chaadster

Just arrived from Bike Superior in Nijverdal, Netherlands, is my first carbon fiber frame, a '17 Dedacciai Gladiatore 2.

I decided it was time for me to get some first hand carbon fiber experience, and while I wanted the assurance of a brand I could trust, I also wanted something a little different. Renowned Italian tubing manufacturer Dedacciai had just the ticket for me!

I didn't want to go too pro-race style, nor too "carbon-y", so the rather more traditional styling of the Gladiatore suited me nicely, and the geometry was right where I wanted it, too, pretty much, although with a 73º HTA, I did settle for a slightly slacker head tube than I wanted.

But hey, it landed at just under $1.3k for the frameset, and I wasn't at all sure I wanted to spend any more than that on a plastic bike, so I made the compromise! Those crazy thin seat stays are cool, I think, but I'm praying they hold up under my hulking mass!

The frameset included a seat collar and headset, but also an expander plug and top cap, which was an unexpected nicety. My size XL frame weighs in at 1170gm (2.58lbs) and the uncut fork at 375gm. I know it's made in Asia somewhere, but oddly the frame does not indicate where. I'd have thought that was required under EU law.

I'm looking forward to getting it built up, and will go with either Campagnolo Potenza or Chorus, depending on what a new health insurance policy on the exchange is gonna cost me! My policy is discontinued for '18, so gotta go through that crap again.

I'll post some pics when it's finished, of course, but wanted to share my excitement and a few insights on this rather rare bird; there is not a lot of info about it out there.

BigPoser

That is lovely! Nice choice!

I'd go with Chorus.

Scarbo

Beautiful! I second, Chorus.

GuitarBob

That's a beauty, congrats!

dunrobin

It is a beauty..massive bottom bracket and chain stays, but with tiny seat stays. Hope it rides as good as it looks. Chorus would be ideal, but even potenza would work as it should.

WhyFi

Nice lookin' frame! Post an update when the build's complete.

raisinberry777

Both Potenza and Chorus would make for great choices. The new droopy style thumb levers on Potenza are great, and to be honest, I don't miss multi-shifting at all.

chaadster

Thanks, y’all!

I certainly want Chorus, but it’s just a bit hard for the fiscal conservative in me to pony up a $350 - $400 premium for a cosmetic upgrade. I’m on Athena now, and it serves me well, or well enough, so probably Potenza should, too. But man, whereas Athena is handsome, Potenza is not to my liking at all. Chorus it will probably be.

chaadster

Yeah, me too!

The frame design was intriguing to me, both for the seat stays and for the substantial BB area and chainstays; it has a BSA threaded sleeve, which I preferred over press fits for carbon, having heard about occasional alignment issues. Despite the slender stays, though, they say the frame exceeds the EN 14781 safety standards testing, which is supposed to be the most rigorous and demanding standard.

chaadster

Build is coming along; I just need a drivetrain and rubber.

As pictured, it's weighing in at 8.8lbs, so with a Chorus drivetrain, Campagnolo cable set, 80gm of Supacaz bar tape, and figuring 570gm worth of IRC RBCC tires and sealant, I should be at just a tick over 15lbs sans pedals, and sub-16lbs ready-to-ride with Assioma power meter pedals.

The pictured build list:

Deda 35 carbon bars 46mm
Deda 35 alu stem 100mm (ti bolts)
Deda compression plug w/ Absolute Black 1pc top cap/bolt
F3 Cycling FormMount Wahoo stem mount w/GoPro mount
Woodman alu spacers (25mm) and TCSL seat collar
American Classic Argent wheelset (stock tape, skewers, and valves) Shimano freehub
Deda Super Zero carbon post
Fizik Aliante R3 Team Edition saddle
Elite Vico carbon bottle cages (ti bolts)

jitteringjr

Wow you are a lot more patient than I am. It' s been three weeks since the frame arrived. I wouldn't be able to sleep if I had a bike ready to build: Would have to bribe the wife to bring me food while I was putting it together. It's going to be sweet when you're done.

chaadster

Oh, it is tough...tougher than I'd thought, because the weather has been better than expected! But on the other hand, I got out of shape the past several months behind a knee injury and surgery, so I have plenty of work to do getting into shape to give it a proper flogging come spring, so I'm just focusing on that for now. I bought myself a new KICKR, too; I dunno if my wife noticed the trainer looks different or not, but she hasn't given me any grief...yet.

jitteringjr

I've pulled that trick with camera lenses in the past.

indyfabz

Allow me to suggest brakes as well.

chaadster

Oh man, you've got the photog bug? That'll cost you...

chaadster

I'm tryin' to HTFU, man!

No, I'm kinda planning to just go with the Campagnolo skellies at this point. A pair of KCNC CB3 would be kinda cool, but man, what a royal PITA it must be to clean the damn things! I'm not that meticulous. But, I might be that stupid, because they're kind of cool.

BigPoser

Ride is looking real nice!

By chance and you take some more pictures of the F3 mount on the bike? I want one very badly.

Sy Reene

You could just wrap those with some 3M christmas wrapping tape to keep the crud out of there; it's the season. No worries, and I think they call it invisible tape, so who would notice?

jitteringjr

Funny but I think that would be harder than just cleaning them. With a Q tip but just cleaning them

chaadster

Thanks, and sure, I’ll snap some pics and post ‘em up in their own thread; I’ll tag you on it.

cydewaze

That's one nice looking frameset!

chaadster

Thanks! I like it too, although it would have been nice to take advantage of Dedacciai's custom paint option and get some more color on it. They offer both a custom colorway within the stock paint scheme, and full custom paint. I bought it just on the numbers, though (i.e. without test riding), and I didn't want to get in too deep just in case I chose poorly! We'll see about that point shortly, but probably not until Spring.

aterreno

Hi there,
long shot but do you happen to know the length of your Brake Caliper Mount Recessed Pivot Bolt Nuts?

I've just got this beautiful frame 2nd hand, and that's the only bit I am a bit in trouble finding out.

Thanks a lot

chaadster

No, sorry, I do not, and I’m away traveling right now and cannot measure them. I will say that I don’t recall any particular issues mounting the Chorus calipers, but it has been a few years.


Dedacciai Gladiatore 2

aterreno

Thank you so much for replying though, reviving this thread after so many years!
I've ordered a 40mm and a 30mm as my 20mm was too short, so fingers crossed one of those will work.

I made a good start this weekend moving components, all is left now is cabling & chain.

What a lovely frame, take care!