Bike Setup: Ultegra on the Airone, then Record. Then Record on all the rest.
Summary: This is the second Merak I have owned, the first broke in two when some idiot opened the crash barrier in the National Circuit Championships, and I hit it at about 35mph. That was really light, and a great frame - little flex and superlight. I replaced it with a 2004 Merak, not as light, but a great frame - I have raced it for 2 years, and have replaced it this year for a King. The Merak is now my training bike, but the biggest issue that I have is that the silver / chrome paint falls off and needs to be changed by De Rosa - which they have done - I now have a Merak, 2004 in 2007 colours; brilliant after sales service - direct from De Rosa- don't waste your time with the 'principle outlet' go to the factory, if you can. I flew my De Rosa to them, met Danillo De Rosa...they are the absolute pinnacle of what prestige bike building is about. I love my bikes, and none more so that my De Rosas.
Strengths: comfort, cornering speed, ability to absorb road contours, ability to hopld a 75kg road racer over 2 seasons - without a whimper. Class looks and comments from adoring italophiles.
Weaknesses: Paint. But I have yet to own an Italian bike that the paint stayed on...I have had a Daccordi, a Romani, a Ciocc, 2 Colnago and 4 De Rosa...paint on all of them....rubbish.
Similar Products Used: Ciocc Airone, Colnago Master, Romani SLX, Daccordi TSX, De Rosa King, De Rosa Merak 2002
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Bike Setup: ***All 2000 Shimano DuraAce.
***Wheels - King road hubs, Mavic Reflex rims, DT Revolution Spokes, Vittoria Corsa EVO-CX tubulars.
***Deda Newton oversize bar & stem. Deda Black Stick carbon seatpost, Fizik Aliante Carbon TwinFlex saddle.
Summary: Mine is the first-generation, all aluminum, gold/black finish year 2000, 53 cm. This bike was designed for high-speed professional road racing. It handles extremely quickly and is very stable at high speeds. Accelerates like a Cheetah and climbs like a cloud. The ride is pretty harsh, but a person really feels "in touch" with the road - I like that.
Strengths: ***Flawless contruction. The frame looks, feels, and performs like it was handbuilt by a master craftsman.
***Very stable at high speeds.
***This is subjective, but the frame has a masterfully handbuilt "vibe."
***Those "who know" cycling legend show a lot of respect to the bike.
Weaknesses: ***To my body, the ride is harsh. Personally, I like this feeling "the road," but it does tire the body. Mine is a very stiff, full-racing frame/fork (Mizuno carbon).
Similar Products Used: 1970 Chiorda Gimondi.
1997 Trek 8500 mountainbike.
1999 Klein "Race".
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Bike Setup: Campy Record/Chorus mix
FSA cranks
ITM cockpit
Summary: I've ridden this bike for over two years now and absolutely love it. It climbs, it sprints, it corners. I have never desired another bike in the time that I've had the De Rosa. As far as I am concerned, I found the perfect ride!
Strengths: cornering, smoothness of ride, beauty
Weaknesses: none
Similar Products Used: Calfee Luna
Cannondale
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Bike Setup: Full D/Ace, Cosmic Carbons with Michelin Axial Pro Light, Carbon post
Summary: This bike just leaves me wondering what is so different about it that means you ride up to 10% faster than on other high quality bikes. Staggering.
Strengths: Quite simply you go faster for the same effort. I have several other quality road bikes with similar kit. With the same wheels in this bike is between 5 and 10% faster around my 1 hour 'quickie' route of country lanes when riding at a constant base HR. In a time trial I can do a short 22 minute 10 on my local course without tri bars or pointy hat, etc. Road racing (limited) it is awesome, remaining comfortable over long distances. End of eulogy.
Weaknesses: You are joking yeah?
I have the soft paint finish. Bit of a devil to keep clean but it looks super.
Similar Products Used: CAAD 7, Colnago Dream
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Bike Setup: 2004 merak with DAVS fork - 61cm
record grouppo inc hubs
fsa bars and cranks/bb
deda einstein stem
nokon cables
Arione saddle thompson post - see in bike shots (New Love)
Summary: Have only done 150km over two days but this bike is superb those boys know how to make a bike go fast with comfort and style.
Cornering is amazing the only thing stopping me going faster is me.
I weigh 85kg and will report on durability at a later date.
Strengths: light, stiff, smooth and fast
Weaknesses: none thus far
Similar Products Used: Canondale R4000 9sp d/a 1998
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