Well, finally managed to get a couple of good rides in - a 20 and a 40 miler.....the first question that comes to mind is: What is the point of Carbon Fibre exactly?!?
Now as I mentioned I have an Alu/Carbon Colnago....not a high end Colnago but a nice ride, but this Daccordi is noticeably nicer to ride especially over the really bumpy stuff but not discernibly less stiff and may even be lighter than the Colnago. I think I may have lucked out with getting a Columbus EL frame as there is a really sprightly character to this bike - it probably helps that I am relatively small and light (9 Stone 10) so any flex is not really noticeable to me. It probably also helps having a double chainset as I am forced effectively to ride faster - I certainly feel as though I will have better averages as time goes on. But bowling along the flat with a small tailwind I can easily maintain 19-20mph for extended periods which would have been harder on the Colnago. Handling on descents is just as confidence inspiring as the Colnago.
Some other things I like:
- The decisive upshift of the Campag gear
- Brakes are better than the Shimano 105s even with green Kool stops
- The low drop handlebars are easier to maintain a dropped position so help to go faster.
- The fact that I built it myself... :-D
All in all, I'm well chuffed and have started seriously thinking about the next steel bike I can build.....maybe a modern frame this time if I can afford something interesting from one of the new small builders....or maybe a classic British bike