NYC

Bike Setup:
Came with Campy Chorus Headset Flash fork and BB, filled it out with SR and Chorus components, Mavic Krysserum wheelset, Thompson stem, keeping my 90's look pedals for now while I get used to the whole package. Brifters are agreat invention by the way. I bought everything used except chain and freewheel. was able to use my 90's Superrecord front derailur and seat post so that saved some coin at the build up. did the whole bike for 2200 or so not bad,

Summary:
A stunning looking bling machine, Italians know how to make sexy trsansportation this frame is no exception. It is also very light and strong it inspires all sorts of speed and confidence. This is my first "modern" bike so it is world away from my 80's steel frame. Sometimes I miss the feel of steel, how it was more like a musical instrument. What i don't miss is the flex of steel on steep descents.The titanium soaks up the road vibration while the carbon rear triangle supports sudden bursts of power without wavering.
Sometimes the titanium is a little boring in that respect somehow but the frame has capability beyond my ability especially on sprints or fast descents. Wish I had this when I was in europe two years ago.

Strengths:
It is really nice to have this bike around, I keep it in the kitchen. Really miss it when I don't ride for two days. Very plush ride. easy to get used to, like most luxuries.

Weaknesses:
Can't find any real weakness beyond the "hintergedanke" that perhaps Titanium, is not my ideal frame material, soaks up the bumps so I think it is idealy suited to longer rides where the roads are bumpy, or dudes over 40 like myself. Really I am getting quite spoiled... I did let a guy ride it who has a custom steel Colnago and he was weirdly quiet after the ride, kind of a-nothing-to-report kind of attitude.

Similar Products Used:
most "recent" bike was an '83 Rossin full Campy SR. A great machine. Lots of dents and scratches but also lots of "soul"