Azzurri Uno???

[Blybo]

Rather than make my other thread drag on I thought I'd ask for any personal recommendations on the 2007 Azzurri Uno. I'll be test riding 1 next week.
I haven't been able to find a Lemond tourmalet on a shop floor, yes they can get one for me but I'm not buying without a test ride. The Masi Vincere is still a possiblilty. Waiting to see if the LBS can get stock.

What I am wondering is; am I better off with the better rear derailleur on the Masi or the "complete 105" group set and rear carbon stay on the Azzurri?

Cheers,
Neil

[triode12]

The Uno has impressive specs for the price!

[cev]

Earlier in the year I bought an Azzurri Primo and got the Forza decal frame due to no Primos available at the time. Good bike and no probs so far. The azzurri's are exellent value for money which is one reason I went for them, under $3000 for full carbon frame and Ultegra group set.

[MountGower]

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[triode12]

It doesn't look like the Uno has a rear carbon stay. It is a full Alu frame.

[Bnej]

My comment is purely on the carbon seat stay. There is very little weight on a seat stay. Making it from carbon fibre is to no benefit what so ever. It is pure gimmickry. It serves to make the frame weaker if anything. I'd put it out of your mind and look to for other things on which to base your decision.

Carbon fibre seat stays and chain stays are for comfort not weight benefit. If the rear of the bike is well designed they can damp out the buzz and chatter from the back wheel coming through the seat.

Fit is most important, the Masi comes in 7 sizes the Azzurri in 4. The Azzurri is lighter (according to their site). The Masi looks better. Looks like the Azzurri comes with clipless pedals. The higher end RD might make a small difference but even a Sora RD shifts fine.

[LuckyPierre]

The trade-off is the Columbus Zonal / carbon frame on the Uno versus an Ultegra rear derailleur on the Masi.
The carbon rear stay isn't a 'weight saver', but a 'ride modifier' and it works. The value of Ultegra over 105 gear is felt more in the shifters and cassette than the derailleurs.
So, I'd take the Uno.
I haven't ridden the Masi, but the girlie bike started life as a full Zonal, 105-equipped bike and I stepped her towards her current full Ultegra group set over time - so I've ridden the Masi's equipment spec. I've ridden a Uno like the one shown and it is a bit more forgiving than the girlie bike.
All that said, fit and feel is more important than spec. any day!

[LuckyPierre]

Crossed threads, similar thoughts!
Anyone would think that we knew what we were talking about - but ....

[LuckyPierre]

Of course the Masi looks better - it's red!

[Wanta-bike]

GO THE AZZURRI!

i got me one of these puppies a few months back (tho it was - is - a Forza w/ultegra groupset.... preferred the blue frame as opposed to the red one )

for the $$$$, the azzurri is (imo) uber value and definately rides as well as any other bike out there.

[Blybo]

Well I would really like a red bike...
But all my riding gear is blue...

Is this a good way to make my decision

Sizing shouldn't be a problem on the Azzurri. The shop owner is an ex Olympic coach, I trust that he knows what he is talking about. And he is rebuilding the bike for me over the weekend as the parts were used else where. So fine tuning with stem heights and lengths etc shouldn't be a problem. Closest store to home too, which is nice.

Still waiting to hear whether I can get the Masi in my size. BTW the model I'm looking at looks even better than in the link as it is majority red with white highlights, hot looking bike. Store owners are lovely people and cycling enthusiasts, but new franchise owners and feeling their way in to the industry so they are on a steep learning curve. Closest store to work which is nice too.

I'm leaning towards the spec of the Azzurri atm as I'll be riding on bike paths in my commute and the carbon rear stays could really help ride comfort (the photo in the link shows a painted finish, the frame I looked at was clear coat over carbon from seat post to rear drop out, BB to rear drop out is Zonal. We shall wait and see...

[europa]

Well I would really like a red bike...
But all my riding gear is blue...

Is this a good way to make my decision

Our North American friends have a term for this - OCP - Obsessive Compulsive Posseur

Enjoy it.

Sounds like you're on a winner with the shop owner. The relationship you have with a shop is important and can be more important than the bike sometimes. If you can, get involved in rebuilding the bike - he probably won't be too interested in having the customer under foot, but it's a fantastic way to learn about these apparently simple but rather subtle machines.

Richard

[Blybo]

Wish I had time this weekend to get involved; 80 odd plants being delivered tomorrow . Rachel wants them planted Saturday so we can ride on Sunday. Hang on, AFL Grand Final Saturday arvo. Looks like I'll be planting Friday night under lights as well.

Apart from tuning the gears Richard, I'm pretty cool with the mechanics of bikes. I raced BMX as a teenager and did all my own bike builds and maintained them.

[Bluerider]

Well I would really like a red bike...
But all my riding gear is blue...

Is this a good way to make my decision

...

Absolutely ! what do you think my forum name is for
Ford blue car ,my riding gear and ofcourse a blue Felt

I looked at the Masi's seem ok but never test rode one.
The Azzuri's give you bang for buck.
A friend rides the Uno, no issues to date and is happy.

[Blybo]

Absolutely ! what do you think my forum name is for
Ford blue car ,my riding gear and ofcourse a blue Felt

I looked at the Masi's seem ok but never test rode one.
The Azzuri's give you bang for buck.
A friend rides the Uno, no issues to date and is happy.

SShhhh, don't tell anyone about the ford

Good to know that the Azzurri's don't seem to have any negative feedback, apart from probably not being able to get a team jersey

Didn't really want another blue bike but it's the bike feel thats important not the colour.

[triode12]

Absolutely ! what do you think my forum name is for
Ford blue car ,my riding gear and ofcourse a blue Felt

I looked at the Masi's seem ok but never test rode one.
The Azzuri's give you bang for buck.
A friend rides the Uno, no issues to date and is happy.

SShhhh, don't tell anyone about the ford

Good to know that the Azzurri's don't seem to have any negative feedback, apart from probably not being able to get a team jersey

Didn't really want another blue bike but it's the bike feel thats important not the colour.

You do know that Red bikes go faster, don't you..?

[Blybo]

Yep my cars red and its bloody fast...

But blue is cooler for bikes

[Bluerider]

but BLUE is all class red is like >

[triode12]

but BLUE is all class red is like >

I think the saying is "As Red as a Baboon's A..e"

[Wanta-bike]

Well I would really like a red bike...
....The shop owner is an ex Olympic coach, I trust that he knows what he is talking about....

you're not talkin about carey from kathy watt cycling in black rock by any chance?

[Blybo]

Nope, Andy from Bikepro in Surrey Hills, the link to the Azzurri was from his website. He was national coach of Hong Kong, and coached David Miller.