Summary: Last October (2007) I purchased a Forma from RS Cycle through the internet. I had not ridden this bike yet I felt comfortable with the 30 day guarentee offered through RS Cycle after a long discussion with the shop. I have just shy of 1500 miles on my Forma including several triathlons. I am new to cycling in the last year and was drawn to the component set (value) vs. other bikes that I had test road for significantly more money. Further, after my local dealer performed a Serota fitting the felt the bike would fit well but warned me of the frame. I have enjoyed riding this bike until the last several months. My issue with this bike has been the frame - not simply the fork. The fork is squirrelly in corners at high speed if you are a large rider (I am 6'4' and 205 lbs). Further, this bike frame doesn't feel stiff to me and will flex more than you may be comfortable with. I cracked the frame this past weekend (or sometime recently) under the top tube where it connects to the headset. Further, the cranks on this bike have given me some trouble and my local shop has spent several hours servicing them.
Bike Setup: Stock accepts changed Fork to Ritchey Carbon and Switch Wheelset to Zip depending on ride.
Summary: I live in Boulder and was actually able to test ride the Forma before buying it. Living here you have about 6 bike shops per square mile and I must have test ridden two bikes from each. Reading these other reviews I was a bit wary of the Forma, but I ride with friends who have ridden this brand w/out any problems for the past few years. The bottom line is unless you're going to be training and racing at an elite level, this bike is an absolute steal. I wasn't necissarily working on a budget, and after a month of research/testing I still chose the moderately priced forma. While the picture on this forum is of the 06 or 07, the 08 (which I have) is pretty BA. My buddy has the 06, and there's been an ongoing debate in our group which is prettier. For the price you're obviously going to have some areas where it's possible to improve the ride - but as far as the staples this thing is on it. And as far as the frame being "weak" in some places, the rides we do here in the Rockies are as demanding as anything you'll find short of the Alpe d'Huez, and I've felt more flex on titanium. I don't want to be a Forma homer, but I felt an experienced rider with a stong opposing opinion might give a prospective buyer a little more perspective - however if my frame cracks in the next year you can bet I'll be back rescinding all of this.
Strengths: Frame, component package, and aesthetics
Weaknesses: Fork could be upgraded for those planning in racing.
Summary: stinks see my earlier review. I was too kind in my earlier review. The frame has cracked due to improper manufacturing and probably poor testing. I would stay away from anything this company makes. No point in buying a bike if it fails due to manufacturing defects. Others have problems as well with other FRAMES, just google enough and follow threads. This is a very poor company and product. SaVe your money
Strengths: none
Weaknesses: everything including the company
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Bike Setup: tommaso forma frame fork,mavic carboner wheels,easton ec90 handle bars,sram red components,sella italia strike
Summary: For a first carbon bike it was good i went on to replace almost everything on it exept the frame and fork which for most of my 2nd year racing held up untill i got more serious it became to weak to handle the stress of racing.
Strengths: looks nice
rides smooth
good price
Weaknesses: weak in some parts not so strong carbon
most bike shops dont like working on bikes they didnt sell you
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Bike Setup: STANDARD EQUIPMENT EXCEPT FOR THE FORK
Summary: THIS RATING IS ONLY WITH STANDARD FORK REPLACED. REPLACE Fork with a Reynolds Ouzo pro fork and this will ride pretty well-use same or as close to the same rake. This is a good criterium bike with a new fork..otherwise take your chances in the turns. READ THIS AS THE FORK LATERALLY DEFLECTS UNDER HIGH CORNER LOADS!!! IT IS ENTIRELY UNSUITABLE FOR ROAD/CRIT RACING WITH THE STANDARD FORK. Good overall on hills both up and down. Not for long road races..but still not the worse either. I have no idea what they were thinking when they built the fork. The standard fork is a zero out of five. Make a lamp post out of it. If you get the bike for around $2K it is a good deal.
Strengths: GOOD COMPONENTS.
Weaknesses: FORK IS WASTE OF GOOD EPOXY AND PAINT.
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