Price Paid:  $450.00 at NYC

Favorite Ride:
Cascade Foothills

Bike Setup:
Mostly Campy Record and Chorus with a variety of wheel options.

Summary:
In the past 3 years I have put 25,000+ miles on this bike. I ride a mostly Campy set-up, and change wheels with the weather and roads, but generally use 165mm cranks (for greater cornering clearance) and a 49x16 or 17- not bad for my mountainous geography! I ride 700x23. I use drop bars with a front brake (descending the big hills). The paint is very delicate, mine had chipped before we took it out of the box, and it only gets worse with the miles. The bike is fairly zippy and responsive, though. It climbs well- if you're weird like me and like to climb on a track bike. I love passing $4,000+ Treks and Colnagos on local climbs and uphills.

Strengths:
light, inexpensive, beautiful color, easy maintenance, a workhorse.

Weaknesses:
the paint self destructs.

Similar Products Used:
Colnago, Trek, Bianchi, Schwinn

Price Paid:  $385.00

Bike Setup:
Classic track - ie Nitto bars/stem, Turbo seat, and a hodgepodge of other quality track components to round it out

Summary:
I have a couple DeBernardi road bikes, so i was drawn to their track frame out of brand loyalty. It is a good general purpose bike for someone just learning the ropes of track riding. Handles a little slow, but i doubt most people would notice, and to tell the truth, the only reason i upgraded to my Waterford was just because i had about 2 large burnin a hole in my pocket and i wanted something shiny and new.

Strengths:
reasonable price. Neutral handling for a track bike with no surprises. Comes with a real track fork, which i thought was a bonus at tthis price

Weaknesses:
I like sprint events and handling seems a little slow for those, but that same trait also makes it a great omnium bike for the cash!

Similar Products Used:
Waterford 753 steel

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Hudson Trail Outfitter

Favorite Ride:
To work

Bike Setup:
Started out with mix, Sovos flip flop rear hup (POS) and Velocity rims (POS). Shimano ultegra bb & Hub * Mavic Open Pro rims), 165mm RX100 crankset & Headset, and SPD 2 sided pedals. comp kevlar seat, Ritchley seat post, and Look Chomoly fork (a must for front brake Have since upgrade rear wheel (the heart of the bike) to Open Pro rims and DuraAce hub.

Summary:
Frame is a bargain if you can forgive the paint job. With right components (had I known beter, I would have gone straight for Dura Ace or Campy track set and strong rims for the street) you get a superb bike. If you like fixed gears, you'll understand. Couldn't really say if it's up to the Velodrome, it feels fantastic however. Incredible power on climbs and sprints.

Strengths:
Light, stiff, verry responsive frame. Agile and sure rided. Not too many bumps smoothed, making for great contact w/ road. Nice color and logo.

Weaknesses:
Paint sucks. Chips easily. Front fork will not fit brake. Not enough clearance for any brake on the back (hole not drille) and will only fit not enough clearance for 700x25 (just barely enough for 23's.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Cromoly, Bianchi Pista.

Bike Setup:
old campy pista group w cinelli steel track bars

Summary:
a good solid frame for beginner track racers. i bought mine used and it has withstood me (6'4", 200 lbs) for two years so far. a relatively inexpensive way to build up a true track bike instead of a modified fixed gear road bike.

Strengths:
price

Weaknesses:
none so far

Similar Products Used:
none