cantdrv55

Opinions anyone? Is it a good buy for $949?

https://www.fezzari.com/Catania.htm

DocJ

A "large" fits riders 5'8" - 6'3"??? Sounds like a gamble considering similar bikes with identical components for $1000. Don't know anything about that frame in particular, though.

cryogenic

holy crap... per the website on their geometry page it says: "Don't be fooled into thinking that more sizes means better fit. Fine fit is achieved with seat post and stem adjustments."

WOW... that's crazy.

Hanzo

Parts spec seems ok for the $950 or whatever but that frame just looks horribly out of proportion. Probably rides weird.

catatonic

that frame is odd, the downtube sreams TT bike, but the rest screams sport riding.

Other than the frame, the bike looks pretty nice

I think that frame is bipolar

dfw

I don't think the frame is too far from what many of the major bike manufactures are now offering for some of their models. Several major brands are offering compact geometry bikes with just a few sizes.

The price doesn't look that great to me. You can get a last years model bike with similar components for about the same price at most LBSs. The difference being you're going to get a professional fit to go with the bike which can make all the difference in the world. You can also get a major brand that you can unload on ebay if you want to trade up after a couple of years. You're likely to take a major hit on resale for a no-name bike. I'm a big fan of Costco, but this doesn't look like a good deal.

khuon

The frame itself is probably fine but not great. The component spec is decent. The price is mediocre... one can do better at a LBS. That MSRP is pretty high although at $950, it's not too bad but I still think you can score a better bargain elsewhere. The assembly quality from Costco is bound to be suspect. Expect to tack on another $50 or so to have a qualified bikeshop do a complete tuneup. The fitting is going to be nil so beware when entering the water... no life guard on duty and there's that "shark warning" that cryogenic previously mentioned. When you consider that a comparably equipped Specialized Allez Elite is MSRP at $1100 and actually has better frame and components plus service from a LBS, that bike from Costco doesn't look like such a bargain anymore.

Raiyn

Or simply put: The Costco bike shaped object sucks

baj32161

I would go to a LBS and avoid this...I know you can have better. I got my LeMond Tourmalet (04 model) for $850.00...and it's specced with 105/Ultegra. The frame and stem on that just don't look right, and as stated earlier, I wouldn't trust the assembly.

Doid23

Fezzari? Sounds like a p0rn star name for a bike. That could be one of the cheesiest sounding bike names going. That alone would make it impossible for me to buy that bike (plus I agree with other posters, the price doesn't blow me away).

yakes_md

For the same price, I would take a look at a Trek 1500.

55/Rad

No name alumimum frame, and ok components for $950? Coming from Costco, I would have expected a better deal.

What I do find interesting is what this says about the resurgence of road bikes.

55/Rad

pseudobrit

This is some company buying stock Taiwanese frames, then slapping a logo and 105 kit on them.

The major difference you're bound to see is that they only bother to purchase four frame sizes, then try to bull**** you into thinking there's only four sizes needed.
They were simply too cheap to buy the in between sizes.

sirshane13

What worries me is the fact that there is a market for this kind of stuff, whose quality is unknown (but probably not stellar). A bunch of people who go to Costco and not their LBS might be enticed by such a bike. I can't imagine them having a good warranty, and I certainly don't think Costco employees are good for fit and advice about riding ... but that's a gross overgeneralisation that's probably horribly inaccurate

Guest

Anything from Costco is going to be pretty cheap.

Koffee

55/Rad

I think this is a gross over-generalization. Costco sells cheap stuff for sure but they also sell less expensive, decent quality stuff. This bike is not a good example of that unfortunately but it's not like we are talking aout Walmart.

55/Rad

jogo413

I took the plunge and bought one. The bike came delivered almost fully assembled, and was adjusted pretty good. I have owned several road bikes and this one – surprisingly – is a great ride. I found out more info on the frame -- the manufacturer says it's made in Taiwan at a couple of factories that also make many other high-end bike brands. It far exceeded what I thought I was going to get.

baj32161

Well I don't mean this as a personal attack, so please do not take it as one....I cannot imagine why you would spend $950.00 at Costco when you could have gone to a bike shop and spent the same money (and, in some cases, less) and gotten a much better product and service. The frame was manufactured in Taiwan, but by whom. Are you so unconcerned about your own safety? This may sound a bit melodramatic but I am not about to drop almost $1000.00 on something that I have to put my butt on and maybe slice down hills at 30+mph, and not know who manufactured it, or assembled it.

This looks to me like it is clearly aimed at the impulse buyer, and that is not the way to spend $950.00 on a bicycle, epsecially a road bike where safety is clearly an issue.

At least you got it for yourself and not a "gift" for aomeone else.

Just my two cents

terrymorse 

And that's somehow different than what other companies do at these price points?

dfw

It may be cheap in price, but for the most part Costco sells high quality merchandise. The bike mentioned is the obvious exception.

ewitz

What a bunch of snobs. There is nothing inherently wrong with this bike. The price point is about right for what they are selling, not stellar, but OK. They spec'ed it with everything that you would expect and did not pull any quick substitutions, they even went with a FSA 2 piece crank with and integrated MegaExo BB. There is nothing unsafe about this bike. I would be more worried about someone picking up cycling using this bike blowing by you in a few months after catching the bug. I would expect this bike to give years of decent performance to someone who buys it.

gunnz

I got one of these Catanias and I love it. As posted on another thread, it rides nicer than my previous bikes, granted that bikes in general have advanced a lot since then.

dfw

The original question was, "is this a good deal?" My answer is no. It's not that I don't think it's a decent bike, it's just that better deals can easily be found and when you factor in no free fitting or support from a LBS, it becomes a very bad deal.

ggg300

I agree!!!!!!!!

Adgooroo

Lemond Reno w/aluminum frame with true road bike geometry and at least a semblance of racing heritage, cf fork and stem, mix of tiagra and 105 drive components = $800 or so at LBS; next step up in their line would get 105 all around, I think, for about a grand.