Bike Setup: 58cm. Parts added are Mavic Open Pro CD wheelset, all Ultegra components, Ritchey wet white Axis Stem, Ritchey Logic II white handlebars, Ritchey wet white seatpost, San Marco Regal white seat, white handlebar tape.
Summary: I've wanted a Colnago B Stay ever since they unveiled them. I've been riding a 58cm HP Dream Lux and been happy with it, but always felt the bike was a little on the twitchy side and definately a criterium geometery. Going downhill at speed has always felt a little tenuous. Enter the Colnago B Stay. If I were to summarize this bike in a word, it would probably be "incredible". The carbon fiber rear triangle makes the all aluminum "Dream" be put in a different class. I couldn't believe the difference in ride quality. It is totally night and day! The rear triangle has a litte more relaxed geometery on the chainstays, so this is factoring in the difference, as well as the Force Carbon fork on the B Stay Dream, versus the "Flash" Carbon fork on my old Dream. The new B Stay seems to acclerate faster, and going downhill I could probably peel a banana at 60 mph. Downhill at speed is so stable, it felt like I had four wheels! And at speed the B Stay is silky, silky smooth like a Lamborghini cruising at 160mph.
The frame is whispher quite and soaks up the road bumps very well. So different from my old all aluminum frame I have to pinch myself.
Strengths: Unbelievably stable ripping at full throttle downhill. Extremely quite and supple over road imperfections. Seems like it has little shock absorbers somewhere while still be extremely stiff for rocketing up arduous mountain climbs. Colnago does such a great job on paint. Mine is primarily white with red and white airbrushed swooshes. Far, far more toned down than that of my oler Colango. Matter of fact this is one of the reasons for stepping up to the new frame. My old frame while a beautiful paint job, just seemed a too busy. The new frame is minimal, yet sports some of the fantastic artistry that Colnago is so reputed for.
Carbon "Force" fork is beefier and appears to have a little more foward rake, thus contributing to the stability of the new B Stay.
Weaknesses: Too soon to tell, but I can't see any at this time. Owned three Colnago's and all have different characters about them. I wouldn't ride anything other than a Colnago.
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Bike Setup: 2003 Dream B Stay
Blue/White Paint
Giepemme Wheels
Full Dura Ace Gruppo
Easton Carbon Bars
Colnago Star Carbon Fork
Summary: I purchased the Colnago Dream B Stay only a short time ago but have put on 2400 miles. I bought a 55cm frame which fits nearly perfect for my build (see below). I rode many different frames/bikes prior to my purchase. Full carbon, multi material, full alloy, etc. The Dream B Stay rides better than a far more expensive Trek or Specialized...
Strengths: The bike sprints and climbs incredibly well. The Geometry is different than any other bike I've ridden and once you get dialed in, it's extremely comfortable and you feel ready for anything that comes whether it be an attack, a climb, etc...
Weaknesses: I am 5'10, 150lbs with a long torso. I have everything dialed in but feel I need a slightly shorter stem than the 110mm stock stem on the bike. A 90mm stem seems that it would treat my shoulders as I feel like I'm reaching out a bit far right now.
Similar Products Used: Trek, Specialized, Fuji Bikes I tried out just don't compare (and the Colnago was half the price...)
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Favorite Ride: anywhere the road is good and the scenery inviting
Bike Setup: campagnolo centaur group, fsa carbon pro crankset, frm sp-r21 wheels, fizik arione saddle, campagnolo chorus carbon seatpost, 3ttt less stem and bar
Summary: A classic italian road bike. Classic but innovative. Take a look at the tubeset. It is a masterpiece by itself. A custom section, something really special you won' t find in another bike. Not this generic assemblage of five round tubes made in china but a product of tradition, research and passion for detail. Stiff frame but not harsh. Traditional geometry adds to the great looks and to the comfort. Straight fork makes direction and cornering extremely precise. Pro cyclists still use it as a training bike or racing bike. A future classic!
Strengths: special tubeset, fast, stiff, inspiring
Weaknesses: could be 100 - 150 gr lighter
colnago c50 might be better
Similar Products Used: bianchi sl3, wilier evasion
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Bike Setup: 61cm, full Campy 10, FSA Carbon ProTeam Cranks, Ti BB, Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL w/ Michelin ProRace, Flite TransAm.
Summary: This bike is best described by it's name. It is a Dream to ride! The geometry is relaxed and very comfortable, but the bike practically moves with you - it is extremely responsive, corners like a Formula 1, sprints like Cipo (the bike - not me) and climbs like Heras on a good day (see previous comment). I have been racing for years and ridden some of the best frames, but the Colnago is a cut above. Looks - awesome. I have the Reflex Blue, and it is one of the most eye-catching frames I've ever seen. The radical style of the top and down tubes enhance the appearance and the stays and BB are beefy and super stiff - no deflection under the hardest loads. This bike just makes you feel faster. 17lbs total for a 61cm.
Strengths: Light and strong - climbs and sprints with equal ease. Best looking bike in any group ride. Euro geometry is comfortable even on 5-6hr rides.
Weaknesses: Total paranoia about road debris, lifetime addiction to Colnagos (more expensive than a coke habit)
Bike Setup: Paint: Black Headtube Fading to pearl white with orange highlights.
DA 7700
Bontrager Race X Lites
Easton Carbon Handlebars
Selle Italia SLR
Look PP 396
Michelin Pro Race Tires
Summary: I had a chance to purchase an Orbea Orca at cost (team deal) but the Colnago mystique got ahold of me and I had to have one.
The Dream Lux (Plus) is stiff, light (2.6 lbs) frame and feels planted on the road, probably due to the 71.5 head tube angle. I built her up with 7700 Dura Ace and Bontrager Race X Lights. Sans pedals she weighs in at around 17 lbs.
The Dream plus is a great climbing and sprinting bike due to stiff shaped tubes and a big bottom bracket. The ride is smooth for a high performance bike, perhaps due to the Michelin Pro Race tires I installed which inflate to only 116 PSI. To me, the bike is confidence inspiring at speed, even in close quarters. Beautifully finished, the Dream is a rolling work of art. The welds are bella! It is obvious that a lot of care and love was put into this frame. Check out the little racer painted on the top tube. Oh, by the way, there are no stickers to be found anywhere on the frame.
Do you regularly pin a race number on the back of your jersey? If so, you'll love this bike. Century riders should look elsewhere. The Dream Plus gets a three for value and a five overall because the there is simply nothing else out there that inspires bike lust like a Colnago. If you truly love bikes you should own one.
Strengths: Responsive
Light
Businesslike
Stable
Fast
Weaknesses: Retail Cost is high. I bought mine from a team mate.
Similar Products Used: Lemond BA
Bianchi Steel
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