Pinarello Angliru

Price Paid:  $500.00 at eBay

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Mitre to Cleveland Arms

Bike Setup:
Mirage 9-speed, Scirocco wheels

Summary:
I'm no great impressionist. I can do a passable Deidre from Coronation Street and can have a decent stab at a Nigerian mini-cab driver. But even if I were good at imitating celebrities, I wouldn't. It's wrong and it's embarrassing. So why should the Angrilu pretend to be a Pinarello, when it plainly isn't. Sure, it is a decent enough entry level racer, but for the hefty(ish) list price, you'd be expecting something a little... well, a little bit more Pinarello. It simply doesn't have the Italian feel. OK, it's fairly light; it is fairly stiff; it's fairly good looking. But just like Les Dennis, it's fairly disappointing.

Strengths:
You can tell your mates that you have a Pinarello.

Weaknesses:
It's not a real Pinarello.

Similar Products Used:
Cinelli Proxima, Bianchi Via Nirone

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Summary:
This is an update from my last post dated May 14.
Okay. Absolutely love this ride. Light, fast, climbs like a goat, feels very solid. Tiagra version 9 works great - helps when you have an awesome mechanic. Thanks Andy (Le Maillot Jaune (Montreal)!

Price Paid:  $1900.00 at Le Maillot Jaune (Mo

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere scenic

Bike Setup:
Stock config except for saddle upgrade.

Summary:
Purchased price is in Canadian funds.
I'm a mountain biker who's gone to a road bike to commute to work and for the weekend open roads. Since i purchased this bike only 3 weeks ago, i'll try follow up later with a long-term review.
I love this bike. Light, sturdy, no rattles, goes like stink. Excellent directional change, very precise handling. I shopped for 3 weeks and almost purchased a Fuji Roubaix, but opted for the Arigula because of the quality italian-made frame and because the bike spoke to me. Components are Tiagra (re-designed by Shimano for 2007) front and rear. Rear shifts great, front is another story. Will give my LBS a shot at fine-tuning it since I am breaking the bike in. At that price, I could've purchased a Specialized Roubaix (full carbon), but the bike just didnt speak to me, and I believe you have to want to get on it and ride it!
Carbon fork and rear stays do an good job of absorbing bumps, keep in mind i'm used to a mountain bike. The wheels/tires are great, no complaints whatsoever.

Strengths:
- overall comfort
- light
- good vibration absorbtion
- great paint job, seems resistant to scratches

Weaknesses:
- would offer at least 105 front and back instead of tiagra
- upgraded saddle to Selle Italia
- handlebar tape could be cushier

Similar Products Used:
- Shopped Giant OC2, Fuji Roubaix, Specialized Roubaix, Specialized Sequoia, Trek 1200, Giant TCR and probably a few more that I can't remember. Some of these are racers, some are not.