The patented rear triangle construction system is called Atomlink, and is claimed to allow for greater reactivity and power transfer.

The patented rear triangle construction system is called Atomlink, and is claimed to allow for greater reactivity and power transfer (click to enlarge).​

The Lowdown: Cipollini Bond

What would you give to test drive a Ferrari? What if someone offered to let you take one out not only for a quick spin but for an entire weekend? Matt at Red Lantern Cycles recently offered up the cycling equivalent. I enthusiastically took him up on the offer.


Italian made Cipollini bikes have been on the market for about 3 years now. Like Ferraris, they are hard to come by and very expensive. And, again, like Ferrari, the brand has really capitalized on style, brashness, and flamboyance. The brand's namesake, Mario Cipollini, is arguably the greatest sprinter of our time, and was notorious for being stylish, brash and flamboyant. (He once puffed a cigarette during a race, and was (in)famous for being a ladies man.)

Aero seat tube and seat post of course.

Aero seat tube and seat post of course (click to enlarge).​

Still you have to wonder how a "no name" manufacturer could come out of nowhere and produce a legitimately good -- if not great -- bike? Or is it all marketing and hype? Read our review to find out.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIDOjlxvPto

Gruppo: Campy Athena EPSWheelset: Campy Bora Ultra 2 carbon tubular
Stem: 3T ProWheelset weight: 1310 grams
Handlebars: 3T Ergonova Pro alloy Rim width/depth: 20mm/50mm
Saddle: Selle Italia Carbon Flow (120 grams)MSRP: $4695 for frame and fork
Weight: 16 lbs, 6 ozRating:
4.5 Stars
4.5 out of 5 stars (if you can live with the rough ride)
Stat Box


Pluses

Minuses
  • Incredibly fast
  • Not a bike for a "casual ride"
  • Incredibly stiff
  • Uncomfortable on the rough pavement down hills
  • Remarkable ride
  • Expensive
  • Different looking and scarce

Full Review: Cipollini Bond

The Bond is so named because while the front end is molded in one piece, the rear end is "bonded" together in two additional pieces. Cipollini describes it as such: "BOND is the only monocoque frame made by Cipollini that is not a single piece construction. Boasting the revolutionary patented rear triangle construction system that Cipollini calls the Atomlink, this revolutionary construction system allows for the greatest reactivity and power transfer than typical lugged frame construction."

The brand's namesake, Mario Cipollini, is arguably the greatest sprinter of our time.

The brand's namesake, Mario Cipollini, is arguably the greatest sprinter of our time (click to enlarge).​

My test bike was set up with lots of Italian-branded components, including Campy Bora Ultra 2 carbon tubular wheels, 3T alloy cockpit, Campy Athena EPS gruppo and a minimalist 120 gram Selle Italia carbon saddle. But with the exception of the saddle, these components weren't exactly the top of the line, which was somewhat at odds with the exclusive and expensive nature of the frame. And the weight, over 16lbs, was a bit disappointing. The Campy rims are "only" 20mm wide, narrower than the current trend of 25mm or wider. The 3T cockpit was alloy versus carbon. And Campy Athena resides below Super Record, Record, and Chorus.

Continue to page 2 to read more from our full review of the Cipollini Bond »



Campy Athena sits behind Super Record, Record, and Chorus, but still works great.

Campy Athena sits behind Super Record, Record, and Chorus, but still works great (click to enlarge).​

So how did it ride?

I dialed in the bike as best as I could but felt a bit stretched out; the stem could have been 5mm shorter. The rock hard seat felt tortuous at first, too. But then I set out on a ride. Wow. Let me say that again, Wow. The components turned out to be a revelation. The Athena EPS shifting was awesome. Far more intuitive than the Shimano Ultegra Di2 that I'd ridden before. The brake hoods felt great in the hands. The 3T alloy bar was comfortable in the drops. The wheels were fast and silent. Even the seat wasn't as bad as I'd expected once I was up to speed. It felt like the bike was much lighter as well.

This was by far the stiffest bike I've ever ridden. The wheels were stiff, the aero seat post was stiff, and the saddle had zero give. As a result, the ride was super lively; you could feel every bump in the road from the front end to the rear. The rear end felt slightly more active than the front; there was a subtle bucking sensation. This said, while you felt every ripple in the road, I didn't feel like I was getting beat up.

Cable routing is internal.

Cable routing is internal (click to enlarge).​

As I set off, there is a fun slight downhill section that's about a mile long. I found myself flying by other cyclists. Turns out I had my second fastest time ever on that segment; my PR had been set on my BMC triathlon bike with aero bars and aero wheels. How was this possible that I'd be able to approach a time on a road bike that was better fit for a Tri bike?

On to the climb

I took the bike up legendary Old La Honda Road. The frame was remarkable with simply no lateral play. However, I found it difficult to spin up the climb at a high cadence. The bike seemed to respond better to getting out of the saddle and keeping the power on. The result? While I haven't been climbing that much, I set a PR for the year with a 19:46 time.

Things weren't as smooth on the descent, though. I am an admitted terrible descender. Something happened when I had two kids and now I am extremely tentative going down hills. The next section was down hill and very bumpy. The bike was vibrating so much that I had to ride the brakes. It was not a pleasant experience.

The saddle is a Selle Italia Carbon Flow.

The saddle is a Selle Italia Carbon Flow (click to enlarge).​

The next section was descending Highway 84; this is a favorite for speed demons because of the swooping turns and good pavement. Initially I was just flying down, grinning. But the super light wheels felt twitchy, which forced me to back off.

Next came a cool section of road that has a slight downhill that lasts a half mile. Though I tucked in behind some cars, I tied my PR, which was set on the BMC TT bike.

Bottom Line

I haven't been this excited about a bike or bike parts in a long time. I couldn't stop thinking about how remarkable and different the ride feel was. How could a road bike approach the times of a triathlon bike? How could it be so responsive yet not beat me up? How could an upstart company produce something that was so impressive? These questions kept circling in my mind.

Not exactly stealth battery placement.

Not exactly stealth battery placement (click to enlarge).​

This said, like a Ferrari, one has to ask, Could I live with it as a daily driver - and could I afford it? Though I was tempted to go back to Matt and say, Where do I sign, I had to be honest with myself. While the flats, smooth descents, and climbing were incredible, the rough descending experience wasn't tolerable. This bike is too high-strung for me. And my wife would never let me buy it anyway…

For more information visit cipolliniusa.com