so i finally took possession of my Azzurri Forza Di2. i am impressed, i really like the bike - Azzurri don't seem to have skimped on much. my only complaints are the small handlebars - my other roadie has giant bars and these ones just feel plain weird. it may just be me. i feel like i can squeeze through smaller gaps in the peloton now.. the other 'complaint' is the Vittoria Zaffiro tyres, but you expect cheap tyres on factory bikes, so i wouldn't get too wound up.
so at this stage, i'm pretty happy with the purchase.
however, the thing that i did find less than satisfying was the delivery process. i ordered on Xmas day* and it was apparently ready for pick up from LBS on 20 Jan. not great, and doesn't really seem in the spirit of their
delivery guarantee #5. #6 was certainly broken, as i never got a response to an email i sent to them.
my bigger concern was over the handover process at the LBS. i think CE really need to do some more work here. the LBS were at pains to distance themselves from CE and the product. they are apparently paid by CE to assemble the bike (which i didn't know when i made the purchase, i originally assumed i was picking up a box), but the arrangement is clearly a strained one. the stem was badly misaligned, the seat was pointing upwards, the tyres had only 70 psi in them but most frustratingly - the chain hadn't been lubed. not an enjoyable experience riding your new pride and joy home on a 30km commute with no lube on the chain.
frankly, i'm not going to blame the LBS - this is CE's issue. they need to ensure this process works and it didn't in my case.
would i recommend CE to others? yes, i would. you're clearly paying less for minimal service and i suspect that was the message the LBS was trying to give me (although the horse had already bolted). i'd be willing to overlook that pantomime in favour of the value for money i received for the bike, which is a more long term proposition.
however, i may be more cautious in recommending them to someone who was a less experienced rider and uncomfortable twirling spanners. in that case, it may be better to pay the extra for more personalised service from an LBS.
* wasn't happy with the prezzies i got
