Thoughts on a Fondriest?
05-25-18, 05:49 AM
#1
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Thoughts on a Fondriest?
I'm seriously considering picking up this F/F. It doesn't seem to be a well-known name, at least not a common name around here. The frame/fork is in great shape and would be a really nice build.
Help convince me to pick this up.
Help convince me to pick this up.
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Dale, NL4T
Dale, NL4T
05-25-18, 05:53 AM
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Do it. Some guy I occasionally ride with has one and loves it. If "random guy on internet says his acquaintance likes his” isn't convincing enough I don't know what is!
Fwiw I don't know much about them either other than a vague notion that they are well regarded.
Fwiw I don't know much about them either other than a vague notion that they are well regarded.
05-25-18, 06:07 AM
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Well, that's not quite as strong a recommendation as "I'd trade my dog for one in a heartbeat" but it is better than "you couldn't give me one".
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Dale, NL4T
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05-25-18, 08:29 AM
#4
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Well, why not?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
05-25-18, 10:08 AM
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Maurizio Fondriest was the 1988 World Champion, riding a Legnano for the Alfa-Lum squad. He retired at the end of 1998, setting up Fondriest Bici. They are quite popular in my region of Canada as there is a dealer about 80km from me. While I haven't ridden one or seen this particular frame, I've talked to quite a few owners, including the shop owner. They were all suitably impressed.
This frame is quite interesting with the semi-hourglass shaped and short flutes for the top tube.. The chain stays look faceted at the BB end. The top and down tubes are oversize and there's an external sleeve on the top of the seat tube, all implying very light gauge tubes. I like the housing stops on the head tube, so the brifter cables don't abrade the paint. This frame, while almost certainly not C&V, would be a sure fire conversation starter. I'd definitely be in, at the right price.
This frame is quite interesting with the semi-hourglass shaped and short flutes for the top tube.. The chain stays look faceted at the BB end. The top and down tubes are oversize and there's an external sleeve on the top of the seat tube, all implying very light gauge tubes. I like the housing stops on the head tube, so the brifter cables don't abrade the paint. This frame, while almost certainly not C&V, would be a sure fire conversation starter. I'd definitely be in, at the right price.
Last edited by T-Mar; 05-25-18 at 10:12 AM.
05-25-18, 10:15 AM
#6
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I knew a former racer that had one in 1999. his was one of the ones that had the cast girder like BB to chain stay junction. he liked it well enough, but it was a former team bike, so he rode it for free. I bought my wife a 2003 Fondriest Carb Level frame, in 2005, and she LOVES it. this is an aluminum main triangle, with CF seat and chain stays and a CF fork. Whenever the subject of an upgrade come up, she says she doesn't want a new frame, because hers is so great.
Different bikes both, but i have known two people that liked the ride and handling, which is pretty good for a relatively unknown brand!
Different bikes both, but i have known two people that liked the ride and handling, which is pretty good for a relatively unknown brand!
05-25-18, 04:38 PM
#7
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Success! Y'all convinced me, so I have a Fondriest inbound. Won't actually ship until Tuesday, most likely, but that's OK. I've got another project to work on and rides planned for tomorrow and Sunday.
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Dale, NL4T
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05-25-18, 07:45 PM
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I've never owned one but they are well regarded and a few years back there were a couple in my regular riding group that were very nice. Enjoy!
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
