Price Paid:  $900.00 at SUMMIT CYCLE, WESTCH

Favorite Ride:
SOUTH BAY BIK PATH

Bike Setup:
I purchased the frame built up with all Shimano 105 components. weighed in at 22 lbs. has the total old school look, which I prefer. I currently swapping out to all campy. so far I have the record brakes, Khalig gold rims, w/10 speed campy cluster. will swap the brake/shifters and rear derailer this weekend. I love camy. althought the wheelsets and the rear compy cluster is heavier. total weight is now 23 lbs. don't ask how much I weigh.

Summary:
The frame is DE Barnardi, I don't know which, it is for touring. rides very smooth. black with gold panels,chrom stays and fork, very attractive, but was not rubbed out. I sanded and rubbed it out. I purchased the bike with all Simano 105. rode it in the LA marathon Bike ride. and for 20 mile training rides.
love the steel frame ride and the old school look. the head set bearing were creaking after 1 month, are tight now.
the touring frame compromises acceleration. it is a little sluggish. I have had criterium frams in the past. plus my legs are older now.
I am coming off a full suspension Mountain bike, it has take a little while to get used to a road bike again. love it!

Strengths:
Steel frame rides like a dream, and I have received several compliments on the bike already. the gold camy rims really bring out the gold panels over the all black frame.

Weaknesses:
Paint was not rubbed out and chips very easy. with the longer frame, it accelerates slowly.

Similar Products Used:
Had a couple of Itallian frame/campy bikes. this is similar to my old Raleigh International/ campy bke.

Price Paid:  $469.00 at WrenchScience.com

Favorite Ride:
Sullivan County, NY Covered Bridge Loop

Bike Setup:
55CM c-c, Dart White, Ultegra w/ D/A downtube shifters, 105 Calipers. Speedplay X/2, ITM Eclypse/Pro

Summary:
After being inspired by watching this years' TDF and sick of doing roadrides on my MTB decided to build up a roadbike-as I had some old parts laying around. I wanted an inexpensive steel frame that was classy and fast. Decided on the Thron after reading reviews here-and it was one of the cheapest frames WS sold! I'm pretty happy with this bike the handling feels crisp, seems to climb pretty well too-although I've only ridden steel frames. WS spec'd the weight of complete bike as 19.5 lbs not the lightest but serviceable. Bike felt really fast the first time I rode it, and continues to feel faster as I get more in shape. I may try some cat4/5 races in the spring-and this bike feels more than competent. Geometry seems more favorable for crit style racing, but can handle a long hilly road ride pretty well. My longest ride so far has been 100K and the bike felt pretty comfortable. Frame looks really good too, I got the Dart White which looks really elegant. Paint seems sturdy enough despite other reviewers comments. Overall a good value-if it fits you, you like steel, and you don't need an ultralight racing machine. s

Strengths:
Handmade Italian lugged steel frame 1/2 the price of a Colnago Classic. Feels fast-Comfortable rides and handles like a much more expensive frame. Paint looks pretty elegant.

Weaknesses:
Sizes run every 2cm - I guess that is part of keeping cost low. Despite having the frame prepped by WrenchScience I still had to have steerer tube reamed as well as front brake mounting hole-but again for this price no biggie-if I paid 1000+ I'd be a little annoyed. Color choices could use improvement. Threaded OEM fork. Although quill stems have retro-chic they seem to be getting harder and harder to find.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1988 steel-(660?), Breezer Lightning MTBÁ

Price Paid:  $385.00 at GVHBIKES.COM

Favorite Ride:
MT. MITCHELL

Bike Setup:
CINELLI FROG STEM, SHIMANO 105, SANTE' CRANKSET W/BIOPACE, SPINERGY SPOX WHEELS

Summary:
I USED BLACK COMPONENTS WITH THE PEARL WHITE FRAME, REALLY TURNED OUT LOOKING GOOD. THERE ARE LIGHTER FRAMES OUT THERE BUT THIS BIKE RIDES FANTASTIC. VERY SMOOTH AND RESPONSIVE, BEGS TO BE RIDDEN FAST. FRAME IS VERY STIFF BUT THE STEEL RIDE IS VERY FORGIVING. I DO SOME RACING BUT MOST OF MY RIDING IS LONG DISTANCE RECREATIONAL RIDING WITH 10+ CENTURIES PER YEAR, SO COMFORT IS VERY IMPORTANT. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FRAME TO ANYONE WHO'S LOOKING FOR A GREAT VALUE IN A RACING/FAST TOURING/RECREATIONAL BIKE!

Strengths:
BEAUTIFUL PEARL WHITE PAINT. TRADITIONAL LUGGED ITALIAN FRAME AND FORK FOR AN OUTSTANDING VALUE. LIGHT WEIGHT AND GREAT RIDE ONLY STEEL CAN GIVE.

Weaknesses:
NONE ENCOUNTERED SO FAR.

Similar Products Used:
FALCON STERLING RACING BIKE (REYNOLDS 531)

Bike Setup:
53cm frame, Full Ultegra, with Mavic Open Pro rims, Easton CF fork

Summary:
Probably one of the best deals you're going to find if looking for a good steel frame. The ride characteristics are top notch. Very stable in descents. I thought this bike would be flexy (Aluminum is my first love) but have been pleasantly suprised with the frame's responsiveness. I have the basic thron version without the chrome chainstay - the paint is very fragile on that model. It's frustrating but I can live with it. The bike fits like a glove and is very comfortable.

If you're looking for a great ride for not a lot of cash take a look at building up a bike on this frame (or any of the other DeBernardi products).

Strengths:
Workmanship and Handling

Weaknesses:
Fragile Paint

Similar Products Used:
First steel frame, but not the last.

Favorite Ride:
Coralville Lake (x3) =)

Bike Setup:
55 cm frame, Campy Record drivetrain (9sp), Campy Veloce brakes and front derailler, 3T stem and bars, Sella Italia saddle, Mavic reflex tubular training wheelset, Rolf vector for racing, Speedplay X/2 pedals.

Summary:
Italian Steel ... need I say more?

A great bike. If you know what you are looking for (size etc.), you can purchase this frame a couple of places on line at significant savings over MSRP. I ended up paying $100 less then MSRP by ordering it on-line and this included shipping and handling.

A great bike for someone who is looking for a stable and steady ride for training and racing. The geometry keeps it running steady, but it can corner fast enough when needed. I've run it through time trials, crits and road races and it has performed like a champ (even though I didn't do the same)

Strengths:
Double butted tubing and Italian quality at a great price. The paint must be put on with bondo or something, because even though some of the components took a beating in the crash I had this year, the paint withstood it.

Weaknesses:
RD hanger is a bit weak. I got laid out in a Criterium and had to take it into a shop to get the hanger realigned, even though the crash was one I would consider a low speed incident (didn't even get a decent road rash from it)

Similar Products Used:
10 year old Cinelli Columbus SL frame, my Ross Signature that I use for Cyclocross.