Tommaso Imola

Price Paid:  $390.00 at Randall Scott online

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
All stock.

Summary:
I was not pleased with my investment in this bike. I was hoping that I would be getting a deal buying off the Internet, but I knew that I was taking a risk not test riding the bike. My risk absolutely did not pay off. This is one of the least expensive bikes on the market, and you get what you pay for: I don't really imagine that you could find very many new road bikes out there that are worse than this one. That being said, if your standards are not very high (i.e. you have never ridden a decent road bike before), this bike might work out for you. But I would hate for this bike to be anyone's first exposure to road cycling; there are bikes out there that are lots more efficient at converting your power to forward movement.

All-in-all, I utterly lacked confidence in this bike. I gave it up after a few months -- returning to my trusty steel Peugeot road bike that was manufactured in the early 1970's and already has thousands of miles on it. But nonetheless, it rides better than the Imola, and is only about 3 pounds heavier than the Imola.

Strengths:
The obvious strength is that this bike is cheap. And I guess you can't go wrong with handlebars. Rims stayed true.

Weaknesses:
Can't test ride as it is only available online. It seems that Randall Scott went with cheap, low quality components everywhere they could without attracting too much attention. Sure it has Shimano components, but the bottom bracket, hubs, cranks, cassette, and frame all seemed to be rather low quality to me. My bike had a bad case of the somewhat mysterious phenomenon known as casette wobble. My hubs came improperly adjusted, which I only realized after many miles of riding (that is, after already having destroyed the bearings because of the improper adjustment). I would go through sporadic periods of a mysterious clicking sound whose cause I never was able to identify (bottom bracket?). With Shimano Sora components, I foud it difficult to get the front derailer properly adjusted; one result was that the chain would sometimes fall off when I tried to shift onto my smallest chainring. Irregularly (non-cylindrical) shaped chain-stays made it impossible for me to securely affix a rear-rack as I had hoped I might be able to do.

Price Paid:  $400.00 at rscycles

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere out of the City(manhattan)

Bike Setup:
Tektro brake levers/calipers, FSA compact crank, converted to run only big chainring. Surly singlepeed kit and Singlator. Nitto track bars, Easton carbon seatpost, Specialized Toupe seat.

Summary:
Immediately dumped the Sora components and converted it to single speed. Changed the handlebars and put on Tektro brake levers. Pretty good frame, stiff and light, and might I say rather attractive,(mine came in burgundy). Good welds, not ground down , so you can see if they're quality. Not as supple a ride as a C-dale, but still well worth the money. The wheels are useable with ugly hubs, but they're strong and not too heavy. Overall the bike is delightfully light(in single speed mode), stiff, and seems to be well built, just perfect for a winter trainer. Overall, a very good bike for the money, you will get what your expecting, no nasty surprises, and some nice ones

Strengths:
Good welds, stiff frame. It builds up pretty light. Very attractive frame. Realy nice paint job. If this is your first road bike, you will be happy. Very well packed for transit. While unpacking I kept on saying "I got this for only $400?"

Weaknesses:
Sora!! Yuck!! I'd prefer to ride it singlepeed (I'm a bike snob) It has a sticker which says 6061 Alu tubing, but it is still a no name tubeset. Straight tube seatstays and chainstays give it away. Not too supple a ride. The riser stem is so pedestrian, but if you reverse it, it looks really aggressive.

Similar Products Used:
Trek Alu frame-forgot name-forgettable bike
Giant with ALUXX -pretty good
C-Dale CAAD 8 built up with Mirage
Orbea Onix with Mirage

Price Paid:  $400.00 at Randall Scott

Bike Setup:
I purchased the 2008 model and put it together myself and took it into the local bike shop and they did a tune up on it.

Summary:
Great bike for the price. This was my first road bike purchase and I was a little sceptical on spending thousands of dollars when i wasnt sure if I was going to like it. So far I have put over 500 miles on it and its doing great. I would definatly recomend it for anyone just getting into road biking. The grafics are nothing great and they kind of grow on you after some time.

Strengths:
carbon fiber fork and its fairly light compared to other road bikes in this price point. The price is one that you cant beat for an entry level road bike.

Weaknesses:
The gears do slip and everyonce in a while the chain will come off.

Similar Products Used:
This was my first road bike.

Price Paid:  $410.00 at Randell Scott Bike C

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Schwinn hybrid

Bike Setup:
The pedels, toe clip w/straps lasted less than a mile and were replaced with a pair of metal pedals off an old Mongoose mountain bike. The seat, was replaced with a Bell jell seat. Both made this bike more comfortable to ride.

Summary:
2008 Tommaso Imola. I had this bike assembled within 30 minutes and ready to ride. I've had this bike just over a month and have 201 miles on it. Switching from (Ironhorse)mountain bike and (Schwinn) hybrid, this is my first road bike and not as comfortable as my Schwinn hybrid. I test rode a much higher priced Felt road bike and the Tommaso Imola (from RS) was a much better bike for the price.

Strengths:
Smooth and responsive. Light weight. Drive train from the shifters to derailers were right on target, shifting is very smooth and at times I cant even feel a when I changed gears. Nice paint job, I have the yellow/black.

Weaknesses:
Not comfortable, but I believe all road bikes will be the same. At least the Felt bike I test rode was the same.

Similar Products Used:
First road bike, I ride a Schwinn hybrid and an Ironhorse mountain bike.

Price Paid:  $410.00 at Randall Scott

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
tommaso

Bike Setup:
All stock atm, strongly recommend clipless pedals (mine are on the way)

Summary:
The bike arrived in excellent condition, and I had a LBS assemble the bike not to void any warranties, cost was only $30.00. I mad a short 5 mile sprint ride, and the bike is a dream! Smooth, and comfortable. The LBS was a bit surprised at the bike also, with the optional toe clip pedals the bike weighed in at 24.6 pounds, however, I have replacement pedals OTW.
I strongly recommend the bike for a beginner.

Strengths:
Solid..Beautiful paint scheme ( I Have the yellow).
Smooth & responsive

Weaknesses:
Really a bit early,but the LBS had a tough time getting the bike tuned, but I think it was the tech, as they switched techs, and the bike was ready in no time.

Similar Products Used:
N/A