musicgeek83

I'm a newby here and am not looking to spend more than $600 on a bike. The two that I've seen and read reviews on that I like best are the Tommaso Imola and the Dawes Lightning 1000. Any thoughts on which is better?

johnny99

Which one fits you better?

Adgooroo

OP - if you've researched these bikes online, you might want to throw the specs up here in your thread - save us the trouble of doing the same, and you'll probably get some input.

Sirrobinofcoxly

Also show pics. Then we can choose our favorite colour, and ignore the important aspects of the ride quality and parts.

huytheskigod

I've put together a couple of Tommaso Imolas for a couple of friends and am very surprised by the quality of the bikes. They are fairly light for the bike class and feels solid. I don't think you would be disappointed. Make sure it's put together properly. I also had to do a little truing on the wheels of one of the bikes but the other was fine.

huytheskigod

I just remembered something...The dawes frame is the same as an 05 Fuji Ace. In that case, the Tommaso is significantly lighter than the Dawes. Just some more info for your decision.

musicgeek83

Here's the Tommaso:
Specifications
Frame: AluminumSemi Compact Frame, w/replaceable dropout & integrated headtube Fork: Carbon fiber legs, alloy integrated crown, CR-MO 1-1/8" steerer Rear Shock: N/A Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora Triple Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora GS Shifters: Shimano Sora 8-Spd Brakes Levers: Shimano Sora Brakes: Tektro, Black Chain: Shimano HG50 Crankset: Prowheel 52/42/30T, Black Cassette: Sunrace 11-24 8-Spd Pedals: Wellgo WPD-998 (Optional - $20 additional charge) Bottom Bracket: Chromoly square taper Headset: FSA Intellaset Saddle: Tommaso Steel Rail Seat Post: Tomasso Alloy Handlebar: Tommaso Alloy Ergonomic 26.0 Grips: Cork Tape Stem: Tommaso Alloy 26.0 Tires: Kenda 700x25c Wheelset: Weinmann XR18 Weight: 22lbs (approximate) 52cm without pedals/relectors Color: Burgundy Pearl

Here's the Dawes:
ain Frame Precision Handmade Dawes Altair 1 Compact aluminum with traditional round down tube, Double water bottle mounts Rear Triangle Dawes Altair 1 aluminum curved seat stay w/ rack mount, Dawes forged road dropout with replaceable derailleur hanger Fork Dawes 1 1/8" steerer, custom tapered Cro-Moly, Aero Road Crankset Dawes Forged Aluminum Road 30/42/52T Chainring Bottom Bracket Semi Cartridge Bearing ST Pedals (FREE BONUS ROAD PEDALS) Front Derailleur Shimano 2200 series, 31.8mm for triple Rear Derailleur Shimano 2200 series Shifters NEW Shimano 2203 shifters integrated into brake levers, 24-speed Triple Cassette/Freewheel SunRace, 12-24T 8-speed Chain KMC Z-72 Front / Rear Hub Formula Aluminum Alloy Road, 36h / Formula Aluminum Alloy Cassette Road, 8-speed, 36H (black finish) Spokes 14G Stainless Steel Rims Alex R-500 Double Wall Aluminum, 36H 700c clincher Tires Kenda K-152, 700 X 25c, schraeder valve tubes (auto valve) Brake Set ProMax Dual Pivot Forged Road Brake Levers NEW Shimano 2200 shifter/brake levers and Tektro RL-570 Top Mount on flat portion of handlebar for additional braking position Headset Ritchey LB 1.125inch sealed bearing Handlebar Aluminum Alloy Road Stem Dawes Adjustable Road Aluminum, Removable Clamp Tape/Grip Custom cork wrap Saddle Anatomical with Cro-Moly rails Seat Post Dawes Comp Micro Adjust Aluminum, 250mm x 27.2 Seat Clamp Ultralite alloy, 31.8mm, Lazer etched Sizes XSmall, Small, Medium, Large, XLarge Colors BlackGloss, PearlWhite
Both fit me fine and Ilike riding both. I want something that I can do a fair bit of touring with, and the occassional amateur road race. As a poor student, I'm looking for something to last several years.

Adgooroo

OP - in my opinion, the Tommaso wins - Shimano Sora components vs. 2200 Series (Sora is a higher grade); Carbon fiber fork vs. Aluminum.

acorn_user

You're looking at Randall Scott and Bikesdirect aren't you?
For similar cash, your LBS might have something like a Lemond Etape (insert brand name here). For $600, you don't need to mail order a bike if you don't want to.
Bikesdirect usually have good specs, but they seem to have dropped the ball on this one. The Tommaso looks much classier and has nicer components.

euphoria

protip: be less obvious next time, or hire me to advertise for the company

Mach42

If you're set on buying online, look at this: A road bike from GT, who seems to be improving their line of quality bikes within the past few years.

$570 with free shipping, and the Series 3.0 bike that my cousin ordered from here came with a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork instead of the specced Ouzo Comp. It's a steal. The only weaknesses are the brakes, which are Tektro, and low-end Tektro at that. Maybe the seatpost too. It's not one with infinite angle adjustment. It relies on raised teeth at the clamp, which will get you close, but probably not exactly your desired seat angle.

The guys at bicycleoutlet were pleasant to deal with and even called me back within minutes when I called for some info and got their answering machine on the weekend.

https://www.thebicycleoutlet.com/inde...pshop&Itemid=1

GT GT-R Series 3.0
CATEGORY ROAD
MODEL Series 3
FRAME 6061 butted
FORK Carbon / aluminum
SIZES 48,50,52,54,56,60
FRAME GT R design with smooth welded Kinesis 6061 butted tubing
FORK Reynolds Ouzo Comp Integrated Design 1 1/8" threadless steerer
CRANKSET FSA Gossamer compact design, 50/34
BB MEGA XO out board
PEDALS Wellgo Clipless
FRT DER. Shimano Tiagra
RR DER Shimano Tiagra
SHIFTERS Shimano Tiagra STI 27 spd
FREEWHEEL Shimano HG-70 9spd 11-23
CHAIN Shimano HG-53 9spd
RIMS

Alex Crostini R1.1F R1.2R black anodized with silver sidewalls
TIRES Vittoria Zaffiro, 700 x 23c
FRONT HUB Shimano Tiagra
REAR HUB Shimano Tiagra
SPOKES 14g stainless steel
NIPPLES Brass CP
FRONT BRAKE Tektro Forged Dual pivot
REAR BRAKE Tektro Forged Dual pivot
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Tiagra STI
HANDLEBAR FSA Road Oversize
STEM FSA OS -170, 3D forged and CNC machined
GRIPS Black Cork
HEADSET TH Intellaset
SADDLE Fizik Pave CP3 with Royal gel cushion
SEAT POST FSA SL-280

No shilling, just one happy cousin of mine with a good bike for cheap.

bikesdirect_com

This is an example of way I hate 'shipping cost' add ons
I know everyone does it - but you will notice bikesdirect and bikeisland use delivered prices.

The Lightning 1000 is $369 delivered with pedals

The Imola is $399 without pedals; but if you look it is $50 to ship it
so at $449 without pedals it is a different price point bike altogether

Customers at the below $800 to $1000 range consider $80 or $1000 to be a lot of money

We sell a Lighnting 1200 with carbon fork on ebay for under $450 delivered with pedals

however, that said - any of these bikes is a good deal and a great place to start out road cycling
we have sold THOUSANDS of Dawes Lightning Road Bikes; customers love them

I bet customers who get the Imola love it too
either would be great

mike

acorn_user

Ahh, I missed the shipping cost thing. You should compare apples with apples, i.e. the lightning 1200.