zoom26

My friend told me about Nashbar and since they almost have sales or coupons everytime, I decided to take my chances and get a bike from them. I think it's both a hit and miss especially with the name (Cavalo for some would just seem like a Cervelo knock-off). One of the good things about it is for around $700-1000 (depending on what time you get it), you get an almost-full 105 groupset bike with the exception of the brakeset which is a Tekro Aries mechanical disc system also with a Mavic Aksium One wheelset with Vittoria Zaffiro Slick 700x25c tires. Some of the downsides are: bike is a little on the heavy side, welds are really visible, uncomfortable saddle ( Just listed as Velo saddle, thought not sure if this is because it hasn't been broken in yet), uncomfortable pedals(Wellgo cage, but still good that they included pedals), stem, dropbars and seatpost are Kalloy brand. So far I have only put around 40 miles on it ( weekend) and I swapped the seatpost and saddle to a carbon bontrager seatpost with a bontrager plushier saddle and mtb/bmx platform pedals and the ride seems more enjoyable. All in all, if you're not a weight wenee or a brand-snob it is a good steal since it almost pays for the groupset and the wheelset by itself.

motosonic

It's a nice looking bike! and, it was affordable!

Maelochs

You and the bike are a perfect fit---- bike is plenty good enough for anyone who isn't seriously racing or seriously trying to impress petty people with decals, and it will last a long time ... for those folks who don't need to show up with a new bike each season to impress the rest of the group.

Kalloy makes some weighty seatposts (and some light ones---guess we know which ones Nashbar buys in bulk) but their stems are generally pretty light and are supposed to be really strong.

Elvo

Yeah it is a steal at $525 shipped for a nearly full Shimano 105 5800 group. The brakes are okay but manageable. Generic saddle/stem/posts but that is typical on sub $1k bikes.

zoom26

Nope, it was for $720 shipped. They lower the price down when they don't have the 25% going on, and raise it when they have the 25%. Regardless, still a good price I think. Forgot to mention that brake cables(both rear and front) are both internal routed, so easier to also just carry the bike from the top tube. Being that I'm not too mechanical, it took me some time to adjust the brakes ( decent pull and no rub, still would have love to just pull a little bit for brakes to engage). I guess saddle/posts/pedals and/or stems are almost to be replaced anyway regardless of what not for personal preference(for fit or comfort), though I'm not planning to as of now.

zoom26

Yeah, like I said for that price I would have barely just gotten a claris equipped bike. Trek's 1.1 and Specialized's Allez are ~$700, and those are really mixed components as far as the drive train go.

69chevy

The 105 levers with 105 calipers work wonderfully.


Score you a set of 105 calipers and throw the Tektros off of a bridge.


It's worth the $50 or so bucks.

zoom26

I think I'll agree with you with this one, I'm wondering though if the frame and fork would have mounts for calipers and would the wheelset be compatible with calipers instead? Really haven't looked into it yet

69chevy

I'm dumb.


I didn't notice it was a disc frame.

zoom26

Heh, the picture is small anyway so we're both at fault I guess. Not sure if better disc calipers/system would be an option later on? I've read that BB7's are around the best ones for mech brakes

zymphad

I wouldn't bother with brakes unless you plan to switch to TRP's hybrid, which are hydraulic but work with your 105 levers. Best of mech and hydraulic.

zoom26

Thanks, I adjusted it a little better but haven't got the chance to try it yet.

Dan333SP

I think you meant Mavic Aksium wheels and Vittoria Zaffiro tires. Given the brand name of the bike, I thought maybe they were using knockoff wheel and tire brands too, but I doubt it.

zoom26

Thanks for the correction, and yes that is what I meant. Talking about wheelsets and tires ( If they're not Continental, Schwalbe or Kenda, is a little confusing for me) especially with all the sub-tiers for each model that they have.