Hi!
Just been down to my local bike shop and been bombarded with info! Here's the one they were suggesting, but since it was on sale I do wonder if it wasn't partly to clear out the stock. Then again - if it's a good bike then I'm happy to oblige
)
Ambrosio Solaro 50 frame
Carbon front forks
Groupset: Campagnolo
Wheels: Handbuilt Ambrosio
Pedals: SPD
Shoes: Carnac 46
Shoes, pedals etc all included in the price of £600.
Whaddya think peeps?
And please no telling me to spend an extra £200/£500/£4k, I was planning on spending about £500 so I'm already a wee bit over budget but if I'm getting a good bike I don't really mind.
Comments
cant comment on the gear system as im only used to shimano.
i presume it has the gear shifters with the breaks? for that price, inc some shoes it sound sok to me. bit safer than buying 2nd hand.
You can always use it for a season or two and then get a more expensive model if you really want to upgrade.....and sell off the ambrosia 2nd hand...on ebay :O) !
Might be worth askign them to throw a decent helmet in too....its end of season afterall and that expensive giro on the shelf is going to get lonely ;o)
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
I think that it also depends what you are going to use it for - racing, offroad, leisure etc.
carbon forks good
which campag groupset??
spd pedals - what type??
shoes - OK
wheels - don't know them
but for £600 - seems OK? what about saddles - can make a big difference in the comfort stakes
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
Also there's a company selling Fondriest frames that look pretty sweet! Have a look...
Gear shifters in brakes
Main use would be racing or training for racing
No idea what type of campagnolo thingees - think it had 18 gears
No idea what type of SPD whatsits - whatever's on the bottom of the shoes, they could set the bike up with the pedals for the other kind - Look/Luk or whatever?!
Saddle felt hard but then any racing bike saddle would after my MTB with a gel saddle thingee.
only a day to go!
You must ask yourself all these questions and more.
most people seem to think look are better than spd.
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
Well Ambrosio is a well known make. Didn't actually know they did frames though ?
Alu frame, well you can get all standards of Alu frames. They can be quite harsh, hence the absorbing carbon fork. I expect it's a steel steerer, so the weight of the fork won't be that light. A fully carbon fork is v lightweight.
Campag are cool. Dunno what groupset - but its 9 speed so its higher end I think. Prob works as well as the best stuff, but not as light or long lasting.
It does sound OK for the price. Get 'em tio swap the saddle for something you might like the look of though, and get Looks - better for racing in. Or if racing hard isn't gonna be what you wanna do, then stay with Spds.
Frame is the key - if that fits and is good, then you upgrade the bits hanging on it. Wheels are the next most important.
Sorry - after the colour of course !
I think it only ended up as the SPDs because he hadn't got the other style in my shoe size!
It's red, but it doesn't have a bell . Shoes are grey so they sort of go.
I shall have to choose the name carefully, otherwise I shall get myself into trouble!
Sloping top tube too. Looks nice !
AMBROSIO SOLARO COMPACT ROAD BIKE. SAVE 150GBP
COLOUR OPTIONS: SILVER BLUE & RED!
* 7005 DOUBLE BUTTED ALUMINIUM FRAME
* AMBROSIO A7 CARBON FORK
* 18 SPD CAMPAGNOLO XENON GROUP.
* HANDBUILT AMBROSIO EVOLUTION WHEELS WITH DOUBLE BUTTED SPOKES
* AMBROSIO ALLOY BARS & AMBROSIO STEM.
* VITTORIA 700 X 23 RACE TYRES
* XO SADDLE & CORK RIBBON.
* COMPLETELY HAND ASSEMBLED
That probably makes more sense to COugs and co than me!!
Thanks for all the help )
You reckon go for it?
I thought you called ya' pillow Peter?
Agree with cougie.. Campag stuff is pretty good.. only thing is is a '50' too small for ya'.. I thought as the social when I say ya' yoos was quite tall...
Or does 50 not refer to the size? Or is it just a compact frame?
I always go with the front hub being obscured by the handlebars when I'm in the riding position. I'm sure someone told me that once.
How tall are ya FR ?
Isn't it different for compact frames..? (don't they always say that anyhow..?!!!) I dunno.. as long as the stem is the right length and there's enough seatpost, and layback ya' should get yerself to fit...
Fruity.. have you tried it for size?
Hope that makes sense - when I got on the 60 the bloke in the shop looked like he thought it was right, but I wouldn't know meself. My leg was extended att he bottom of the pedal movement which I think is how it's meant to be, but then I'm not used to these sort of pedals.
Is the sloping top bit good?
So what's the concensus on pedals - SPD would be OK or try to get the Looks?
yep, thats much better!!!! Pedal stroke shows there's enough seatpost height.. was the front hub obscured by the bars as cougie said?
Sloping bit means less chance of nad catching when dismounting.... Believe me, always useful!!
I like Spd's meself but come from a mountin biking background so std use. Have heard that look or larger cleat type shoes are supposed to give you more comfort as spread load over wide range of foot instead of one area. But to be honest, if good solid based shoes ya' gonna get that anyhow even with SPD's... Also (depends on spd, but are generally dual sided while looks are single sided.. so easier access into them).
Look or spd aren't shoe specific generally so those carnac shoes should be able to accept both pedal types. But just to check what type of shoe (name) was it..?
If the easy access thing is important (as in quicker for transitions?!?) then I'll ask them to sort it - they sounded very amenable.
Trouble is all this jargon is new to me so it doesn't mean a lot! Give me a month and I'll be spouting it like a pro, I love jargon )
No idea on the hub obscuration thing - hadn't heard that before or I'd have checked - I'll have a look when I'm in the shop.
Interesting on the sloping crossbar - there's me thinking it was some sophisticated engineering thing about channelling the energy through the most ergonomic route to give the greatest torque or drive, and it's actually about not catching your nads!!! LOL!! )
But the not hitting your nads is very good. As Lance would probably vouch for this year. Oooof !
Has Lance got any nads left after the cancer thing?
I can't find the info on the shoes on the Pearson's website, I'll keep looking.
Thanks again guys )