Strengths: Versatility, climbs and descends brilliantly...rides lighter than it's actual weight...especially with a couple upgrades
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I have just resumed serious riding after a 10 year layoff and I am amazed at what $1400 buys in a road bike now!
I bought this Volata used with several upgrades in place and it's only fair that they be mentioned since this isn't a 100% OEM ride.
Upgrades were:
Use1 carbon Seat post and Selle Italia flite saddle
FSA wheelset
Look cx6 carbon pedals
With the weight reduction in moving parts, I am certain that this bike has a lighter feel climbing than it would have right out of the box.
The ride is exceptional. Not quite as smooth as a mid 80's Colnago steel, but darn close. The frame responds well to stomping on the big gears and this bike tracks downhill like it's on rails. No jitters at 45 MPH, the fastest I could muster so far.
Campy Mirage comes standard and shifts fairly quickly and quietly, although I can be pretty certain to upgrade everything in the drive train once my fitness returns. The triple works great for those long uphill slogs at the end of a ride, and I recommend it to anybody, even fitter riders, who faces the kind of terrain we have here in Eastern TN.
This bike also excels at long hard riding on the flats. The geometry of the frams allows the rider to stay in a laid back on-the-hoods position without sacrficing power...and sprint out in the drops and you will not even feel the bike...
One warning, you will be chased down by everybody you ride by or near...this bike gets a lot of attention...
I can't think of a serious roadie out there that wouldn't find this bike every bit as good a ride as bikes costing 3 times more...and then you could move up to Campy Record with the savings
