Tommaso Capri

Price Paid:  $400.00 at RScycle

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Not getting Hit

Summary:
I, by no means am a competive racer. I have been using this bike as a commuter and as a primary means of transportation in Chicago for the last 2 and a half years. I will say that I love this bike. I looked up many reviews before buying it and seemed to be the best for the money. I haven't been disappointed. Other than routine maintance I have had NO issues with this bike. I can't even count how many compliments I've received and not to mention the shock of how inexpensive it was. Is there anything that the Italians can't perfect? Thanks Tommaso for providing a great performing bike at a fraction of competitors cost. I can't wait to ride their other bikes.

Strengths:
Low cost, High performce, Carbon fork

Weaknesses:
Saddle but what can you expect for 400 dollars.

Price Paid:  $339.00 at RS Cycle

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Tommaso Capri

Bike Setup:
Purchased RS Cycle pro-build and in 15 minutes out of box it was ready to ride!

Summary:
Although not a competative road racer, I ride for fitness with 95% of my rides being aggresive. Being larger in stature (235lbs) and loving nothing better than pounding up hill after hill in a ride, I subject my Tommaso Capri to an above average amount of stress yet after 2,500 miles it still delivers a smooth, dependable and pleasurable ride. Other than normal maintenance and routine tweaks, the only problem I encountered was with the rear wheel that came stock with the bike (Alex DR13) and after one season the rim was beyond saving due to multiple stress fractures. This I know is due to my size and my aggressive riding of the hills and when I upgrading to a better quality rim, problem solved. Getting back into cycling after about a 10 year hiatus (my previous rode bike, Schwinn Le Toure, having been adorned with a kid carrier), I did not want to spend the thousands of $$$ perceived to purchase a new bike, but I did want something of good quality. I did extensive research before I bought this bike; comparing more market popular name brands and models as well as the components, wheel sets, etc. for each and every time, I kept coming back to to the Capri. Even though I was able to realize additional savings with a holiday sale (base price $369), the entire purchase (including the pro-build) was under $400. For a bike that compares to others in its model class that go for $800 to $900 was a STEAL and in my opinion, no there was no discernable comprimise in quality whatsoever! I love this bike and have plans on riding this model for years to come. The Italian Red color of my model stands out in a pack and I have had numerous people comment on its look. I recommend to anyone looking to get back into road riding (or first timers) and wanting a quality ride but not wanting to drop thousands to get on quality bike, look no farther than RS Cycle and the Tommaso Capri (replaced by the 2007 model Mola)

Strengths:
Comfort, durability.

Weaknesses:
Problems with rear wheel after one season of riding (stress cracks)and had to replace (Came with Alex DR13), but was due to personal circumstances and woudl be fine for most riders.

Price Paid:  $399.00 at Randall Scott

Model Year:
2005

Summary:
My first new road bike in twenty-five years. On special at $399 with a carbon fork and I paid a little extra for the set-up by RS - so that it would be ready to ride.

Strengths:
Great value, a very nice looking bike.

Weaknesses:
One wheel rim was slightly warped on arrival, so I got that sorted for $7 at the local store. However, two rides revaled some terrible skipping on the rear transmission, so - back to the storwe, which revealed that the incorrect type of cables had been built, hence the contstant skipping; so another $20 I should not have had to spend.

Price Paid:  $500.00 at www.rscycle.com

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Tommaso Capri w/Carbon Fork

Bike Setup:
Frame: 6061 Aluminum straight guage
Fork: Tommaso Carbon
Front Derailluer: Shimano Sora
Rear Derailluer: Shimano Sora GS
Shifters: Shimano Sora STI 8spd
Brakes Levers: Shimano Sora STI

Summary:
I am a first time triathlon competitor and this bike has proven itself as a true standout among its class. I have found the light aluminum frame to deliver a fast, smooth ride, though not as rigid as some of the other alumis I have ridden, and this bike is very comfortable without sacrificing performance. I was very pleased to get the carbon fork included in the price. In addition the Shimano Sora group set has more than met my needs. I purchased this bike from Randall Scott Cycle Company online and paid $500 with free shipping and no tax. The bike came exactly as I ordered and was a perfect fit. I also opted for the “Pro-Build” which I highly recommend getting for an extra $50. Basically, their mechanic assembles, tunes, tests and inspects the bike and then removes the tires, seat and handle bars for shipping…I had the bike ready to race in less than 15 minutes once I opened the box! These people are a delight to deal with and when you call they actually have a person who answers the phone, and they also tend to be fairly knowledgeable. Bottom-line, look around and try and find a better all-a-round quality bike for your $$…and you won’t, or at least I didn’t.

Strengths:
I have found the light aluminum frame to deliver a fast, smooth ride.

Weaknesses:
None, this is my first Tommaso, I'm sure it won't be my last.

Similar Products Used:
Trek, specialized and old Bianchi