Road Cycling - Fondriest frameset

I'm considering buying a new frame to dress up with some 9-speed componentry. Does anyone have some input on Fondriest frames? I have my eye on a U107. At present, I have a Trek 5500, full D/A.

Pros / cons? Please discuss...

Mau mau!

But seriously, I don't know much about them. Trek is the only thing spoken here.

He was a hell of a racer though. One of my all-time faves.

I am in the process of building up my Carb Level U107. When it's completed and the weather warms up a bit, I'll post a mini review of the framset. FWIW, the folks at RBR that own 'em, love e'm.

Thanks, I'll check 'em out.

I bought an aluminum Top Level U107 frame (no carbon stays) this past fall and i absolutely love the thing....it is stiff, yet so comfortable...responsive, yet very stable...the power transfer is great, but is forgiving enough that i rode a century on it and was in no pain....I would highly highly recommend it!

Fondriest frames are very well respected here in Europe.
The welds on them are virtually invisible. The paints jobs are IMO the best there is.
But be warned...a frame such as a U107 should purely be used for racing as the aluminium tubing they're constructed of is paper thin.
Ultra lightness does have it's drawbacks.
Was seriously thinking about buying a Fondriest Max Carb for racing on next season but decided to get a Specialized Allez Comp. Got a very good deal on it. Maybe slightly heavier than comparably priced frames but this gives me confidence that it's slightly overbuilt. Looks different than run of the mill frames too.
Just my two shillings worth.

Are you not satisfied with the TREK or do you just want something different?

I looked into the Fondriest frames but at the time they did not stock the size I needed in the model I selected so I decided to purchase a Wilier. Fondriest is anexcellent frame and would be a good choice. Sell the TREK on Ebay to get back some of your money.

Marc

The Dedacciai tubing is no thinner than most other production AL frames....they are all paper thin....I talked with people that rode/race on them before I purchased it.. and they said it has held up longer than other alum frames they rode...I wouldnt be too concerned using the bike for regular rides (unless you are a heavier rider maybe)....thats just me....a bike is bought to be ridden.

Syncros you're mistaken in thinking aluminium frames are all paper thin. Obviously thinner walled tubing gives a lighter frame but the cost of this is reduced frame life. An overbuilt frame will under normal circumstances last longer but is heavier. I'm a big bloke so an ultra light aluminium frame used for whatever purpose wouldn't be suitable for me. Don't know about you but I insist on good value for money. Yes i agree a bike should be bought to be ridden but only under the right circumstances. Don't know of any person whether racer or not in the club i'm in who trains/rides using a very light aluminium framed bike. Especially this time of the year! Most of them are using old steel framed bikes. They're heavy but they fit the purpose and do the job.

I agree with you in what you said. It does make a difference who is riding them. Im a sub 140 pound rider so I dont have nearly as much to worry about as someone who is much larger than I, for I rarely ever break parts...But I do know lots of people who ride lightweight aluminum frames regularly (not in the winter usually, ure right) but most dont have problems. When I was commenting on the frame walls....paper thin is relative...The fondriest frameset tube thickness wasnt drastically different from many other alum. production bikes i researched... anyways....most wall thicknesses for the dedacciai tubing (downtubes for ex) are around 0.8mm in the thinnest sections...not far off frame other tubesets.